The drudgeries of life

Of lazy weekends

2012-01-29T23:48:00.000+05:30

If I had thought that the weekend was not off to a lazy start for once, the remainder of the four rather relaxed days put all my earlier doubts to rest!

Nothing like relaxing under the warm sun like the good old days on the lawns in the nearby botanical garden, catching up with some reading, indulging in some photography, walking around a bit (not to mention, doing some tight-rope walking too in the name of adventure sports!), attending a friend's marriage (sighs! One more eligible bachelor bites the dust! :p), sleeping like logs, devouring some yummy delicacies (be it at The Spice Village, Paradise, Cream Stone, or Punjabi Rasoi, you name it and we were there!), watching an awesome Australian Open Men's Singles Final (a tad bit disappointed that Rafa lost by a whisker :( ), and last but not the least, but surely at the last moment, trying to make the most of the mega sale that ended tonight! How's that for action?!

Oh well! It did start off with a bang early on Thursday in beautiful Gandipet! The run up, literally, to the Auroville Full Marathon sure seems to be on track with a sub-hour 10 kms run at the wonderfully organized Hyderabad Runners Club Run 2012... need to stick it out on the 42 kms long forest trail for over 5 hours at least when I revisit beautiful Pondicherry err Puducherry next month! Mind over body, as always it's going to be...

In other news, I'm not down with the writers' block... just don't feel like writing much with so much to do. Plus my loved ones seem to be doing a wonderful job in the penning down department. Keep up the flow of beautiful words and fantastic posts, D, M, S and A :)

Hence, that's it for now!

An eventful and busy week is about to begin!

Till next time, ciao...

Lost for words...

2012-01-15T02:53:00.003+05:30

... High on life :)

The fantastic year that was :)

2011-12-31T21:21:00.001+05:30

When surviving (forget living) 2010, I had wished for something exactly the opposite of the dreaded time I was experiencing - I had sincerely wished for the year to end in a jiffy and for a brand new one to start!

Guess Someone up there heard my plea and answered my wish :)

2011 for me, right from Day 1 was a fresh start.

Quite a lot happened this year: right from the call which I had been waiting for since ages; the conversion of the offer; the bike trips to Neemrana, Shimla, and Nainital early in the year; the brilliance in taking leave from somewhere I didn't belong on a nice note; switched over to a place where I belong to; attending numerous marriages and engagements of friends; the relentless travel all round the year (by jove, I covered 16 states and UTs in all); met someone who is here to stay in my life for aeons to come and with whom I've lived lifetimes in such a short span of time; visited home so many times and spent quality time with my parents and sister each time <3, the last trip during Christmas being extra special with a new member joining the family :)

Anything and everything that happened in 2011 made the 365 days endearing to me.

And right now I'm going to miss it badly... only the assurance of 2012 turning out to be even better than its predecessor gives me confidence to let go of 2011 on a happy note!

What better way to bid goodbye to the year and welcome the new one than with family and close friends (thought I'd miss the former this time round, the time spent with them is still fresh in my memory :))

Hope everyone has a fantastic ending to 2011 and gets to welcome 2012 with arms wide open.

Happy 2012, people!

Farewell 2011!

Cheers!!

Homecoming!

2011-12-21T03:42:00.000+05:30

For as long back as I can remember, Christmas time and the holiday season have been all about family time.

Save for the one-off occurrence a couple of years ago, I have always spent this time of the year with my parents and sister. This time is no different! :)

Earlier all four of us used to pack our bags and rush off to Calcutta for a quiet, peaceful and beautiful getaway during Christmas time. But for the past few years, it has been an all home affair - something I like much more than the sojourn at Cal. In those trips to West Bengal's capital city, all we did was go shopping, devour delicacies, attend mass, roam around and relax, all of that in a city which for me always had the tag "It's a neat place to visit but you wouldn't wanna live there." At home, we get to do all of that plus, best of all, feel at home. Sighs :)

Home for me is Fantasia - a name which my dear parents gave to the nest they built on a foundation of love and dreams - yep, as strong as ever! True to the name, our home is a free composition structured according the composers' (my parents, in this case) fancy. Over the years, despite the winds of change and the sands of time, proper planning and relentless efforts have ensured that the foundation of the place has just grown stronger in parallel to the structure expanding like a big heart, where, needless to say, love has thrived and memories have been cemented.

Myself and my kid sister grew up in Fantasia, and no matter where life takes us or what we become, our home will form an integral part of us and whenever we go back there to visit our beloved Dada and Mumma, we'll be back to being kids and will relive the pleasant nostalgia of our childhood days - for us, it will always be Square One.

To reiterate, home for me is Fantasia - it is Dada's warm embrace, proud eyes, easy laugh, and wonderful talks; it is Mumma's cozy lap, beautiful smile, caring hands, excited chatter, and her relentless pampering; it is Sweety's big hugs, reminiscent ponderings, sibling wars, and cute dramebaazis!

Aahhhh! Just 2 more days, and I'll be there to experience it all. Just that, this time round it will be a tad bit extra special for all of us. I've never been so sure of anything else till date.

Life's more or less perfect when you're touching wood almost always :)

I remember an age old wall hanging on the walls of Fantasia which had the caption, "Home is where the heart is." I'm retracing my steps back to my heart pretty soon!! This time round, I'm taking another heart along... :)

Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas, well in advance!!

No comebacks

2011-12-03T03:46:00.001+05:30

You know that feeling when you're traveling at full speed on a straight empty road, crossing familiar landmarks, and after a while you suddenly realize you've covered a stretch of the street without even realizing when that had happened? It's not that you had fallen asleep in between, but you hardly took in any element of the surroundings that passed by despite being wide awake and having navigated the twists, turns et al (albeit subconsciously). Yet you've covered the distance safely and are still going strong.

Life is somewhat like that - it happens when you're busy enjoying it, being lost in moments and hardly keeping track of time.

Once you realize that you've covered a stretch of the road without actually any casualty occurring, you don't dwell on the what-ifs for long. Maybe if you remembered that the street was fraught with danger in the form of potholes and speed breakers, you'd look back for a moment and wonder how exactly you managed to navigate to safety without being in your right senses then. But then you'd probably dismiss the inquisition immediately without much fuss. What matters now is that you're safe. A pat on the back for the wonderful maneuvering of the vehicle too...

Akin to when people close to you help you in tiding over crises in life, keep you distracted, shower you with joy and happiness, and before you know it, voila! You're the same person in a whole new beautiful world, devoid of darkness, sadness and negativity, devoid of lies, sham and all that had clouded life a while back. In retrospect, you can't believe you came this far unscathed, but then you believe. Life leaves you with no other option but to be grateful and to pat yourself on the back for pulling yourself up, even if with others' help, and to trudge on.

I love running in marathons. I run long distances whenever I get the chance. In addition to being one of the best forms of catharsis, running is also a wonderful way of coming to terms with living life.

Firstly, marathons are not meant to be won - they're supposed to be finished. Just like life is meant to be lived, not to be outrun.

Blimey, living life to the fullest, each and every moment, and finishing each marathon run give a high like no other!

Secondly, you run a marathon for yourself - you've got no hidden agendas, you don't intend to impress anyone with your feat - the only thing on your mind is seeing yourself cross the finish line and feeling like a person who has been reborn, cleansed of all the maladies of the previous life.

Similarly, you need to cherish life for what it is to you - don't run after success like a mad dog runs after vehicles (even if the former catches up with the latter, it still continues to chase other vehicles... it's a never-ending story), live for yourself, live with others and not for others (at least not until you segregate the uncut diamonds from the stones, the latter being the ones you'd bend this rule for :) ) - life has ample highs to give away to all who care to welcome it with open arms!

Also, when progressing towards the finish line in a marathon, what occupies your field of vision is not the finish line but the surroundings, the beautiful landscapes that you keep crossing every once in a while.

Life these days has become too fast for our own good. We miss to observe so much while running the relentless rat race that has taken over our lives. Whilst it's practically unfeasible to put an end to the rat race or to exit it prematurely, we can surely slow down our pace and live life in parallel. Like a wise chap has said, "Even if you win the rat race, you'll still be a rat." So why not try to win something else instead of the race, life's treasures and irreplaceable moments for instance.

Those, and lots of subtle comparisons.

Maybe all of this sounds impractical, too ideal, philosophical even. But jump into your shoes and start running. You'll get the drift, literally and figuratively speaking.

Anyway, that's all for this edition.

The year 2011 was a breeze. Exactly one year ago, I couldn't wait for it to start and put an end to dreaded 2010. Today, less than 30 days before it bids farewell, I don't want the year to end at all...

Oh well! End it will, though I hope and pray the magic and happiness that got injected into life in 2011 continues for years to come.

Somethings rightfully meet a premature end and are buried off in a jiffy, but some ageless things that end up in a coma, no thanks to a series of unfortunate events, can certainly be revived. All it takes is constant support and faith - this blog could never die, no matter how severe the coma it goes into. Thanks to D, M, S and A for helping me resuscitate it and to revive the eternal masquerade of emotions! Love you folks! :)

On an ending note, I could only quote the following lines by Pink Floyd: I knew the moment had arrived, for killing the past and coming back to life...

One score, many years! - A Letter to my Little Angel

2011-09-22T02:14:00.013+05:30

Hi kiddo,

Time flies.
It seems like it was just yesterday that I had received the good news that you'd be joining the family... I was happy, but I remember having no clue as to what the whole brouhaha was all about.

Enlightenment took its own sweet time to dawn.
Soon enough I had realized that even long before your arrival, you had unwittingly started stealing my limelight, everyone's attention of which, until then, I was the sole recipient!
Worst still, a while before your arrival, the woman I loved the most had to be taken away from me and was imprisoned (or so I thought!), and I was allowed to meet her only once a day as per visit schedules.
And I had started fretting over the thought that if the harbingers of your imminent arrival were this unwelcome, how unpleasant your arrival could turn out to be for me!!

And then you arrived.
One glance at you and all the childish negativity had evaporated.
Right at that moment, all I cared about was the fact that I now had two beautiful women in my life :)
The new entrant was you, the little angel who I couldn’t help keep gawping at!
Before I knew it, I was a big brother. Period.
That day was the 22nd of September in 1991. A Sabbath as holy as every!

The last couple of lines in the rhyme “Monday’s Child” fitted you ditto, and they still do:
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is bonny and blithe and good and gay

Soon enough you became the apple of everyone’s eyes. You won so many hearts.
More importantly, in a jiffy you became the centre of my universe. Needless to say, you still are.
True that pangs of jealousy and vindictiveness played spoilsport initially, but they paved the way for a stronger bond.

I remember the evenings in crèche when, at the tender age of 8, I used to be faced with the decision to choose between a cricket match with friends, and being with my hardly-a-year-old sister. I used to surprise myself by forgoing the dumb game, though I do confess now to having looked out longingly towards the field at those times...

I vividly recollect the bone-chilling experience of our first long walk, you were all of 2 years then, to the colony pond with the kid next door – the stroll during which, out of the blue, a pack of mad stray dogs charged towards us helpless kids. Though the other kid ran for his life, I, despite being scared to death but realizing that it was impossible for us both to take flight, held you protectively and stood my ground. I had wondered where a scaredy cat like myself had garnered this much courage from.

I can still recall those hundreds of games which I taught you to play over the years, most importantly cricket. I had made you believe that bowling is the best thing ever, and while a half-a-decade old you used to tirelessly keep pitching the ball, I, the selfish batsman, enjoyed while also exposing you to the joy of fielding :p

I reminisce about the smart and brilliant kiddo that you always were, excellent in academics, fantastic in extracurrics, teachers’ pet, our parents’ gem, and my little role model!Then came our fights. I was pretty sure that our ‘cat and dog fights’, as mom labelled them, would lead to our being sent away to different boarding schools. Thankfully that never happened, despite our squabbling being a never-ending story :D

My memories of your teens is somewhat hazy, my staying away from home to be blamed for that, but I clearly remember the somewhat awkward adolescent who had her own set of strengths, but was struggling to find a foothold in life. Then, it had seemed like an energetic electron losing its energy and spiralling downwards into the nucleus. But all nerds know that that doesn’t happen! As did I.
Your temporary relapse was akin to a solar eclipse – you fear that the brilliance of the sun is going to get lost in the oblivion of darkness, yet at the point where getting enveloped by gloom seems inevitable, an unexpected and outright brilliant corona in the middle of the nothingness serves as a positive harbinger of change, reinstates your faith, and lights up your world!

Sure enough, the way you pulled yourself up from the rubble, and emerged as a much stronger person is praiseworthy. And you’ve never looked back since. The way you’re surging ahead in life now, there’s no way that the sky is the limit for you *touchwood*

I hate comparisons to the core, but I feel pretty smug about getting to see traces of myself in you. That said, I effortlessly gloat about the fact that you’ve outdone me and all my tacit expectations of you, but best of all, you’re constantly outshining yourself! Keep it up!!
Simply saying that I’m proud of you would be the understatement of the millennium. Words fail me

Back to square one.
I’ll reiterate. Time does fly.
Today is the 22^nd of September in 2011.
And just like that, you’ve completed 20 whole revolutions around the sun! By jove!!
Things have changed, but certain aspects remain constant.
You were an infant then and are a mature adult now, but you’ll always remain my baby sister <3
You were a little girl a few years ago who has blossomed into a beautiful, charming, intelligent, compassionate, independent woman. But come what may, I’ll be the same overprotective, loving, mischievous, lecture-giving, pain-in-the-ass big brother that I always was :D

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays, Sweetu!
Shine on, you crazy diamond of mine!

Truckloads of love, hugs and kisses,
Appu

Current mood :)

2011-08-13T07:36:00.000+05:30

"I’ve shut the door on yesterday

And thrown the key away-

Tomorrow holds no fear for me

Since I have found today."

- Vivian Y Laramore

2011-08-01T07:15:00.002+05:30

There was greenery all over the place – be it in the form of shrubs, trees, leaves strewn around here and there. We had been trekking, rock climbing and had remained in constant motion for the past 3 hours at least, and all this while, I felt as if I was engulfed by silence in the wilderness. There was not another living soul save for us in the vicinity. It was time to halt. The steep slope of the hill ensured that standing with both feet at one level was not possible. After merely 60 seconds had elapsed, I realized the irony that though the silence was missing thanks to constant music, there was a strange mesmerizing tranquility and placidness to be found there - there, in the middle of nowhere…

Ah! The music! It was drizzling. The gushing waterfalls nearby, the rain drops falling on the trees' leaves, the drops from leaves hitting the ground, the restless insects, the inquisitive frogs, the slightly soggy leaves and branches rustling in the rain-laced breeze – all resembled different musical exponents competing against each other to showcase their best performance, the combined end result being a musical composition as soothing as any I have ever heard. Mother Nature, needless to say, was the perfect conductor of a symphony orchestra made up of her varied elements.

The last thought on my mind at that heavenly moment was that we were lost!!

I could brag and boast about my amazing weekend trip with 4 friends (sans any guide or a huge group) to a little known place called Rajmachi Fort somewhere amidst the lush green forests of Maharashtra, but none of it would do justice to Mother Nature in her entirety!

From the late night journey on Friday from Hyderabad to Karjat; the yummy Vada Pav’s at Sattu’s; the daunting 8-odd kms long trek and treacherous climb commencing from Kondivade; the hypnotic sceneries, the hundreds of waterfalls seeping through the rocky hills; getting lost after hitting a dead-end but luckily finding the helping hand of tribals to put us back on the right track; the undying spirit of my gang which trudged on despite rain, slush, bushes, thorns and pain; the fantastic night stay at a hut in Rajmachi village; the early morning climb in the rains to Manaranjan fort up in the hills, the 14-odd kms long trek back to Lonavala encountering muddy roads and streams (both usually ankle deep), wading through a knee-deep river, to finally ending it all on a successful note when boarding the Hyderabad Express at Lonavala - it was an experience of a lifetime!

Best part was taking the risk and clicking hundreds of photographs in harsh, camera-unfriendly conditions! Memories galore…

There’s something special about traveling to distant places, especially those which are yet to be ravaged by commercialization and pollution. I only wish people learn the art of not dirtying up places they visit, and help preserve the virginity and dignity of such untouched lands. Anyway, taking no chances, I’m all set to explore such unchartered territories whenever an opportunity presents itself, lest I get to experience the beauty in preserved form later on only in some bloody history museum *shivers*

Thanks to the constant state of being drenched in the rains over the weekend, and walking all over the show like that, I’m down with a leaking tap of a nose *snort snort* It’s another matter that the source of mesmerization has changed hands, and the slight fever and phlegm have taken a back seat J

Fingers crossed for my Hydventura nomination for the Silent Valley Trek later this month getting accepted! Visiting and exploring Kerala has been a childhood dream! Also, need to start preparing for the Hyderabad Marathon if I plan to run the 21 kms in under 2 hours. Sighs!

Time to head home and recover!

Plan some neat travel trips, you all… :)

Cheers!

Pottermnia

2011-07-29T23:00:00.000+05:30

Yesterday was a Thursday like no other!

After procrastinating it for a long time, I finally ended up watching HP7… yeah yeah! I know that I was probably amongst the last few Potter buffs to have watched it 

I was somewhat apprehensive about seeing it because this was the last of the lot. A fullstop of sorts. I felt like the kid who despite knowing that it’s going to end sooner or later, keeps licking his icecream cone slowly so as to make it last forever…

What’s funny is that this abstinence would’ve continued if not for a bunch of really cool folks who on the spur of the moment agreed to watch the movie bang in the middle of the week, some shirking lunch, others forgoing either work or parties (blimey! two of them watching it for the 2nd time!) 

What ensued was a faction of Dumbledore’s Army (DA) assembling for the first time at Prasad’s… four strangers, but all awkwardness, if any, seemed to vanish in a jiffy courtesy a Evansco spell!

And thereafter what a magical evening it turned out to be!

The movie did little justice to the books and the director took some creative liberty (I wonder how JKR gave it a go-ahead sign, and sang praises for it at the premiere), but still it wasn’t as bad as raving mad Potter fans had been swearing!

For starters, the movie’s pace seemed to be superfast – as if the director had to get done with it in a jiffy and catch the Hogwarts Express! You’d be like, “Wow! The War of Hogwarts has already started?!?”

Secondly, and most importantly, the movie lacked flow – akin to watching disjoint subjects on different slides of a power point presentation! One scene on one slide, then next. And voila! The last “thank you” slide arrives prematurely. This movie should’ve been longer 

One more point – important instances from the book are neglected and instead of them, you find some made up plots which find no mention in the book. Like one of the DA mentioned, one character who we grew up with, who along with his twin brother was one of the most loved in Potter’s fold - Fred Weasley – a tremendous injustice was done when even his death in the last battle wasn’t shown! Sob sob.

Many more points as such, but no use cribbing. Like in JK Rowling’s own words, “The stories we love best do live in us forever.” 

Worst part is that it’s over. The end of the line.

The loose ends in the movie sure gave a feeling that we can look forward to more. Go go go JKR! Get to work :p

Blasphemy though it might be considered, the bunch I hung out with surely ensured that the rest of the evening was much better than the movie! Thankfully no hangovers after the grand finale…

Needless to say, long live Pottermania.

And long live Potter-maniacs ;)

I’m off to explore the wilderness in Maharashtra for the next 2 days *rubbing hands in glee*

Happy weekend folks! Make the most of it :)

Happy Birthday Mumma!

2011-07-24T18:01:00.000+05:30

Nothing like paying a surprise visit home!
That too for Mumma's birthday... loved shocking all 3 of them like I did a few years ago :D
Mumma's accident injuries yet to heal! Hope they heal soon...
One awesome weekend it was!
Happy vappy birthay, Mumma! Muaahhh

Pune trip!

2011-07-18T05:55:00.005+05:30

Late night. Bus journey. Pune, alright! Weekend getaway.

Final destination. Pune station. Baner, Balewadi. PMC. Rush of memories J

Reunions. Nostalgia. Rejuvenated at once. Bakar mania.

Hinjewadi. Infy. Awe-inspiring campus. Same old rumpus.

Surprise rendezvous. FC3. Blogworld’s who’s who! Fun spree. Icecream treat too :p

Tipsy. ECC. Gym. Back to square one!

Drizzle. Bike rides. Sans the daily tussle. Bloodshot eyes.

Birthday boy. Party, ahoy! CopaCabana. Going bananas!

Cocktail fest. Awesome music. Sanity put to test. Timer-mode pics.

Dead of the night. Friend’s flight. Sky Garage. Hookah smoke barrage.

Laughing. Conversations. Sighing. Repetitions.

Ungodly hours. Sleepy spars. Nightout. Totally kaput! :s

Early morn. Passenger train. Didn’t take long! Mumbaiii again.

Door-side seat. Munchies to eat. Click click click. A few with my clique!

CST. Vada pav in dhabha. BEST. Colaba.

Leopold. Fantastic aura, as I was told! Lots of chow. Pitchers in tow.

Birthday girl. Gang’s surprises. Storm after the lull. Need for more action arises!

Heavy rains. Unchartered terrains. Colorful umbrellas. Happy-go-lucky fellas. :D

Marine drive. Romantic sight! Camera comes alive. Absolut delight.

Photography. Choerography. Long walks, along those weird shaped rocks.

Natural ice cream treat. Churchgate. Via Jai Hind street. Slow local at 15:48.

Dadar. Despite the bombings, all in order! Shivneri. End of the Mumbai reverie…

40 winks. Tired & haggard. “Enough for the day”, everyone thinks. Off at Wakad.

A burst of energy! Auto to Hinjewadi. St. Laurn’s. Another awesome evening dawns!

Plans & vacillations. Concrete decisions. Food & pints unlimited. Nightout reloaded.

Break of dawn Getting up with a whine. Yawn after yawn. Bah! Rise & shine.

Time to depart. Slow start. Raining cats & dogs. Everywhere slush & bogs. K

Superb pace. Songs in full volume. Sceneries that amaze! End of our sleepy gloom.

Empty tummy demands repast! Yummy breakfast. Piping hot tea. Off to Panchgani.

To Mother Nature, obeisance! Rejuvenated. Return to innocence. Masti unlimited!

Last stop: Mahabaleshwar. Another “been there, done that” chapter!

Crazy showers. Horse ride & treks. Wading through mud & rivers. Rain-defying clicks!

Heading home. Comments, retorts & pranks some. Déjà vu. “Sad it’s over, are you?”

Dusk. Another ending yet hanging on. Tsk tsk. Back to square one.

Quite the perfect weekend \m/

Things taking shape...

2011-06-29T14:16:00.000+05:30

Realization: Life is like that shapeless lump of clay on a potter's wheel... it needs to be shaped constantly by the very person to whom it belongs. A little lag here or some slack there, and voila! It mutates back to its original lifeless form.

When I look back at the past year, I get the feeling that I had slowly by slowly allowed my life to slip out of my hands. Some potter I was :|

A quick reflection, a speedy then-and-now analysis, and I can pat myself on the back for gaining a foothold on life before it slipped into an abyss of shapelessness, an unfortunate eventuality had I continued the way I was going...

Things are back on track now, and gaining momentum. A few more things need to fall into place, and then everything'll be better than where I left it a couple of years ago :)

Also, a paranoia about suffering from a permanent case of writers block had been hounding me of late. Resuming blogging courtesy InfyBlogs dispelled that notion. Phew.

2 more days before another new start. New house, hopefully new project et al.

Will miss the little angel who has come to become the center of my life in the last week - my roommate Anshul's neice, Parii. Love that kid!

That's it for now. Time to hit the sack (and hit the gym early in the morning... ahem!)

More later...

Summer's almost gone!

2011-05-28T01:41:00.000+05:30

One of the speediest and most fun-filled summers ever!

Didn't have to beat the heat this time round... no need. There was never a cool-er summer!

Lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer of 2011 :)

Seems like the pre-monsoons have arrived here... a few more days and it'll be pouring.

The bike couldn't be reaching me at a better time! Miles to go...

That whirlwind trip to Indore was awesome... had to be there. Just had to.

Sad about having to skip the Udaipur trip, but can't have my way always. Sorry Jassu :(

Someone's arrival has ensured some much needed stability in life, not to mention eager anticipation for what's up next. After all, it's about 2 strangers exploring a strange new city! Bring it on.

Back to square one in all aspects of life. Blimey it's legend... wait for it... dary ;)

Back on the grid too, after a long hiatus. Feeling ham-fisted while operating the lappie and accessing the net. Ouch.

There's a thin line separating weekdays and weekends, and that's just what the doctor ordered.

Last week was all about POTC4, Pyaar ka punchnama... (warning: the latter is a guys only movie... do not take a gal along, trust me... enjoy it with the gang :p).

This week's agenda is Kung Fu Panda and, probably Ragini MMS... the said horror flick might actually turn out to be creepy, spine-chilling though. You never know. Ahem.

Lots to look forward to.

In the meanwhile, getting SAPped to the core!!

Adios

Grievance Letter to Ministry of Environment & Forests

2011-05-22T19:04:00.002+05:30

Mr. Jairam Ramesh

Minister of State (Independent Charge)

Ministry of Environment and Forests

Dear sir,

This grievance is with respect to the untimely and tragic death of my dear friend, the late Mr. Naresh Kodithala on the 24th of April, 2011, at Lion's Point, Lonavala (for your reference: http://tinyurl.com/3u7j8cb).

I'm sure, sir, that this particular case might have been brought to your kind attention earlier, but kindly bear with me. I would not delve into how close I was to Naresh, one of my best friends, but I'd focus on the subtle negligence on the authorities' part that has led to the loss of not just one, but many young lives. And probably many more to come...

When I first heard this sad news of Naresh's demise on the morning of April 24th (Easter Sunday), I was taken aback and I convinced myself that it was a late April Fool joke. Naresh isn't an adventurous sort of person at all, not the type who'd walk over to the cliff's edge just to show off or to get clicked in a cool pose. Googling a bit, I felt temporarily relieved when the related news I got to read were of persons falling off Lion's Point much earlier (f.y.i. an example: http://tinyurl.com/3metgmc).

My relief was short-lived indeed. Within the hour, it was confirmed that Lion's Peak had claimed yet another victim. And sad though it is, only when the victim is someone close to you does the gravity of the situation hit you. Murderous rage coupled with helplessness and despair take over when you think of how young the victim was and what a promising life lay ahead of him, which he involuntarily gave up for no fault of his. You think of his family and what they'd be going through, no consolation for losing a young son, a wonderful brother. Your heart reaches out to the innocent bystanders who witnessed his fall first-hand, and have involuntarily become lifelong slaves to this horrifying nightmare of a memory. The list of stakeholders is huge, sir.

A person doesn't simply die - one death leaves behind lots of dead bodies.

Conversations with friends at the incident spot, and later on reading his sister's blog post (please read: http://sangeethakodithala.blogspot.com/2011/05/conservation-at-what-cost.html) revealed a shocking fact - the absence of railings at such a dangerous point, despite the toll it has taken till date and the huge footfall.

I might tend to be biased at this juncture, sir, but with all due respect I would tag this death (and many more of its kind) as Murder, and I'd justifiably label the Forest Department as Murderers. What kind of tradeoff is it between installing a measly fencing and the loss of umpteen number of lives?!

Even the most hardered murder convicts worldwide would be shocked at the little value we seem to bestow upon life. It's appalling. The worst part is that no one seems to be doing anything about it. Right as I type this out, another disaster in the waiting... it's just a matter of who's next.

I implore you, Mr. Jairam Ramesh, and your ministry to take this matter and many more of its kind into consideration, and to take measures to ensure that no more innocent people fall prey to such freak incidents and to inconsistencies in the system.

Thanks and best regards,

Steve Nipps

Know Naresh...

2011-04-30T19:39:00.000+05:30

I should've posted this earlier but circumstances made sure that I had no access to the net...

On Easter Sunday morning last weekend, of all days, I received the most shocking news ever. And since then, numbness has prevailed.

Naresh Kodithala aka Kinggg aka Top Phodu aka Bakar Baaz was no more...

Freak accidents are heard of, but I could not believe what Naresss might've gone through in his last moments...

And till the moment I saw him at Kukatpally, I was convincing myself that it was a bad bad joke.

Looking down at his mute bruised face from his own rooftop, I prayed and cried that he'd stir a bit, move a muscle, open his eyes and smile up at us idiots who he had fooled... but that was not to happen. Not everything that happens in April is a April Fool's Joke.

A mass reunion was planned in this South Indian city, but not this way... even met Shikha, our unofficial DAIICT buddy. And when I had included Naresh in the reunion lists for Mumbai and this city, and he had been so happy, never ever had I imagined that this would be the nature of our meetup... the last... :'(

This post is for a friend, one of my closest buddies, a partner in crime since ages, a confidant, a fellow bakarbaaz, a lover of pathetic !dea and Katrina Kaif; a mentor of sorts to me who showed the way to follow, be it in college, before and in MBA, and in life; one of the best people I've ever known, a special someone whose sudden departure has ensured a crazy void in life... a person whose absence shall be felt for a long long time...

Naresh Kodithala, I shall miss you always! Hope you're resting in peace, my man... Miss you!

Wanderlust!

2011-04-18T23:37:00.003+05:30

One fine day some 20 years ago, when in Nepal, I realized how much I loved traveling. Even if alone.

A couple of decades later, I'm just beginning to realize how intense this passion for wandering around is!
Ditto the lines in the awesome movie Tangled: “Standing here, it’s oh so clear, I’m where I’m meant to be...”

The subcontinent almost done, save for 2 sets of places. Next up, whenever next is!

Hope to go globe trotting soon *fingers crossed*

Like that song goes: I'm free, free fallin'... yeah I'm free, free fallin'

Done masquerading :)

2011-02-18T23:50:00.014+05:30

Ok folks! This is it...

For 6 long years, on and off, I've been typing out shit at this particular location.

And boy, when I look back, I've typed out lots of crazy posts out here... ranging from utterly childish, totally boyish, funnily desperate, amusingly naive, absurdly abusive, ecstatically happy, depressingly sad, completely smitten, manically romantic, absolutely philosophical, mind-numbingly nonsensical, to outrightly mature (or so I think!).

Talk about a masquerade of emotions :)

For a Friday that started with a flat tyre and ended with a very dear friend's marriage which I couldn't attend, today turned out to be a day that made me understand why someone coined the acronym TGIF (Thank God It's Friday, for the uninitiated)

Towards the end of the day, tugging along a bag of mixed emotions (or a mixed bag of emotions, if it sounds heavier!).

Since 2002 when I actually stepped out of home, I've been on the move all over the country.

But it was only in the last 3 years that I got to witness and experience big city life and big city people up close.

And 1100 days later, I still haven't figured out either of the two... these people and their lifestyles baffle me, forever a small town person by heart.

Once, maybe, I thought I came close to establishing a connection, but then there's so much congestion these days that the link simply failed :)

Oh well. "Nice try, but not for you... never", consoled an inner voice.

Time to move on to a much smaller place...

Moving on is funny, really.

It's like crossing a stream by stepping onto stones strewn about here and there in the water: while one foot, unsure of itself lands on the next stone, the other foot still remains fixated on the preceding stone, doubtful of whether to let go or not.

Anyway despite all of it, you somehow manage to rid yourself of all fears and the lagging foot shoots ahead!

Voila! Life as I know it...

Enough of the gobbledygook.

The crux of the matter: No more shall there be a masquerade of emotions. That's passe (starting this moment).

Thanks for the readership, comments, etc. :)

I now officialy declare this blog a dlog (dead blog, if you may... it'll exist for nostalgia's sake, but there'll never be another post added to it)

Cheers!

Wonder days!

2011-02-07T23:56:00.000+05:30

People have weird superstitions.

I have my own set of those. One of them is the notion that Mondays are meant to be horrible.

I'm sure not many people are going to pooh pooh this one :)

For the past month and a half though, I hardly got a chance to dread the onset of the first working day of the week... reason being I didn't even realize when the hell it showed up! Talk about being stuck in a time warp.

Today, though, was the kind of day, a few Mondays like which would put an end to the Garfield effect for me!

For starters, the atmosphere at work was as relaxed as it could ever be... unrestrained smiles and jaunty strides all around!

Like the quote goes: "When the cat's away, the mice will play" :p

When I walked out of office at 6 PM, after a lifetime I was leaving from work while it was still bright outside!

I had forgotten what it was like reaching home before 7 PM! Too bad I no longer work out at the gym... had a sudden craving for the same :|

Was on the phone with a friend when I heard a distant rumble which soon turned into a vicious thunder! Stepping out onto the balcony, I was infatuated with the sight in front of me... a thunderstorm that had wrapped itself around the whole of South City 2.

And for the nth time, I patted myself on the back for choosing to live in this place... 11 storeys above the world, looking over the expanse!

The unforeseen showers made the weather extremely pleasant.

Had the usual dinner with the usual companions, but as always it was nice!

Then the telephonic conversations... it's so much fun to talk and talk in the absence of work-related duress.

Only low point of the day was feeling bad about not making it to either of Kikad or LKP's marriages.

Anyway nothing so depressing that I'd need something to lull me to sleep... another first after a long time.

It's at normal times like this that I realize strumming the guitar is one of the best forms of catharsis, no matter how bad you're at it!

Poor people those from whose lives music is missing.

That's that.

Saturday night and Sunday were fun to the core. Monday turned out to be a gem of a day.

Lots of planning to do for the remaining days of the week!

Most of all, finding excuses escape the Valentine week brouhaha. No seriously, wasn't the V-Day more than enough that an entire week of farce had to be invented?!

Anyway, this is the week to look forward to.

Get this weird feeling I'm growing up.

Like Kevin Arnold says of this process in a favorite soap from the namesake period of my life, The Wonder Years:

“Growing up is never easy. You hold on to things that were. You wonder what's to come. But that night, I think we knew it was time to let go of what had been, and look ahead to what would be. Other days. New days. Days to come. The thing is, we didn't have to hate each other for getting older. We just had to forgive ourselves... for growing up.”

And another process that's on the cards:

“Change is never easy. You fight to hold on. You fight to let go.”

I know for sure that many years down the line, I'd be echoing Kevin's following line for these wonder days:

"And the thing is, after all these years, I still look back...with wonder."

Good night!

And what the heck! Happy Rose Day @>-;'-

Quote for the day!

2011-02-02T20:44:00.000+05:30

One of my school friends, Neha, started a trend ages ago: She'd handpick a quotation everyday, and early in the morning she'd mail it out to a bunch of friends.

Initially it seemed strange, and I'd just have a glance at the mail before moving on to other stuff.

Sometimes her "Thought for the day! :)" mails used to remain unread in my inbox for days at an end.

But then gradually, don't know when and how, these mails became a part of the daily routine... it fitted in beautifully!

Everyday morning, it is a pleasure to read unheard of sayings that made lots of sense, and strange enough, they fitted in with the happenings in life.

The fascinating thing about Neha is that despite her busy life (earlier a doctor, now an MBA student), she keeps the mails coming! And the days when she isn't able to send, we'll receive an apology mail the next day along with another gem :)

I wonder how many people reply to her mail. It's probably a thankless job (I know it's not a job, but still it's thankless)

I too seldom send her a reply, but sometimes when I really like her thought for the day, I send her a 'thank you, and keep it up' mail.

Seriously, mate! Thanks! And keep these gems coming :)

A collage of my favorite Thoughts of the Day from the lot:

"Without adversity, without change, life is boring. The paradox of comfort is that we stop trying." - John Amatt

The end does not justify the means. No one's rights can be secured by the violation of the rights of others. - Ayn Rand

Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, "You owe Me". Look what happens with a love like that; it lights up the whole sky! - Hafiz

A smile is a powerful weapon; you can even break ice with it.:) - Anonymous

I don’t believe in failure. It is not failure if you enjoyed the process. Failure is defined by our reaction to it. - Oprah

Love is the ability & willingness to allow those that you care for to be what they choose for themselves, without any insistence that they satisfy you. - Dr Wayne Dyer

Beauty doesn't exist in things; beauty is a projection. Beauty is not objective; it is subjective. So one day somebody looks beautiful, another day the same person becomes ugly. It is you who projects, it is you who withdraws; the other works just as a screen. - Osho

There is one sad truth in life I've found while journeying east and west - the only folks we really wound are those we love the best. - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because someone else thought they could. - Zig Ziglar

The one thing that doesn't abide by the majority rule is a person's conscience. - Harper Lee

If I were a medical man, I should prescribe a holiday to any patient who considered his work important. - Bertrand Russell

In order to keep a true perspective of one's own importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship and a cat that will ignore him. - Dereke Bruce

In every marriage more than a week old, there are grounds for divorce. The trick is to find, and continue to find, grounds for marriage. - Robert Anderson

Did you ever notice how difficult it is to argue with someone who is not obsessed with being right? - Dr Wayne Dyer

Every time you state what you want to believe, you’re the first to hear it. It’s a message to both you & others about what you think is possible. Don’t put a ceiling on yourself. - Oprah

That which you resist, stays. - David Hawkins

I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I have led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me & my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart & soul, and to me, this has always been enough. - Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing. - German Proverb

Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.- Anonymous

To love someone is to understand each other, to laugh together, to smile with your heart & to trust one another. One important thing is to let each other go if you can't do this. - Unknown

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. - Mother Teresa

We experience moments absolutely free from worry. These brief respites are called panic. - Cullen Hightower

To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds & secrets, family griefs & joys. We live outside the touch of time. - Clara Ortega

While we believe our problems are the greatest & our misfortunes the worst, there is always someone out there who has suffered more. And just as they survived & triumphed over their suffering, we must too. - Ramayana

Love don't exist. There is only an endocrine response. - 'The Bachelor', the movie

Never bear more than one kind of trouble at a time. Some people bear three- all they've had, all they have now & all they expect to have. - Edward Everett Hale

There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it. - Chinese proverb

"An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest." - Spanish proverb

All in good time!

2011-02-01T20:55:00.001+05:30

True happiness is totally underrated. Believe me :)

Today was all about a double bonanza! What a fab start to Feb!!

Don't you love to be surprised when you least expect it?!

But hey! Though it doesn't make sense to not be satisfied with some things & people in life, you really need to be dissatisfied with certain other things.

No looking back now!

Forward march! Hut-two-three-four. Hut-two-three-four.

One step at a time is the way to go...

2011-01-31T00:31:00.000+05:30

After a long time, a weekend in the true sense of the term!

Lots of fun, ample amount of relaxation, loads of happiness etc. despite the office visit...

And lots to look forward to too :)

When a day ends with a meal wherein a huge chocolate pyramid makes up the starters, and a brownie topped with a double scoop of vanilla (plus loads of chocolate sauce) as the main course, there's so much to be happy about :p

That was that!

Now back to the routine life. Nothing like a Monday to puncture cloud number 9 and to ensure a crash landing onto reality...

Will be missing 2 marriages of 2 good friends the coming weekend! Unless of course a miracle happens...

Other than that, the To Do list is overflowing! Need to start ticking items off it. Before that, need to finish watching the Millennium Trilogy... heard that the movies are as good as Stieg Larsson's books.

Good luck with the Monday blues!

And good night...

Office office!

2011-01-30T00:16:00.000+05:30

Today, for the first time in almost 32 months, I felt that I entered office.

So what if it was in an entirely different attire? I had suited up for the occasion :)

Felt so much at home.

The upper management was polite to the core... cool, if I may!

Ok, the crowd seemed a lot better.

The people as usual were neat, to say the least.

Adherence to process... sighs! Don't you simply love systematicness?

The decor... yeah, where have I seen that before?!

Even the paper towels in the rest room hadn't changed :p

Everything was similar... yet it wasn't.

I entered late, and I exited early, despite wanting to stay back! When have these three things coincided in the recent past?!

Saturday came... Saturday happened.

What a day! Happy vappy!!!

Sloshed now :D

Fingers, toes, and everything else crossed :)

Suit up!!

2011-01-29T14:43:00.001+05:30

Reflections

2011-01-29T01:47:00.000+05:30

Know that feeling you get when you're sandwiched between two parallel mirrors, like in a dressing room?

You keep seeing yourself seeing yourself on and on.
It's a wee bit scary. Akin to being trapped in an infinite loop.
Stare a bit longer and you'll feel like you're witnessing your own descent into an abyss.
One mirror is more than sufficient, no?

The crux of the matter: Too much of self reflection is a bane.
Time to break the mold, I say!
Just focus on the present you.
Let other things take their own course...

55 word fiction

2011-01-28T17:27:00.001+05:30

Long long time after I read this amazing collection of 55 word stories by some exceptional bloggers, I stumbled across this link again!

Fascinating stuff! Some short stories are outrightly brilliant!

Given that the word limit is just 55, the stories end before they even begin, but the surprise ending in some would've done O. Henry proud :)

The link: http://55-words.blogspot.com/

A couple of my favorites:

The Worker

The sun was shining, a blazing yellow-white. Heedlessly they trudged on.“But do I have to?” he thought. "What if I break the pattern?"

He paused and started walking off in another direction. At a tangent.Immediately he was swept away by a huge monstrosity that he never even saw coming at him.

“Damn ants”

The prettiest thing

She looked amazing in red. There she was, like a roman goddess, topless. No fear, shame or guilt.

The setting sun toyed with her looks. Her man was right there but I did not stop looking.

The light turned green and she took off and my friend says “A convertible Ferrari, now that’s a car.”

The wedding night

I shuddered slightly as I remembered his touch setting my body aflame. I turned as my groom entered the nuptial chamber. “Are you nervous,” he whispered as he gently lifted my veil. “Yes,” I stammered. “Its my first time,” silently adding, with you.

Principles Of Lust

I looked at her with growing lust in my eyes.
Slowly, I undressed her, unwrapped her beautiful gold gown.
She looked wonderful, in all her glowing brown splendour
Teasingly, I drew her close to my lips....
and proceeded to take a large bit out of her.
I love chocolate.....

Happy reading!

And a happy weekend... I just can't wait for tomorrow!

Adios!

Relapse

2011-01-27T21:42:00.000+05:30

Time flies.

People change.

Feelings, emotions and loads of intangible things undergo mutation.

Perspectives undergo an upheaval.

Lifestyles get altered.

Seasons roll on.

Age creeps in.

Life goes on...

Ironical though that nothing has actually moved on!

Then one fine day, restoration happens.

Somewhere someone decides it's time to hit the reset button.

And it's deja vu all over again... well almost!

Relapse is the rule of nature, I guess :)

Keep it rolling...

shhhh

2011-01-26T02:26:00.009+05:30

Blank mind...

Pithy memories.

Silence...

Subtle music.

Darkness...

Distant lights.

Idle...

Fidgetiness.

Enervated...

Bustling.

Static...

Chords.

Recovery...

Relapse.

Impasse...

Closure.

Callous...

Sentimental.

Pessimistic...

Hopeful.

Depressed...

Euphoric.

Captive...

Freedom.

Insomnia...

Sleep.

Window Seat

2011-01-24T23:54:00.085+05:30

Since childhood, I've always fancied sitting by the window - be it at home where I'd climb atop the sofa, and look out the drawing room window at the lawn and what lay beyond the boundary wall; or during the several train journeys I've undertaken till date (and I used to hate traveling on those seldom occasions when a window seat was not mine!), where I'd want to do nothing but absorb the landscapes speeding by, tracking the wires that seemed to be keeping up with me, pole to pole, not to mention gaping at the railway tracks that made weird zigzag patterns all along the way... and at night time, the flickering lights would always remind me of stars that had been generous enough to grace the earth with their presence; then there are the various road trips, either via buses, cars, and what not (thank goodness I've hardly, if ever, experienced nausea on these trips) where I stare out at everything passing by and simply weave some dreamy story around them (with me as the protagonist, ofcourse!)... Of late, bagging the window seat in all the flights is top priority for me, and nothing matches the feeling of floating through the kingdom of clouds and looking down to see tiny specks dotting the world!

There are so many things about my upbringing that I love, but one of the favorites has got to be those annual trips with the parents and my kid sister. I used to look forward to these family outings more than anything... Ok, maybe Santa Claus took precedence during the holiday season for a sizable period during my childhood :p

Though till date I haven't been able to figure out properly what I want to do with/in my life, but those travels ensured that I'm confident about one thing: that I want to travel like crazy and see the whole world before calling it quits.
For starters, I've been living a part of that dream since 2002 by covering a major chunk of India! By the time 2011 gets over, I hope to cover 2 of the 4 remaining parts of our country that I've not had a chance to visit... Next step: Going international!
Wishful thinking? Oh well!

Talking about seeing, that was all I had been doing till a couple of years back. Then something fascinating happened: I started looking beyond what I saw! I fell in love with the camera. Blimey, a window seat person who courts a camera: that's a complete package! :p
My parents were more than resourceful in this aspect too... they loved clicking pics and have churned out numerous beautiful albums for various occasions! In retrospect, I kinda regret not having imbibed this love for the lens from my folks and thus, not having a passion for photography since the beginning... I could've captured so much more! Glad that it's never too late...

Anyway got back from a whirlwind trip to a village (oops sorry! tehsil) for a very close friend's marriage... one year after one of my best friends' marriage! Despite the 6 hours late train that almost made me cancel the trip, and the slowcoach connecting train that was hellbent on making me miss the festivities, I reached the venue just in time for the baraat to take off! Phew!
Half of the times we do things at the last moment on purpose, and the other half when we start early, nature conspires against us to ensure a last second execution!
Saw Lalla after 5 years, and boy! He looked good... must've shed 15-20 kgs over the years in France!
The arrangements were the best I had seen till date, the food was yummy (though we started with the desserts, and pretty much didn't stop till we were full to the brim!), the crowd was nice, enjoyed the company of cool small town people. Had an amazing time to say the least!

Many of my colleagues, friends, and relatives always question me on how the hell I keep finding time to travel! Subtle hypocrisy on their part... they never bother to notice when I'm slogging it off, but I can feel their envy when I'm up and about. Tut tut. So what if I publicize my outings more than my work life?! :p

It's ironical that I hate changes, yet I love the most classical manifestation of change: traveling! ;)
This is never going to change. Amen.

Anyway, I've become a pro at avoiding the drudgery of Mondays :p
Time to hit the sack! Back to work in 9 hours...
Good night!

P.S.: Read "The Last Lecture"... loved it despite it being about such a sad, sensitive issue! So much so, sent off one copy to the parents... watch out for it, folks :)

P.P.S.: 25th of January. Special day! :)

Same time, last year...

2011-01-22T22:45:00.024+05:30

I'm a tad bit confused... is this seriously a new year, or have I walked back into the last year again?!

Not a silly question, mind you, given my proficiency at ending up at square one time and again...

But no, seriously! Comparing January 2010 and January 2011, I'm reminded of the billboard outside a certain shop I came across in Leh, which read: "Same Same But Different".

The irony of it all! Sighs.

2010 had started off on a perfect high... 2011 has had a rocking start as well.

Le mois de Janvier, 2010, accompanied by the ravishing cold, beautiful weather, enchanting company, truckloads of optimism and positivity et al promised a fresh approach to everything... same holds true for the current month.

There was so much to look forward to at this point of time, last year... that too applies to the present.

Had watched Chance Pe Dance in the 3rd week of 2010, and walked out of the multiplex with a scrambled brain... Experienced Dhobi Ghat this time, and still debating with myself whether to like the movie or to hate it (ok, loved the cinematography, not to forget the somewhat haunting and engrossing relation between Arun & Yasmin!)

I was cribbing about packing one such night, exactly 365 days ago... today I'm doing the same. (Call me a hypocrite, if you may, for loving traveling yet hating the P of its precursor!)

Attended a dear friend's marriage, the first of the year on a Sunday at almost the same time in MMX... going to do an encore for another dear friend's marriage tomorrow, only this time the counter goes up to MMXI!

The ensuing Monday last time was meant to be a dreaded day full of boring lectures (but not everything that is meant to be actually happens!)... the coming Monday is all set to be a long boring day at work (though I tweaked some strings and ensured that nothing of that sort plays spoilsport...)

So on and so forth...

Back to the irony bit.

Though the starting months of both the years in question have a striking resemblance, they're totally different... poles apart!

Situations are similar, but the circumstances are different.

Identities have been retained, yet images have undergone drastic changes.

Personae are the same, but the people are strangers.

Reactions are ditto, but the chemistry is strangely new.

Feelings are intact, but reservations have flourished.

Age is almost the same, yet the youthfulness seems to have aged.

As the popular song November Rain goes: Cause nothin' lasts forever, and we both know hearts can change...

Extrapolate, please.

In retrospect, it seems like one whole year passed by in a jiffy, though there were several moments, good and bad, that seemed to last a lifetime. God's way of saying, "How selfish that you wish to freeze only the happy moments!"

All said and done, I don't know where 2011 is headed, but I certainly don't want it to end up like 2010.

Anyway, the show must go on!

Enough of rambling. As much as I tried to postpone the darn thing, I must pack! :(

And have to get up at 5:30, on a Sunday of all days :'(

So till next week, adios!

Have an awesome weekend!

Blooper!

2011-01-21T01:02:00.000+05:30

Apologies! What showed up out here earlier was a repercussion of reinstating some old stuff...

It all happened unwittingly :)

Back to HIMYM... later...

Now-stall-gee-ahh

2011-01-19T22:16:00.002+05:30

Logged in to Orkut after eons... and when I mean eons, I mean aeons!

Can't believe it's still there...

Haha Google is desperately trying to revive their pet project! I just earned two badges: An Early User badge for having used Orkut for over 5 years, and some Silver Verified Account badge, whatever that means.

Doesn't Google realize that it's too late now?! They let FB steal a major chunk of their member base from right under their huuge nose! FB has done all the damage already. There's no turning back. Damn realization dawns late these days :|

Anyway I'm glad that I never deleted my Orkut account... truckloads of memories stowed in there...

Plus that awesome music playing in the background too!

Super-nostalgic!!

The starting of the 3 days-sequence reading W T F ain't bad at all... cool day at work, neat party in the evening, and the evening refuses to end!

W certainly stands for Wow...

T F?! Go figure :p

P.S.: Orkut's daily fortune tells me: Better safe than sorry! lmao

Nothing else matters!

2011-01-19T19:15:00.001+05:30

These days are all about Pink Floyd, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Guns n' Roses, U2, Hoobastank... you get the drift, right?

Listening to some songs over and over ad infinitum.

As of now, while(1) {Play("Mama said..."); }

Addicted!!

Rock on.

iRising

2011-01-19T03:19:00.002+05:30

Ahhhhh! Nothing like a weekend in the middle of the week.

No alarms, no hitting the snooze a million times, no long rides to and from the workplace, no undue pressure!

The last 24 hours were all about 12 hours of sleep, cleaning up, an awesome lunch, lolling around on the lawns in the mild winter sun (when have I done that before?) while cute kiddies kept running around all over the show, sexy songs, the guitar, fun evening out, long conversations, so on and so forth.

The best thing about overwork is its aftermath. Some contrast! :)

Talking of contrast, there are so many shades of life. And sometimes the dark ones simply overshadow the others... try as you may, you can't use water color to brighten them up. Some things need to be left the way they are.

I believe what had to happen, happened. At times, the initial chemistry is just a run up to the eventual blow up. Boom! Some things are simply not meant to be, and there's no way anyone can change that, no matter how much one wants to. It's hard to live with artificial changes anyway...

Just want to quote Hoobastank: And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know: I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be... a reason to start over new... and the reason is you...

It's a final goodbye from my end. Have a nice life :)

Getting addicted to HIMYM big time... a sober version of Friends, it is. I can totally relate to the character of Ted Mosby! Don't know whether to be happy about it or sad :p

Just this once I thought I'd hit the sack early, but that was not meant to be either!

I've heard people quoting this observation many a time, but just this once, now that Tuesday's gone, it struck me that the next three days read W T F.

Somehow get the feeling that things at office are going to be a tad bit different starting tomorrow!

Bonnuit tout le monde!

P.S.: I sure hope no one at IIMI takes offence at the post title resembling their Online Quizzing extravaganza that I like so much!

P.P.S.: The earth's belly just rumbled! The chandelier swinging like a pendulum is an eerie sight... Praying that everyone's safe in Pakistan, the epicenter of the massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake, and in India!

Jaded

2011-01-18T02:50:00.001+05:30

Like someone once was so fond of saying, "So tired that I can't sleep."

Finally, at 11:55 PM, after 127 hours of drudgery, I experienced freedom. The hour long shower was much needed to wash off the exhaustion and the lingering elements of the workplace.

Work is work, I know, but sometimes it can be such a pain in the ass. Add to that, the deja vu of experiencing the same misery last time round, and the person responsible for it mentioning that next time onwards everything will be streamlined. Farce as we know it... nothing changed.

Time to get back to personal life. Some important people start complaining if they're not given their due. Apologies *murga style*. Sighs :p

The chaos ain't yet over, but fuck me if I'm headed back to the same place again tomorrow. I love exploiting loopholes, and this artificial chaos is one big friggin' loophole!!

That said, the last 6 days at work can be summed as an awesome gamut of work experiences! Got to work with some of the best people in the business, managed to meet absurd deadlines, interpreted wacky requirements, reworked my ass off, partied and then slept at office, finally delivered a sexy end product (gosh! 16 versions of it, if I may!!), and forged a strong bond of friendship with someone whom I never thought I'd even talk to properly!!

Love that beautiful Britannia ad which goes: Zindagi roz humari class leti hai... nursery se school... phir college... aur ab yahaan...

Meaning: Life screws you on a daily basis.... from nursery to school... then college... and now here....

If you haven't seen it, check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHqFXQVEfKw

Enough for now. Something seems to have triggered off a yawning fit. *hic*

Bonnuit.

One Sunday Night @ Office

2011-01-17T02:50:00.000+05:30

In my two-and-a-half years of work experience, I've witnessed extremes... crazily busy days and totally relaxed office hours. But of late, what I'm getting to experience is something radically different - hectic weeks!

Since last Wednesday, all I can remember about my home is reaching there completely jaded at about midnight, and waking up a few hours later only to head for office again. Vicious cycle, yes!

As if that wasn't what a work-life balance lover like me loathes, I'm publishing this post live from office at 3 AM! Voila! Quite a romantic way to spend the weekend, especially Sunday night, nay? :p

Oh well! Frustrating as it is, it's satisfying is some weird way too. Work is work. I'd always heard about life at small firms, but seeing it up close and living it is something! Plus the company of a couple of really awesome colleagues is a bonanza in such situations! Some people are way too talented :)

Also, I can gladly boast of partying (in the true sense of the term) at office! That's one more item ticked off my crazy To Do list!! LoL

24 hours more of slogging and then job's done! I can take a couple of comp-offs on weekdays! Yeyeye

Just this once, I don't dread the onset of Monday... continuity dulls the 'Garfield effect', I guess.

Time to get back to work!

Nightynight...

Sme sme

2011-01-16T03:35:00.001+05:30

I know that I work in the marketing department of a small firm which operates in a fragmented niche market where it has to strive hard to position itself as a strong contender to the few biggies, but I never expected that the job profile encompasses working like a madman, even on weekends!

And as things stand, Sunday and Monday are set to be longer than long days... just like Friday and Saturday were.

I've always preferred moderation over extremities... so what if all days remain the same? It's better than being free on some days, and having a messed up routine on the remaining days.

The way things were going today, I became a chimney after 2 long months! So much for that...

Just when I reached home at midnight, I got to read that petrol prices have gone up... yet again! Gosh, can't inflation stay put, and prices remain the same for a considerable time at least?! To hell with politics and economics...

In addition to inflation, accidents, floods, riots, rape, murder, crappy movie reviews et al make up a major chunk of the papers. Not that I have anything against the incidents... the sensationalization of it all is what sucks. What's with news becoming more of a money minting business of late? Can't it be the same as it was in the previous decade?!

It's true that the only constant thing in our lives these days is change.

I hate change. I try to cling on to what was the best about every moment that life has been so considerate to offer.

Wish it were that simple...

Wish everything would remain sme sme...

Happy weekend! I'll be working my ass off :p

I see...

2011-01-15T02:38:00.002+05:30

Systematically creating panic is some people's forte!

By now I should've gotten used to it, but every time there's a new tactic, and by the end of the day, I am flummoxed at how I've ended up in the same mess as last time. Respecttt :p

So from the way things are going, I have another screwed up weekend in front of me. FML

Despite the long, tiring days at work, the long drive home is kinda gratifying.

I stay many miles away from my workplace... In my previous job too, there was a considerable distance between where I put up and where I worked...

People think I'm crazy to travel so much every day, but it's a personal choice. I simply love long rides... sometimes it helps me unwind on the way home, and when I'm back at my place, all I look forward to doing is relaxing without the slightest takeaway from office.

The hard part is the morning travel... it takes quite an effort to convince myself every morn to get the hell out of bed, and to get ready for the bike ride :|

Once I'm on my way though, the only thing that irritates me is that I'm not carrying my camera... there's so much that I see, such a lot that I'd love to capture, so many ideas that pop up in my head... I've almost made up my mind to sometime take a month-long break from work and simply wander around with just my camera in tow!

Today I got back from office just before midnight. Just the thought of spending the night there increases my efficiency and effectiveness :p

Whamooshed!

Hope I get the Sabbath Day off...

Good night, sleep tight.

P.S.: The tags give an indication of what my posts are all about... sighs.

My bad!

2011-01-13T17:56:00.000+05:30

Partying on weekdays takes it toll! Phew!

Add to that the bitterness that keeps surfacing when I'm high... damn the irony!

Those at the receiving end of what I churn out at such instances: it probably meant a lot to me, hence the outbursts.

I desperately wanted to leave 2010 behind, but guess somethings just spill over.

There I go again...

Love the current weather. The cold seems to have subsided all of a sudden!

Time to get back to work...

Happy Lohri, people :)

Tuesday's gone :)

2011-01-12T03:51:00.001+05:30

How appropriate for people to converge in on my life and for things to happen as they did, so as to convince me into restoring my blog before it's too late... and to ensure, unwittingly of course, that the post title is damn appropriate!

Like Metallica put it: Train roll on, on down the line... won't you please take me far, far away...

2010 was a crazy year! It started off well, or so I thought... and then came a time when I couldn't wait for it to end.

Something like witnessing a beautiful landscape at night and wanting to capture it on camera just the way it is, no matter how difficult the task... and then after repeated attempts and numerous blurred images in the memory card, giving up seems to be the best option. Running out of patience is an eventuality.

If a picture has to come out well, it will in the first dozen attempts... nature doesn't conspire against you when you truly want something to happen :)

Like Mourya put it so beautifully, "what has to work out will work out... there's no use trying to make compromises just to hold on to certain things." You said it, girl!

All of this reminds me, I need to summarize 2010 in words... so much happened in those 365 days. Sighs!

I know that 2011 is just another number that started off a dozen days ago (going by a rule scripted by an ancient Pope), but kudos to the human psyche for making the optimum use of such idiocies...

Believe it or not, I can notice the difference! Remember how we react when, after being blindfolded for a while, the blindfold is suddenly whisked off our eyes? We tend to keep our eyes shut tightly... the brightness is too much to bear... the darkness will do for a while. Then when we slowly get used to the light, normalcy ahoy...

2010 took away with it the blindfold. No more, please... I'm as sensitive as my drowsy eyes are...

As has been the case for the past month: It's a damn cold night... I'm trying to figure out this life...

Meanwhile I'm trying to maintain that much need work life balance! Go go go!

Lots to catch up on...

Happy 2011, everyone! Have a fantabulous year :)

P.S.: A wonderful read on leaving what should be left! 2010 from Desi's perspective... struck a chord!

Final Letters - 2010

2010-12-14T02:01:00.000+05:30

Dearest M, D & S,

Happy now?! :)

Don't know about you folks, but I toh am! :)

Dear AC, SP, MP et al,

As promised, I'm coming! F-awesome!!! :D

Dear AS, PB and SR,

Thanks a bunch :)

Dear VK and VT,

Will miss our MT bakar :((

Hang in there!

Dear SG,

It's been what, over two years?! Must meet :)

Dear HK,

Sooo happy for you! No matter how busy you are, mademoiselle, one Sunday of yours in 2011 is mine ;)

Dear AS, TM and GJ,

So long, roomies... take care of Uncle :p

Dear Megz,

Life is cruel, kid... I know exactly what you're going through.

Wish I could explain it to you, but I've been lost for words for quite some time now...

You'll survive :)

Emotional Atyachar,

I have never seen a single episode of yours, but someone told me that people's lives are being prevented from heading towards eventual doom, courtesy your ilk...

Keep exposing!

Dear Dehli Winters,

You're way too cool *brrr*

Be it the bike rides on your chilly nights; the long walks at ungodly hours through the fog; those late night cuppa noodles and hot chocolate sessions; the early mornings spent inside the blanket refusing to wake up for either placement drills, classes or office; or that warm sunny afternoon spent on the lawns of one Heritage site... loved it all... :)

Packing,

I hate you!! Or make that 'doing you'?! :D

Dear JY and RY,

Sorry for thinking that you were wrong all along, and for typecasting you two as typical specimens of your clan. My bad. Can't blame you a bit for your mindset...

Loads of good luck!

Dear dc,

I know it's you all along (and you know that I know), but why do you have to Google search for me at all?!

Sighs.

Dearest Pune,

Here I come! :)))))

Dear 2010,

You shouldn't have ever happened... but you just did! Sighs

Dear 2011,

Come fast! And override your predecessor...

Adios

2010-12-12T21:12:00.000+05:30

I'm leaving on a jet plane... dunno when I'll be back again...

2010 has somehow managed to take a toll on my love for social networking... something to do with even numbered years, I guess.

Anyway, I'll cya when I cya...

Do well, people! And have a fantastic holiday season :)

Cheers!

Running out of options!

2010-12-03T19:01:00.000+05:30

All of a sudden, the Dilli winters have set in!

It is bitterly cold, yes! Brrr

Hence the need to be doing a bunch of things to keep warm...

Tomorrow, Khurana and I had planned to run yet another marathon, early in the morning (Yeah, we're nuts!) But the dude's not keeping well, so that's that.

Then comes The Harley Rock Riders - Grand Finale! Some head-banging is definitely called for \m/

Also, the IMT Alum Meet - Delhi-NCR Chapter is scheduled for tomorrow evening... wow!

And that's when realization dawned that I'm all set for a longer than long day at office tomorrow!

So much for all the fiesta :'(

Why does darkness set in so early during Winter season?!

Time to get back to work... sighs

The New Calcutta

2010-12-03T02:58:00.003+05:30

With all the hoopla surrounding the advent of the new age and modernization, it's probably easy to ignore its naysayers. Sometimes I feel that the latter do have a valid point.

While not being an opponent of modernization per se, I hate the prospect of it ruining the heritage and history of a place.

Take Calcutta for instance.

Three days ago, when I disembarked at Howrah Station after 5 long years, with lots of luggage in tow, all I wanted to do was roam around the beautiful city of Cal on foot (baggages and burdens be damned!); revisit the places that my parents, my sister and I had been to almost every single December in the past decade, and relive memories; last but not the least, make a serious attempt to capture in pixels Cal's undefinable beauty, mysterious charm, the constant hubbub yet the ironical calm!

And walk I did...

There she is!

The sight which awaits you once you step outside Howrah Station...

Howrah Station

That very rooftop by the clock tower where, while waiting for our train, Dada used to take us for a night view of Howrah Bridge!

Competition for Delhi Metro's Yellow line!

Hanging bridge!

That's Howrah Bridge for you...

This gigantic structure has had me mesmerized, since 1986 :)

Howrah Railway Station, as seen from the other end of Hooghly

(Pic clicked with the permission of a local cop... seems photography on the Howrah Bridge is prohibited!)

Colors galore

And you wondered what the rail tracks in the middle of the road were for? :)

Never seen such active traffic cops...

And they were all yellow!!

Five years ago, when I last visited the place, I remember having witnessed the emergence of malls, and a few branded shops at the ancient (to me, at least!) New Market. At that point of time, I thought nothing of it save for the fact that they were measly eyesores that would not last long...

This time round, it was simply impossible to ignore the way gaudily colored hoardings were eerily masquerading atop the once beautiful colonial buildings, how superficial malls were breaching the privacy of traditional markets, how swept up open parking spaces gave an artificial look to the once crowded yet somewhat charming surroundings.

Probably having grown up side-by-side with the advancement of modernization, the gradual changes in the surroundings didn't affect me much earlier.

But what I witnessed in Cal was contrast at it's best - a VLCC style before-and-after picture. And believe me, I didn't find it one bit rosy!

I dare say modernization if stretched beyond limits is like cancer... it slowly by slowly eats into the rich heritage of a place... it's akin to rape that violates modesty... damn! It's outrightly blasphemous.

A few years ago, all you could see from the this very spot was the "New Empire Cinema" board...

Today, you can't even spot that name in the mayhem!

Contrast!

Eyesores, anyone?

Simpark Mall encroaching on S. S. Hogg Market territory :(

Blimey! Just a few years ago, this was Hotel East End!

Phew! A surge of emotion. Apologies.

I belong to the old times?! Yep, I know :p

Thankfully Calcutta has still managed to retains it's old charm... How long will it last? Search me.

It was a pleasure walking and walking, then fetching a bus ride, resuming walking, then traveling via a Cal-style rickshaw, walking again, and finally settling for one of the ubiquitous yellow cabs!

From the Howrah Bridge to New Market, the colorful cluster of flower vendors under a bridge, the winding streets, the myriad of alleyways, the lazy trams, the sea of yellow cabs, the queue of poor people awaiting their turn to bathe under a road-side tap, the rickety bus, the lake in the belly of the city, famous skyscrapers (or at least the Indian versions of the lot!), street-side hawkers, a plethora of shops, Nauhoms and its yummy goodies (can't resist a *slurrrrpppp*, sorry :p), Nizam's, the cuppa tea served in a earthen cup, the one-of-a-kind rickshaw ride, Chowringhee Lane, Kyd Street, Hotel East End (now Sofia Continental :( ), Park Street, St. Thomas Church, Planet M, Flurys, and lots more.

That's when I had to take off for Salt Lake City. And I was glad that I had decided to travel in this state (straight off the train, minus a bath, with luggage in tow)... I knew I wasn't coming back with such little time at hand.

Early morning reflections seen in the pond in New Market's backyard.

Dilapidated buildings, nouveau high rises, greenery, rhythmic hum of traffic in the background, calmness, symmetry... quite a blend!

Two is a crow'd ;)

Destination: New Market!

Shuttered paradise!

The old New Market, as I've always referred to it.

Somewhere I belong... especially during Christmas time :D

Nauhom!

Underground labyrinth!

Still Elite :)

THE place to have rolls! *yummy*

"No Beef", mind you :|

Best breakfast I've had in ages! :D

Still there...

The world outside New Market

Time to head for Salt Lake City...

Contrast galore... be it in the architecture or the vehicles...

Somehow I missed the late night Delhi traffic!

Chessboard at the intersection?!

Ever-active market place...

It's 3 AM for Heaven's sake, but Sealdah is abuzz with activity!

What ensued were 2 very busy days!

What topped the list was meeting Shruthee at her college (W. B. National University Of Juridical Sciences) and spending a good time there! Played Sassywoody (her Guitar!), clicked pics, walked around her neat campus listening to her kahanis, had maggi and omelette-pav (her usual meal, I suppose :| ), shared gyaan with her! She sure loved my company... given that it was exam season, I was a better choice over law books!

Next up, meeting Raj at his huuuge research facility, discussing robots and robotics! Man oh man, I was impressed \m/

Then came Ankur's Bachelor Party and the frenzy (:p)! I better not say much...

Next morning, accompanied A to some nostalgia-inducing places in Salt Lake City itself...

Phew! Managed to meet the big man Chirag too! Dhanya ho gaye hum, sirji :D

Met Parinita after 8 long years at Infinity Towers, Sector 5... awesome reunion! :) Nupur, I'm going to kill you for not being there! Grrrr

Then the last minute shopping... and meeting Sharma after 4 years!

Finally the loooong marriage ceremony that stretched into the wee hours of the next morning! And my relentless *click*, dance, *click*, munch, *click* till everyone called it quits... loved it all!
Before we knew it, Ankur had bitten the dust! :p

Loads of luck and best wishes for a wonderful life together, Kirti and Ankur :)

That was that!
Couldn't manage as much shopping on Esplanade as I would've liked. Time's such a scarce resource.
Back in Delhi now... for a while!
Back to the drudgeries of life... (pun intended, for a very stupid donkey)
Bon nuit!

A belated Happy Anniversary post!

2010-12-02T21:16:00.014+05:30

Hand in hand :)

Oh well! What difference does a few days' delay make to a couple who has lovingly spent the last 27 years of their lives together?!

I know how the above line makes the Wish on Blog ritual seem like a formality, but I must do what I've been doing :p

Happy Anniversary, Mumma and Dada! I know it would've been awesome had I been with you both on your special day, but that's coming up soon... anyway, isn't each and everyday that I get to spend with you guys special in its own way?! ;)
That I chose to attend the marriage ceremony of a beautiful couple, the foundation of whose love story is much like yours, and who in fact tied the knot on the same day as you both did almost 3 decades ago, gave me the feeling that I didn't miss a thing! Add to that, the bonanza of reliving old memories of our times spent in good ol' Cal... really wish you three were there with me...

Sentiments apart, going strong, folks! Very proud of you two... the way you both are surging ahead, a golden jubilee and a diamond jubilee seem like ordinary milestones down the road that you'll simply breeze past :)
Some example you guys have set in terms of commitment, dedication et al... in today's world, everything pales in comparison to it! If any such terms do exist in today's date, their definitions have either been mellowed down or do not exist... except probably in the rarest of rare cases!

If I ever write a book, I'm sure I'd do great business if I start off with your Love Story... totally out of this world it is! :)
Happy Anniversary again!!

Loads of love, hugs, kisses and best wishes,
Appu

happy anniversary, mumma and dada! luv you both... more when i have net access ;)

2010-11-29T01:33:00.000+05:30

Oh joy!!

2010-11-26T20:22:00.002+05:30

Cal has been one of my favorite places since childhood, reason being the annual trip to the place for Christmas with the whole family!

Howrah Bridge, Kyd Street, Hotel East End, Park Street, New Market, Chaplin and Globe Cinemas, the street side food *yummy*, the gullad-wali chai, Nauhoms, the second-hand books, the Metro, the yellow cabs, the trams, Nicco park (:p), Indian Museum, etc etc! SIGHS! The memories :)

Never envisaged it but heading back to the place tomorrow... a welcome change! Gonna relive memories like there's no end to it.

So much for Delhi, Gurgaon and the crazy winters here... time for a change in weather!

Photogenic City of Joy, here I come :))

Next blog when I settle in. Or maybe later. So long...

Office - After hours!

2010-11-25T20:05:00.001+05:30

Ever get the feeling that you'll do wonderfully well at work, and command the respect of anyone and everyone around you, irrespective of the setting you're in, no matter where?

Strange enough, but it's a recurring occurrence in my case!

Maybe it's relative, hence the applicability.

Or maybe it's snottiness at it's best!

People ending up at my blog while searching for "Miracles in CAT exam", SCAT!!! The only miracle possible in the CAT is clearing the damn thing... that despite your state of preparedness. Sighs.

For those reaching this place searching for the Klueless 6 level, "Apple of my eye", wouldn't it be fun if you got to read the beautiful woman's face as if it were scripted in text?! Go figure ;)

Cheers!

November Rain

2010-11-24T21:56:00.002+05:30

It was well past midnight, yet sleep refused to entertain me.

Insomnia is a nice girl friend, but it's when she becomes your wife that all hell breaks loose. Then sleep also refuses to be a good mistress.

Way up on the 11th floor, at this ungodly hour, the silence is deafening... Not even the crickets can be heard.

And that's when the rhythmic pitter-patter breaches the calmness. Yep, it's November rain.

Standing on my balcony, it felt as if hundreds of stars had descended to Earth, acquiring a yellow tinge in the process, and I was observing this lot through a constantly downward-moving tattered curtain.

And then the background music starts off as if on cue. Guns n' Roses, November Rain. Coincidence?

'Cause nothin' lasts forever
And we both know hearts can change
And it's hard to hold a candle
In the cold November rain

Do they have songs for every context? Or is it we who discover something relevant in songs to match the situation we're in?

Whatever.

Like Steven Tyler sang it once, "... I could stay lost in this moment... forever"

The Final Verdict!

2010-11-23T18:54:00.000+05:30

Better than expected, but a long way to go :)

21!!

2010-11-23T03:44:00.005+05:30

There was a time when, during the DA-IICT days, a few of us would wake up at as early as 5 AM for running 10 or more rounds around the huge cricket field! This in addition to the late evening workout sessions at the gym.

The DA-IICT marathon was the first of my life... and though I ended up with the sixth rank, it was a miserable race.

Then came the Pune days... running was always on the agenda (and for me, it usually remained there only :p) courtesy Arjun boss!

And when we ran in the Pune Marathon, it was a chilled out affair with more masti than running... completing the run happened matter-of-factly.

Then came this year's Delhi Half Marathon... 21 kms on the 21st of November, 2010, anyone?

Just for the heck of it, three of us dudes signed up for the same, way back in September.

At this point of time, I'd like to mention that I have always prided myself on being a fitness freak, but never ever have I considered myself a runner... All I wanted to do was to test my crazy stamina.

Nonetheless we planned to run like crazy for 2 months, and be well prepared in time for the big day!

Then all hell broke loose. Screwed up life, long hours at work, loads of traveling, relentless sleepiness yada yada.

Voila! Come judgement day, I had managed only 2 practice runs (pathetic by any standards) despite some serious advice from my ex-boss (a pro-runner himself).

Now I really needed to stick to what he had said: "Focus on completing the race... not on completing in 3 hours!"

And seriously, the timing certificate was the last thing on my mind on the eve of the run... when, in our posh hotel room, the guys were joking about each of us lying spread-eagle fashion in the middle of the track, with each of our bibs containing the contact details of the other two unconscious guys, I seriously envisioned myself as da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, personified! :p

Come 21st November, and we were in high spirits!

Seeing the 30000 strong crowd all set for a loong run at 7 on this cold morning worked wonders for my confidence.

Not to mention the huge turnout of senior citizens and women! Respect!!

At 07:30:00, the gate opened. And the people poured out like water that has just been released from the dam gates!

The next 21 kms ensured the run of a lifetime!

Veterans running like fit youngsters, and egging us on (talk about budhaape me jawaani \m/); friendly strangers dotting the periphery of the entire 21 kms long race track, whose cheerful smiles and words of motivation felt like a shot in the arm; the Kenyan and Ethiopian runners who were on their way back crossing the 15 kms milestone after 40 minutes when we we reached the 5 kms mark (WOAH!); the way some participants cheered everyone else up (it's a marathon for gawd's sake, not a funeral procession, you guys... buck up!!); the beautiful stretch in the road between India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan (Raj Path, anyone); Khurana and I running at the constant pace of about 9.5 kmph for the initial14 kms; the final stretch; the setting in of fatigue; Lucozade zindabad; the loong kilometers; the glimpse of the digital clock; 02:15:45; the increased speed; 02:15:50; the longest yard; running with head and both hands (\m/ \m/) pointed upwards; 02:15:56; cameras going *click* *click* *click*; then it's over!

02:16:00

Later I was to discover that Khurana timed 02:11:00 and Anand, 02:42:00. Yep, we finished it in style!

Khurana and I fretted over not having any idea of the time earlier, else we'd have tried for under 2 hours. LoL

Anyway it was mindgame from the start. Running always is. You need to keep finding reasons for sticking to it, and for keeping yourself motivated.

Right now, I'm totally proud of this achievement, and can't help bragging about it... even the bosses back at office were awe-struck ("What you've achieved is one of the 10 things to do before dying", said PB sir :D )

It's another matter that once the marathon ended, the sudden lack of activity has caused both my feet to protest vehemently. So much so that any sort of movement seems to invite excruciating pain. Inertia of rest, ahoy! Ouchhh. Even 17 straight hours of sleep didn't help :(

In the meantime, the elite gang of treasure hunters of which I'm a part achieved greatness by bagging a top #10 spot in the baap of online t-hunts, Klueless 6! Way to go, fellas... you rock \m/

Palindrome number for the symmetry lover ;)

On an ending note:

Registration fee - Rs. 600;

Hotel bill - Rs. 6000; (divided 3 ways, of course :p)
Jogging gear - Rs. 3900;
Month's supply of health(y) food and what not - Rs. 2800;
Finishing the Delhi Half Marathon in 2 hours & 16 minutes - Priceless! \m/

Back to the grind for now! Keep up the pace in life, folks :)

Today!

2010-11-17T17:56:00.000+05:30

Cloudy weather. November rain.
The sun playing peek-a-boo.
A huge rainbow!
Dreamy dreamy.
Delhi winters :)
Sighs

Pat on the back :)

2010-11-15T11:57:00.001+05:30

Since the eve of Diwali, I've been engulfed in a tsunami of work! So much so that the whole of last Sunday and Monday were spent at office, 33 hours straight!!

And the rest of the week was as crazy as it could get... late nights at office, work, meetings, revisions, rework, meetings again, screwed up routine!

Thank goodness that I managed to scoot off to Mussoorie for Diwali... :)

Anyway, the week started off pretty bad, but we kinda got used to it! And it became fun working late hours, then driving back in the dead of the night (brrr Delhi winters have set in!), sleeping till late, and the cycle.

The party on Saturday night (the first one in this company) was such a stress buster! Let my hair loose (literally :p) and danced like crazy!

The late night appreciation from the MD and the VP for the hard work we put in were extra special :))

No wonder I put in all behind me and slept for 14 hours straight on Sunday...

Phew! That was the week that was...

New week, new story, new developments.

Time to get back to work. Adios.

Movie mania!

2010-11-15T02:10:00.000+05:30

Every once in a while I watch a movie which leads me to introspect. Some flicks get me thinking about the choices that I've made in life till now.
The Social Network was one such movie.
A man's passion for coding can make him do wonders... and a few blunders too! Can so relate to it all :)
Chautala and I were discussing the repercussions of giving up the love for writing programs after the movie. Sighs!

The story dealing with the birth of Facebook, and the way it has taken over everyone's lives. Simply amazing! Do watch.
November and December seem to be loaded with a set of good releases! *rubbing hands in glee*

Winner takes it all \m/

2010-10-22T13:12:00.003+05:30

Ok, so maybe me and the guys missed out on winning Segreta by a whisker 3 weeks ago! That was depressing to the core...

But since then, we pulled up our socks! And we decided to go in for the kill, sleep be damned :p

Since Wednesday night, when SJMSOM IIT Bombay's Qwest (the 2010 version of last year's Rolling Stones: The Treasure Hunt, which we had conquered) started, Chinmaya and I drove ourselves mad while cracking tough puzzles, figuring out crazy questions, gaping in awe when seemingly absurd patterns struck a chord, crossing fingers while entering probable answers and praying for the next level to show up, and in utter desperation resorting to hit-and-trial :p

Oh yes! Two days of awesome fun!
Kudos to the Qwest team for coming up with a bigger, better and tougher t-hunt!

And today morning, it all paid off... just like a question in one of the levels hinted, it was a photofinish :D

The Leaderboard speaks for itself: http://www.som.iitb.ac.in/qwest/leaderboard.php

Champion of Qwest, second year running B)

Wowiee! An awesome return gift for Dad's birthday ;)

And I love seeing IMT Ghaziabad's name right at the top of the chart!

Awesome work, Chinmaya! Like we've been telling each other, we did eventually win!

We guys make up an awesome T-hunt team \m/

I beg your pardon for stating that my Googling skills have taken a dip... they haven't.

Time to move on!

Next up: NITIE's Maddiction!!

Waiting with bated breath for IIM Indore's Klueless too!

Cheers!

High-Five-Five!

2010-10-22T00:01:00.000+05:30

Dearest Dada,

I've been wracking my brain for the past two weeks, yet I seem to draw a blank!

It is so unlike me, but everything I come up with seems to be a repetition - a thought already typed out; an emotion already felt; a feeling already expressed; an adjective or an adverb already used; a blog post already published et al.

But when I think about it, I realize that it is because I've come to know you and understand you so very well, and love you and respect you so very much over the past 26 years... more than any son can probably aim to achieve out of the father-son relationship in a lifetime!

And now that we still have a major chunk of that lifetime lying in front of us, I smile to myself thinking of the wonderful happy times in store for this father-son duo!

It's a shock though to see time flying by at this crazy speed!

I'd give anything to be able to go back to the past by simply rewinding the clock... especially because I seem to be aging with each passing year, while you (and Mumma) seem to be becoming younger with each passing day! Not fair :)

Also, not fair is the fact that you bag all the limelight in my photo albums :p

I wonder who coined the term "old man" for one's father... doesn't apply in my case, no sir!

Without further ado and minus any senti talk, on this 22nd day of October, 2010, I want to wish you a very very happy 55th birthday, Dandila!

If you don't already know, you're the bestest dad in the whole wide universe of galaxies!

Needless to say, I'm the luckiest son on the surface of this planet! ;)

Loads of love, hugs and kisses,

Appu

Hats off!!

2010-10-13T00:01:00.000+05:30

Stieg Larsson - You're the man!

Thanks for helping me rediscover my lost love :)

P.S.: Why didn't you pen down more such beauties? :|

The winds of change...

2010-10-10T13:14:00.002+05:30

The last week has seen me at my happiest best... till now, I had forgotten what happiness was all about, especially since August, courtesy some people and certain circumstances...

How we invent illusions to keep ourselves entertained despite the nagging feeling that something's amiss is admirable!

Starting last Wednesday, everything is back on track... on the fast track, if you like! :)

Thursday was extra special... a brand new addition in my life! You're here to stay, I know... a post dedicated to you, and she who you replaced coming up ;)

On Friday, I could afford to say TGIF despite all the little glitches...

Saturday? Whatta super duper day! Nothing like witnessing awesomeness from up close, and being able to appreciate it from a (very very) close range!

Add to that: being on TV for the entire Table Tennis Men's Team Gold Match events, especially since the damsels from the English team chose to sit bang one row in front of us... so much for us supporting Singapore!! Kinda got a crush on Jo ;)

Next up, IMT... I'll never ever outgrow this place :)

Signed in as 08FT-051... room number A-41...

A few TT matches (inspired by what we witnessed earlier in the day, no doubt!), bahut dinon baad :D

Snacks @ DLP...

Lovely party @ A-39, previously Khemka's room, now Lalit's room... then hanging out at the Guitar Point :)

The intense badminton matches at 4 AM... still got the old flair, thank goodness! Damn I love this game.

The walk around the beautiful campus... the bhasad, Aa gale lag jaa (:p), the injured toe and what not!

Ungodly hour fillers at Nescafe *yummy*

Pleasant insomnia!This place is jinxed... you'll always shirk sleep when here :))

Oh well! Just when I thought that the day wouldn't end, it did... slept a wonderful dreamless sleep akin to the good ol' days!

Now to utilize Sunday to the max: watching some awesome Badminton matches @ Siri Fort \m/

Need to get back to IMT soon with my new companion... unfnished business beckons ;)

Have a happy weekend, folks!

P.S.: Happy birthday, Dipika... it felt really nice talking to you after ages! Miss the Mafia gang so very much... hold on for a while, I'm headed there soon ;)

Nothing like it!

2010-10-06T23:11:00.001+05:30

Long long ago, I had seen this movie named Aa gale lag ja... good ol' Hindi movie from the yesteryears!

After all these years, I have somehow managed to retain in my memory one of its songs even though I've forgotten what the movie was all about (save for details like Shashi Kapoor and his handicapped son singing songs in and around a skating rink somewhere in Himachal).

Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi is one helluva awesome song, and though I love strumming a plethora of songs on the guitar, this one has gotta be my favorite!

Love playing this stanza in particular:

Waadein gaye baatein gayii, bheegi bheegi raatein gayii,

Chahe jise mila nahin, toh bhi koi gila nahin...

Apna toh kya jiye mare chahe kuch ho,

Tujhko toh jeena raas aayega...

Jaane tu, ya jaane na... maane tu, ya maane na...

I wish I could've translated it, but I'm tired of being lost in translation...

Just soak it in, will ya? :)

Nowadays!

2010-10-05T00:40:00.000+05:30

Busy as hell these days... work life seems to have taken on a totally different meaning!

Loads of client interaction, something that ruled my life at Infy. Just that the clients back then were the Swiss and the Americans... this time round, it's the Koreans and the Japanese! Literally, lost in translation :)

Am usually at the point of collapsing on the bed by EOD everyday... no gym, no training for the upcoming Delhi Marathon, no nothing! How can I be so jaded?!

Okhla doesn't seem to be a bad destination these days, especially since the South Delhi metro line has commenced!

Sleeping for anywhere between 7-12 hours daily!! Day before yesterday's tour, the house cleaning up program, and yesterday night's revelry ensured that loads of sleep was the need of that night... this Oktoberfest was groovy, but I've made up my mind to make it to the real Oktoberfest in the next couple of years ;)

Love those long metro rides where I get to devour Stieg Larsson's awesome works... the books belonging to the Millennium trilogy are unputdownable!!!

Scared of receiving calls from a particular number... always get the feeling that I'd have to check my inbox only to find more crappy revelatory emails... too much of a torture... what did I do to go through all of that and all of this? :(

No matter how crappy a newspaper The Times of India is, I simply love some sections and articles in it: today's pick is undoubtedly Madhumita Gupta's The New Triangle... do read it, Ma :))

Off to sleep... absurd as it may seem, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns n' Roses, Nirvana et al seem to be lulling me to sleep of late! \m/

Nightynight folks!

Octoberfest!

2010-10-01T00:13:00.001+05:30

September was supposed to be the month of pleasant surprises... but all it yielded towards the end were cruel shocks and nasty jolts.

Damn, sometimes getting disabused is equivalent to getting abused! *ouch ouch ouch*

And now I know... come what may, nothing's gonna be the same, ever again.

Sigh.

Well, my month is here. Whatever.

Not hoping for anything great... just keep it plain and simple, please!
And let me get a grip on my life.

Amen.

P.S.: Happy birthday, dc!

Mind-games

2010-09-30T18:16:00.001+05:30

I sometimes wonder why the human mind is so crazily superb when it comes to making assumptions, spinning yarns, interpreting puzzles, projecting facts, drawing conclusions, having crazy imaginations, tying up loose ends, and taking decisions.

All that you've been given are a few scattered pieces of a huge jigsaw puzzle, yet you're able to solve the damn thing in a jiffy!

Fascinating, you say?

Not always, mind you!

Trust me on this one...

Online Treasure Hunts!

2010-09-29T19:07:00.002+05:30

I feel like I'm on a highhhh highhhh!

Spent the entire day today on an online T-hunt... been at it since 3 days!

Crazy puzzles with maddening answers! Feels good to be back... to hell with the feeling of being brain-dead!!

And now I'm at the pinnacle, with no one in sight... damn those spurts of ingenuity :p

My team won the Rolling Stones t-hunt organized by IIT Bombay last year... let's win their Segreta event this year, guys ;)

Rock on!!!

Oh yeah?

2010-09-28T23:19:00.000+05:30

They say, "Ignorance is bliss."
No way!

Heaving a mixed bag of emotions. Or probably a bag of mixed emotions.
Why?

artemis foul

2010-09-26T03:14:00.001+05:30

Emosional atyachar

2010-09-24T22:38:00.006+05:30

Sadness is...

... standing one step behind that lonely octagenarian who somehow managed to stumble aboard the escalator, and noticing his quivering hands, the trembling of which increased as the time to step off the moving stairs came closer.

Happiness is...

... climbing that one step to be on the same level as the old gentleman, stretching out my left hand without saying a word, and his reaching out to hold it as if it was the most natural thing to do; then our stepping off the escalator in style, and his kind words, "God bless you, my son."

If only, sir.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadness is...

... standing on the platform, outside the recently closed doors of the metro, staring through the glass window at you, both of us smiling at each other despite the knot in our respective throats, dreading this moment of separation that both of us had seen coming since so long. Damn! I'll miss you like crazy... and I know that you will too :'(

Happiness is...

... knowing that you were there for me when I needed a pillar of support, taking it for granted that you're there, that you'll always be there for me, and despite all my stupidities in the recent past, it's not too late for me to make amends. I'm going to be following your lead... soon... very soon :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadness is...

... missing my parents, sister, and home!

Happiness is...

... not letting the distance get the better of anything :)

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadness is...

... not knowing what went wrong, what my fault was, why the indifference, yet my having to bear the hurt and the artificial guilt...

Happiness is...

... not giving a damn... and coming back to life!

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sadness is...
... those countless nights spent at our favorite hangout mulling over life, discussing why shit happens, questioning that supreme being as to why am I His favorite candidate for playing the role of popat for life!

Happiness is...

... those countless other nights spent at our other haunts, getting drowned in awesome music, head-banging, dancing, discussing about crazy shit, laughing our guts out, experiencing euphoria, not wanting to leave, racing through those awesome streets, zipping past those beautiful lights, feeling the tight slaps of the wind along with the deathly thrill, and spending the nights talking about how life has been a bitch yet how we've managed to survive it all ;)

To Sweety, with love... ♥

2010-09-22T00:01:00.000+05:30

Dearest Sweetu,

It's been a long while since I've actually written something for you, save for those extra-short SMSes. Actually it has been ages since I've written anything at all, so good luck for reading what follows.

Here goes nothing...

When I was five years old, my wants and demands for toys, games et al were somehow replaced by the subtle craving for a childhood playmate at home... after all, I had seen so many kids of my age or somewhat elder having a fun time with their younger siblings! Peer pressure, it was!

Spending evenings with the colony ka bacchalog was no longer an attractive prospect...

At the age of six-and-a-half years, I knew from the bulge in Mumma's tummy that a little brother was coming! Yes, I always prayed for a little brother... someone whom I could fight with, boy-to-boy; someone who'd be my shadow, my eternal copycat who doted on me; someone with whom I'd indulge in all the games and activities that little boys are so obsessed about; someone who'd be my best buddy; someone to whom I'd always be the big brother...

You can't imagine my utter delight when one month before I turned seven, I got an advance birthday gift - a sibling!!!

When talks of the nature "It's a healthy baby girl" echoed around in Jubesta hospital, the last word didn't matter a bit to me.

All that seemed to matter was that I was a big brother now :))

And boy oh boy! Was my infant baby sister a darling or what :*

Then came the hard part... after seven years of being the cynosure of Mumma and Dada's attention, I realized that the limelight was no longer on me! Agreed that you were the baby of the family, but try explaining that to a jealous seven year old!

It took a while for me to start appreciating sharing the parents' love and affection with you...

In parallel to that, it also took me time to realize that you're going to take ages to grow up.

At the crèche, I'd longing stare out at the cricket field where Bittu and Buntu used to be playing, while I used to stay by my little kiddo's side, who'd otherwise start crying the instant I wasn't in her field of vision! I knew where I belonged straight away, sports be damned!

Over a period of time that seemed like eons, I witnessed you growing up! I can simply close my eyes and revisit certain instances that are so preciously stowed away in my memory:

First, you rolled over on your own (I can so clearly remember being the first witness to this "miracle" on the train to Bangalore, and a tiny little you, merely four months old, flashing a proud smile as if you know what an achievement you had pulled off!)

I vividly remember:

the little toothless Sweety's passion for dark chocolate
the chubby cheeked sweetheart who drew everyone's attention, and who'd win their hearts by not refusing to be carried in their arms :)
the restless crawling baby sometimes crying at getting hurt and demanding that the perpetrator (usually the floor, the door or some inanimate object) be repaid in kind - that was usually accompanied by a loud "BAPPP"!
the same restless sweetheart who took to walking and talking like a fish to water!

Then there was no looking back!

The toddler matured into a powerpuff girl :D

And my training my new playmate took focus... someone would've thought I was teaching a younger brother the tricks of the trade :p

From cricket (oh ok! So I made you do the bowling most of the time :p) to karate (hehe I so don't know what stunts I taught you, but we did have some nice fights!), I did teach you a lot!!

Another awkward change was when Mumma asked me to take you along when I played with my friends. Ouch.

But it worked out so wonderfully despite my feeling that you'd be left behind and ignored. You actually became one of the gang at such an early age :D

You were, what, five years old when Sonu, you and I walked to that pond near our locality, when a bunch of mad dogs started running in our direction, barking like crazy. Sonu, fearing for his life, turned around and made a run for it.
Holding that tiny little hand of yours in my hand, feeling the tightening grip of those little fingers, knowing that we'd never outrun those canines, I for the first time in my life felt like a protective elder brother... and I feared not for myself, but for you! Talk about discovering something beautiful in the most adverse of circumstances...

Thank God for those maids who save our lives that day!

That said, I can never ever forget how bad a brother I was at times: being vindictive and asking my little honeybun to imitate my touching the fire hot goodnight mat; yelling at the kinder garden baby for making me wait for 10 minutes when I went to pick her up from school; and many more :'(

Woah! How can I forget our "cat-and-dog" fights over the years?! If only Mumma had had the will power, she'd have definitely sent us to boarding school :p

My memory is somewhat blurred when it comes to those adolescent years of mine... I remember your ups and downs at school, your being a champ at extracurrics, Sweety the awesome dancer, your budding passion for reading, you and your friends et al.

Then came my IIT preparation days... talk about being busy! But those late nights were extra-special when I came home, tired and drained, only to find you awake just to kiss me good night, to talk to me from the darkness while I studied by my lamp, or to find a note from you that read:
"Love you Appu. Good night. -Sweety"

On my last night at home before leaving for college that fateful July, I cried like crazy! I was more Sweety-sick than homesick!

But things do work out wonderfully... as much as I had feared that the distance will play spoilsport, we as siblings grew so much closer. And younger too!

True that our bickering commenced where it was left off whenever I came home, but it was much cuter now, and so very precious too!

Plus it was fascinating to watch a fairy tales loving baby, who had grown up and had started reading Nancy Drews, Enid Blyton et al, now becoming a matured girl who devoured books of Nicholas Sparks, Sidney Sheldon, Colleen McCollough, etc.

Then the fascination for school books, and the passion to study and make it big! I truly saw a reflection of myself in you, a much better and clearer one at that B)

Same goes for the things that you missed out on... those times were tough, but witnessing how wonderfully you adapted and started living life to the fullest is exemplary!

Talking to you almost everyday, even if most of the times about the same old things, listening to your excited chitter-chatter, cheering you up when you're down, pulling you leg now and then, are some of the things that make my day perfect!

And as if I don't already have a gazillion reasons for loving you and for being proud of you, you just keep giving me more and more with each passing day!

Five days ago, when you asked me in a hushed tone:
"Appu, I want to talk to you about something.",
I wondered what it might be about.

And when you replied:
"It's about my career... I want to know what to do in life... what should I do after my engineering.",
I was dumbfounded.

My little baby sister is now all set to be a career-focused woman! Woah!

She's about to turn 19!! Nineteen for God's sake!!!
Wasn't she the world's cutest, prettiest toddler just yeaterday?!
Today, she's this beautiful young woman who has a heart of gold, who's very sensitive, thoughtful, extremely compassionate, diligent, and what not!
Time does fly...

When I texted you 3 days ago saying,

"Meri baby kitni badii ho gayii hai yaar :') " (My baby has grown up sooo much!),

I loved your reply which read,

"Khush reh, paagal... atleast tere liye to hamesha ek baby baby hi rahungi na :*" (Be happy, stupid... at least to you I'll always remain a baby!)

That sums it all up!

Sweetu - you'll always always and always remain my darling little baby sister, the apple of my eye, my best buddy; someone who I love (and will continue loving) more than anything in the whole wide galaxy, and for whom I'd give my anything and everything!

Wish you a extremely happy happy 19th birthday, plumpudding!

God bless you truckloads!

Love you, and miss you heaps!

Millions of hugs and kisses,

Appu

P.S.: I'm sorry I won't be able to surprise you this time round... I so wish I could have... Have a fantabulous time nonetheless ;)

Waking up...

2010-09-15T08:04:00.001+05:30

Several months ago, I had had this feeling that one instant I might wake up and realize that you were a dream... so perfect, so hard to happen...

Now I've woken up.

Melange

2010-09-12T15:46:00.022+05:30

Sunday. Pink Floyd. Relaxation. Sleep.
Conversations. Hours. Sighing. Laughs. Repetitions.
People. Changes. Work. Dissemblance.
Friends. Rendezvous. Nostalgia. Bakar. Plans.
English. Essays. Word play. Expertise.
Hunger. Dhabhas. Phulkas. Dal makhani.
Rains. Bike rides. Drenched. Bloodshot eyes.
Surprises. Gifts. Choices. Indecision.
Vacillations. Weaknesses. Addictions.
Baby sister. Fondness. Apple of my eye. Nostalgia.
Parents. Constants. Bestest friends. Homesickness.
200201170. Grooviness. House hunt. Partyyy.
Dead of the night. Biking. Expressway. 40 kms. 22 minutes.
Tears. Bloodshot eyes. Laughter. High fives!
Happiness. Amazement. Hanging on. Endings...

Now what?!

2010-09-11T01:32:00.000+05:30

When each single day of this week resembled a weekend to the D, then what the hell am I supposed to expect of the weekend?! :)

Joy oh joy!

Metro-life!

2010-09-09T01:38:00.002+05:30

Life has been good for a while, contrary to what I had expected and feared...

Insecurities, I tell you, are a bane! A smile comes to my face whenever I recollect the song's title when Greenday's singing "Time of your life" 3:)

There's something awesome about days starting and ending with the Delhi Metro... looks like this week is supposed to be that way :))

Sunday was the day for the grand reunion at my place... I was jittery though I knew that I'd do justice to my role of the host! It was quite a wonderful day!

Each of the weekdays saw me getting addicted slowly by slowly to the Metro... I got myself a smart card, and thanks to someone making me wait for a long time each evening, I've started enjoying long trips on my own to the far end of Delhi while waiting! And then you blame me for being late :p

Simply love the fact that Chandni Chowk is just an hour away these days... yesterday's visit to Old Dilli was a breath of fresh air!

Last minute plans work out well, I guess... today evening, for instance!

Again covered a major portion of the stretch till CP aboard the metro, before hitting MG Road... the rain added to the pleasantness of the evening!

And thank God for sweet-tooth-edness! First a huuge soft serve cuppa at McD, then a couple of pastries at Bisque, then a couple of cones at Baskin Robbins (my Choco Brownie was much better :p)! As the Mask would hiss, "Somebody stop us"!

Checked out "The Chowk" at MGF Metropolitan... nice ambiance, yummy food, but pathetic service!

Never expected that we'd get a metro at as late as 11:30 PM... but we did! Respect \m/

The meager amount of driving I do these days added to the awesomeness of the late night bike ride.. hated wriggling through those gulli-nukkads though... had you listened to me, you'd have been living in a much better locality! :s

2 weeks more... 3 max!

Time definitely does some listening... it seems to have speeded up on my request!

Good night :)

The final countdown!!

2010-08-30T19:45:00.000+05:30

Oh my gosh!!! To read something like that early on a Monday morning?! Wowww!

SK, you're a darling!! Biiiiiig bearrr huggg :))

Then getting to hear some fantastic news in the evening!! Is today really a Monday?!?!

Feeling feverish... Just one thing separating us *fingers and toes crossed*

Speed up, time... speed up!

Party time again, what say AC? \m/

Bloody dogma!

2010-08-30T11:44:00.000+05:30

This kundli, gud, yog, nakshatra shit sucks!
What sucks more is watching a lovely relationship bite the dust courtesy this orthodox mumbo jumbo!
It's a stupid society we live in...

♥

2010-08-28T22:26:00.001+05:30

Like that old SMS goes:

Love at first sight is easy to understand, but it's when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle!

So true!

If someone asked me to define an ideal marriage or the ideal couple, I have an ever ready reply... :)))

Mumma and Dada, you're probably the bestest and the most romantic couple in the whole wide galaxy! Muaaaahhhh! Love you both soo much :)

And oye! I was serious when I said that I won't be coming home soon so as to not break your dating routine ;) :P

a la Looney Tunes...

2010-08-26T00:04:00.002+05:30

That's all folks!

:))

2010-08-20T00:43:00.000+05:30

Got this gut feeling ( and a few hints) that good times are about to return! *fingers and toes crossed*

Plus the awesome mausam *sigghhhh*

Add to that the longer than long conversations with good friends whom I've been neglecting for so long!

For a change, I really don't mind being back on square one.

On a total highhh! \m/

Weekend ahoyyy!!!!!

I love... because...

2010-08-16T03:08:00.002+05:30

Covering the entire expressway, crazily racing on my bike... the tears can be attributed to the crazy breeze and dust that bust my eyes...
Drinking like crazy, on an occasional basis, though it has no effect on my sanity or sobriety... the alcohol can be blamed for my red eyes...
Being off the grid once in a while... my life ceases to affect others' for a change...
Crossing the 3-digit mark on my old race horse in the dead of the night... I sometimes fantasize things ending in a flash...
Taking crazy decisions... things do work out eventually...
Optimism... what if not all's well at my end, at least I can convince others that things at their end are manageable...
Pessimists... they don't survive on hope...
My family... they love me for whoever I am, whatever I am...
Relationships... they keep me going...
Friends... they're so same same...
Sleeplessness... it seems to be worth it of late...
Books... each page of theirs has something new to offer...
The devil (sometimes)... at least you don't have to pray to him so often yet get turned down... :s
Working out like crazy in the gym... there's no better way to kill myself...
Regrets... they help me take hard hard decisions...
Good old bosses... no matter I jilted them, they know what my true value is... :)
Awesome mausam... I simply love it!
Kids... they make my day, always... :))
Weekends... they come just once a week.... :s
Delhi, Gurgaon et al... I know now that I'm not here to stay...
Life... it has taught me so much...

Letters - Part 4

2010-08-14T03:41:00.000+05:30

Dear dude in the gym,

Had you met me 4 years ago and made the same suggestion, I'd have seriously considered it... and probably would've given it a shot too! But yeah, thanks...

Dearest college life,

I miss you so... even though I'm reliving you in both the forms I've experienced you :)

Dear long conversations,

Why do I hate it when you end?! :)

Airtel,

I'm so gonna market the plethora of your deficiencies and bloopers... watch out :x

And yes, your services suck big time!

Dear Vodafone,

You've aptly named one service of yours "Apne minutes" :)

Dearest AC and AS,

I wonder how I manage to find such good friends whose tastes match mine, whose idea of fun is ditto like mine, who're ready to freak out even before I ask them to join me...

Cheers!

The weekend has just started, by the way ;)

Dear nostalgia,

What would I do without you?? :D

Dear Gurgaon-Delhi expressway,

Nothing like racing the bike on your surface in the dead of the night! Woohoo \m/

Dear scorpio,

You're truly my zodiac sign :|

GT,

You call that work?! Get real :x

Dear insomnia,

You're here to stay, aren't you?

Dear 'high',

Wish you were a constant companion...

This, That

2010-08-12T21:46:00.000+05:30

Not being able to delete stuff, or the inability to purge memories, is my biggest weakness... or so I thought!

How wrong I was!

Today it just made my day... and I somehow get the feeling it's not a one-off incident :))

Airtel seems to be out to get me... first they deactivated my prepaid number for no rhyme or reason, next they killed my post-paid number... and now I'm totally off the grid! Luckily, I managed to let those who matter know before vanishing off the scene... phewww

Feels like I'm done with blogging, just like I wrapped up diary writing of late... I'll curse myself later, but what the heck!

As my fav gym instructor used to tell me, too much of anything makes it redundant, monotonous even...

Change, ahoy! \m/

2010-08-10T18:34:00.002+05:30

FML

Now-stall-gee-ahhh!!

2010-08-10T00:17:00.000+05:30

The last couple of days saw the outbreak of a nostalgia tsunami...

And I'm allowing myself to get drowned!

Oh take me back to the start...

WTF?

2010-08-07T18:07:00.001+05:30

If you've gone and taken offense at the title of this post, please don't.

It's not what you think it is, though it's related to the version of the acronym you've got in mind :p

Someone explained to me 4 days back why the entire week is usually a screwed up affair... even the days of the week after Monday and Tuesday read WTF (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - for the pea-brained folks)!

A while back, I'd have subscribed to this line of thought... not now!

W, as I've already stated in the previous post, was a lovely day!

T was a somewhat busy day, but I spent a major part of the early night at hostel (literally speaking)... sheer fun ;)

F saw me getting handed truckloads of work... not bad at all! Had an awesome evening though!

And then came S! Neat day, till now, all in all...

Isn't it amazing when days start on the same happy happy note, and end on the same note! Thank you :)

Time to make a run to catch up with the weekend...

Adios! Happy weekend!

Lucky Number 7th

2010-08-05T01:26:00.005+05:30

Today was the day when I desperately needed a recharge... 3 of my main charging points are far far away, but thank goodness the fourth is pretty close by :)

A rendezvous was planned for the evening... and yes, as expected, the day was mired by unforeseen work!

Pulled off a presentation with ease... thank God for MBA... I can make comprehensive ppts, though got lots of valuable insights on the do's and don'ts of corporate presentations!

Loads of interesting work on the cards... let's hope there's no bundling just this once!

It's nerve-wracking to be waiting for the clock to strike 6... there were plethora of calls or messages from the boss about work, and all I could do was to keep my fingers and toes crossed, and pray for no extra work that'll make me stay back :s

And it's exciting in a way to end up doing what I know I must do... scat before anyone can hold me back on a whim; stand in the middle of a flower market explaining to my boss over the phone how much I've accomplished in the day (and beautifully avoiding any reference to my current bearings :p); meeting my girl on a really special day (yep, she's my personal brand of heroin!); spending an awesome carefree evening at an lovely, romantic place in the company of two very beautiful ladies!

Only regret: not running out hand in hand and getting drenched while embracing the inviting fountains! If only someone wasn't so people conscious :p

Got loads of news when I got home... don't know whether to be happy about some things, or to whinge about the remaining!

Screw it all... just picked up the guitar and I forgot everything for a while!

A surprise message, long conversations and happy people provided the perfect closure to this superb day!

I knew Mumma and Dada would call me whenever they saw Toy Story 3... they surely did, no matter it was midnight! Lovely movie... it made me miss my toys (Heman and his entourage, GI Joe, Hot Wheels et al) and my childhood like never before!

Now to hit the sack...

If only God allowed me a chance to customize each day the way I'd like it to be, then the 2nd half of each of my days would resemble today!

Bonnuit!

Midnight shower...

2010-08-04T02:53:00.000+05:30

... and people told me that it hardly, if ever, rains in Gurgaon!
Wish I had the time to spend the night sitting on my blacony, staring out at the millions of glittering lights that're getting obscured by the incessant downpour!

Letters - Part 3

2010-08-01T23:23:00.004+05:30

Dear Friday,

You used to be the onset of the weekend... you still are, albeit in an enforced manner!

But I ain't complaining! I'll never stop staying TGIF :D

Dear awesome mausam,

Hope you're here to stay!

Dear AD,

I misjudged you, sorry... you're just another victim of circumstances!

Spending the evening with you yesterday was awesome... never laughed so much in ages :p

Dear GGG,

Are you loved by someone or what... already!!
Glad she found you folks... :)

Dear Saturdays,

Emulate 31st of July, 2010 ;)

Dear Yamaha FZ16,
Loved racing around SC2 on you, but you're too damn flawed... my black beauty might be old, but you're no match for her... any day!

Dear Yamaha F310,
My fingers started bleeding last night, but yet I continued moving them on your strings... it's amazing how you don't break despite such abuse!! No matter how much people enjoy the result of our union, I know that I don't do justice to your awesomeness! You're one of my most prized possessions!!

Dear Trust,
How I wish that people were blessed with more of you, and that they didn't abuse you so much! *sighs*

Dear Sunday,
Weren't you supposed to be the day reserved for taking a break?! How come I didn't get to rest a bit today?! :x

Dearest IMT gang,
Miss you guys a lot... it was wonderful talking to each and every one of you today! :)

Dear camera,
Don't you give up on me! :'(

Dear words,
You're all that I have...

Negative thoughts,
Buzz off!

Dear July,
What a wonderful month you were... wish you were here to stay!

Dear August,
You couldn't have started off better... hang in there!

Dearest Salary,
Come fast! :)

There's something about Saturdays...

2010-07-31T15:01:00.002+05:30

For once, I harbor no ill feelings about my having to go to work on a Saturday!

Getting up late has kinda become the norm these days, courtesy the awesome weather. I simply love snuggling up in my bed, holding the spare pillow close, and being lost in the early morning dreams.

The 25 kms long ride to office today seemed to get over in a jiffy... again, courtesy the lovely weather!

It started to pour and rain like crazy a couple of minutes after I entered the office building... phewww!

No boss(es), zilch work, and then the oh so friggin' beautiful, rain-drenched forests of Chatarpur outside my office window... who needs a better set of reasons to mooch out of office?! :P

I've had a penchant for Saket (the place in Delhi, for the uninitiated :p) for quite some time now... and that was exactly where I headed to. (If it were not for Gurgaon, Saket would've surely been my next choice in terms of residence!)

Next up: awesome company, a loong drive (*sighh* if only I had been driving that Merc instead!), sexy songs playing in the car, saundi saundi hawa, halki phulki baarish, flooded roads, chat-chatori, garam-a-garam jalebis *totally lip-smacking stuff*, unlimited bakar and nostalgia, and what not! Only this miss from the picture was my camera...

On the way to office, I told someone that I'll try to katofy by 4-4:30 for home... no partying this weekend, but more of having a good time close to home with a neat bunch of people!

And all set to call up, and catch up with over a hundred friends and a dozen family members in the next 48 hours... probably the only reason why I don't hate the fact that I'm changing my number :|

July was probably the best month of the year for me (okay, there might be a close competition between January and July for the top spot!) ... the very first day was extra special, and that was just the beginning... I so regret having stopped making diary entries, because each and every day of the month that was is worth reliving! Today isn't over, yet I get the feeling that it'll provide the perfect closure to a wonderful month!

Time to katofy!! :D

Signing off...

Happy weekend, everyone! :)

Have an august August!! ;)

Perfect Monday!

2010-07-27T01:37:00.002+05:30

If things keep going this way, I'll soon stop dreading Mondays... and the major credit goes to the person who has always pooh-poohed my morbid fear of the first working day of the week :)

Nothing special about today save for the fact that I didn't go to office... got some much needed respite from the travelling! And got lots of pending work done.

Caught up on the post-lunch afternoon nap session too... I so love it!

Gurgaon evenings are awesome... I agree that there's loads of dust, and heat is prickly, but the skies are soo blue, and the clouds dotting Heaven resemble a well-painted canvas!

My feelings are connected to someone else's via an umbilical cable or something... I seem to be experiencing the same emotions, excitement, passion, enthusiasm, surge in energy levels, et al. Earlier I had caught only glimpses of someone being herself... now it's like seeing the awesome movie after a few sexy trailers!! Extremely happy vappy :)))

I so love killing myself in the gym... especially when I'm very happy or very sad. Today, my body was literally begging me: "Have mercy!"

The plan for the late evening was an hour of pool, and nothing else. Ended up partying, on a weekday... that too, on a Monday! Imagine!!! AC, you bugger! Had an awesome time!

I love the metro rides, no matter we always have to get off after 2 stops...

A late night bike ride on the dust-free Gurgaon streets is a pleasure...

Loads of good news concluded the day... so happy for my friends! Rock on, guys :)

Off to bed... need to make it to office tomorrow :P

Good night!

Dream Saturday!

2010-07-25T04:10:00.001+05:30

Ok! I have been wishing for something like this to happen since long, and today it finally happened... probably a sexy return gift on Mumma and Chitti's birthday :D

A working Saturday couldn't be more perfect... ok, it could've been a li'l more perfect, but I ain't complaining!

Wishing Mumma at midnight (a first?!) was awesome... what a start to the day :))

Got up at around 8 AM courtesy my favorite alarm clock... so much for hitting the snooze half a dozen times ;)

Yet, lolled around till 9:30... and even messaged the boss that I would be coming a bit late... I'm usually brimming with courage on Saturdays, aye! :P

Maybe it was a tragedy to reach office at 11 AM and realize that not even the boss had shown up for the day!

Oh well! Thank God for worklessness and pure bakar... spent over half the day on the phone!
(yep, I seem to be addicted to the phone of late, previous addictions be damned... fact: I spent 24 hours of the previous month on the phone!! Beat that B) )

My excitement knows no bounds... I can't shrug away the feeling (not that I want to :) ) that I'm heading back to grad school in less than 2 days! Yipppeee!! :)))

Spent the evening with one of my best friends, and we enjoyed one hour of pure unadulterated warfare on the pool table! HAH! I emerged victorious by a good margin... take that, AC :D

Was totally thrilled about something happening out of the blue, but it didn't. For the best, I'll say... there'll be ample time for it all. :)

Late night bike rides = Awesome! Especially on the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway \m/

Never expected the late night to be so fantastic... a mini party at my room, loads of bakar, and the guitar... almost broke my beautiful Yamaha thanks to the crazy strumming, but the music that emanated from it and the singing that we did truly rocked! Encore B)

Tomorrow's going to be a long yet amazing Sunday... and the following days are going to be perfectly awesome, I know... the return to innocence ;)

Happy Sunday, folks! Enjoyyy

Mumma dearest!

2010-07-24T01:02:00.003+05:30

Today is your special day, and despite your knowing all of the following things, I'd like to reiterate them all!
There's not a single thing that soothes me more than the comfort of your lap...

Nothing matches your lovely, cheerful voice that makes my day, always! ♥

Despite my cribbing about your running your fingers through my hair when my head is on your lap, it's something that I miss the most :)
Spending hours and hours in the kitchen, pakaofying you while you pakaofied other things, is one of my fondest memories of childhood... I somehow wish that I hadn't taken up IIT coaching, and spent those two years too with you properly...
Your concern and love for me are unparalleled, and I sometimes get the feeling that I'm unworthy of it all... but who's going to convince you about that?! :p

You're my best friend, and no one can take your place...
You're usually at the receiving end of my mood swings, but that's because you're so special and I always know that you'd understand...
The credit for my positivity, optimism, cheerfulness and most good things goes to you, madame... you're my strongest pillar of strength!
You might think that I take you for granted... don't! I never will... it's just my quirks that might give you that
impression...
You're the person who I love more than anyone else in this whole wide world.

I know that you miss me like crazy always, and that today the feeling will be compounded manifold... just want to tell you that I miss you even more... and that for quite some time, I've been contemplating letting go of everything and coming home to you...
Maybe later...

Till then, just follow the instructions mentioned in the card to rectify this situation... I'll hug myself to make up for your absence :)

Happy birthday, Mumma!

Biiiig Huggg! Loads of love and millions of kisses!!

Speaking from experience...

2010-07-23T14:07:00.001+05:30

To be candid is to be taken for granted. Always.

8 years ago...

2010-07-22T23:51:00.003+05:30

22nd July, 2002 - My first day of college life... my leaving behind home, family, school life, immaturity, and what not, and walking through the gates of DA-IICT, Gandhinagar, as an undergraduate student!

That was then!

Today, exactly eight long years later, I can look back and feel a sense of awe and pride at the wonderful journey that I've traveled since then.

Hopping aboard the DA-IICT express was one helluva life-changing decision! I'd give anything to relive those 4 wonderful years again *wishful thinking*

Back to the future...

Letters - Part 2

2010-07-22T00:12:00.006+05:30

Dear Sixth Sense,
Dunno why but you give me the feeling that something is just not right. Whatever.

Not brushing this one off as paranoia...

Person in Mumbai,
You're very very well acquainted with how I follow my followers.
I read you, loud and clear.

Dearest MR,
Missing ya so much on your birthday... wanted to talk and talk just like the old times, but damn how busy can you be!
I know you'll read this, so you better call me this weekend... no matter in the middle of the night :)
By the way, love your sexy American accent... more so because now your Hindi will be worse than mine :P
Happy birthday amiga!! Biig hugg

Dear Sanity,
Hang in there!

Dear Sleep,
Thanks for taking over :D

Dear Dreams,

Let me sleep in peace.

Dear Priorities,
Prioritize yourselves :x

Dear DA-IICT gang,
You're on - this weekend! |m|

Dearest AC,
Welcome aboard... I knew you couldn't prolong this any longer :P

Dear Desperate Times,
Why is that only when you're paying a visit do people realize the importance of others in their lives?

Dear stars,
Why aren't you visible in Gurgaon?

Dearest Fantasia
Michaa soo much, and your occupants :'(

Dear Focus,
I hate to say it, but I want you to waver... just this once...

Pinky Ponky

2010-07-21T19:03:00.000+05:30

The moment you entered our room today, the tense atmosphere in the room vaporized in a jiffy!

Bah! To hell with work... I was so distracted by your presence.♥

Your excited chitter-chatter, your pretty pink dress, your mischievous beautiful eyes, your out-of-this-world smile.. come here you!

The moment our eyes met, I knew that we share brilliant chemistry...

And the next few minutes that we spent together were simply awesome... I was oblivious to everything!

No wonder even my boss commented sarcastically, "Jaate waqt Steve ko apne saath le jaiye, madam!!" ("Take Steve with you when you're leaving, lady!!") ;)

I knew that you didn't want to leave but you had to... never ever have I witnessed such a prolonged goodbye :)

Thanks soooo muchhh for making my day, baby... hope you return tomorrow too!

Muaahhh

Happy Bad-day! :x

2010-07-21T01:04:00.000+05:30

I detest inefficiency and unwarranted changes to the core, and boy oh boy! Today they were served to me on a huge platter :x

My verbal diarrhea seldom surfaces... today it did!

And I hardly, if ever, blow my top... today I did!

I'm glad you witnessed the trailer today, AD, you pathetic, good-for-nothing noob... because the real thing is gonna hit you soon, buster :x

Thank God for certain things which, and certain people who ensure that sanity prevails.

VK dude! I'm so depressed thinking of the pathetic mess that they made of your birthday, buddy... but I admire the way you keep smiling and take everything in your stride \m/

Hope the late night bhasad and cribbing served as a wonderful catharsis :P

Happy vappy birthday! Cheers!! :)

Enlightenment

2010-07-16T00:04:00.000+05:30

My only crime is that I am me.

Bunked or debunk?!

2010-07-12T23:50:00.003+05:30

Ok, what's the best way to beat the Monday blues?

Simple. By not getting out of bed for the entire day :p

It was unplanned, but I loved it! I've somehow managed to sleep for almost a day in the past 2 days :P

For a change, Rishabh and I let go of our bikes and traveled by metro! The weather in the evening was damn nice...

And I was back to my old love - Pool!! There is something special about royally holding that beautiful sleek stick, taking that oh-so-awesome stance, aiming as if you're clicking an image in macro mode with that lovely snow-white cue ball occupying most of your field of vision and those numbered balls scattered randomly in the background, then taking a perfect shot, watching the set of intended collisions finally leading to the pocketing of a stripe or a solid, if not more!

Wow! You gotta try it if you haven't... I'm a good teacher when it comes to pool too :D

Finally, even though I don't reiterate it time and again (until I'm cornered, that is :p), i hope that the people in my life know how much they mean to me, and that their value keeps appreciating with each passing moment. Love you all :)

I think that I'm starting to like Mondays... even if just a little bit :)

Have a nice week, everyone!

Sheer awesomeness!!!

2010-07-11T22:33:00.000+05:30

Wish #1: All work days should be carbon copies of yesterday!

Wish #2: All Sundays should be exactly like today!!!

It wasn't about partying a bit. Not till now. Off now for the party of the year, till something bigger happens later of course :p

Friends, rest, stupidities, pool, sleep sleep sleep, plethora of rest, mild work, rides, sexy food, telephonic conversations, surprises, working out...

Sighhhhssss!

Dreading the hangover, courtesy this awesome weekend, that I'll be down with tomorrow!

Damn you, Monday :P

Good deed for that day :)

2010-07-11T12:28:00.000+05:30

The tone in which you asked me "Steve, would you like to see my place?" reeked of lonesomeness.

It was pretty late, and I had other plans, but I knew that my paying you a visit would mean the world to you. I tagged along.

Your place is awesome, really. But then for one person, it's a bit huge. Anyway, when you're living alone, any place, irrespective of its dimensions would fit that bill...

Unwittingly, you let your feelings loose... damn, it was depressing. Deja vu of sorts.

To hell with plans, I said to myself... all that fun fun fun does give me the feeling that I'm running away from something (even though I ain't).

While spending time with you, talking about this and that, bitching about stuff, it was funny how our fast-paced lives slowed down yesterday evening.

I know it was a rushed affair nonetheless, but what the heck. We'll keep some evenings reserved for applying the brakes on life like this...

It was nothing special, but I could make out that you enjoyed the evening... believe me, I enjoyed it even more!

In the short while that I've known you, you've become a very good friend of mine... It's funny how I manage to run into such nice people at the wrong places :)

Hope everything works out well for you, mate! Cheers!!

In a jiffy!

2010-07-05T23:57:00.061+05:30

Ok, I'm running short of time!

Why're awesome days shorter while bad days seem to last forever?!

Why have I been feeling like I'm back in college since the end of June?! At times, I'm back to being 200201053 of DA-IICT 2k6, and on other occasions, I'm 08FT-051 of IMT 2008-10! Rest of the time, I'm toggling somewhere in between these two states :D

July seems to have rejuvenated me, contrary to some misconceptions that I've been burning the candle from both ends... I can't seem to feel tired for a moment! *touchwood*

The weather in Gurgaon couldn't be more perfect... the rain-drenched city basking in the mild sunlight resembles a beautiful woman drying her long wet hair after a Sunday bath!! :)

Nothing like braving the rains at dawn to make it to the gym... No pain!!

Someone's absence might've created a lacuna, but someone else's presence immediately filled it up! God tussi great ho! :)

By the way, don't you just love company-sponsored guest houses?! TV, a/c, fridge, comfy beds, bath tub, posh locality, complimentary snacks et al, and all food bills to be taken care of by the company!!!! I knew that I'd be spending my evenings with my best friend, but I didn't expect such perks for the same :P

The joy of expecting a holiday courtesy the nationwide bandh was short-lived! These politicians are useless... they can't even pull-off a bandh properly! :P

There's so much happening, so much to do, such a lot to get done!

MBA could've never prepared me to face such challenges... so learning the art of managing it all on the fly.

Prayer: Make each day last a bit longer, O Lord. Amen.

P.S.: I can't believe today was a Monday!! Are the Monday blues history?! Is the Garfield effect gone for good?! :D

Crazyyy Weekend!!

2010-07-04T18:01:00.003+05:30

Saturday:

Field work - All aboard the JCB Backhoe Loader!! :D
Stupid comparisons and elements of distrust - I'm so glad you'll be away from this all soon :)
Vapour - Sexy ambience, good friends, monster-sized barrels, huge beer mugs (and their contents :p), tasty chow, total mastiii and futbolllll!!!!
Late night revelry!
Mocha - yummy food at ungodly hours, and futbollll reloaded!!
Beautiful Gurgaon ♥
Lost in thought

Sunday:

Waking up at dawn, courtesy my favorite alarm clock :)
Rain-drenched Gurgaon - simply beautiful!
Baby when you're gone...
Sleepy bakar :P
Lazyyy day!
Guitar
Flooded city-side!
Raindrops ♥
Rendezvous with best friend! :))
Sexy evening!
Wish you were here...
The hangover it all...

The month that was...

2010-07-03T00:21:00.001+05:30

Finance hasn't let go of me yet.

Of late, I've been busy studying my expenses for the last month... preparing income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements in real life is fun!

Ouch! It does hurt when I realize that the cash outflow was a gush, and the cash inflow was just a trickle!! :P

Glad though that I got to put loads of assets in the balance sheet... tagging expenses as investments never felt better!!! Lots more of these to come 3:)

Following in my old man's footsteps, prepared a budget for the coming months!

With everything settled as far as L1106 is concerned, the figures look beautiful... time to start saving some moolah!!

Right now, the weekend is here... plus the awesome clash of the titans, the Germans and the Argentinians, lined up for today evening. So, time to forget all other figures save for those on the scoreboard... and some neat ones visible on the stands :P

Happy weekend, one and all!

Go Argentinaaaa!!!