On the Road-Part 3

The Excitement
Finally, I managed to make that trip back home.Although it meant traveling more than 200 kms in less than 48 hours, it was absolutely worth it.Sleeping in your own room, the bed,the table and the comfort of knowing that your parents are around to take care of you. Its nice to be a child like the good old times, totally care-free from every day problems and having the right not to act responsibly for a couple of days.

I get so nostalgic about the place where I grew up and studied. Everytime, I am home I religiously make the trip around my school compound on my two wheeler.Those 15 seconds take me back to my school days--my class rooms. the music room,assembly area and sports ground. I always do this part alone. It seems there is a small part of me that I have left behind those school walls that makes me visit the place everytime.

After 18 months of becoming an Uncle, I saw my nephew for the first time on video.Now I know, what I have been missing for the last year and half. I guess I am the only one or two people in the extended family who hasn't seen the baby. My plans of visiting my sister on my way back from Australia last year went up in smoke when the client booked my tickets via Bangkok. When she was in India in the end of 2008 on a blink and you will miss trip of 4 days, I was in Goa on assignment. The wait continues and I just hope my sister and I somehow are able to work out a plan that will be immune of project deadlines,leave commitments and now the swine flu.


My last day in the city,most of the masks are off the road :).There are people dying but it seems the scare has ben controlled.My next destination-- Bangalore-- where I guess things have just started to heat up.

On the Road-Part 2

The Intensity
In between all this mayhem, I managed to work on a challenging project. But the best part of the day was the commute. I made it a point to talk to the drivers during my 60 minute drive. I somehow wanted to know what had been happening in the city during the time I wasn't there!
I am now an expert on the call cab business model in Mumbai, key issues faced by the drivers,commuters and the company itself. The drivers also filled me in with juicy gossip regarding the rivalry between the call cab and yellow/black cab drivers in the city.Some times when i was lucky I would get a driver who would give a dose of philosophy and religion. Some of these drivers were well educated and also have regular job besides driving the cab. Sometimes makes me feel so lucky to be where I am in life. (I must learn to be happy and less dissatisfied, although i must admit it will not be easy)


In my two weeks in Mumbai, I managed to meet up with only one of my friends because of the swine flu scare and my promise not to travel a lot in the city unless it was absolutely essential.But was very happy to have risked going out for this meeting.Meeting up
is so different from talking on the phone. An hour in person with anyone is worth more than 10 on the phone. I always wonder, how these meetings with friends end up being more interesting and fulfilling in spite of everyone being in touch over phone and email. We couldn't go for the movie as usual.I still remember all the movies we planned to watch together, but always managed to discover a scheduling conflict when we were working in the same city for brief period. Anyways, I am more than happy to have been able to meet up and having successfully juggled our schedules which are so not in our control :).

On the Road- Part 1

The last two weeks have been exciting, intense and scary all at the same time.It has seen me traveling to Mumbai for a project.

THE SCARE
Having stayed in the city for over 18 years at different points in time, I should have felt at home.and Yes,I was very much at home for the first couple of days until the first signs of change hit me.I was working out of the client's office and almost the entire day was spent attending workshops and meetings. On my second day in the city,I was at a Mall close to the client's office waiting for the cab to pick me up.(Cabs take a minimum of 45 mins to pick a passenger and I decided the mall was a better place than sitting idle in a conference room).
I noticed this gentleman walking on the road with a mask on his face. I looked around and noticed a few more people walking around with handkerchief/duppatta covering their face.Vaguely remembered seeing lot more people on the road the same morning with handkerchief/duppatas on their faces.I had thought it was because of the foul smell in the locality.I wasn't very sure of the reason as I was in an AC cab! The swine flu had managed to scare a few people it seems!!
Having been in Bangalore for the last few months and the AC buses that come from the international airport being my most common mode of public transport, I found it quite amusing the way the normal mumbaikar was reacting! I dont know about 26/11 as I wasn't in the city, but during all other calamities including bomb blasts and other terrorist attacks, the average mumbaikar was never scared.You would rarely see any reaction on the faces of the passengers or the guy on the bus sitting right next to you.

This was different. By time i had reached the guest house, 'swine flu death' was the breaking news! In India, the news was 'breaking' for the next five days.In couple of days, schools,malls,theatres had all shut down. My plans of meeting up with old friends/colleagues on the weekend went up in smoke. I was getting badgered to buy the N-95 mask by my parents.I had friends in Bangalore, where it was still normal, buying masks and canceling their plans of watching movie over the weekend. Despite my protests, I gave in to the demand to keep out of 'crowded' places.That also meant not taking the suburban trains and buses.

True Libran

I have been busy of late with the coming weeks expected to be worse.I am not a believer of astrological predictions, but I always love to read them and see how correct they are in predicting the future or revealing stuff about me.
Came across this article on the web( http://www.idiva.com/bin/idiva/Which-film-are-you) and I was surprised that it was so true. I guess, most librans would be able to understand. (I could!)
This is how librans are supposed to be

Libra

You mind is a war zone. One thought fighting with another and one emotion creating a deluge of some more. Behind Enemy Lines is just for you. Despite being caught in the conflict of your own mind, diplomacy and strategic planning comes easily to you.

I was stunned by the fact that all the people in this world could be categorized in 12 sunsigns and their behaviour predicted so correctly. Is it that easy? Isn't every person supposed to be unique?
But, I must admit that what has been said about Librans is 100 % true in my case. I am strategy consultant by profession as well.

I will be posting soon..neglected the blog again as I was traveling.

A trip to the beach, dinner disaster and S's Wedding

This weekend was quite interesting as I made this trip down south for a friend's wedding.It was also a kind of reunion for our MBA batch with almost a third of the class turning up for this event.

It started of with everyone converging on Trivandrum in 3 different groups, each preferring their own mode of travel,but all meeting up for the first time in S's house.S as usual was his cheerful self not at all worked up by the wedding next day.(as expected).He showed his new room in the recently renovated house.His family were so welcoming that I never felt that I was attending a friend's wedding.They all made us feel like family all through our stay their, giving us the same privileges that is accorded to a family member at different instances during my(our) stay and even taking time out all through the busy marriage day to ensure that we were taken care of and dropped off at the airport. S's Dad deserves a huge thank you for everything that he did for us and I just hope he is not left disappointed in more counts than one by all of us.

On a personal note, S heard me talking in Malayalam for the first time and I saw him grinning ear to ear .Need to catch up with him once he is back from honeymoon. For the newbies, S and I have always talked in English and I guess thats how it will remain going forward unless there are others who speak malayalam.

I went to kovalam, my first visit to a beach in ages(during daytime, have enjoyed long walks on beaches of Goa Post sunset :) ,quite apprehensive about what the evening held in store for me. Most of the group was soaking wet after spending 3 hours on the beach and the decsision was made to have dinner at kovalam, with couple of my friends wanting to eat Lobster :D

Dinner was quite enjoyable(the food was pathetic) and the usual reunion games were being played like a Russian Roulette.... with G playing the host and in his own style , livened up the dinner table conversation into something that everyone could relate to and participate and not allowing conversation to degenerate to office cribs :D.A Big Thank you to G for that.

Anyways, what should have been a great dinner ended up in an unequivocal disaster due to the some actions that I had no control of. Thats, where I missed S the most- he was always there with me when we had to take the right step, his presence and maturity always meant that I didn't have to rebel against the group.A quick word between us and most of the times it meant we would end up making the right decision.

The wedding on Sunday was a quick affair with the ceremonies taking 20 mins and lunch even quicker at 10 minutes. Remember fondly the last two marriage receptions(V and Vs :)) that both S and I went for, we ensured we had tasted all the delicacies that were served, another of those uncommon interests that we shared that includes tour de france . Here, I was eating at S's own reception something both of us never thought would be on the calendar so quickly, at the beginning of 09.

On the flight back, was quite content and happy to have made the trip.I met up so many of my batch-mates, some how proved to myself that the beach during the day is a good place to go to , must say the dinner still left a bad taste in the mouth.Well that's life and there are always things you would have wanted to do differently.

Tagged

This is a chain of posts that I got from the blog of a dear friend of mine...
1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I need a hair cut, really badly.

2. How much cash do you have in your wallet right now?
I have about 4 hundred and fifty three rupees, 75 paise and few cents..
Seriously, did you think I would get up and count the money to answer this question :)

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR?
I think Dur in Hindi :)

4. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone?
It's some number that I couldn't pick up...The person never returned the call

5. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone?
ITs the standard nokia tone..THe phone is on silent most of the times :D

6. What are you wearing right now?
Trousers and a Shirt

7. Do you label yourself?
Not really

8. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently own?
I am not a big fan of shoes but I have a nike, Bata and couple of other brands

9. Bright or Dark Room?
Bright room
10. What do you think about the person who took this survey before you?
Well, she has been pretty forthright and is a great human being

11. What does your watch look like?
A Silver Gold Mettallic watch with an off white dial

12. What were you doing at midnight last night?
Dreaming

13. What did your last text message you received on your cell say?
You have made on Debit card purchase using ur XXXXXXXXX Debit card.
In short, I just blew up some money this sunday.

14. What’s a word that you say a lot?
Anyawys, Not Really

15. Who told you he/she loved you last?(please exclude spouse , family, children)
Still waiting for the right person to approach me.. I dont count unsolicited approaches :D

16. Last furry thing you touched?
You must be jokin.the closest was Aunt's Alsation six years back

17. Favourite age you have been so far?
I guess 1,2,3,4,5,.....................20....... Cant decide on one :)

18. What was the last thing you said to someone?
I better go and have my dinner.We have been talking on the phone for more than an hour

19.The last song you listened to?
Paint my Love- Michael Learns to Rock

20. Where did you live in 1987?
Mumbai

21. Are you jealous of anyone?
No..not really

22. Is anyone jealous of you?
I know of some
23. Name three things that you have on you at all time
A Locket,my watch and mobile

24. What’s your favorite town/city?
has to be Mumbai, Bangalore's not bad either

25. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper and mailed it?
Well, It was couple of years ago, more of a greeting card

26. Can you change the oil on a car?
NO

27. Your first love/big crush: what is the last thing you heard about him/her?
You don't epxect me to answer this! Do you :P

28. Does anything hurt on your body right now?
No not really

29. What is your current desktop picture?
My Company’s laptop and desktop picture..I have no rights

30. Have you been burnt by love?
No

Friends-An enigma

Something I had written more than 2 years ago...nothing much has changed...I believe


I was planning to have a very interesting post that would set the tone for my blog.But then,its important that I start with a few thoughts on something more serious.Friends teach you more than any other book/experience can on humans and their intentions.Well,why not look at this basic human relationship .
As anyone in their twenties,even I have had my fair share of friends in the last couple of decades.Its been an interesting journey from Kindergarten to college and post graduation and finally,in professional life.I have come across all varieties of this species called friends.
My first contact with this species was in the form of this kid with whom I played Hide and Seek in my locality.He was one of those strong and chubby children you see more and more often these days.Back then,they were a rare breed.At least I feel so.This kid was real fun to play with until I came to know of his special interest in violence.One fine day with no provocation,he pushed me to the ground and cracked open my forehead.I being a firm believer in non violence,did not make an issue out of it and walked home almost 100 metres with blood dripping on my shirt and not even a tear .I love to think that I wanted to run back home and have a look in the mirror..to see myself as one of those actors you see in the bolly wood movies.I was six years old then and believe me,the incident left a lasting impression on me ...literally,... i still carry that mark on my overhead .Some of my close friends stand testimony to the fact I am very particular about the people I befriend to this day.Poor guys,have gone through a lot for me...........they never knew why.........
Next come friends you meet in ur primary school.People whom you meet every day,in every class....play together in the games period and yes, share your tiffins.I must say my friends always had delicacies in their tiffin boxes which they never seemed to value.I was also not that different.None of us ate our own tiffins.As soon as the recess started,tiffins were exchanged.It was one of our biggest secrets ..poor Moms who packed nutritious food for their dear child.No wonder parents always kept on wondering why kids don't like certain dishes at dinner...I always had a good excuse....I already had the same thing for lunch.......Then you have kids who become friends,because our parents get along well..I have had my fair share of such friends.I have good and bad memories of them.
Next come your sibling's friends.You have no choice as they hang around your house for most of the time.You have no choice than to accept them.These friends always love to take care of you.Thye would take you in their teams while playing when your very own family would think twice before doing something similar.As one goes through school and reach junior college,one realises that friends and acquaintances are different.Not every classmate is a friend and vice versa.But then,one is actually too young and busy to distinguish between people who are nice to you and those are who are not behind your backs.
As one enters college,especially if one is staying away from home, friends take a new meaning all together. Staying away from home adds an entirely new dimension to the concept of friendship.Spending your entire time with the same set of people ,be it in class and thereafter in the hostel,provides you an opportunity to know each other like none other.But then you also carry the risk of knowing a person so closely that you start to dislike some of their idiosyncrasies.The challenge than becomes to weed out some of your apprehensions and try to maintain focus in your friendships.I can assure my friends,its a very tough process.Some times your apprehensions are proved correct in due course.But then in a few cases,for your true friends,you would be able to see through the fallacies in your arguments against them.No one will be exactly same as you or what you expect in a friend.As some intelligent man said,"Balance is one of the most important concepts that science has never dare research". Its this fine balance that is the hallmark for lasting friendships,a balance that can be disturbed if enough efforts are not put by both the actors.Life in hostels somehow convinced me about the importance and criticality of knowing a person and witnessing their behaviour which give you enough hints about their personality before becoming close friends.
I had someone in my college who married someone she met on the internet.That was almost five years ago, when there was no Google talk,orkut,,,,,,just he good old MSN and Yahoo Chat.I always wondered how one could take such a crucial decision as I would shave second thoughts about having close friends whom I have not met.But life throws up new challenges that question your strongest beliefs.Now, I have close friends whom I have not actually met or met very few times .I had somehow reconciled myself to the fact that you can become good friends even without having spent that much time in person.But then,one has to understand that friendship is always a two way street. As I realized recently,unless the feeling is mutual,one cant help ending up as complete strangers even after spending quality time on the wire-lines.Best part is that the definition of 'Stranger' can be redefined by any of the parties at any time in the friendship.Also,you can't deny the fact that nothing can replace the good old personal touch of meeting for a coffee.......You can pick up so many cues from just observing a person.................
The Last paragraph is contradictory..but then isn't life full of such contradictions.Its the ability to be at peace with yourself in the face of such contradictions that makes it all the more challenging .......
Well,its been a long journey....When I look back,I am quite content with the fact that I have found my best friends at each stage of the journey-school,college and post graduation.What is store for in the future is anyone's guess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After a False Start

I restart my journey on the web after an earlier false start.In this rendezvous, I have decided to open up to the world.After all, what is the point in writing if its going to be restricted to a few handful of friends and acquaintances....