Alcohol, Music and Peace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE0Tqd8NlmU

Time Flies...but the Memory Remains

Today a Facebook post from one of my friends reminded me how far we have come in life ... not just in time but also distances, be it physical or emotional. I still remember the days when I was a young boy, without anything to worry about. All we used to do was laugh and play and torture our parents and siblings. That was fun, as I am sure my brother and my parents would agree. Afterall, what is life if everything is perfect? I remember the time my brother used to make fun of me at my mausi's place because the soap that my mom had given me when I joined Kgp had been unused for a full year. And this year, when I met the same cousins, they said I had grown up - I wasn't the same young, carefree kid anymore. That was never my plan. I never wanted to grow up but I guess in this fight between time and me, the odds were never on my side. Atleast I have given time a tough fight emotionally but I guess I am tired now. I have so many things to think about and I guess that is what happens with everybody. Time forces everyone to grow up although I am sure no one in this world would prefer being an adult to a child. Anyway, what one can do is remember the times when the mind was young and relive some of the best memories of the days gone by. Now let me think - where do I start from? Ahh, I remember this one - I think this was the 4th standard - my brother's friends had got the movie True Lies from the local club and they must have known what to expect because they never let me enter the room while they were watching the movie. My bro gave me strict instructions not to watch that movie but I guess everyone in this world knows that that is the best form of encouragement that one can give. I have seen many 'A' movies since then but I remember that one because it was my first ever defiance of authority to do something naughty! Bravo :) Next up - we had a really hot friend - Taj who used to live quite far from the city centre. Now I had got a new bicycle, a racing one in 8th standard. Rather uncomfortable to ride but I would like to think it would impress the girls in my city. Two of my friends borrowed my bicycle as they wanted to impress Taj. How they thought of impressing her when riding pillion on a bicycle, no matter how pretty, is beyond me. Anyway, they could not even get close - the bicycle was just not meant for pillion riding and ofcourse they met with an accident. Till the day, they claim it was an Ambassador that hit them but I am sure they just fell. My 1 week old bicycle had to go through a total makeover and my 2 friends had to visit the hospital for a few days. Ha! If only Taj knew how much these guys had done to impress her, I am sure she would have dumped her boyfriend and gone out with them (she did go out with one of them actually ;) ). Now the story of Taj reminds me another one - when Monu and I had bunked school just because Taj had done so as well (Monu liked her too - well Monu liked every girl that walked). And what were we doing? We were just standing outside Taj's place and wasting time. And then came Hazra, the guy who was madly (and I mean it) in love with Taj's sister. And he wanted to enter their house and when Taj's sister did not let him, he broke the windows and then used the glass to cut his hands and wrists and I don't know what else! Now you see - 'madly' in love! And from roadside romeos, we suddenly became firefighters. We stopped Hazra, called up his parents and ensured that he did not hurt anyone. Taj's sister usually despised us but that was one time that she said thanks to the 2 of us! Score ;) Ofcourse, if I start with Monu, I will be stuck in a never-ending blog of stories. With him, everyday was a blast! Be it stories of him and Kundrai, his crazy gf who ate rat poison or whose neighbour chased us when we were again standing and wasting time outside her house. Or when monu had to buy sleeping tablet ot give to her mother when he was spending the night at their place!! OMG, I am rolling on the floor even today when I remember those days. I have some of my own stories too - like the time we were, ermm once again standing and wasting time, this time at a bus stand and a girl who liked me wanted to cross the street. Being a brat at that time, I did not have good relations with the girls in my city and to avoid getting seen, she was crossing us through some bushes across the bus stand. Co-incidentally (and I mean it) I got nature's call and I rushed to the bushes and taking this as an act of aggression, the girl ran away screaming and complained to some neighbours there. Again, we started our beloved two-wheelers and we ran - only to realise after 10 minutes that we hadn't done anything wrong! Then arose the tiger in me and I went back to speak to the people and to the girl that what had happened was an accident and a bizarre coincidence as none of us had seen her sneaking through the bushes. Our esteem was restored and we left that place with our heads held high! Now there was a time when the end was not the same. Here comes Monu again - So Monu had bunked his tuitions (he regularly would) and I had long stopped going to this Chemistry one. Although my mom did not know about it so I had ensured a monthly pocket money of Rs. 100 and 2 hours of unquestioned free time. Sadly Monu's parents saw us riding our Scooty, around the same bus stand area. This time they chased us. We thought of outsmarting them and went and parked in the Chemistry tuition teacher's place and went and hid on the terrace. Monu's parents followed us, came up to the teacher's place and started shouting at us. The teacher came out as well and all the diligent students who were sitting inside also witnessed the merciless bashing we received! I will never forget that moment. I lost my monthly income and a lot of other priviledges for the next few days but now if I think about it, it was worth it. Phew! I am tired now - not remembering them but penning them down. I think I need a break - more for the next time :)

Looking Forward to the Future

Tomorrow I fly to a new land. For a person who loves traveling, it's like giving a new toy to a child - I am so looking forward to the long walks. I have heard Hong Kong is quite like New York, with the tall skyscrapers (I've read that HK actually has more of these), the gardens and the flowers (nothing can match Central Park though and no, I am not gay), the beaches in the untouched southern part of the island but most of all to the typhoons. They go up to category 10, with wind speeds as high as 250 km/h! And usually there are 3-4 in a year like these! Yayy! People in Hong Kong wake up every day hoping to hear the Met Dept. declare a "Rainy Day", when all offices and schools are shut down, just like they used to in my school days. After living in London all these years, I had almost forgotten what a downpour looks/sounds like. A few days back I relived the memory when rain drops the size of tennis balls fell from the Delhi skies. I was scared to go out and get wet (although I desperately wanted to) lest I get hurt. I've read that the rains in Hong Kong sound like drumroll! Although I used to hate rain, I think I will love to watch the drops on my window, with a cuppa in my hands and fond memories in my mind.

100

It's such an amazing number - centuries have always been special. I never understood the fascination with the number. Let's consider cricket - how is the 100th run more important than the 101st? If the psychology of a batsman is to be taken into account, then I am sure that the 100th run, on an average, takes lot more deliveries than the 101st, so the team should actually be cheering for the 101st run even more. But that is not the case. This just adds to the reasons why I hate cricket. Atleast the hoopla about Sachin's 100th century is now over and now the whole team can focus more on winning matches and not on individual achievements. Not that I care. For me, the number means a lot more - it means a dream, a promise and hopefully one day an achievement. But not yet. For now, life goes on - and unlike cricket, it seems I am playing a game of snakes and ladders, coming back to square one after so many attempts but I have hope that one day the venom will run out. Someday...

A New Beginning

Inspired by someone's return to the blogging world, I thought I should also revisit my creation. and i have things to write about too... so much has happened in the last year. for starters, my marriage - which has brought a lovely person into my life. as for the downs, well let's just say 2011 hasn't been that generous. but that is life - maybe 2012 will have more ups and maybe everything will be much better and everyone will be happy. maybe I dream, but dreams do come true... and hopefully they will.
So last few weeks have been blissfully spent in traveling, gorging on yummy home cooked food and sleeping till noon. this trend shall continue for another few weeks - with friends' weddings coming up. the bride, the groom, the lehenga, the little starry lights, the mutton - so many beautiful things all at one place. how high will he be lifted before jaimaal? Will she be able to reach him? will she cry? so many question, so many moments to capture. I think it is going to be amazing.
And then I move to Hong Kong, the only 'global city' I have never been to before. I was excited about Tokyo, 3 years back, but it failed to live upto the expectation. I have always loved New York and London, but the friends might have been an important factor there. I loved Singapore, but it's almost like home. I have left my closest friends behind - I am going with a clean slate. Is it going to be crazy and tough, like Tokyo or will it take me in, like New York? will I live a part of my life there, like in London or will it be a fleeting pit stop in the continuous search for home - where family and friends all live together? there are so many questions I do not know the answer to right now, numerous aspects of my life in limbo. will this start tie all the lose ends or strain them even more? I don't know and there is no way of knowing right now. only thing I can do is enjoy the next few weeks and wish the best of luck and happiness to those embarking on new journeys themselves.
So to all those who might have had a rough 2011, I say keep fighting and never give up on things that matter because nothing in this world that is worth having comes easy. and from an eternal optimist to the world, as I read somewhere, 2012 - it is going to be legen...wait for it...dary!

Cheers to 2011

I have always felt that the celebration on New Year's eve is so meaningless as what is 1st January 2011? It is just the day after 31st December 2010, just like 2nd January is a day after 1st January. But now I see the reason behind celebrating the new year. A new year gives a person hope.... hope that this time it can be different. If you didn't succeed the last time, this time you can. If there was something that you wanted to do but could not for some reason, now you can start again. And even if a person changes everything about himself, picks up new habits, let's go of some old ones or tries to be a different person altogether, no one frowns or questions if that day happens to be the 1st of January.
2010 was a year that I will always remember in my life. A complete fun-filled roller coaster ride it was. Now let's think how we can ensure 2011 to be infinitely better. In what ways am I going to change myself? Hmmm.. not many but I definitely want to remind myself of one thing - to make every moment count. One really can't be sure of anything in life. Maybe that is what makes it so amazing and that is why I think it is very important to enjoy every second...and this is how I plan to make the most of 2011...

More 'family' in life - Because they matter the most and specially the one tiny addition coming in a few months (he/she is going to be the cutest there has ever been)

More music in life - from the songs of Aandhi to remixes like Bin tere Sanam, from Jhoka hawa ka to Sheila ki Jawani, from Oasis to Linkin Park...(add the Roger Waters concert to that please!)

More physical activity in life - regular gym, tennis, swimming and anything that I can find a partner for (no dancing, sorry)

More fun in life- no more being lazy on weekends; if possible, rope in the weekdays as well (without compromising on sleep obviously)

More food in life - try out the good stuff like Nobu, Amaya, Arbutus etc without ignoring the likes of Chipotle, Ping Pong and other regular favourites (yummm)

More travel in life - from Cancun to Turkey, Morocco to Iceland, I must travel (I must I must)

And finally, more words in life - staying in touch with old friends and maybe a bit more frequent blogging :)

I think with all of the above, 2011 should be a smashing year! Hakuna Matata - no worries and have a blast. That is my mantra for 2011 and that is how it is going to be!

A Solution to the "Flipped Socks" Embargo

It was the mind of a genius who had come up with the idea to flip socks inside out and wear them again the next day. Simple idea in hindsight, but one that reduced man's efforts by half thus increasing efficiency "two-fold", literally! Sadly, this well kept secret was revealed to the whole world by Mr. Prasoon Joshi, lyricist of Hum Tum. Since then, I think girls have always kept an eye out for guys who are wearing socks inside out and instead of appreciating their efforts to conserve manpower, which is a form of energy and even President Obama would agree that we should save energy, they have always looked at them with derision. Now, I have come up with a solution to the same problem. Why not wear one sock inside out the first time and the other one straight? Next time you can flip them both. This way, when caught, you can always say that you put on one of them the wrong way by mistake - a very believable argument, and can continue enjoying the fruits of man's genius while contributing to the environment by conserving energy! :)

P.S. I know I can never use this strategy since my girlfriend now knows but this is my sacrifice so that all you guys, who can claim that they have never read this blog, can be the lazy bums we are meant to be.

Today I realized 3 things...
1. the name of my blog is very very long...
2. when drunk, it is extremely difficult to type correctly...
and 3. it's been quite long since I wrote something, must make amends!

Also, my new routine for Saturday nights is to party until the wee hours of Sunday (and then spend Sunday sleeping and ironing clothes with a hangover). From my recent outings, have picked up a couple of 'club' nos. that you might enjoy!

Here they are...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RIQ3PoLRgQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzy2dgEUOhY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9k1iyptxgfo

Have fun! :)

A Match Made in Heaven

***Disclaimer: The characters in the post below might resemble someone but it is not based on me or anyone I know personally. Also, I am not making fun of the tradition of arranged marriage or the science of astrology. I am just writing something which might make the reader laugh***


I still remember the first day my parents saw her... she was wearing a yellow salwaar kameez and had the prettiest face they had ever seen and the photographer must have been a professional too, as that 6"x4" matte finish picture left an indelible mark on my parents' hearts after just one glance. Of course there had been many prettier envelopes before this but this one seemed to come from a family expert in the art of arranged marriage. It had all the tiny things that would surely seal the deal...the Om on the front, the sindoor on the back, a CV running into 4 pages and last but not the least, the janampatri. Having half made their minds that this was the perfect girl for me after seeing her photograph (both close-up and full length), they decided to research a little bit more. After all, it was the matter of their only son's life. They passed on her CV to me and asked me to see if I liked what was in there. I could not believe it! Did I really have a say in all this? Who says society is still not modern enough in India? But by the time I had read through her education and was about to check her hobbies (which I knew would be "cooking, reading, writing..." from the numerous CVs before this), my parents asked me to skip to the important things! Ummm... isn't the girl's hobbies and her likes/dislikes important? Apparently not as important as her family lineage. So we flipped to the next page and then on was a complete list of who's who in her family.. immediate family, joint family, extended family, exaggerated family... mama is CEO in this big MNC (impressive), chacha is a teacher, mausa's tauji is an IAS (ecstasy) and all women in the family are house-wives (strong traditional culture). Perfect, family is definitely worth marrying their son off into. Sorry? The girl wants to work in an MNC? Ohh, she surely doesn't know the joy in being a house wife and raising children and making home. It'll be alright, the family was the best we had seen. But the approval from the highest authority still remained... the stars. Our family pundit ji had come over, feasted on a rice-fish lunch (fish is cold, hence considered vegetarian... our pundit ji did not take ginger/onions in his food either). The stars had blessed us, the sun was in the perfect position when I was born according to the girl's moon position, so together we would be as complete as a whole day. That was good, I did not like incomplete days as well. So all was set, my future wife had been approved from the photograph, family accepted and blessed by the stars. So I was dying to meet my wife-to-be. But then I was told that that was not the protocol. My parents first met their parents (thankfully this time it was just her parents and not her extended family or that would have taken a decade in itself!). My dad asked her dad where he worked, when was he retiring, how had the 6th pay commission affected him, while my mom and her mom discussed Ranbir-Katrina affair, chicken recipes and grocery prices. That meeting was also declared a success. Only after that was I taken along by my parents to see the girl in person. We were also allowed to talk in private (another sign of the 'broad-minded'-ness of us Indians now). I asked her what she knew about me and she said ..."Nothing!"..."Ji mummy-papa ne aapke baare mein sab pata kar liya hai. Unhone thik hi socha hoga." Her capacity to love and trust bowled me over. I fell in love with her immediately and wanted to marry her that same day. This had nothing to do with the fact that I had grown up in a small village and had never talked to another girl before, let alone ever touch one. I thought that maybe, in all those papers and photographs, somewhere, somehow, smart people can find the perfect match for anyone. And the best part of an arranged marriage system - even if one is a total duffer and unable to find anyone who could fall in love with him, he still gets a wife.

...and Then What?

I have loved science ever since I was a little boy (except biology, of course, cos I was a boy!). How it explains so many things that would have driven anyone crazy if he sat down to think about it and did not know the answer. Like why does the apple fall to the ground? The phenomenon of day and night and the whole process of evolution (although some people still proudly exhibit traits of their ancestors...). Science is also about the inventions that we now take for granted, from the first fire to the modern day nuclear reactors, from the wheel to the space shuttles and from penicillin to the Human Genome Project. But lately this love has been dwindling.
I know science is on this agenda to explain every bit of human life, from the nano particles to the solar system, from the past to the future but personally I feel that some things should be left a mystery. Does it help to know that the emotions we feel, be it love or affection or anger are mere electrical impulses sent from the brain to some other part of the brain? Does it help to know that human beings came into existence by a string of accidents and the coincidental match of the perfect atmosphere on this planet? Or does it help to know that when people die, they just die and there is nothing after that, nothing beyond but just memories?
I like to believe that emotions arise from the heart and that the only purpose of heart is not to pump blood but also to give life a meaning (although i know that the only purpose of the heart actually is to pump blood), and I like to believe that after people die, they don't just vanish but move onto something better, or start the whole process again. Life is so beautiful that I don't like the idea that this is the only opportunity I have got to gaze at the northern lights or marvel at the glowing waters of bio bays. I like to believe that after all this, there will be a time when I won't have to earn money or book flights to go from one place to another but I can just close my eyes and be there.
On the positive side, at least science has given me the warning that this might be the only chance and that I should not waste precious moments doing nothing (which I do a lot!). Sometimes I wonder, what will the poets write about if everything in this world becomes run-of-the-mill phenomenon and nothing can be left to imagination? I wonder when does knowledge become too much knowledge? I guess it's every person's right to draw his or her own line. Just like my mother drew a line at television with regards to technology, I am drawing my line here regarding life and its meaning.

Tokyo

Ok, so now that I know Japanese, everything from 'hello' to 'bye' (some exceptions being the words in between), the city does not look so alien anymore! Surprisingly, it has a way of charming you with its strangeness. This would not work with the 'ultra-mod-hep-city' facade for someone who has been to London or NYC but there is more to Tokyo than that and to find that, you have to find your way through the forest!



This is the entrance to the Meiji forest, which is home to Tokyo's largest shrine. Now when I heard shrine, I thought it would be a statue of Buddha or something but actually most of the Japanese follow some other religion. So the things I saw were quite new, and weird (in keeping with Japan's tradition of being weird) but pretty in its own way.

I think you can see the path that leads to the shrine, here are the details - imagine a wide, very wide path made of gravel... there are no modern roads here. Leaves strewn around like the ones in Central Park in autumn (I haven't seen that myself but hear from reliable sources that they look pretty amazing, hence the comparison) and huge, huge trees all around you which go up to 20-30 m in height and then get tangled amongst each other to block out the view of the sky. Rays of light still make their way to the ground through the windows of error in the chaotic mesh above.



When it gets dark, these pretty lamps light up and help you on your way to the center of the forest. Once can't see the bulbs in these lamps and so it is pretty easy to imagine a candle burning inside, which makes you feel that you are far away from technology, close to nature and going back in time.



The entrance to the actual shrine is huge, completely made of wood. This must have been built in time when there was no concrete, yet the symmetry so right, the finishing so smooth and the architecture so amazing and different - you always end up praising ancient knowledge and wisdom. I remember seeing such structures in Kung-Fu movies, like the Chambers of Shaolin, when I was a kid. From the movies it seemed that every kid's life revolved around Kung-Fu, his master and his temple. Maybe this was the Japanese equivalent of the Gurukul system.



The shrine itself was just a building in which people clapped their hands twice, then bowed before something which looked to me like a stack of wood. There was a big courtyard in the middle with birds flying around. Again, all made of wood and very pretty.



There is a tree with a wall around it, on which you can hang small tablets of wood with your prayers written on it. Yes, the small brown things you see are pieces of wood, 5" by 3" with someone asking for happiness, someone for success, someone for world peace and numerous other Japanese prayers that I could not read. I put one up there as well :). Hope it comes true!

With that done, there's nothing more left for you to do, so I started on my way out. After walking for 20 min, I came out at the Shibuya station, which is supposed to be the busiest crossing in the world (I think it really is)...



...and helicopters and bullet trains around you. Welcome back to Tokyo!

Cities of the World

After a very very long time, I have found some time to sit and write about some of the thoughts that had crept into my mind during the last couple of months, but I never got the chance to put them on paper (or screen). That is because the past few months have been so hectic, with trips home, exams knocking on the door (yesss, muggoo, fighter, crazy..whatever ;)), that I really haven't had the time to relax and collect my thoughts. So it finally happened in a foreign land, where I should be roaming around and exploring the city but frankly, today I am just too tired. So, let me try to clear the backlog I have... FIFO (blame cfa for that)...


London vs. New York

Supposedly these are the two best cities in the world. Yet somehow, I always get a very different feeling when I am there. This is what I feel about the top 2 contenders for the "greatest city of the world" title:

NYC is more steel, London is plastic. In NYC, the subway trains are made of steel, the stair cases going up and down are old fashioned regular steel stairs, getting rusted on more edges than one. London, on the other hand, is more conscious of how it looks. Whatever can be plastic, (and pretty), is plastic (and pretty). London has escalators everywhere. Everything that could be mechanized, is. Even the police keeps its eyes on the streets via video cameras. No wonder the British government needs to tax its citizens 40% of their income! In NYC, on the other hand, police cars are more ubiquitous than taxis (ok, that was an exaggeration, but they are a close second!). In London, revolving doors to your office keep moving at a slow pace, on their own, while in NYC, you have to push the revolving door so hard that you tend to wonder how you are gaining weight even after all of this exercise. I guess what I am trying to say is that London gives you a very relaxed, calm and soothing feeling. It's pretty, quiet and mellow. It's like a puppy. You lie down and then it will slowly cuddle around you. NYC on the other hand is full of action. It's 'life in the fast lane'. If you don't keep up, you will be left behind. You have to fight, you have to be tough. It gives the adrenaline kick to those who value success the most. It's the city where legends are made. It's like an untamed stallion, which will fight you but if you win, you will be content in the end. NYC is the factory of the world. London is the corporate head office. Iron moves in the underbelly of NYC while London sits in an air-conditioned office completing its paperwork. Steam billows out from NYC while London tastes wine. So I guess it boils down to what kind of a person you are? Are you one who values a good work-life balance, seeks beauty and wants to have time to pursue your hobbies or are you a person who values success the most, who doesn't mind working as long as it brings you money and fame, and who measures the quality of life by prestige and honor?

P.S. Currently I am in Tokyo, which seems like a crazy city to me (Nunni, I can't understand how you liked this city!!). Everything is colored red yellow or pink, everything is cartoon and streets have no names (yup, they don't... there is a Japanese way to hone in on a destination by numbers which even the locals don't understand completely!!)

Had it been like that...

So someone recently planted the idea of alternate universe in my mind and I started thinking, what would I be, had I gone a different way at some important junctures in my life...

Year 2001, Std XI: I had done well in Class X and decided that I had studied enough and thought of taking a break from it. I had had to change schools because my earlier school did not have +2, and because of this, I lost some very close friends (although later on, I made some very good new ones as well). Hence initially, I befriended some guys who were known to be part of regular street fights and indulge in weed and maybe also drugs (who knows!). I found that lifestyle very different and exciting - not care about studies, roam around on bikes, be a part of a local gang and the thrill of being in actual street fights (with hockey sticks and chains). I must say, I am proud to be the only one amongst my friends who had moved onto this lifestyle but never got beaten up, because no matter how thrilling, I always had an intelligent mind which told me when it was time to start my bike and run away ;).
How did I manage to get my life back on track? Well, one of my new friends got involved in a Police case, a kidnapping one at that, and he pulled in an old friend of mine into it as well. It was then that I realized that if I didn't want to end up behind the locker some day, then I should concentrate on what others say is the safe way to success - clear the IITJEE! Had I stayed with them, I am sure I would have been locked up a couple of times and would be currently working in a call center somewhere. I would have been very unhappy but, I am sure, no matter what, I would have had a bike!

Year 2002, IITJEE: The 4 golden years of my life. I don't know what I would be without it. Let's imagine. I had very clearly laid out plans in case I did not clear the IITJEE. Since I had not taken any other test, I would join FIITJEE classroom coaching in Delhi and then take all the exams next time around. So I would have lived in Delhi when I was 17 years old. That means a bike, clubbing, stylish clothes, maybe lenses and shades, DU girls...hmmm, I doubt I would have cleared the IITJEE from Delhi. So, I guess, I would have joined some other college, maybe some NIT. Having been accustomed to living in Delhi, I am sure I would not have studied, been the founder of a biker's club and would have had a lot of fun in the 4 years of college and would have passed out with an IT job. So I might have ended up in Bangalore, as someone who enjoyed clubbing and loud rock music (as every Bangalorean has to) and might have also had a Bangalore girl as my girlfriend, the "clubber" type! I am sure I would have definitely had a bike though!

Year 2004, 2nd Year, IIT KGP: My plan, after joining IIT was to go to the USA. I had thought of IIT as that, a ticket to the USA. I think I might have been the only person who bought a Barron's guide for GRE in my first semester. It's a completely different matter that I never opened it after that. I think it didn't even stay in my room after 1st Year. A dear friend of mine took it and is now currently in Atlanta, Georgia, doing his PhD! Ahhh, it sounds like one of those stories where one friend sacrifices a lot to buy his friend books and then see him succeed, doesn't it! Hehehe. Even after my 1st year, I didn't know what IIM was, although my brother had already spent a year in IIMA.
What made me decide against GRE? You wouldn't believe it, nobody ever does but it is the truth - the movie "A Beautiful Mind". Having seen that movie, I thought how strange it would be studying without another Indian around, and professors who could be such not jobs (ironic, I know!)Thus GRE went out the door, but had it not, I would like to think that I would have made it to some nice college. Maybe not MIT or Stanford (as no good professor would recommend me ever ;)), but definitely some other nice college (kindly excuse my lack of knowledge of other US colleges, just goes on to show my level of interest in GRE). Having decided to not waste my 3rd year mugging up words, I squeezed every ounce of fun that KGP had to offer and regarding future, the only option left was to do what intelligent, logical and smart elder brother had decided to do... take the CAT! And the best part of those 4 years was that it was all about power, politics, sports, friends and my bike!

Year 2006, CAT: This was the time when I had to choose between many options, but all good. I had record number of job offers from KGP - HLL,ITC, Schlumberger. The last one, although was very rewarding monetarily, had been decided against due to the possibility of living in Nazira (snake infested rig in Asam) or Venezuela (where Slb employees were escorted to the rigs by armed guards) or in the middle of a sandy desert in the Middle east...or even Kakinada for that matter (a small village in Andhra Pradesh, where I had interned). And between ITC and HLL, the recognition and prestige that a Unilever carried had trumped ITC. After a lot of logic had been thrown around, it was down to IIMB or HLL. With HLL, my plan was to work for 3 years, then go to Harvard (which was the usual thing for many IIT grads who joined HLL).
Why did I choose IIM? My brother asked me if I was sure I would have the enthusiasm to study for Harvard after working for 3 years. I was sure I would not! Still, had I joined HLL, as a very good friend of mine did, I would have been making decent money, would have been in India, close to my parents, and would have had no job insecurity. Mumbai would have been my second home and I would be posted in one of those little towns like Khamgaon or Pondicherry, where HLL employees are considered the smartest people around! I might have been applying for Harvard, might have decided against it, like my friend... but I would be happy and would have definitely had a bike!

So I think that although some options did come close, I took the best decision at every possible stage. I sincerely thank all those involved in the decision making process - be it my persistent mother who prides on having pulled me back from the dangerous lifestyle, my HLL friend who made me study for IIT seriously, the Hollywood industry for making me realize how much I love India and being amongst Indians and of course, my brother who knew me well enough to show me the path that best suited me.
How have I fared? I have still not been locked up, I work in a very reputed firm and industry (definitely reputed till some time back ;)), make decent money, play badminton and swim in weekends and am definitely very happy! Alas, I don't have a bike!

The year that was - 2008

If you know me, you will also know that I am terrible at remembering things. I am someone who lives in the present and I tend to remember only the things which I have made an effort to imprint in my memory, like stuff for exams etc. Still, this tag should be a good mental exercise (and maybe more proof that it is not my fault if I forget things - I am just made that way).

Blogs started: Two (this one still survives!)

Blogs ended: One - that's just plain subtraction

Good holidays: Three
Delhi - wedding celebration and no responsibility!
Singapore - the perfect surprise!
New York - It's like my second home now :)

Weddings attended: 2.9
Senior monkey, Piki di and 0.9 for leaving on the day before my cousin's marriage

Good movies seen: wow! here we go... The Dark Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, Singh is King, Dostana, Ironman, Wall-e, Madagascar 2, Jannat...the list can go on and on :)

So-so movies seen: Defiance, The Duchess, Ghajini... can't remember others

Bad movies seen: Very tough for movies to be put into this category by me, but those that managed were High School Musical 3 (what the hell was that??), De Taali (Riteish Deshmukh does it again)

...and after thinking for an hour, I have come to conclusion that presently I have run out of questions. So until I can come up with more (maybe you guys can help :)), sayonara!

Achiever's Workshop

Breaking records gives you a certain kind of kick, doesn't it? Specially if you know you were the previous record holder as well. I have always been fond of over-achieving and this one deserves a note, even if I am currently buried in work and 1.5 rotations and weekend international trips...I went to sleep at a decent hour last night(3am is decent, ask anyone who has been to college) and woke up at 4pm today, straight!
The Joker says, "If you are good at something, never do it for free!". I wish someone would pay me to sleep. Then, wouldn't you guys feel great to say "My millionaire Monkey Man Mastram!" ;)

Straight From the Horse's Mouth...Almost!

Today I chanced upon something very disturbing on the net. Apparently, there was a survey conducted in Germany and millions of people were asked - "People of which profession would you NOT want to have as your friends?", and one in every four answered - Investment Bankers! That's a very high number because there were only 2 other professions that fared worse than the suited-booted-sophisticated and supposed-to-be-very-smart bankers; they were Criminals and Prostitutes!
So, ladies and gentlemen, Investment Bankers share the podium with Criminals and Prostitutes for being the most notorious and hated professionals in the world. Now, being an Investment Banker myself, I find this highly appalling and am forced to ask - What the frick is wrong with Prostitution? ;)

Diwali Extravaganza

This year, Diwali was very special - and for 2 reasons. First, I celebrated it on 2 different days, none of which actually coincided with the actual Diwali date and second, it was the coldest and wettest Diwali ever!

Diwali Day 1 - 26th October - Swaninarayan Temple, Neasden
Since we have been away from India, Diwali was the first Indian festival that came our way. Hence, even on an office day, after having stared at computer screens for 12-ish hours, most of us still had the enthusiasm to visit this temple outside London where there was supposed to be fireworks and free food. Sadly, it was raining cats and dogs in Central London when we were leaving. But we were too intelligent to heed God's signs, naturally, and assumed that it would not be raining so heavily outside the city. Hence the trip was on. Whoever thought optimism is a good thing is in for a shock! The whole journey itself was a perfect example of JIT management. I left with a couple of my juniors, who found it very pertinent to change clothes, dress up and then wait for a third pal, who had just left office when we were about to leave their place. I would have gone on alone but a minimum level of decency on the auspicious occasion forced me to wait for their buddy as well. Once he arrived, I took over the role of an Army Commander, forcing everyone to hurry towards the tube but ofcourse, my minions had to pick up their samosas on their way as well! When we reached the tube station, the late-arriver-buddy got a phone call from another friend of ours to wait for her. Now, I decided that I would go on, no matter who stayed behind. Guess some of them had similar ideas and hence, the late-arriver-buddy was finally left alone to wait for his friend. The tube reached one of the stations and informed us that due to some trouble, the tube would not go any further and we would have to take the overground train form the other side of the platform. It was already getting late, with only 15 minutes left to the fireworks and we did not know the road from the station to the temple as well. Hence, when we saw that the overground train was already standing on the other platform and huffing and puffing, we bolted for the train - up the flight of stairs, over to the other side of the station, and a DDLJ type through the closing doors.
10 minutes later, we got off the train to see a completely different picture. It was snowing - yes, snowing. The first snow London had seen this season and one as soon as in October after many many years. It was frikkin' cold. And we had no clue where we were supposed to go! The last bit was taken care of by the London transport authorities. Apparently, due to the huge crowd at the temple, they had put up signs for the buses, which way to NOT go. We, like mavericks, and unlike buses, just went that way! And lo-and-behold, after a brisk 10 minute walk, we were at the temple. Although I was disappointed to see that my friends who had left the office after me had got to the place before me. I blamed the tiny trots for that, and at the first chance I got, I dumped them to join my friends. Now, the snow had intensified even further. We looked like bulls, everyone exhaling clouds of smoke into the air. The fireworks was amazing, but the intense cold had cut off all sensation in the hands that were holding the umbrella up, thus increasing the pain to a level when we decided to chuck the fireworks and head home (or some place warm). There were buses lined up to take us to the tube station but there were millions of people waiting for those doors to open as well. Even holding an umbrella up was so tough that i decided to put both my hands in my coat pockets, even if it meant getting a little snow on my coat/head. Soon, my parasitic side came out and I found myself hogging other people's umbrella covers. That was good until the first bus doors opened and the mayhem forced quite a few to take the road. We were among those. My face was white and pink, nose had started running (which I could not feel) and hands and ears had started to pain. There were a couple of phone calls to/from a cute little bubble but my fingers had trouble to slide the iPhone on! Yes, it was a rough rough time but soon we were back in the warmth of London tube, and then in our cozy home. The tap water, which every morning gives me an electric shock seemed pleasant and warm on my hands. After a lot of rubbing and heating the hands on the cooker, finally some color and feeling came back into them and then, I just turned the apartment heat to 30 degrees, got under my covers and slept off a really really tiring, cold but very memorable Diwali night!

Part II to follow after the movie Golmaal Returns! :)

O my loyal subjects (read regular visitors!)... please wait some more! As thou knoweth, I was not made for work, or anything for that matter, apart from sleeping! Hopefully, this weekend shalt produce something that is not random nonsense, something which can be put in words and shared with thee! :) Keep the hope alive while I battle every-week-day, longing to return to my dreamland!

P.S. If the above few lines don't make any sense then get the hint that I am losing it! Yes, work has that kind of effect on monkeys!

...

I am that was, I am that is and I am that will be. I can be both good and bad but at a particular time, I am only one of those. So it really depends on when you catch me. You might bump into me when I am nice and happy but you might be busy with other things then and you might not appreciate what I do for you. Ofcourse when I get rough, and you are all alone, since I am the only one by your side, you blame me for everything that has gone wrong. But I have been there before. I am everywhere, have always been. And so it doesn't come as a surprise to me when you go gallivanting with your friends once I turn back to being good. I can't help it, I have phases. What is regrettable is that when I am good, I am alone because you have more important things to do but you don't take a break from life to sit with me. And when I am bad, I am given the responsibility of getting you out of your misery. But I always manage to do that. That is what I am best at. I can heal any injury, I can make people forget things they don't want to remember. I carry a big bag on my back, you call it 'the past'. I put all the worlds' troubles in it and carry it on my shoulders. There are some of you who want to live in it as well, but I always succeed in pulling you out of it. I only carry junk in that bag, memories you'd rather forget. And once I'm sure of its classification, I never let them escape from my bag and influence your life again. It is a very tricky job, because there are these tiny fluttering 'happy' memories as well. I take really good care of those. I keep them in my left hand while I hold your hand with my right. This way, the things that give you strength are never far from you. All you need to remember is that those
moments are not getting left behind as you walk on and will stay with you forever. Once you can sieve out the memories you want to remember and the ones you don't, I will ensure that you are surrounded by nothing but the 'good old times'.
I have seen people not make much of these beautiful moments when I am walking alongside them. Either they keep thinking about things which I have already kept in my bag or they keep worrying about what's going to happen in 'the future'. Little do they know that it is as they walk with me that I keep clearing the path in front of them and it is where they walk with me today that will determine where they end up tomorrow.
Why do you worry about something that hasn't even arrived yet? You are looking for me, I know, but I will reach there with you. I am not there already. I approach it in little steps myself, everyday. Hence I would appreciate it if you started to live a little more with me, when I am beside you. You need me beside you to make beautiul memories, to look for happiness, to love your near and dear ones..... to do anything productive. You cannot do anything with what's in my bag, I won't let you go there. You can't do anything where I myself haven't been yet. You can't change the things I have in my hand, but you can definitely make more of those. And there is only NOW that you can do it. You need to realize that the power to reach where you finally want to go, is in your hands. It's you who has to show me where you want to go, I only take you there. My job is not to decide on the path you take but to make you walk on it once you have decided. I have all that you will ever need to achieve your dreams. Let me keep safely the beautiful moments in your life and the ugly ones away from you forever. We have a long way to go, and remember that I will always be there, by your side. So, hold my hand and let us make new beautiful memories, which will be your strength and happiness forever.

An Ode to a Hero

...maybe I don't say it enough bro, but tussi great ho! :) Cheers!