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!