Profusion

December 13, 2oo8.
December 13, 2006.

Numb and stoned like never before
Is this the burial, or is this more
A lie set the bird on flight
A lie again that buried the fight

Nostalgic I'm not, and it makes me wonder
All that was said and all that was done
Precious, it was, or so I thought
Precious no more, its just a blur

Back to reality, the truth is out
A leaden stone off my chest
Its him, he knows it now
Its just him but not the rest

Back in time, I wish I could go
Accept the follies of yonder
Its not me I'm talking about
In search of answers I wander

The Book of Life

Footsteps and footmarks
On the path of time
The fork on the road
Journeys separated

Eons later the paths they cross
Joyous reunion
Seemingly happy, seemingly sad
Soul baring, soul stirring

Story of life
Unravels here
End of chapter 1
Flip a page

Bookmarks galore
A break is needed
Renewed vigour
Chapters aplenty

No dearth of challenges
The tough ones are rare
Rising above them
The phoenix

Motivation

I seem to be giving a lot of it to a lot of people nowadays! phew! Imagine that!
But going back a long way to engineering school - the all guys gang we had - the ones who've stood by each other all these years. Four of us. All of us so drastically different, yet so insanely similar in that one binding way. No, I'm not putting that down here!
But nevertheless - I think the biggest source of inspiration has indeed been S2. Yes! She did challenge me for the better, and I did prove it to her, as well as to myself with the events of the Monday gone by - the catalyst for my last post here. But nevertheless, I hope S finally clears his head, and takes the plunge, M nails it down to the immediate next step, and C - oh yes, I still have to speak with him over the weekend, but I can vouch for sure that he's going to finally realise that in the end it all boils down to those small milestones one by one, leaving out all the rest.

3 Months

Time flies by ever so swiftly,
Grains of sand through the fingers
A few frontiers accomplished
Many more that lie ahead

One by one the milestones go by
The never ending journey called life
Joyous halts along the way
Pit stops and refreshments!

One knocked off 3 more to go
Two seemingly just for the motions
The one now that needs some thought
Continents away, this milestone beckons...

The void now creeps in
And with it the ramifications of the idle mind
Time to reflect and to retrospect
Hopeful of the solution, wary of failure

The moment of truth

I never did realize that it would take me forever and ever to do that one simple task! (or is it?)
Having always been at the receiving end sure has its brownie points, but it also has that one flip side - the inexperience!
And lo and behold - all of it came burgeoning out in that moment of truth. But then, life is a great teacher. And so I learnt on the job. The learning still continues, until I clear the exam.


Back in London I am. Caught up with D, R and T after a long long time! Also met up with A after 9 years! Went punting in Oxford on Sunday. England is indeed beautiful in the summer. Visited M & D's new place. And sitting here waiting for dinner, I find some time to get in a few words here.

Its a new venture, a new beginning, a new journey.

Deja vu'

The time to choose again - the Red pill or the Blue pill.
I hope this time I don't end up wondering why I did not take the Blue one!

Amen!

The Times of Yore

Mr. Hoffland
Mr. Brown
Bro. Jerome
Bro. Christopher
Bro. Augustine
Mrs. Lopez
Mrs. Mehta
Mr. Andrady
Mrs. Andrady
Mr. Arya
Arthur
Mary
Mrs. V. Sharma
Mrs. D. Singh
Mrs. F. Jose
Mr. G. Mathew
Mrs. Ratnam
Mrs. Dhody
Mr. CK Sharma

Teamwork

My sis is a genius! Her latest quote -

"There is no limit to what you can achieve....
... provided it does not make a difference who gets the credit"

Ainnit so true?

Happy birthday!

I suddenly remember - my blog is 2 years old now!
Its been a wild journey these last 2 years - the moments that were captured, the ones that were left out. The many posts that almost got published, but then saw the face of Ctrl-A, Del. The innumerous cosmetics of the blog, until I found this one I particularly like. I changed my mobile a long time ago - no more the same piece of plastic and metal that I bought in Bengaluru. I changed my hair style - no more the shoulder haired bloke. I changed countries. I changed cities within the new country. I changed back to the city I love. To the people I love, and the people who love me. I changed perspectives. And I changed in many ways that are best left unsaid.

Change is constant

S3 (from engg school - one of the most able minded individuals I've met) made a remark about his first couple of months at B School - I wonder why I paid so much to get screwed as much as I am being! Hilarious!
K's removed all traces of the life gone by - and I'm glad for that!

2 years - seems like a lifetime!

Retrospect and circumspect

When words become rare, and time goes by
A smile or a long face is all that is left
Trials and tribulations galore
The all pervasive thought lingers on

Tucked into the corners, awaiting the axe
Darkest and deepest fears now ride the crest
New horizons beckon, hesitations accompanying them
Glimpses from the past, peeks into the future

An all too familiar territory, the actors have changed
The game stays the same, the rules anew
Uncertainties ruling the roost, the notes are lost
The music may change now, the lyrics still the same

The strive for excellence - the enemy of good
Heard that so very often, time to move on
The stifled yearning, venturing into adventure
Deja vu' all over, but why then the confusion

The perfect Sunday morning

Yawn!!!

12 noon on a Sunday morning, and I could fall asleep all over again! This has been probably the best Sunday (well count Saturday, and I could rate this as the best weekend) in the recent past. It all began at half 5 on a Saturday morning. That darned alarm! If only it had not begun blaring its head off yesterday morning. Thinking about it, I really don't blame it any more!
Nevertheless, the Saturday morning game of cricket - began with the usual euphoria - M's team (the braggers) against us. I fail to understand why they make such great bones about themselves. In the last 7 games, they've lost 5 times! This weekend was no different. 2 closely fought matches - and we ended up winning both - the first by 1 run, and the second by a little more than that! But that should be enough for M to eat humble pie. K fractured his foot while playing, and I had a very valiant dive to stop a run - my back still hurts! :(
Had a very relaxing remainder of the Saturday - IPL sure is good fun! The matches are getting closer by the day now. Went out with some friends in the night for a nice end to the day.

Sunday morning - Now this has to be the best beyond any shadow of doubt. Went to a 9-hole course for my first game of Golf. I have to admit - it only looks boring on the telly. Go there to a driving range, and you'll realise how addictive it can get! Went with a couple of friends, 2 of us being first timers, and realised I should have done this a long time ago! Nevertheless, the feel of the iron in your hand, the slight bend, the backlift, and the swing to see the ball soaring high and handsome and land a good 150 yards within the first 10 balls I hit was sure exhilerating! It got better and better, until the coach gave me the next lesson. And to factor in yet another nuance form my next shot - and I suddenly realised the concept of beginner's luck ;) R was vehemently emphasising that when I was getting some good hits straight through like a ramrod. But I think I'm gonna get a bit more serious with this the next weekend onwards. And hopefully pick up enough to enter a tournament sometime in the near future (lol! if wishes were horses!).

Nevertheless, I guess if my bro can fly planes for a hobby, I can at least begin with golf, and then maybe live to see my dream of skydiving very soon! Until then, Golf rocks!! And I must admit that within a week, my outlook towards this game has changed from a boring old man's game to an exciting game! And I hope I will be able to convince a few more people over the next week - the ones who opted out this time, for various reasons whatsoever!
Tiger Woods - here I come!!

Back Seat Driving

At times I wish the innumerous car manufacturers out there in the world would one day come out with the car that I'd love all my friends to own - the one with the option of literally driving from the back seat!
O claims that I'm probably the worst back seat driver so much so that he has very kindly let me drive most of the times that we've rented a car.
But recent events have probably surpassed all my experiences with most of them folks who I'd like to own the back seat driving car! This time around it is A!
In more than 3 years of my current job, there was never a day when someone had ever given me a ride to office. It was mostly yours truly driving a couple of times a week and hopping on the bus or a cab the remainder of the days. And then occasionally giving rides to one or the other to beat the boredom of a long drive. But with most of them having either left the company or having gone away, I've been a bit hesitant driving nowadays. So there it was - the text one fine evening when A said that she's driving to office and can pick me up on the way. I must say I was pleasantly surprised that after about 40 odd months of traveling to my office, here comes someone who can offer me a ride for a change! Needless to say I gladly jumped up on the offer. Madame K (the same one who still claims to hate Mr David Baldacci for the Christmas Train!) also happened to be in the car.
Nevertheless, there I was, waiting to be picked up and boy oh boy! What a feeling it was - to actually be driven to work (not in a cab, of course!) sitting on the back seat. But soon the euphoria turned to skepticism, when I suddenly realised that here was someone who could give Michael Schumacher a run for his money, and maybe get him out of his retirement to compete with the lady! Never have I got the urge of snatching the wheel from someone as I did that day! The 40 minutes I was in that car until I got off at the office - they've probably been the toughest nerve wrenching ones I've had till date! Beating all the fancy swerves and cuts that Mr. Shaky used to perform back in the days of engineering school! That we reached safe and sound to office is alright, but the number of drivers who would have gotten irked on the road that morning is maybe something better left to the imagination :P
Somewhere in the midst of that whirlwind drive, I casually mentioned - A, do you know how close you were to almost banging on the other car while overtaking (from the left!!)? And pat came the reply - oh, was I??
Wow!! What confidence that one statement exuded!
But nevertheless, I guess all's well that ends well. I so wanted to be in K's shoes that morning. At least if you do not know how to drive, you let yourself in the flow and do not care much about how a person is driving. But boy oh boy! That ride sure made me get back to my college days in Shaky's car! although the minor difference was the fact that Shaky almost always knew what he was doing ;)
And to all and sundry who read this, if at all you happen to be one of the many(rather than few, I'm almost certain) who were the ones at the receiving end that morning a couple of weeks ago, please accept due apologies from a person who's just managed to catch his breath again!
Yay! I'm still alive!!

Retrospect

Revisit to the emptiness. Finished off something else today. The first season of Heroes. And it gives me a feeling of deja vu'. Much like the one I had last year in Leeds. That was when I had wrapped up the first season of 24. I guess its back to Split Second now!

Moreover, its been a year today - since my last birthday!
The good the bad the ugly, or rather - the bad, the ugly and then the good.
No regrets, life cometh a full circle.

I thank thee Lord
For awakening me
Making me see light
Showing me the tunnel
And then the light at the end of it
Making me cross over
To the green pastures beyond

Jetlagged, and heavy headed - I hit the bed now after wrapping up the phone calls :-)
or did i say that a bit too soon! tring tring - hello? Happy birthday to you!!

Nostalgia

Its been more than a year since I was last in this area. North of Cabot Square in the Docklands. Canary Wharf. Boardwalk Place.
The place where so many tales began. Some ended, some are still chugging along. 340 it was then, XXX it is now. Next door to where I lived then, and next door to someplace else as well.
Nostalgic as hell! But life moves on.

Gelatin Bulletin

Hair gel and Shower gel should never look alike! It leads to a lot of confusion for a new bottle in your bathroom. I'm not saying no more - but yes! It was one of those slips. It can be one of only 2 of their kind, and oh boy!
Alright no more fuel to this fire.

C just helped me with the title for this post, so due recognition for him this time ;)
And yes, he's traveling to India soon.

India beat Australia at the Perth test today. What a match! After what I mentioned recently after the Sydney test - the hint of critique dripping in the blog, India sure have made me eat my hat. And I'm proud even if I have to. They've done Australia in twice now! Broken their 16 match winning streak, and it makes me proud to be an Indian!

Three cheers! Aye

The Emptiness

Is it not strange - The feeling of complete emptiness in the pit of your stomach when you do not know what to do next? It should be, but then its deja vu for me.
And its the same old reason this time around as well that brings me to where I am. Yes indeed, the person was very special. Amazingly great, awesome writer, great stories that always tugged at that adventurous part of you, always knowing when and how much to reveal, and more importantly when and how much not to, keeping the suspense and the interest built up till the very end.

Yep - he's the man! David Baldacci
Awesome author that I can swear by. And I just happened to finish another of his works - The Camel Club. An absolutely enthralling book that keeps you glued till page number 681 :)

Oh and coming back to the feeling of deja vu - yes, it indeed is the feeling of having finished something that kept you so engrossed for so many days that you start thinking if there is anything else that can be done now! I've always had this feeling whenever I've finished a good book. I guess having read about 4 of Mr. Baldacci's works as my last 4 reads, I still stand by the author. The best that I have experienced yet. Planning to pick up The Christmas Train next. And I'll pick this up solely on the author's reputation, although when I lent this one to K for a read that was acting as her introduction to DB, she came out of it criticising it to the T!! How could anyone!! And just to figure out what she meant, I'll pick this up before the one that I really want to read - The Split Second.
Oh and yes - the entire collection of DB's works are now safely stored on my desk. Managed to pick up 5 of them at a garage sale a few months ago for almost peanuts. Talk about luck!

I guess The Book of Fate by Brad Meltzer that I had very high on my appreciation list will drop a notch as The Camel Club takes its place. Until the next one brings this down, and then the one after it.

Ok, and a little peek into the lazy me :P
I actually bought this one some 4 odd months ago -when we'd all caught up before A left for Paris. Never in my life have I ever taken this long to finish a book. And never in my life I hope I will!

I guess I'll get cracking at the flute with a bit more devotion now. Unless The Christmas Train disputes all claims by K and I get glued to it!

Silly me!

Gawsh! I feel so stupid today!

I lost my debit card.
I got it cancelled.
I ordered a new one.
I found my debit card.

Brings me back to the good old topic I love discussing with S (naah he ain't S1 or S2) - destiny. I'm not getting into any arguments or explanations here, but I guess I will come back to this some day - right here. But nevertheless.

I picked up the mouth organ after a long long time ago! Reminded myself of that day...
I took one of my solitary walks up the hill. The path by the side of the stream. With me, my camera and my mouth organ, they walked up towards the source of the stream. Tired I got, and took a break on a boulder in the middle of the stream. Started playing the mouth organ I did. Two boys from a nearby village came out smiling. They stood a good 10 metres from me and stared blankly. And then they moved on (everyone does). And then catastrophe struck. An event that would jeopardise my advent into the world of harmonicas. Yes, the mouth organ slipped from my hand and fell into the stream. I'm sure it would have reached the ocean by now! It was a good 8 years ago that this happened. That was not mine - it was my bro's. I know he was saddened by its loss. The reason I bought another one when I went back to that hilly town a couple of months later. And I've been the proud owner of that ever since! Almost played it at a show once, but then thought the better of it :P

Random musings take a break.

Why does it have to be so cold in January?

2008 - The beginning

The wish list revisited.
Of the other kind.
The flute demystified!
Played my first notes on it - it is so bloody simple!!!!
I guess now I just need to lay my hands on a saxophone! Anyone listening??? My birthday's around the corner ;)

Nevertheless - whichever occasional soul comes by here, have a great year ahead, blah blah, blah blah... and the works. Oh and yes! I have all my 366 resolutions put up, and living by the day, I'm knocking them off one by one - yep! breaking them :P

A's down with Chicken pox - May God bless her a little more these days :)
K's moving to Mumbai earlier than anticipated.
D finally got his bat that I'd bought as his birthday present from Kashmir! 4 months belated, but he finally got it nevertheless!
S2's on a challenge with me on losing weight! She needs to get back in a better shape by the 14th of Feb. hahaha!!! She's heading down a one way street with a dead end :P
V's band is doing well - he's traveling all over the country. They also got a nice self comp out. pretty neat!
Mum's coming from the US tomorrow - the unspoken wish list would hopefully be in her luggage, all in proper forms and shapes I hope :P
P's back in India too. And yes, she has a gift for me ;)
V's a bit muddled these days.
Bro's off on a skiing holiday - sponsored by his company!!
And the Rock is wondering how I manage all of this!
School chums planning to catch up - almost 9 years after we were all together in class!

Lots happening aye!
Oh and its getting very chilly here - London was so much better ;)
(Might have to go for a week or 2 later this month - and might also hopefully catch some snow!!)

But the talk of the town today - India played against Australia and lost to the umpires!
Not to take away any critique from their display. Life is full of ifs and buts, but umpiring should not be!
When will the team learn to show a big heart for a fight! 3 wickets in 5 balls! Geez!!!!