The Guy Next Door

2010-07-20T16:33:00.001+01:00

Love the way mum makes parval - Full of spices where you can taste everything but the poor parval itself and I always complain "Maaa, please don't murder the parval - let it retain its individuality" and she would keep some aside for me, before she adds all the masalas.

What would I do to have a bite of that parval right now, and the feeling of home. The dining table, with dad and mum and occasionally Hash (in the unlikely event we would be home at the same time) , the telly on sometimes, discussing and arguing on stupid things, the fan moving, the predictability of things, the concept of family.

My parents moved house 4 or 5 times in the last 15-odd years - I used to go for a week or month to visit them from university or on a vacation from work. The first day or 2 I would visit a new house it would seem odd, new place, furniture at different places, different sizes of rooms, different proximity from the nearest restaurant and bars, but only the first 2 days - after that it would feel like home. That's the magic factor which family brings, the predictability, the trust, the faith, the feeling of security, the concept of a home.

I miss that and I am disappointed in myself that I haven't been able to re-create that yet

2010-04-04T12:36:00.001+01:00

While reading The Angel's Game, I hv realised how much I want to write. I don't even know where to start, wht to write, how to write, but its a calling frm inside.

Maybe start with an ode to you - will give it a go tonite.

2010-04-04T12:33:00.000+01:00

When I call and sms you often, u might feel I don't give u space.
When I don't, for a day or 2, u might feel I don't care enough.

Its a difficult line to toe.

I will post things at my private blog whenever I thk of u or wish I could say to u. That way, its non-intrusive and u can read it whenever u feel like. I will give you access to it tonite.

Have a good time in Bahrain

2010-01-22T12:43:00.001Z

Majha Navra Tujhi Bayko - Great Marathi comedy !!!

2010-01-16T16:24:00.001Z

You get even stronger at the places you are broken - Hemmingway

2010-01-02T22:10:00.002Z

I had forgotten what it felt like. The little warmth of the sun rays falling on your face and body, on a cold frosty morning. These days when I feel cold, I turn the heating in my living room to Level 6, I go into a warm and cosy coffee shop, I max my car temperature to 28 degrees, everything but wear that thick scarf of old times, don that big coat and just let the sunshine pierce you.

So today, on the 1st day of the 1st month of yet another year, I do exactly that. And it feels good. This is the exact reason I got an expensive flat by the river, so that on days warm or cold, I would be 67 seconds away from a walk and a bench which would clear my mind, give me inspiration, replace stale thoughts in my small brain with fresh ones, take me to another place.

Today it has taken me to the winters of 1991, 92 and 93. Shillong, our tiny little house, or 1/3rd of a bungalow to be precise. The old Khasi landlady had partionited her house to rent out. I don't think it was for money but probably for some company in her old age. So she lived there in 2/3rd of the house by herself, while the 4 of us were cosy in the rest 1/3rd. Anyway, I am digressing. The memory which came back rushing today was of me sitting by the steps of the door in the cold January mornings, in the board exam prep breaks. Opening the main door of the house would send sunshine streaming into our home. I would sit there for hours, with my books, the textbooks, MBD(?) guides, last years exam papers and my notebook. My mum would finish her household work and sit with me, reading Sarita or something similar, and talking randomly about thoughts she had - "You must eat more almonds to improve your memory", "Let me put some oil in your hair - This new one doesnt smell". I could go on and on. Miss those days !!!!

2009-08-23T14:15:00.001+01:00

Bhoothnath - what a class act!!! I couldn't stop tears rolling down my face for 10 mins.

Go watch it on dvd if you haven't.

2009-08-13T19:57:00.001+01:00

Someone wished me "Happy Janmashtami!!" on chat today. And I laughed out loudly in the tube. What's that supposed to mean? I knw there's Happy Diwali, Happy new year, happy christmas, so maybe an extension of that. Well, if it works for people who am I to question.

2009-08-12T21:31:00.001+01:00

My cellphone is a graveyard for failed relationships

- From postsecret.com

2009-08-09T06:28:00.000+01:00

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle
Everything I do is stitched with its colour

2009-07-29T09:20:00.000+01:00

So this is how the cookie crumbles.

We have set the ball in motion, we have crossed the point of no return, we have made a pact.

Its time for change

2009-07-27T20:28:00.000+01:00

There's this dude I have the knack of bumping into, or rather we make an extra effort to make sure we do. I went to Amsterdam for my 25th bday with some mates, and there he was, driving all the way from some remote dutch university town. Now in dubai, we managed to meet up after all the years. Nothing unusual with all of these, considering we were together in university, but he's such a warm person with a huge heart, its infectious. After meeting him, my heart expands, I want to become this guy , I become the guy who says the best things to those who matter in my life, and do whtever it takes to keep them happy, even if its for a few days. Considering that I am the most selfish person I know, thts quite a trick he does on me. Thanks for everythg buddy, may your tribe increase!!!

2009-07-27T19:59:00.000+01:00

Can it really be happening, or will I wake up tomorrow realising something is not right, and screw it all up?

2009-07-25T15:30:00.001+01:00

Talking to dad is relatively easy, he's a diplomat. We talk about work, movies, weather, all relatively smooth topics. Ma asks soul-searching questions - who are you dating, how's it going, why u not committed yet, why hvnt u bought a house yet, why hvnt sold your old car yet. Questions which touch a weak nerve, about my laziness, about the lack of effort, about my inability to trick one single girl to go ahead and take a risk on me. But its still easier to talk to mum than dad. I guess that's wht boys do.

Anyway, I hv a late nite flight now, instead of early morning, and am a few hundred quid lighter - cost of sleeping an hour more and missing the flight. But as the girl with magic said to me, the real cost of anything is really clear only later in life. So I am taking a chance, v expensive at that, to help answer one of mums many questions.

2009-07-25T07:48:00.001+01:00

Why are fucking flights so expensive? I am sitting at heathrow, having missed my flight by 10 mins, and they quote me £530 for the nxt flight. For fuck sake

2009-07-23T21:15:00.002+01:00

We met after a long time. A couple of months, maybe a bit more, but felt like much longer. The intensity was still there, as soon as I saw you ordering your coffee. The passion was still there, even as we sat on opposite sides of the table. I was surprised when you told me that you were still single. I mean, how is that possible? You are the prettiest girl I know, you are smart, great to talk to, dress to kill and smell like flowers. And this city is full of smart blokes. Maybe its true - we don't get what we deserve many times. But I hope you do, and soon.

2009-07-20T22:43:00.000+01:00

Few decades ago, we as a human race, set out to do something un-doable. We could see the moon, and we said to ourselves, isn't that the ultimate expedition - To the moon, and back? Billions of dollars spent, hundreds of thousands of people working their entire lives on it, families wrecked, relationships created, the loss, and then the return of faith, we finally did it. 40 years to the day, man landed on the moon. How many zillion things need to happen at precisely the right time, in the right sequence, to send a rocket to the moon, and for it to return back in a safe manner exactly where it started from.

You got to say to yourself, if this is possible, anything is possible. You got to believe in dreams, and the capability we have to fulfill the dreams if we set our minds and hearts into it. Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this happen. Even if you did it as Americans, the inspiration is universal. After all, looking from the moon, we are all brothers, one planet, one race

2009-07-20T22:24:00.000+01:00

I love the way you listen to me, patiently. I like it when you explain something, even though I already understand it. I like it that we can talk about a lot of things. I like it when you call me.

Some of the things I like

2009-07-20T08:44:00.000+01:00

Not many people can say or do say that they love their jobs, but right now that's how it feels. I have full autonomy over my work, I can get involved and shape our go-to-market strategies, I have a team which supports me efficiently, and most importantly, I have a reputation, I think, of someone who delivers. So can't get much better than that. But something will change soon - never lasts for long ;)

2009-07-19T13:52:00.000+01:00

People all over the world are signing multi million deals over lunch and dinner, guys are scoring with girls every minute - Every minute a lot of us are pushing the boundaries of whatever we feel passionate about. That's the key - let's get passionate about something in our lives, let's give our everything to whatever or whoever we hold close to our heart. Doesn't matter if its work, a eccentric hobby, a sport, a decent girl in Dubai, or a combination of the above - give it your all. Let's not do things in half-measure, unless we don't absoluletly care about it. Let's try not to say no to thgs or people we love. Let's do the best with what we have, and not think much abt what if. Bring it on!!!

2009-07-19T00:45:00.000+01:00

Hank in Californication : I am disgusted with my life and myself, but I am not unhappy

That's where I am currently - I need someone to save me cos I can't seem to be doing a good job on my own. Sometimes you can't make it on your own

2009-07-18T18:59:00.000+01:00

Anyone else thinks the final episode of West Wing Season 2 is one of the finest thgs to happen in television history? Masterpiece, Sheer class, gives you goosebumps everytime you watch it. Martin Sheen is a legend!!!

2009-07-11T14:28:00.002+01:00

Just to be very clear - I can't believe myself I am writing this post.

A very close friend and his fantastic family is staying over at mine for the weekend. They have 2 beautiful kids - One aged 8-ish and other 3-ish (or thats my guess at least - I have no clue how people guess kids ages). They are just bloody adorable, both of them. The young boy talks about dinosaur cakes and his last birthday party, stands in my balcony , plane-spotting and then explains the difference between small and big planes, loves toast with tomato ketchup, and mostly says things which even his mum can't understand. The elder sister takes care of her little brother and talks about her love for ballet and snorkelling and some other very serious stuff. They have gone sight-seeing in London this morning but - wait for it, here it comes - I am actually looking fwd to meeting them 2 back again in the evening. I am EXCITED to meet the young ones and listen to their blabber again. I must be going soft. Thankfully they are going back Monday or I would end up adopting both of them, and I somehow I dont think that would be such a good deal for them.

On another point, and this might prove there is a major sadist note in me , or maybe its true with most of us. I can't bear reading blogs of people who proclaim they are happily married and the 3rd line of their post mentions "how my fantastic hubby made me a lunch today" and so forth - Thats an Alt-F4 right there. Next!!

2009-07-11T12:34:00.001+01:00

Tu Jab Yoon Sajti Hai

Ek dhoom Machti Hai

Saari Galiyon Main Saare Baazaar Main

Aanchal Basanti Hai

Us mein Se Chhanti Hai

Jo Maine Pooji Hai Moorat Pyaar Mein

Rut aa gayi re , rut cha gayi re

2009-07-08T13:57:00.003+01:00

Test matches must always start on Wednesdays or Thursdays - There should be a new law for that.

I am working from home today, and getting a lot of work done - Saves me the 150 minutes of travelling , plus I can watch the Ashes while I work, plus I can work in my tshirt and shorts, plus I can blog while I work, or watch programmes called "Subah Ho Gayi Mamu" on Star Gold and Bajao on watch B4U Music. Maybe this is another thing for which we should have a law.

I cant find decent priced tickets for Dubai - 400 quid for a 4 hour flight - F***ing outrageous!!!

2009-07-08T01:31:00.001+01:00

I look at the full moon out of the french windows of my living room, and think how that guy stays the same, while everythg else change. We, who looked at the moon together a few seasons ago, were so different than the you and I now. Do we even recognise the person we were just a few hundred days ago? Weren't we so happy then? Why did thgs change?

I am just sleep-deprived blabbering like an idiot while I shd be working on my spanish.

Buenos Noches, hombres and mujers !!

2009-07-08T00:46:00.001+01:00

It was like a scene out of a blockbuster Bollywood movie - if it didn't happen really, I would have trouble believing it.

Me and Stevie enrol myself to a Spanish class - When we get there, we have 9 young women and us. So far so bloody good. After 5 mins of Sussane starting to teach, the door opens slighlty, and this Indian looking babe walks in. Decent looking, and between the 3 seats available she takes the one next to me. Its quite an interactive course and we exchange a few spanish, and some english words. 90 mins fly by, like time does when you don't want it to. The class wraps, and she walks off, ignoring our indirect offer for a drink. Its only when she leaves that I realise that she has the personality of one in a million - its not the way she looks or what she wears, its her warm nature which makes her so special, the real X factor. I don't care if she is married or single or madly in love - I have 7 dayss to convince her to have a drink and dinner with me. That's the challenge I have set myself. Quite low target, you might say, but given the patch I am going through, that should be a miracle in itself. Speaking of meeting targets, I have another post worth writing about - to follow.

Hasta la proxima semana !!!

2009-07-05T15:59:00.000+01:00

Fantastic to see meaningful debates in India on Gay rights, and the ball rolling on changing peoples view on it. Congress has to do the right thing now and set the precedent by starting its new term with un-popular but progressive policies.

2009-06-30T21:57:00.002+01:00

Why is Kasab, the fucking sonofabitch, not dead yet? How long is the Indian judicial system going to take to pass judgement on something which is an open and shut case? For Fuck sake, get things together and hang the bastard. It wont be total justice, but if it frustates me so much to see him alive, I dread to think how the ones affected feel.

Mr. Moily and Mr. Chidambaram - Get your act together, please !!!!

2009-06-28T22:35:00.001+01:00

It feels like a heavy night - so much to think about, so much to decide and take action on, and yet so distracted and restless. Why is it so difficult to turn off the auto-pilot? Why is it difficult to erase some memories, some numbers and a few regrets? Why doesn't 2 shots of Glenmorangie help anymore? How about every person getting one lifeline to go back in time and change one of his.her decision? I know which one I would. In the meanwhile, a small ray of sunshine beckons, and i try to make sense of things all over again.

Big week at work - if I get ths right, I should be sorted for the rest of the year. One less thg to worry about, and sets me nicely for a final push to get the promotion I so desperately need, to say nothg abt deserve.

2009-06-27T23:33:00.001+01:00

Chanda: Main laut kar aaongi to tum yahi honge?

Dev: Haan

Chanda gives the biggest smile ever.

The smallest thgs give us the biggest happiness most of the times

2009-06-27T08:58:00.003+01:00

New York review - 6 out of 10

NY has the massive advantage of being the 1st big name movie to be released after the long strike - so no doubt it will be be a hit. Indian and NRI audience(like yours faithfully) can't do without a masala movie for long.

Half- decent movie, with great production values. Most of the scenes feel well shot than most hollywood movies - very glossy and smooth. 2 quid vasool

Neil and John have acted well, and look good too. Katrina's lack of depth is apparent and she is the weakest link. Irfan, as usual, is class. Another 2 quid

Just 2 songs, but well shot. 1 quid

Climax lets the movie down big time, with holes bigger than the ones in my socks. But it does make a couple of points well. Another quid.

So in all, £6 vasool out of £10, which explains my rating - Looks like I have just devised my own Desi Movie Review Framework(DMRF).

Watch it with low expecs and u shd be ok.

Rediff rating: Agree
Taran Adarsh rating: Rubbish and clearly sold-out to YRF."so well structured and so gripping"?? U having a laugh mate!!!

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The Trailer for Kaminey looks absolutely tempting - Vishal Bhardwaj scores again, I bet!!! Legend!!

***********************************************
Love this dialogue from Kambakth Ishq, though I am pretty sure the movie would be rubbish:
AK: Tumhe Mardo se kya problem hain?
Kareena: Mujhe mardo se nahi, tumse problem hain
AK: Mujhse? Maine abhi tumhaare saath kich kiya bhi nahi hain
K: Aur karoge bhi nahi
AK: Aur tumhaari itni acchi kismat bhi nahi hain

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Always gets a huge laugh from me - Thats total paisa wasool, as my Love Guru would 100% agree with

Thanks for the memories!!

2009-06-26T15:48:00.003+01:00

I remember this clearly. I must be around 9 0r 10. The radio and tape recorder was my favourite plaything in our home. Sunday afternoons, while mum and dad were sleeping in their room, I would turn on the radio, and listen to vividh bharti, and other stations, and sing along. We had a good cassette collection, but mostly old songs - rafi, mukesh, saigal, etc, my chacha's collection. New tapes were more like a treat, and only when there was a known guaranteed hit. Aashiqui, qsqt, chandni, come to mind. And then one day Dad got us Thriller (was it on his trip to London?) - the first English tape that we had in our house. My savvy cousins had loads of them, but for me this was my 1st. It was weird - I couldnt understand any of the lyrics but my feet tapped whenever that tape played. And you start humming things even if you dont understand it - I am sure my mum would be scandalised if I knew I was singing this at 10

"Billie jean is not my lover
Shes just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son"

And then came the Thriller video. We used to hire VCRs in summer holidays - Friday evenings, Go the shady rental store , Hire the VCR and 5 or 6 Video tapes of Hindi movies, and maybe the odd English movie, selected by Dad, or recommended by the cousins. And as soon as we saw Michael Jackson video tape, we knew we had to get it. It had the thriller song, and maybe a couple more - Thats about it. And my Dad loved it - I was quite surprised.

Years passed by but the only English cassette which would come into our home would be MJ's. Bad, Dangerous and finally HIStory , with the lyrics printed on the tape cover - WOW, that was a dream come true - We could actually sing along :)

With time, my fascination with him diminished and slowly it became indifference. He might have been a flawed Genius, but a Genius he was - Thanks for the memories, and Rest in Peace

My flawed, highly-biased Top 10 (clear trend towards his earlier albums):
Dangerous (number 10)
In the closet
You are not Alone
They dont care about us
Remember the Time
Black or White
Bad
The way you make me feel
Thriller
Beat It
Earth Song
Billie Jean (Top vote)

OK - So its Top 12 :)

2009-06-25T22:51:00.001+01:00

Big day for Dad today. Probably only his 2nd interview in his entire career. For Board Member and Special Adviser to the Chief Minister - That's huge. Its almost like your whole life's work is being rewarded, and you have finally reached the top most job possible in your career - well, give or take.

Good luck, Dad - knock em out!!!

2009-06-21T11:55:00.000+01:00

Swades - The scene on the bridge, where she gives him the box, and says "Yeh hamare desh ke aastha ke chote phool hain and shayad yeh kisi din tumhe waapas aane par majboor kar de" , and hugs him tight, pleading him not to go, without actually saying it. And then Rahmans song - Yeh Jo Desh Hain Tera - Try singing it without a lump in your throat, and goosebumps all over - one of Indian cinema's best moment

Random Thoughts

2009-06-20T18:04:00.004+01:00

Friday Night, Chatting up with 2 proper desi girls from Delhi in a bar for a 5 hour marathon session : Great

Realising after Hour 4 that one is a 24 year old kid(and very drunk), and the other is married, whose husband doesn't really excite her : Not so Great (Quick, Find an escape route)

Being dragged to a club and ensuring that they got home safe: Taxi!!!

*********************
The promos of Kambakth Ishq look fab - Kareena (and Priyanka, for that matter) can't stop getting prettier each passing day - There should be a law against it. Waise hi apna single counter (DSLGL - Days Since Last .....) is growing longer than the queue at Wimbledon, and then these babes, and the ones in London tube on a hot summer day, make it so much tough.
**********************
About work, Being 32, and still not made a Prinicipal - Looks like time for Plan B
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Its Friday night - Your neighbours are having a party and you are not even invited. You can hear the music, hear them having fun, and all you can do is try to get some sleep. Thats how it feels like while watching the T20 Finals. Fair play to the Pakistanis - They played out of their skins. Hats Off!!!!

Test - from my blackberry

2009-06-14T23:23:00.000+01:00

Just checking how ths works frm my bb

2009-04-30T22:44:00.003+01:00

While watching some of the most beautiful landscapes in Britain in this fantastic documentary , I got to start thinking - What makes a beautiful, memorable holiday? It might be different things for different people, but for me , I have realised, its just one thing - The company. Its who I have been with, which is more important, than what I have done, or how beautiful the place is. I have been to the most beautiful places , either by myself or with someone I didn't really have a connection with or something which didnt just work, and those holidays are but a blur in my mind, and then there are the glorious holidays, which you remember forever, the details, and which brings a smile to your face.

So why not make a list of the holidays which are forever etched in my mind? Here they are in no particular order:

With Dad, Mum and Hash in Ooty - The year must have been around 1987 or 88 as Hash was around 7 or 8 year old then and me around 11. I still remember this one. It was very cold in Ooty probably snowed lightly too but I dont remember the shivers or freezing in the cold. Probably mum made sure of that by forcing us to wear more clothes than an eskimo. But I do remember walking up and down the marketplace, I clearly remember the hotel, and our room(kind of) and just the special feeling of being happy and playful. I remember a bus journey, which makes me think if I was indeed 11 or was it 13-14, because there was this young girl on the bus who I was trying to impress. I remember a resturant dinner and some boating in the lake. Beautiful.
Paris with SB - Everytime I think of Paris and our trip, my heartbeat accelerates. It was magic - Everything about it. Right from Waterloo station where we took the Eurostar from, down to the lunches and dinners we had, for example the one near the Palace of Versaille , or whatever its called, (you know the one - where Monsieur Mittal's daughter got married). The flea market, Champs De Elysees (and you tried to teach me how to pronounce it), the special McDonalds potatoes (oh, the fun of dating a veggie), the hotel, the small street the hotel was on , the river walks, Eiffel Tower, the cafe near the hotel, the Louvre, the metro journeys, your passable French, my utter failure to put a sentence together in French except Parlez-vous Anglais, oh, I could go on and on. Maybe it was love, Maybe it was Paris, it was probably both. I named my first car Paris as a memory to this fantastic vacation.
Road Trip in the US with Hash - It was fun , it was miserable, it was memorable. We hired a SUV and a satnav, our ipods charged, we went where we felt like with a very high level plan. We stopped as soon as we saw some nice little town, looked around and got back in the car. In the evening we would stop at a random motel, have a few drinks too many, eat till we got stuffed and started all over again the next day. Regarding the motels, some of them did look like straight out of a Hollywood teen horror movie where I wasnt sure if we would wake up alive the next morning. Hash made sure we took the scenic route and some of the landscapes we saw were just awesome. The long wait at IHOP for a well worth gigantic breakfast, the argument at the diners, the rush to get to the airport, your lovely flat in Manhattan - all in all, a memorable trip. Cheers to that!!!
Prague with Steve and Chris
Amsterdam with Steve and Chris - Both legendary trips with lots of drinking and clubbing. The less said, the better about these trips, lest I let out some secrets. But fantastic fun.
Scotland with RV - The stand-up comedian who played music, or was it the musician who did comedy , at one of the hotels we stayed in a tiny village in Scotland being the highlight of this trip. After a long day of going around the mountains, we finally find a hotel which had a room available - A great hotel, above our budgets but we didnt have a choice because everything else was full. We had a shower and headed to the hotel bar. And here's when we stumbled into this little gathering of people around this comedian. As soon as we entered the bar, the spotlight was on us, and we were the "Doctors" from London, probably because most of the Indians they had seen in that part of Scotland were doctors, and a few jokes followed, not only on us, but on most of the audience - It was hilarious, had to be seen to be believed. Rest of the trip was beautiful too - Mountains, hiking, the good weather, my convertible - Fantastico!!
Greece - There's an entire blog around this , My trip to work at the Athens 2004 Oympics. What an experience , what an experience!!!! Even if that had been the last trip of my life, I would have died a contented man. What a fantastic 3 months !!!!
Trekking in Himachal Pradesh during University time - Great bunch of friends, a planned itinerary with a few professors and the Himalayas - Good combo. We stayed in Dharamshaala before the actual trekking, and it was fantastic including a late night visit to the local "video parlour". The trekking itself was to die for - We had to carry our own tents, food and other materials for cooking for 3 days in the remotest parts and and some of the views were just drop dead gorgeous, including a glacier, which I chickened out of climbing. Some lifelong friendships were made during this trip.

There must have been some more which have escaped my mind now but I just cant keep my eyes open anymore- Promise to add those here as I remember them.

2009-04-29T00:48:00.002+01:00

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

Isn't Neha Dhupia hot, in a very nice way, unlike Mallika or someone similar who are hot, in a very hot way? Sorry, got distracted - She is on telly.

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

I find Diya Mirza very pretty, and she reminds me of RV, while the girl in Rock On is the ideal girl-next-door, who reminds me of SB. I must be going mad!

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

I WILL run a Half-Marathon this year

Aim is to get fighting fit, and also raise some money for charity, in the process. Prep starts from 1st June - Enough time for me to enjoy my India trip and the football season coming to an end by then.

Buddha - The Enlightened One

2009-04-28T23:24:00.003+01:00

Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to revise their World History, right from the Ice Age to right now. It was written for 10-14 year olds by Gombrich (better known for his legendary "The Story of Art"), so explains everything in a very simple and easy manner. School main to padha nahi, abhi to padh lu. But once you have seen the world a bit, and understand things a bit better, you definitely get a different perspective about history.

And very aptly, while I fought inside my mind this week about wanting something desperately, to the extent that it was all I could think of and threated to become self-destructing, I came across the chapter in this book about a certain prince called Gautama. Some words from that chapter: "If you are sad because you can't have something you want, you can do one of 2 things: you can do your best to get it, or you can stop wanting it. Either way, if you succeed, you won't be sad." And I thought to myself, I have been trying to get this thing so hard for so long and its not working out - Why not let it go, let the desire of achieving it disappear? Try something else, focus your energies on something else. And thats what I am trying now - Religion coming to my aid - Now thats a first. BTW, the book goes on to say a lot about how Buddhism tells us that a person's highest achievement on earth is to reach the point at which he or she no longer has any desires but lets not get that far, yet ;)

Truly Random Thoughts

2009-04-28T22:36:00.004+01:00

I have the tickets to the season's biggest game so far. Champions League semi-finals , Manchester United vs Arsenal at Old Trafford !!!! Can it get any better? Yes, it can - When we thrash the Gunners 3-0 tomorrow. Come on, United!!!!!!!!! Looking fwd to it.

Work's been slow but partly because I am off on a 2 and a 1/2 week holiday from next week, and partly because I am in "between" projects. Hopefully they will have something for me by the time I come back India.

I haven't been to India in the summer since the last 8 years and so Dad and Mum have just installed Air Conditioners in the living room and Hash's room , so I am not planning to step out of my wonderful flat before the sun sets. Except to go to the cinema of course - Oh the joys of watching a movie in India - Absolutely Love it !!! The ring-tones, the loud conversations , the guy who comes up with loud jokes, etc - Only in India !!!!

Other things I am looking forward to:
- JD's wedding - The main reason I am going for. Havent been to a Gujju wedding since a long time, the wedding lunch and dinner, the atmosphere, the gaana-bajaana, the mithaais - Whats not to like.
- Meet ba and the 4 nephews and nieces who wudnt have a clue who I am
- Follow the Indian Election Tamasha - Mumabi goes to the polls when I am there, so will probably go to the Polling Booth with Dad and Hash when they go to vote in the nearby Barfiwaala(!!!) school. For some reason, mum's Election Card hasnt arrived yet - So she will have to give it a miss - typical.
- Follow the IPL games - I am starting to get the hang of it. When Sachin goes for the kill, which Indian can look away?
- Nick's birthday party but I suspect he might bail out
- Have a womderful dinner with Dad, Mum and Hash at the fantastic Chinese near our place - Aromas of China, is it?
- Have a scotch with Dad while mum complains he shouldnt drink often, though he only drinks once a month :D
- See if we can go clubbing one of the days in a club which plays some bollywood songs - Most of the clubs just play trance or house or rnb but not bollywood - Guys, we are in Mumbai - Kuch bollywood bajaao!!!
- Go DVD and music shopping
- Take a train from Mumbai to Baroda - Been a while. How I miss the cutlets !!! Hope they still do them
- Meet friends and family, of course

RV's dad will probably go through with his Operation in the next 2-3 weeks - I really hope it all goes fine and he recovers soon.

2009-04-17T21:56:00.002+01:00

I feel this anger inside me every Friday, of being a failure in my career, and in life, in general. This is the 3rd consecutive Friday I feel the same way. I dont know why it happens only on Friday, maybe its the beers, maybe its the end of the week stock taking thing, but its there. There's so much I think I deserve from my career, and life, and myself, and none of the 3 are delivering. I do feel I give more than 100% to my job, I really do - Its just that I dont see the returns. Is a good salary and bit of job satisfaction enough? Or do you always ache for that extra something? Is it temporary or an on-going thing? I must take control, I must do more than I am already doing, I owe it to myself.

Random Thoughts

2008-12-16T23:55:00.006Z

Its so tough to find gifts for mums and maasis. I have a birthday coming for each of them in the next few weeks but have no clue what to get them. John Lewis ads say "If you know the person, you will find the present", but I just cant - Urghhhhh. And its driving me crazy.

Its just past midnight and Music India is playing "ek main aur ek tu" with neetu singh in her Betty outfit and hair-do - small mercies!!!

Its real sad when the only Christmas/New Year card you have received is from your football club. Well no wonder we are so addicted to it - They work hard to entertain us week in , week out, give their 100% every day while they are with the club , and even send us Christmas cards - I am sold for life, Manchester United.

Music India has now moved to "Lambi Judaai" from Hero - They are on a roll.

Would it be sexist if I bought chocolates for my female colleague, while I buy books and dvds for my male colleagues as Christmas gifts? Its not that I don't want to get her a book or dvd, but I just cant think what kind of book/dvd she will like. Which brings us to Point 1 above - Its just difficult to buy pressies for women.

While we are on pressies, Dad has been historically bad in giving Diwali presents - He usually gives me and Hash a colourful Gujarati-style envelope with decent money in it. I was a big fan of this approach, both while receiving and giving, as its so practical - No unworn clothes, no unread books, no unused gadgets - Just do what you want with the money. But I have started to appreciate the effort and thinking that goes into buying a present for someone you care for. And so, when this time around he handed Hash a new shiny iPod Nano for Diwali and me some gift vouchers for Shoppers Stop, it did feel real good. I agree gift vouchers are not much different than cash, but its a step in the right direction. Full marks, Dad - Thank you !!!

Ohhhhh Music India - I love you - Hamesha Tujhko Chaaha from Devdas.

Its so weird how 2 people see the same situation so differently. We spent 24 hours together this weekend, after a long time. I can't stop thinking abt her and us since then, and I know it hasnt crossed her mind at all. No hard feelings - I probably would have felt nothing when she or someone else felt strongly in the past. I know its the way it works - Just wish it didnt. Blabbering now, time to hit the sack.

Must try to blog regularly - Its therapeutic

Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you

2008-09-01T23:22:00.001+01:00

"S'pose you didn't have nobody. S'pose you couldn't go into the bunk house and play rummy 'cause you was black. How'd you like that? S'pose you had to sit out here an' read books. Sure you could play horseshoes till it got dark, but then you got to read books. Books ain't no good. A guy needs somebody - to be near him. A guy goes nuts if he ain't got nobody. Don't make no difference who the guy is, long's he's with you. I tell ya, I tell ya a guy gets too lonely an' he gets sick."
- Of Mice and Men

Deserve's got nothing to do with it

2008-08-31T23:06:00.003+01:00

Unforgiven - Fantastic Stuff!!!!

If you havent watched it yet, get a DVD. Its the stuff of legends!! Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman - All in one movie.

Love it when Eastwood says "Deserve's got nothing to do with it". Probably in my Top 5 Movie Moments.

Trailer:

Clip with the final scene where he says the above dialogue (Spoiler Warning - avoid this clip if you plan to watch the movie):

2008-08-23T01:04:00.002+01:00

Love the colours in this video - Plus the tune is so rich in melody - Full marks !!!

2008-08-23T00:52:00.001+01:00

Been trying to get this beer in London since the last few weeks. Anyone knows - Drop me a line. Happy to buy you one as a reward too ;)

MIddle of Nowhere

2008-05-29T01:32:00.002+01:00

Its 01:32 in the morning and I am in this nice hotel in the middle of nowhere, traveling for work. I need to finish a Powerpoint presentation and review a Word document but my heart is not in it. The iTunes on my laptop is playing some random, recently downloaded (illegally) Hindi music while Stargate is showing on Channel 4 in the background - Must be Episode Numner 467, Will it ever end ??

"The middle of nowhere" phrase strikes a chord. Its more or less how I feel where I am in life - There are some things going well, but it still seems like leading to nowhere. I went to test drive a Porsche couple of weeks ago and am quite tempted to buy it even though its out of my budget - Probably in the hope of buying some excitement in my life.

Anyway, I am gonna make myself a cup of coffee and try working again - If I want to have any chance of buying my way out of this rut

Jack is Back !!!

2008-05-04T12:10:00.003+01:00

Since the last couple of weeks, I have got the itch - to start writing again. Lets see how long I can resist.

Party's Over

2007-10-11T23:06:00.000+01:00

I reckon the party's over and its time to close down the bar. Take a last gulp, Place your Last Orders and I will see you in this life or the other. Thanks for your company.

As If...

2007-10-08T21:34:00.001+01:00

....we needed another reason to watch football on telly, the genius bunch at Channel Five have signed this gorgeous Italian cupcake to host their Italian Serie A coverage. The name is Laura Esposto and if just looking at the pictures you think you are ready to shoot(mind the pun), wait till you hear her speak English with an Italian accent so smooth that you will no longer be watching the football.

And since we are a sort of family blog, I will just give you the link to her real talents instead of posting those pics on my clean blog - Here and Here. Now you know

My Gift

2007-10-07T08:20:00.000+01:00

Of all the things she could have got me from her trip to the motherland, she got me the one with which I am fascinated since I was a kid, but I have never told her abt it. So felt a bit freakish when she was unpacking her bags, and took this beautiful Buddhist Hand-Held Prayer Wheel out and said it was for me.

Thank You - We might(?) be coming to the end of our journey together but its moments like these which will make it incredibly difficult to move on. And while spinning the wheel for the first time in a prayerly way, there's only one thing which I can pray and wish for - May we both lead happy lives, together or not.

Movie Recommendation : Hallom Foe

2007-09-28T00:34:00.000+01:00

Didnt feel like going to the gym , or even going home after work today - So wandered into Odeon Panton Street to watch Hallom Foe, as there was nothing else which looked appealing. And it was a revealation. Excellent movie , well recommended - Go watch it. And you might have to ride out the first 15 mins as they can seem a bit weird but things start to fall in place soon. Best 10 quid I have spent since some time.

My Rating : 4 of 5

Being dropped off at University for the very first time

2007-09-26T23:51:00.000+01:00

Krunal, a 3rd cousin(?) started Uni last week and Komal, a 2nd cousin will be dropped at her Hall this weekend to start University next week. Talking to them made me remember the day I was dropped off to my hostel by Dad and Shamsher Uncle, exactly 9 years ago. It is probably one of those moments which one remembers the rest of his/her life - When you are dropped at the hostel and when your parents/family bid goodbyes to go back to their homes, that very moment you realise that however much they love you, you are on your own from now on, you have to be your own man, you have to lead your own life, write your own story, fight your own battles. And it can be tough for the parents too, cos probably they understand the gravity of the situation much better, letting off their child to be on their own, never to return as the same way they used to from school, setting them free - I remember Mum crying when she said her Goodbyes and I was saying to her - Its only University, not a prison, I can always come back whenever I want. Aah, the naivete of youth - Its a journey which once undertaken can never be re-traced. Yes, it was much worse for me than Krunal and Komal. For one, their parents live less than 50 miles away from their hostels, so going back home to a warm and safe home might be a weekend thing. My parents lived around 600 miles away from my hostel, in the age when air travel was still a dream. Plus we had to tackle what most Engineering and Medical students had come to accept as part of the curriculum - Ragging. But even then, of one thing I am sure, they will do exactly the same thing I did: They will be back home in a week's time, complaining how lonely they feel but will go back and slowly start enjoying the journey towards their destiny. I wish them luck

How to stay sane ?

2007-09-24T22:58:00.001+01:00

Taken from The Times:

Soothing touch : The warmth of human contact. We all need it, especially when we are sad or in pain.

Cry if you need to: Allow yourself to sob; it is a marvellous, healing release.

Exercise: There are many psychological benefits to be gained, including reduced feelings of depression and anxiety.

Seek humour in your life: It is very healing to laugh. Humour reduces stress and sadness.

Keep learning: We thrive on mental stimulation, and it can help protect us against dementia and mental atrophy as we age.

Write: Writing down your thoughts, and especially feelings, helps to soothe and organise emotions.

Eat nutritious, well-balanced meals: There is a relationship between mental health and a decent diet. Feed your brain.

Don’t abuse alcohol and drugs, and keep use to a minimum: Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.

Contact nature: A visit to the botanical gardens or even peeking at the stars will provide us with a calming sense of our place on the planet.

Learn to give and receive love.

2007-09-23T14:06:00.000+01:00

Watching the back-to-back all-nighter of the 3 Lord Of The Rings movies at IMAX last week, I realised how much this book has impacted me and my thoughts and I have always wanted to write a series of posts on the book and how everything you might want to know about life is in those pages. It is my Bible, Geeta or Quran and I see myself returning to it, every so often, be it to get some inspiration , to make me smile or to get a perspective on life. And it never fails me.

I did make a start couple of years ago to write my thoughts- The result is here which for me epitomises everything you will ever need to know about friendship. I must sit down and write some more sometime soon.

Some of my fav Tolkien-isms:
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.

It's the job that's never started takes longest to finish

I do not love the bright sword for it's sharpness, nor the arrow for it's swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken:
The crownless again shall be king.

And this is a long one, something which Treebeard says to the Ents when they are thinking if they should join the war or just stay still - It fills me up with inspiration whenever I struggle to do something which I know I should but I cant get myself to do it (Not that I do much after reading it anyway but thats my fault rather than Tolkien's):
"Of course, it is likely enough, my friends, that we are going to our doom: the last march of the Ents. But if we stayed at home and did nothing, doom would find us anyway, sooner or later. That thought has long been growing in our hearts; and that is why we are marching now. It was not a hasty resolve. Now at least the last march of the Ents may be worth a song. Aye, we may help the other peoples before we pass away. Still, I should have liked to see the songs come true about the Entwives. I should dearly have liked to see Fimbrethil again. But there, my friends, songs like trees bear fruit only in their own time and their own way: and sometimes they are withered untimely."

A good story needs a strong villain ...

2007-09-22T10:45:00.000+01:00

... and we (Manchester United Fans and football in England generally) have lost ours on Wednesday when Jose Mourinho and Chelsea departed company. Makes you realise how true it is when they say you only know the worth of a person when he has left.

Its just so much more fun to compete when your rival is a villain, and to add to it he is passionate, witty, intelligent and ambitious. I remember the Premiership without Mourinho when we fought with Arsenal for the league but it was just impossible to vilify Wenger - He's sauve, sophisticated and extremely intelligent but its impossible to hate him. Mourinho changed that - He spoke out his mind, he was arrogant,cocky and he played mind games with our gaffer. Always made interesting viewing, Always made you want to beat his team.

Jose has delivered many quotes which will stay with us forever - "You can call me arrogant but I am the European Champion, I am THE SPECIAL ONE" - being the most famous one , that too on the day he started at Chelsea, but 2 of them stay with me:

"When we have to fight, we fight , When we have to play,we play , And When we have to suffer, we suffer ... But we do it together, as a team"

In response to a journo asking him if he feels pressure in his job "When you are doing a crap job which pays crap money, to put food on the table for your kids - Thats pressure. My job doesnt have pressure" - Jose puts things in perspective

So long, Jose - Thanks for the memories and I am sure United and your paths will cross soon.

Ageing

2007-09-19T22:24:00.000+01:00

I have slowly come to the conclusion that like some people, some movies age badly too. Last time I went to India, I got some original DVDs of movies which I had either already seen and loved or were on my list since a long time. I saw a couple of them over the last month and had a tough time keeping my interest, and the only reason I can think of that is that they have not aged in a good way, like a nice scotch does, or like Sharmila Tagore or Dimple Kapadia do. Rather they age like old beer or Celina Jaitley would

Does that make me a racist?

2007-09-15T02:07:00.001+01:00

I only get attracted to Asian women, and some South American. We go to a bar, and there are 2 Asian women at the far corner, and my attention will always go straight to them, nothing for the 37 white or black women who are standing right next or around me. I have discussed this before with my mates and Steve thinks that might make me a racist. My explanation is that I dont treat the others in a bad way so I cant be a racist. But I probly blank them out, which in some way is discrimination based on their skin colour, which is what racism is all about : (

Time for a Pre-Nup style contract in a Relationship

2007-09-11T23:05:00.000+01:00

Someday if I feel brave enough to look at the the past 5 years of my credit card bills and calculate how much I have spent on my ex or current girlfriend (Yes, I know you dont like to be called that but go with me for the moment - The official word is "Its complicated" , Thank you Facebook for defining my relationship so clearly), I can say with certainity that it will throw me into a major depression, not to talk about the effort and time we have spent into something which has either ended in nothing or is heading that way [For the record, I admit the ex was much low maintenance and willing to split the bill half-way but Ms High Maintenance has her own advantages too, the details of which I will not go in this post]. There should be some new law that whoever decides to break up a relationship or walk away, will have to pay the other person some kind of Severance package , which considers time, effort and money invested by the other person in the relationship - All calculated with the help of some magical spreadsheet, which I am volunteering to help design. Seriously, its high time we started signing a Pre-Nup style contract in a Relationship. Its only fair, considering the emotional lows that the other person is going through, at least he/she doesnt have to be broke paying the last credit card bill which includes the £120 dinner they had together when he/she was told that they had no future together.

BTW, This chain of thought been triggered by me starting to write a Monthly Budget spreadsheet which in turn has been triggered by the gigantic mind-numbing mortgage repayments I might face sometime in the near(I hope) future. 300 fucking grand for a 2 bedroom apartment, and 6.5 interest rate - Times when I wished I had a pre-nup to claim some money back from Ms Ex(wont be much but as Tesco says "Each penny counts") and Miss Current(me rubbing hands in anticipation) Or have some rich grand-dad who wud have left me enough to at least pay the deposit - Why do those things only happen in movies? I cant think of anyone who will leave me even a half-used monthly train ticket in their will [Me visualising the scene nevertheless where some dude has left me a £3 million penthouse apartment with a riverside view]. Back to reality, No chance of either happening , I reckon but time to face the music about how money-minded and sick I am to even think about such things and so on. Words like "kulhaadi", "own foot" and "hitting" come to mind. If only I could keep my thoughts to myself.

2007-09-03T00:24:00.000+01:00

"Life's promises seem true when you are with me"

Why does it work that way? Why do our lives potential depend on someone else's decisions? Does it have to work that way? Our heads learn through experience that feeling passionate about something or someone is an open invitation to risk losing everything but the heart doesnt care.

We fall in love with a penthouse which we viewed last week even when its way over our budget and that flat becomes the yardstick with which we measure all other flats - And know that not many will come close.

People live and die with their football clubs every weekend - Doesnt matter if they are the best team in the league or the worst. I am lucky in that respect - Manchester United has given me more happier moments than I can imagine but I know its an emotional roller-coaster ride.I know how I felt when we lost the Champions League semis last year but I still want the pain.

Its a similar thing with love probably. You need to convince the other person that you really want it for life but before that you need to be convinced yourself. And if you do that, you are putting yourself at risk, of associating your life, your happiness with his/her decision - And thats a dangerous game to play. But we play it nevertheless - Thats how some of us are programmed.

The Moon

2007-08-29T23:09:00.000+01:00

On nights like tonight when you can't sleep because there's so much going in your mind and all you do is look out of the window to look at the big blob of silver in the sky, you get the nerve to dream the dreams that you are too scared of dreaming. Dreams which are so trivial to some but still to you they seem almost unreachable just right now. Oh yes, its one of those nights tonight.

How much should one spend on an engagement ring

2007-08-29T12:38:00.000+01:00

The average is 2 months of one's salary. Those buying it say its one month’s salary, Those wearing and those selling it say that it should be three. Has to be platinum or silver, but if your girl likes gold then so be it. Hatton Garden seems to be a popular place in London to buy the thing and the "No Blood Diamond" logo is the in-thing these days - So avoid De Beers. If you are like me (no clue what she would like) or if your to-be is very picky, buy a £2 plastic ring , do the deed and take her ring shopping the next day - Perfectly acceptable.

And no, nothing to do with me - Its just one of those things you learn over an office lunch

Sometimes there's so much beauty ....

2007-08-25T15:27:00.000+01:00

"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in"

Few things which triggered this :

Went clubbing recently after a long long long time, probably a couple of years - And was shocked. Not at how pretty or hot the girls were (which they were) but at the ease with which I could sustain a conversation with them, hold their interest,etc. the details of which I will spare you (though I wouldnt recommend letting the horses in your imaginative brain run too far) . Usually things like these don't happen with me. Maybe to Sat(the man with the charisma), or to Steve(the smooth talker), but definitely not me - I am the guy who after the club closes , is looking for cash in his pocket to get a cab home while others are looking for condoms in their pockets - so this was definitely a first. Maybe it comes with age - Me sliding gently into my 30s or it was a one-off, I dont know but it surely made me think abt the quote above.

And then today I was going through some old pictures which Hash had uploaded a while ago - And it reinforced my point about how beautiful life is - Its just impossible to hold it back. Here are some of those moments:

Dad and Mum from what could easily pass as a 70s movie scene:

Me and Hash as kids - I have a fractured leg(more cleared in the 2nd pic) but that doesnt seem to hamper my spirits a bit:

The happiest baby I have ever seen - Me:

Bichde Sabhi Baari Baari

2007-08-21T22:18:00.000+01:00

I had stopped reading blogs since sometime but this weekend I had some spare time and I started going through my favorites. A bit shocked and disappointed to see no activity on many of them, a bit like mine. Last year we were all writing so prolifically and nothing now - I guess its a phase with many of us and only a few can maintain the pace.

The main reason why I stopped to write gradually is probably because a lot of people who know me personally started visiting my blog and maybe I didn't feel comfortable opening my life to everyone. Maybe its time to start writing anonymously, or to stop writing. I don't know but I do know that I don't want to decide that on a dark night like tonight.

Day in the life of Sharad

2007-07-30T09:33:00.000+01:00

Last week I wrote something for my niece on the lines of "A day in the life of..." for her school project, which gave me the idea to write something similar here. Might make interesting reading when I read it after 40 years from now. So here goes, This was my life today:

5.30 AM Woke up early in the morning

6.20 The tubes are empty. Listen to Awaarapan and U2 on the way to work

7.11 The first to walk in the office. Its good to see all the sensor activated lights turning on as you walk across the floor

8.01 Sent a good morning txt to The Girl With The Beautiful Eyes

9.55 Got half day's work done in 2 hours (no distraction of email/phone call/people dropping by)

10.05 Bought everyone in the team a coffee after (yet another) debate about which coffee-shop to go to. Ended up going to both stores (Pret and the local Portugeezer) to keep both camps happy

Perfect start to the week so far. And the sun is shining too. Life is good.

12.30 Solid 2.5 hours of spreadsheet and powerpoint presentation

12.31 Quick walk to Cardinal Place shopping centre to buy a pair of formal shoes at lunch time. Buy a pair I like (£69.99). Pick up a sandwich from Sainsbury to eat during 1 PM "Start of the week" meeting

1.00 PM Team meeting where we discuss what are the main objectives for this week and whos doing what. I get allocated preparing and presenting a presentation on Thursday to train 2 clients on Microsoft Visio and how we do Configuration Management in our project.

2.00 Spend an hour getting some more work done

3.00 I have designed a Project Close Down Survey which gets reviewed by 2 senior staff. Get loads of feedback - Another review at 5 - So have an hour to make it better

5.00 Email updated survey to the 2 managers who promise to review it later in the evening(from home) and will email me the feedback. This needs to be seen by the client first thing tomorrow morning, so some late evening work will be needed. Thankfully no plans for the evening, so shouldnt be a problem

6.40 Wrap-up things and leave for home

7.15 Reach home and go straight for the washing machine to put my clothes in. And Voila - It doesnt work . Small panic.

7.35 Manage to reach the launderette on time before they close down. Get a 101 from the grumpy lady about "How to wash your clothes in a launderette". Waste 45 minutes waiting for my beautiful clothes to wash. Lady says I cant dry them as its too late and she needs to close down.

8.20 Put clothes to dry in the garden, Eat a toast with Philadelphia Light

8.45 Drive to the gym - I know its ironic but its bloody far. Run for 35 minutes (5 km), cycle for a bit , glance at the new Indian girl a few times who glances back a few times (or so he thinks).

9.35 Quick shower at home. Make some bean salad, Wash it down my throat with some Bacardi and Coke (I know its a weird combination but I needed to empty the bottle since some time - There was one sip left in the bottle since the last 2 weeks and it had to be done)

10.45 Catch some highlights of the 4th day of the England-India 2nd test match - India in a great position to win it tomorrow

11.00 Blog about my day

11.30 Open Outlook and check work emails. Finish outstanding work (couple of hours probably)

1.30 or 1 Go to bed

6 AM Wake Up .....

So thats my story - What happened in my day today

Yes, this wasnt a normal normal day but one of the better boring ones - I dont eat salad everyday or go to the gym everyday or reach office so early or get so much done. I will post another such post on Friday so that we can compare things.

2007-05-11T00:10:00.000+01:00

Its like I want to write something serious , something profound, maybe something sad, something inspiring - Something , Anything which is not rubbish but when was the last time I did. Yes, its probably the reflection of what I feel as a person, Full of potential but no where close to fulfilling it, Totally Blank, Living life one day at a time, enjoying my work, my portfolio, my car, my movies, my football, some friends, my useless but endless "To-Dos". And yes, I did use the word "enjoy" correctly, I seriously do enjoy all those but then why do I still have this weird feeling that I am not fulfilling life's great promise. Maybe thats how it is supposed to be - You do everything that you are supposed to do by 30, and then its pretty straightfwd after that - I hope not. We will see.

Rani , Me loves You

2007-05-10T23:45:00.000+01:00

The only bright spark of the otherwise mediocre Ta Ra Rum Pum - Rani. Rani , me seriously think its tough to live without you :D

Uffff , Woh Aankhen , Woh Smile - You make my day, sweetheart.

Then there's this babe from Life in a Metro - Dunno who she is but she sure is a treat for sore eyes. But what a line-up it promises - KayKay Menon, Irfan Khan , Konkana Sen Sharma , Shiney Ahuja and Sharman Joshi , THE Most promising young (?) actors in Bollywood today - All in one neat-looking package. Well worth the ticket price, it seems. Looking fwd to it.

And while we are on the topic of movies, I would strongly recommend "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" - Dont let the long name and Jim Carrey on the cover stop you - Its one of those movies which falls through the cracks and you never hear of them, unless in some odd blog post like this one. Its abt love and parting and destiny.

THE Most Powerful Song for me

2007-05-05T22:30:00.000+01:00

Disclaimer : Inspired(stolen) from Shree's Post

This has to be THE most powerful song for me:

Tu to nahi hain par teri muskurahate hain
Chehra Kahi Nahi Hain par teri Aahaten Hain - Always does it for me.

Love it when she swtiches the Radio off cos she can't take it anymore and how shes forced to turn it back on cos she knows not listening would be even more painful - Which pain would you have chosen?

These 2 come very close:

Tum Jo Keh Do To, Aaj ki raat chaand doobega nahi - How many times in your life have you had nights which you never want to end - And what would you do to get them back?

Jaane Kahan Gum Hua , Kahan Khoya , Ek Aanso Chupa Ke Rakha Tha - Priceless !!

Got Tickets for the Biggest Game of the Season so far

2007-04-23T23:44:00.000+01:00

After years of supporting Manchester United I finally get the tickets to go see them play at Old Trafford - The shrine at which we worship, The Theatre of Dreams. And its on the biggest night of the season so far - Champions League Semi-Finals against the mighty AC Milan. I am excited beyond words. I have taken half a day off from work so that I can reach there early and take in every bit of the environment. Feel like a 10 year old being taken to the circus or a fair. Cant wait for tomorrow to arrive.

Hope we stun the Italians. Go United !!!

Long way to go

2007-04-21T11:00:00.000+01:00

Some genius figured this out this week : The average Briton has sex 4239 times in his/her lifetime.

Long way to go for me , but the positive spin is that I have a lot to look fwd to :D

Stu and Geeta

2007-04-19T04:50:00.000+01:00

I had heard about it from obscure blogs and couple of eccentric friends. That there is a movie going about called Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (HKA), a movie which will take you back to the days of Manthan, Paar and Ek Doctor Ki Maut. Oh those days !!! I must have been around 14-15, when you know the dictionary meaning of the words like cynicism, despair, ethics, principles but have no clue how they translate in real life. These movies start to give you a picture. What men and women will do to stand by their principles - Movies which inpire you but at the same time a leaf inside you dies forever. HKA manages to reach those levels. I have been trying to get a DVD since ages but cudnt find it and here I am , in London , on a pleasant summer night, having drafted and emailed a work presentation at 3 AM in the morning and not really sleepy , turn on the telly and they showing this movie on Star Gold. What are the chances?

Anyway, to cut a long story short, its a fantastic movie though I was struggling in the first 20 minutes (Why are all these people speaking English ? And other such comments). Go get the DVD if you havent watched it. But be prepared - It can get majorly depressing but the end will make you smile, at life's irony.

The lead female character Geeta reminds me of this person I know. The most dedicated and sincere person I have ever known , and I do know a lot of people ; ) She believes in this cause , of educating under-priviliged children , through Pratham (http://www.pratham.org) as of now and much better and bigger ideas as she progresses through life , and its like she has dedicated her life to it. I have seen her drafting Teaching Programmes on Sunday evenings, drafting presentations for Donors till 3 AM and probably being on-site with the teachers the next day in the scorching summer Ahmedabad sun - And she comes from a very rich family. Everything else comes second and after her beliefs - We usually see these peeople in movies, like Geeta in HKA, but I feel lucky to know someone similar in real life. I know I have said it before, Stu, and I will say it again - You make us proud. Every kid who benefits from your hard work is a reason for us to smile and to believe in humanity.

Well, now this post had inspired me to volunteer to run the 10K Race for Charity again this June and raise some money for Pratham. I will send the link for you good people to contribute as soon as I have set-up a page for it.

2007-03-26T19:26:00.001+01:00

Nothing worth it comes Easy.

Sick Feeling in the Stomach

2007-03-23T21:46:00.000Z

Once Again - Its more like a routine now. Last year it was at the beautiful stadium in Gelsenkirchen , watching England crash out of the Football World Cup in Penalty Shoot-Outs, This time it is India at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad (Such a glorious bright day and beautiful location for a tragedy of such massive proportions), watching India die a slow death, giving in without a fight. Knowing that you would have no motivation to wake up in the morning , to face another day. But at least its night time here , So having a couple of drinks while discussing who should retire (Sachin, Kumble, Agarkar, Ganguly) and who should resign (Chappell, Dravid) - and that will bring it to midnite, Sleep time - when the miseries of failure dont bother you too much. While for our desi friends in the US, its still broad daylight. They have to go through their working day while the sense of dejection, failure and mediocrity looms over them. Now THAT is tough. Good Luck to them. Its never a bad idea to get an extra glass of wine at lunchtime and probably thats what the Indian team will be doing now anyway. Sitting on a gorgeous beach drinking Rum and Coke and Daiquiris and what nots, while the Board sorts out their flight tickets - Unless (Do I see a glitter in your eye) , Unless the mafia plays it cards and makes Bermuda win against Bangladesh. And I would increase my Security Cover, if I was Chappell.

In football, England is playing tomorrow nite in a Euro 2008 qualifying game. We are already 3rd in a group from which 2 will qualify and if we lose tomorrow it might be curtains for our Euro 2008 campaign. Mediocre , Uninspiring , uncreative Manager, Players who play more for the fame than for the passion and pride of playing for one's country.

2 Countries with so much passion for their respective national sports. Millions of fans who invest more than just their time, effort and money - blood, sweat and tears, but who only get short-changed by their Boards, The Men in Suits and The Men in Adverts. How will it ever change? Will it ever change?

By the way, at the risk of sounding sexist, quite surprised (in a good way) to see so many of my Indian female friends feeling as passionate abt cricket , as any normal Joe (or Hari Prasad). Even my Mum can name all 11 players in the team, I am sure. Has this always been the case or has there been a slow revolution in the past few years?

The Third Decade Starts

2007-03-14T00:17:00.000Z

And talking about worth of an emplaoyee, how about :

Blackberry and the worth of an employee

2007-03-12T19:55:00.000Z

Sitting in the tube watching some dudes replying to their emails using their Blackberrys, I always used to think that I would "arrive" when my company would rate me important enough to give me a Blackberry. I have arrived : D

Which got me thinking it has always been one gadget or the other and hence Sharad's Theory - The gadget a company gives its employees is a yardstick to gauge one's worth in the organisation. When I started I used to wonder when I would get the shiny Amex Credit Card with unlimited credit , then it was a mobile phone , then a laptop and so on. So today when I have all of them, the search has begin to start dreaming abt the next gadget. Till then, I can play with my Pearl.

Afternoon Telly Expert

2007-03-02T11:59:00.001Z

Nothing better than watching re-runs of Globetrekker when you are sitting unemployed at home all day. Hold on there, No need to rush to your phones for a sympathy call , am just between jobs - Have left my old one and new one doesnt start till Monday. So had a quick (?) trip to India(my 3rd trip to India in 4 months, I feel like I live there and come to London for a holiday) and came back just in time to catch all the afternoon shows on telly for a few days. Well , as they say , all good things come to an end , and so no more watching the same episode of Scrubs 3 times or being on eBay for so long that I have put almost all my house contents on Auction.

Yes, am excited and thrilled to start afresh - After 6 years with my last company(has it been that long - bloody amazing how time flies), I am ready to start afresh, prove myself again and rise up to new challenges. Wish Me Luck.

And thanks to those who checked up on the blog and wrote to me asking if I was OK, in the absence of any posts. Life never stops to surprise !!

And I have to thank Ian Wright. No, not the ex-Arsenal football player but the guy who hosts some of the Globetrekker shows. This guy is so funny he made me come back to blogging bcos sometimes u see/feel things that u cant help recommending to others. Tune in to your Travel Channels if u havent seen any of his shows - U will thank me.

Here's a Taster :

Weekend to sort the boys from the men

2007-01-20T11:44:00.000Z

What a weekend - Mind-boggling repurcussions. THE weekend which will decide if the title race closes tomorrow at 6 PM or if it becomes a 4 horse race instead of 2. A weekend which will sort the boys from the men.

Optimistic Prediction = Liverpool hold Chelsea to a draw and United force a win against the Gunners(and go down in the history books to be the first team to beat Arsenal at The Emirates). Title gap widens to 8 points and theres no way in hell anyones stopping us from winning the title.

Pessimistic Prediction = Chelsea blast Liverpool and Arsenal get a draw or win against us. 3/4 point difference and with United still to play away games to Stamford Bridge and Anfield, my money will be on Chelsea.

From a neutral's Angle = Arsenal and Liverpool both win , and the title is a 4-horse race from tomorrow onwards.

Go on UNITED !!!!!!!!!!!!!

By the way, here's the UEFA Fans Team of 2006:
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
Gianluca Zambrotta (FC Barcelona)
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid CF)
Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona)
Philipp Lahm (FC Bayern München)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC)
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC)
Kaká (AC Milan)
Ronaldinho (FC Barcelona)
Thierry Henry (Arsenal FC)
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelona)
Coach: Frank Rijkaard (FC Barcelona)

Closure

2007-01-19T14:46:00.000Z

Jinko Duniya ki Nigaahon se Chupaaye Rakha
Jinko Ek Umr Kaleje se Lagaaye Rakha
Deen Jinko, Jinhe Imaan Banaaye Rakha

Pyar Main Doobe Hue Khat Main Jalaata Kaise
Tere Haathon Ke Likhe Khat Main Jalaata Kaise

Tere Khat Aaj Main Ganga Main Bahaa Aaya Hoon
Aag Behte Hue Paani Main Lagaa Aaya Hoon

Guru - Stays with you after you have left the Cinema

2007-01-13T09:13:00.000Z

A Classic - Mani Ratnam never disappoints - One of the few directors who knows how to get the best out of his actors and to tell a story. He is the Spielberg of Bollywood. He will make you want to go to the Cinema, to believe in the magic of Cinema.

Abhishek's acting reminded me of Ray Liotta in Goodfellas - one of Hollywood's best ever performance. From the enthusiastic, full of energy Guru with a zest in his walk to the swagger which comes with experience in Gurubhai's older days, Abhishek is in his elements and he probably knew he will never get a role like this and gave his all. The enthusiasm and freshness(for lack of a better word - Watch Ash in Megha Megha on the big screen to know what I mean) in the young Guru and Sujata makes you fall in love with cinema all over again and you realise why exactly is Cinema where it is - The most popular art form since the last 100 years.

About the others, Mithunda proves that given the chance, he will deliver. I wasnt too impressed with Madhavan in RDB but he does a good job in his limited role here, along with Vidya Balan, though Bollywood needs to improve its kissing skills - In both Dhoom 2 and here, a normal kiss scene looks more weird than normal - Who kisses like this? Surely some lessons from Emraan Hashmi and Mallika Sherawat from Murder needed.

Music - Tough one to call. Hadnt warmed up to any songs before watching the movie but Barso Re, Tere Bina and Mayya Mayya, look good on the big screen. Ek Lo Ek Muft song was surplus and spoils the flow of the movie but one mistake is allowed, I guess. But my biggest complaint is against Rehman and Gulzarji - Almost impossible to understand most of the words in the songs - I firmly believe that you have got to write with the viewer in mind - Waise hi Gulzarji ke kuch songs kaafi complex hote hain but when Rehman makes the new singers sing in weird accents, it baffles the viewer to no limit. I challenge anyone to understand and then make sense of any one line in Mayya Mayya - It sounds more like Tamil Rap than a Turkish Belly Dancing Song (Mallika saves the plot) - Or do a first next time - Provide subtitles in Hindi in a Hindi movie. Thats it, no more criticism.

I have said it before, I will say it again - Guru brings back the charm of going to the Cinema. 4 stars out of 5.

Kabhi Yun bhi to ho...

2007-01-12T00:01:00.000Z

Aur Tum aaao

Dariya ka saahil,
Poore chaand ki raat ho,.... aur tum aaao,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Pariyon ki mehfil,
Koi tumhari baaat ho,.....aur tum aaao,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Yeh naram mulayam thandi hawayain,
Jab ghar se tumhare guzrain,
Tumhari khushboo churayain, mere ghar le aayain,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Soooni har mahfil ho,
Koi na mere saath ho,.....aur tum aaao,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Yeh baadal aise toot ke barse,
Mere dil ki tarah tumhara dil bhi tarse
Tum niklo udhar se
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Tanhayeee ho, dil ho,
......boondain ho, barsaat ho....aur tum aaao,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho,

Dariya ka saahil,
Poore chaand ki raat ho,.....aur tum aao,
Kabhi Yun bhi to ho

How can someone write so beautifully that just reading it pierces your heart like a hundred knives and still makes you smile, makes you dream?

Down with NASDAQ Fever

2007-01-10T21:19:00.000Z

Since I have come back from India, I am down with Investment Fever. Day and Night all I think of is what to buy , when to sell, which ones to hold, what to short. My activities are aligned with what time the London Stock Exchange opens and closes and then what time NASDAQ opens and closes. I meet my friends on days when there are No relevant Quarterly results to be announced(Tomorrow is Infy's and the stock will spike up for 30 minutes in which I will sell and then buy again in another week, making half a grand in the process - ALL "HOPEFULLY") or No important announcement to be made(Yesterday Apple announced the launch of the iPhone and the stock zoomed 9 percent in 2 days : D ). Every spare minute spent in front of the laptop is spent researching stocks and sectors, looking at weird graphs and charts, creating more excel spreadsheets. Every spare minute spent not in front of the laptop is spent thinking what will I research when I get to the laptop, trying to make sense of the endless data available.

I guess Thats the problem with me. I need something all-consuming. I need to keep myself busy, need to keep myself awake till early hours of the morning,need to make my life complicated. Earlier in the career, work gives you that thrill - To learn as much as you can in as less time as possible, to keep yourself 2 steps ahead of your peers. But slowly that dies down. How much more can one learn about Business Transformation Consulting (the stuff I apparently do at work)? So one starts to look for alternative sources of keeping the kambakth brain busy - Taking the GMAT for no particular reason(2 months disapperared from my life in the process), Watching and Reading so much about football in 2 years that you can win a Football quiz against people who have been watching it since the last 30 years AND can probably recite the current league position of every team in the English, Italian, Spanish, German and French First Division leagues(Every Saturday and many Wednesdays of my life wasted from now on), Writing boring blogs(2 panchi with one shtone - I also manage to waste your time along with mine), Falling madly in love with this gorgeous chick not when she was mine for the taking(figuratively shpeaking) but only when she told me shes moving on and thinking of 101 flop Ways of getting her back(A lifetime of Devdas type grief), This Investment thing for now and so on. Saala chain nahi milta hain is khaali dimaak ko. Back to my Excel Spreadsheets. If you know of more ways to waste time and money, do drop a line.

2007-01-10T20:35:00.000Z

Its a no-brainer - The Departed in Hollywood and Omkara in Bollywood - Best movies of 2006.

Another round to the Atheists

2007-01-07T23:41:00.000Z

Seems like atheists were right after all. 38+ children assaulted, raped and killed in Noida. 38 innocent hearts who probably believed in God because thats what they were told to do when in trouble - "Pray to God and He/She will come and help you". 38 pair of scared eyes who probably searched for divine intervention in the last hours of their lives, hoping against hope that the stories that their parents or teachers told them abt a God were true - That someone, something would save them, that this cant be true, that life cant end this way. How many of them turned atheists before the last breaths left their bodies, gave up on God, on humanity? Rest In Peace, Angels. We failed you.

BTW, Barkha Dutt did a piece on the Noida serial killings, telling the stories of the families of the victim - And anyone who sees it will have tears in their eyes and anger in their hearts. How do journalists detach themselves from such an emotional and soul-shaking situation to bring us the news? Times like these we start to appreciate the work journalists do.

Is it the 16th or 19th ?

2007-01-07T23:30:00.000Z

Can never remember.

Rubbish

2007-01-05T13:39:00.000Z

I am convinced. We are Rubbish at sports, Absolutely and Utterly Hopeless. Mediocrity is our middle name and we wear that name with pride.

For a country with so many sports fans, so many money being funneled in sports by both fans and authorities, so much pages of newspaper coverage given to sports, 2006 has proved beyond doubt that we suck.

A 5-0 rout in the Ashes(enough said), kicked out of the FIFA World Cup 2006 in the quarters after a spineless performance in the earlier rounds(and struggling to qualify for the Euro 2008), no Tennis future in mens or womens, the big Rugby disappointment, its getting depressing to even continue.

But if anything, we are incorrigble. All the 5 Tests at the 2008 Ashes will be a Sell-Out on the day they release the ticket, the whole country will go football-crazy for 2 weeks during Euro 2008 and so on.

Does the condition of English sports reflect the average English psyche - Trenched in Mediocrity , The reluctance(almost hatred) of going the extra mile to do a good job, Don't Care Attitude - Sir Winston Churchill wud be turning in his grave.

Back to Reality

2006-12-28T00:19:00.000Z

.. and it sucks.

A Proper Indian Wedding (on the lines of a Full English Breakfast) - of a cousin, a fantistico trip to Goa, quality time spent with family including some NRI ones whom I hadnt seen in years(trips to the cinema to watch movies like Vivah with entire Patel clan included), a quick trip to Milan on the way back - How can you top something like that? Its all downhill from here. Will be depressed for a few days and will hopefully recover soon enough to figure out what/where to spend New Years Eve.

Aaj phir dil ne ek Tamanna ki,
Aaj phir dil ko humne samjhayaa

Today I found the answer...

2006-11-28T00:01:00.000Z

A question stayed in my mind since then,
A question whose answer I knew but did not want to believe

Is She Happy?

The one who smelled of flowers
The one whose glimpses I seek-ed in others
The one who said she loved me
The one who I set free
The one who flew away
To build a nest of her own

But today I know the answer for sure
Today my mind has been set free

At times I felt the pain will destroy me
By diluting my blood with the poison of cynicism and despair
But not today

Today I can see the wheels of fortune changing direction
Today I believe

That nothing stays forever
Neither pain nor despair
And as long as we keep the faith
And do the right
There will be a reason to smile

Today and Always I will be happy she has found the promised land
Today and Always I will be happy we met
And she showed me a world
I had never felt

After Note:
Today and Always, I know that I cant write poetry
But a man's gotta start checking things off his list ; )

Same Activity , World of Difference

2006-11-27T01:16:00.000Z

... Thats Packing.

Everytime I go to India, its the same story - I am packing my bag at 2 in the morning the day before I have to catch the flight. The only thing which is keeping me from dozing off is the sound the Aussies are making everytime they take a wicket in the Ashes on my TV and me visualising myself on Baga Beach sipping some fancy looking cocktail, watching Man Utd beat Chelsea and a random babe next to me telling me how well I danced in the club last nite - Well, if I am dreaming, I might as well dream big ; ) Back to the packing, its all last-minute hectic throwing of stuff in the Big VIP Bag. Which is 3 shirts, a Tee and 2 jeans. Some underwear and my Shaving Kit. Thats it. So its a bag with a 30KG capacity and I put in stuff weighing 3 KGs - The weight of the bag is more than the stuff I put inside it. This time there are some shirts for Hash and some dresses for Hiya. Thats it. I am racking my brains to think of something else I can put in, but at this hour everything is eluding my mind. My Mom and the Custom officials both will look at me in a weird way, as they always do wondering how other sons (and other people) fill their bags with their allocated 25Kg, and then some more and how come this dude comes in with 9kg. My shoulder bag contains a few books and mags which I never read unless theres some real boring bloke sitting next to me on the flight, which knowing Murphy and his damned laws is a case more often that not.

But its a total different scenario when I am coming back from India. I outsource the job , I assign it to my wonderful parents - Yes, even at 29. I give them just 2 Instructions - Not a gram more than 25Kgs AND these are the 3 shirts and 2 jeans I definitely want to take back, along with some Bombay Halwa, Bhakarwadi and Bundi Laddus. You take care of the rest. I see them starting the co-ordinating activities 4-5 days before I leave (T-5 Day, I call it). Mom starts to collect everything, plans shopping trips to the local Halwai with my Dad, sends all clothes to the Istri-waala and all other stuff that they do, which I have no clue abt. By T-3 Day, everything is ready. T-2 Day , Dad organises everything in the bag, in a manner which wud put the best Sushi chef in Yo!Sushi to shame. If there is something I need to drop to relatives/friends places, its so clearly marked its almost like "Delivering for Dummies".Everything is done , the bag is weighed, things taken off or added and its all done and dusted - 2 days before I have to go. Dont we all love parents?

Which forces me to think(Its one of those nights) - What kind of parent will I be? I am not organised, I have no disclipline at all and I do everything last-minute (and consequently, I screw up so often)- How will I manage my kids and be a role model for them , How will I teach them that these things are so important. Well, Thank God theres no danger of that happening anytime soon, cos I need to find their Mom first.

BTW, The Aussies have just taken the last English wicket , India were screwed by the South Africans (twice) and Man Utd conceded a 2nd half goal through a set-piece to draw at home to Chelsea - One of those weekend when you are glad its over, at least in sports terms.

2006-11-14T07:05:00.000Z

When you have lived alone for so long, you forget what it means to hear someone's voice first thing in the morning. Its the sweetest thing your ears will hear all day.

2006-11-08T12:15:00.000Z

There are some days at work when you feel that you have earned your money. This week and the last has been like that, If I am lucky probably even next week. Everyday should be like that and if I am having just 5 weeks in a year where I get that feeling , I need to change something.

2006-11-07T21:58:00.000Z

Every Passing minute is another chance to turn it all around

Weird Baseball

2006-10-25T01:48:00.000+01:00

Am up at 2 in the morning to watch the Detroit Tigers take on St Louis Cardinals in the 3rd match of the World Series. Am a new recruit to Baseball and it will take time to understand all the rules but one thing I will say - 4 Innings are done and there hasnt been a single run yet. Forget a run, no batter/hitter has even managed to reach First Base yet. What the hell !!!

But I have got some money on the Tigers riding, courtesy my good friend Anurag (you better hide somewhere if I lose the money,dude) - So Tigers , kuch karo yaaro , ek Run to banaao !!!

The comparisons of baseball with cricket are quite funny. Will try to write more when I get a hold of the game but for starters - The same bowler has bowled all the balls during the entire 3 innings for each team. So its like Kapil Dev bowling the entire 50 overs for India and then when India bat Shoaib Akhthar bowls the entire 50 overs. Duh ????
Another One - Lets say Harbhajan takes 7 wickets in a match. The coach will not play him in the next match because he wants to "rest" him. Duh ??? If its a 9 Match series, why not play ur best bowler/pitcher as often as early in the series and try to win it quick . Dunno.

By the way, what a Sunday it was for sports freaks. Consider this:
1PM : Manchester United Vs Liverpool (One of the Biggest Games of the Premiership)
5PM : The Final circuit of the F1 season and Schumacher's last race
8PM : Real Madrid Vs Barcelona (THE Biggest game of La Liga)
1AM : 2nd Game of the Baseball World Series(Biggest Baseball Trophy)
In that regard , I think we Europeans are the luckiest chaps in the world as we get to see most of the sports in the world at a convenient time. When it comes to Time Zones we are definitely at the centre of the earth.

I think we miss that touch so much.....

2006-10-24T23:35:00.000+01:00

"It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something. " - Crash

Its started to get cold now and I walked the streets of London for around 90 minutes after work on the way home to feel something - Nothing , Just cold.

Phir Wahi Raat Hain ...

2006-10-24T23:05:00.000+01:00

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

Through nights like this one I held her in my arms
I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.

She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.
How could one not have loved her great still eyes.

Tonight I can write the saddest lines.
To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her

What does it matter that my love could not keep her.
The night is shattered and she is not with me.

This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.
My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.

My sight searches for her as though to go to her.
My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.

The same night whitening the same trees.
We, of that time, are no longer the same.

Happy Diwali Everyone

2006-10-21T07:01:00.000+01:00

Its 02.11 in the morning, just after Diwali night. Back from Mama's place where we had our family Diwali party. Am ready to crash in bed but wanted to blog this feeling I had all day today. I had this great feeliing of being very clean, even pure , content , happy , at peace with myself,someone who knows he has done his bit . Dont know what trigerred it.

Cud be the spotless white Kurta that I won for Diwali which made me feel clean and pure, not just physically but also in the mind? This is the first time I have won a Kurta since I was a kid when we had to wear what Mum thought was right ; ) But I think I have been re-introduced to the Indian clothes scene.

Add a nice haircut I had in the morning. Not my usual "village idiot" look for 2 weeks after a haircut, but a "nice neat clean-cut not-too-long, not-too-short smooth finish haircut".

A trip to the Mandir in the afternoon and a nice long red tikka from the panditji to go with my Indian look ;)

Doing other things right - Going to the gym in the morning, doing chores for Mami and Ba, going to the Estate Agents to discuss my Apartment search , doing the laundry , cleaning the room, calling/texting friends new and old - Simple small things but which I keep postponing all the time. Doing them all in one day , Surely an achievement.

Finish that with a beautiful evening with lots of family on a Diwali night. Mamas/Mamis , Maasi/Maasa, cousins , kids , fireworks , pooja , Gujrati food , sweets and talking about India , old days when they were kids and my wedding(always a point of discussion during family get-togethers).

It was a beautiful day - One that connects us to our roots, makes us feel a bit more Indian than we usually do. Was gonna say bit more Hindu , but its not about religion at all, is it ? Yes, I do feel content and happy today.

Happy Diwali to each of you who's reading this. You are sharing my life as it happens. Some of you log on regularly to read my blog , like a friend who stays in touch constantly. I appreciate it and I wish you all a beautiful life , each day.

Don - Worth a watch

2006-10-20T10:52:00.000+01:00

Overall Rating : 6 Out of 10

There are movies which you know you want to watch(Lage Raho,KANK,etc) and there are movies which you know you dont(Jaanemann, any movies with Emraan Haashmi,etc). The trickier ones are the ones where you know you might probably be disappointed but you still cant help yourself from watching it. Don is in this category.

To be frank to Farhan and SRK, its not a bad movie. There are some bright sparks but overall it doesnt come close to the levels of the original Don , Dil Chaahta Hain or even Lakshya. Lets start with the bright sparks:

* The picturisation of the title song - Fantastic.Seriously, when you see the opulence with which the song is shot on a 70mm screen, it does take your breath away. SRK for the only time in the movie shows why he is the king - So much flair, style and passion.

* The ending (which you can see it coming but just want to watch how they pull it off)

* Some of the foreign locales which are a first for Bollywood

* Priyanka Chopra. Not her acting, silly , just the way she looks, walks , talks.And going by the some of the martial art stunts she(or her duplicate) have pulled off in this movie , she has the best chance to become a future Bond girl.

Now the bits where one feels let down:
* This is coming from a SRK fan - The Hair-Stylist and Costume Designer for SRK should be sacked. Not sure what they have tried to do , but except for a couple of good shirts and a song, SRK looks terrible. Its understandable if you are showing Bhikhu Matre wearing printed cheap shirts but The Don wearing crappy shirts does not go well with the profile. Same with the hairstyle. He doesnt look anywhere as stylish as the posters suggest,except for in a scene or 2.

* A few loose ends in the plot which I wont divulge as they might act as spoilers for those of you who might want to watch the movie

* Too many cheesy dialogues which unfortunately SRK doesnt manage to pull off. Does a good job with some but not all. You definitely want Amitabh to say "Don ka intezaar to gyaarah mulko ki police kar rahi hain par yeh baat samajh lo - Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi , namumkin hain".

* The X Factor which makes a movie a MUST-SEE isnt there. Am finding it tough to pin-point but as an example the first scene , the entry of the Don as we call it, isnt anything which makes you go WOW. In K3G during the title song , when he gets off the copter and comes running in the house, with the bag on his shoulder, the music in the background - now thats an entry which makes you go "Nice". Larger than life , thats the secret of SRK.

* The first hour of the movie lets it down. Gets a bit exciting towards the end.

Unfortunately have to rush for work(karna padta hain - nahi to beer ke paise kahan se aayenge) so will have to cut it short for the time being. Will add more later

Final Verdict - It wasnt as bad as I had feared.Its your usual Bollywood Masala fare and you will get your money's worth.

The Departed - Classic Stuff

2006-10-15T21:51:00.000+01:00

The Master is back in form and HOW !! Martin Scorsese is back in business with The Departed. Its one of those movies which even when you are half-way through watching it, you know that its Classic material, a movie which will stay in the minds of movie-lovers for decades and will be in everyone's DVD shelf along with Goodfellas, The Godfather and Fight Club. Jack Nicholson is well established as one of Hollywood's greatest and if anyone needs to know why, this movie should be enough proof for them. Leo DiCaprio's bashers will be forced to re-evaluate their opinions after a powerful performance. Martin Sheen, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg complete the all-star cast for an amazing and fulfilling movie experience. With a running time of 2 hrs 30 minutes its almost like a Hindi masala movie with tons of twists and turns - Only if Scorsese had added some songs ; ) A few Oscars guaranteed including Scorsese's first. You heard that here first.

Go watch it at a cinema and then get in queue behind me to buy the DVD.

Speechless

2006-10-15T11:51:00.000+01:00

Ever wondered what it would mean to lose your ability to speak? Ask me. I have caught some virus and cannot speak at all since yesterday.Well I can speak something but no one can understand me,like a 1 year old baby gurgling out some nonsense - And it hurts too, everytime I try. Its like those nightmares when someone comes to strangle you and you shout at the top of your lungs but no voice comes out, Its like someone has pressed the Mute button on my remote control. Never thot it wud be possible, its that bad and all in 24 hrs - I was OK yday afternoon. Managed to have a 90 second alien-style phone conversation with Maasi but it was more of her talking for 85 seconds telling me what medicines to take and to go to the Doc first thing tomorrow than anything else (Mums and Maasis - How did God make such wonderful people). I am trying to imagine my conversation with the Pharmacist - All in sign language and alien/baby speak , Fun and games on a quiet Sunday afternoon when England is playing India and its me whos getting screwed because of Tebbit's Test(Some jackass who rightly or wrongly came up with this idea that you cannot really trust the loyalty of a person who even though has a British passport supports the country of his origin in a cricket match). So if you want to hear some alien/baby swearing, you know who to call.

UPDATE 16th Oct:
Went to the doctor first thing morning as I cannot speak at all now. He thinks I have Pharyngitis but I think I have Laryngitis. I think I will go with his diagnosis for the moment as he has done a 5 year degree called Medicine which I havent. And to be frank doesnt really matter this time, as Antibiotics are the suggested cure for both of these. So whether the Antibiotics fix my Pharynx or my Larynx, I dont really care. Just fix my voice, you little magic pills.

UPDATE to UPDATE 20th Oct:
Almost back to normal. Just in time for Diwali!!!

Mumbai - Cant help falling in love with you

2006-10-13T21:14:00.000+01:00

Since I have come back from Mumbai I am in the UB40 mood. I am thinking A gorgeous island in the middle of the sea in Jamaica or Tahiti, Me lying there next to this babe, some coconut and rum based cocktail with a tiny umbrella , and of course UB40 playing Red Red Wine and Falling in Love. Not that Mumbai is anything like that but its abt the mind of frame. I feel relaxed, confident, at peace with the world, looking at life from a positive angle. Not sure how long this feeling will last but I am loving it till it does. Click on the UB40 song links on the right,close your eyes, listen and feel transported to another world.

The more I think abt my experience in Mumbai, the more I start to beleive how the roles have reversed between the former colony and the imperial power. And I am not just talking about the Outsourced jobs.

Lets start from the drive to the airport:
London Wimbledon(My Home) to London Heathrow - 15 Miles - 90 minutes at 4.30 PM
Sahar International Airport to Juhu(my home) - 10 Kms - 35 minutes at 9.30 AM
Yes, its miles Vs Kms but remember we are also comparing roads in a Western developed world against the chaos in Mumbai. Add the fact that I as a car-owner in London pay £175 every year as Road Tax against my Dad paying Zilch as road tax in India and it gives you an idea abt how bad the traffic system is in the UK, against money spent by the users.

At London Heathrow, I stand in the BA Check-in queue for around 70 minutes.
At Sahar International, I stand in the BA Check-in queue for less than 5 minutes.
Yes, there are more BA flights flying out from the UK but thats no excuse for being so inefficient.Plus its not just BA but even other airlines like Air India and Alitalia where it takes ages to check-in at Heathrow.

Immigration Queue waiting-time when I land in Mumbai = 30 seconds
Immigration Queue waiting-time when I land back in London = 20-25 minutes
Very well co-ordinated and well staffed Immigration counter in Mumbai. 2 or 3 entire flights were cleared in around an hour. Before you argue that there are more illegal people coming into the UK and so immigration checks takes more time, let me tell you that I was in the UK Passports queue. So cant even start to imagine what the queue for "All other nationalities" would be like at Heathrow.

All restaurants and bars in Mumbai provide Valet parking, so no need to waste 20 minutes just to find parking space when you go for dinner with family/friends ,unlike here.

Forget going online to buy your groceries where you have to search for what you want, go into various categories, load your shopping basket, type in your credit card number, figure out best time to get groceries delivered and so on. In Mumbai, when its raining my Mum calls her local grocer with her list in her hand, and in an hour this guy comes on a scooter with all the groceries that she ordered. No extra cost, Just pay cash on delivery. Same for everything else including DVDs, Fruits and Vegs, Dhobiwalah(Laundry), you name it.

You go to a store and the jeans length is not right ?
London : You buy the jeans , take it to your tailor , who will alter it for 10 quid and you can collect it after 3 days
Mumbai : Excellent quality alteration by the store tailor at no extra cost in 15 minutes - Now thats service.

No electricity cuts, no water cuts while I was there. Juhu beach was much cleaner than in the 90s. Air-conditioned public transport buses plying on the major routes.

You get the picture. Tons of such small things which all together combine to give a much better standard of living to the Well-to-do in Mumbai.Yes, I know my stay there was not a good representation of a "Day in the life of a typical Mumbaikar", but still I did compare notes with Dad and he acknowledges that "standard of living" - the reason that most people say when asked why they move abroad - is getting better specially for the higher and middle class and hopefully it will trickle down to the lower levels in the years to come. Amen.

Salaam Mumbai !!!