The Grey Confessions

The Ego

2010-01-21T17:17:00.004+05:30

"Only enemies speak the truth; friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of duty."

It was an amazing evening..the sun painting the horizon in golden colour. A perfect evening to stroll by the seaside, holding the hands of your beloved. Listening to the silence..whispering the sweet nothings. Taking a stroll and eating roasted groundnuts, yes it was one of those evening when anything and everything was alright.
And yet he was alone unaffected by the beauty around him. Sitting in a deserted coffee shop by the seaside, sipping a cup of black coffee..he was wondering - "How the Hell!! Am I going to get out of this mess I have landed into?"

He was not sure how long his savings would hold him up.

But he was not excessively concerned. He had friends. His friends would help him.. if survival became tough. Afterall they always had in the past. But that was not his concern..his mind was pre-occupied with the thoughts of him about to be getting married. Not that he did not like the girl. She was perfect and he had always wanted a girl like her. Sweet, Charming & Loving.
But it was his own web of lies!

Last night he went to meet the girl and her relatives. And as is the norm with the relatives..they exaggerated about the their expectations of bridegroom. He was caught in the flow.
He had an ego..he always had..and then he lied more than he had actually planned to..
He told them he had a car and was earning 40000. He was not worried then..he knew his boss would help him out... He always did...

He couldn’t believe only yesterday he thanked god for the luck that came his way..

Bubbling with the newly found happiness he accosted his boss..
"Boss! I have got a good news."

"So Marriage is finally on the cards"

"How do you...?"

"I know everything" said the boss, owner of a small time company manufacturing small auto parts to different industries.
"It was about time too. One should marry at the right age" he continued smilingly.

"Well Yeah..But I have a favour to ask..If you don’t mind"

"Oho Salary increase..no issues..now that you are married additional responsibilities..ok it would be raised to 10000. So is that all?"

"Oh thank you sir.. but.."

" Oh I almost forgot your leaves for marriage and honeymoon is also approved. I have also instructed the cashier to give you the next month's salary in advance."

"What can I say Boss.. thank you so much.. no other employer will be as caring as you! I am very lucky!" He had meant every word he said.

"That's enough. Now get back to your work" Boss said teasingly.

He was in a dilemma now.. His boss had given him so much that it was hard to ask more.. Somehow he had not even thought about honeymoon.. but maybe she would want it..
His father in law was supposed to come over the weekend… so he knew he had to approach his boss again.. but he was not sure how he could.. He cursed himself thousand times over for being so stupid..

Boss was watching him from the cabin and could make out that he was worried..worried about something. Being a concerned employer he was..who knew that the road to success is through employee's happiness. He got up from his seat and walked up to him.

"What is the matter. You seem to be worried. What is it? Tell me?"

"Boss..I have a problem.. I don't know how to ask you."

"What is it?"

"I want a car. My father in law is coming this weekend."

"This is petty thing. Take mine."

"No I want my car."

"You buy it for me and cut it gradually over the years.. besides with the money that my in-laws would give me.. I will give it back to you"

'Why do you want so many burdens on yourself? You are starting a new life there would be more important things that needs to be take care off. Besides this even with a salary of 10000 you wont' be able to afford it."

"I have lied to my father in law. So I need it."

"I am sorry . But I cannot give it. Why did you lie?"

"“Then.. I may have to quit this job” he said dispassionately knowing his boss would buckle down..

Shocked the boss looked at him for sometime. He wanted to rile.. "Do you have any idea what you are talking about?" But he didn’t. It was not his responsibility to teach him sense and he was angered then. After doing so much for them.. this is what he has to come against time and again… He picked out his checkbook.. generously gave him the current months complete pay.. almost threw it on his face and said

"So be it then. I expect you to clear your desk within an hour"

Riding on false bravado he had left with a huff.

And since then he has been lost.. not knowing what to do..

He could hear the waiters talking in mushed voices.."Kya lukkha hai yaar.. 2 ghante se Ek cup coffee piya hai.. pata nahi kahan kahan se aajate hai"(What a loser ..has been sitting for the past two hours with just a cup of coffee)

Outside the weather had suddenly changed to worse..It was raining heavily..he could see the giants waves leaping on the seashore.

Smiling ironically at the waiters thought.. he went towards the vast seashore .. one final time.

He could not let his "Ego" die.

The Honey Syrup

2010-01-19T19:37:00.001+05:30

She was feeble, her face was pale and her lips were dry…..it was more than a week that she laid in bed. He touched her hand and she deposed it away. He could see her perspiring forehead before she covered her face into the blanket and rolled to the other side showing her back to him. He gently touched her shoulder and called her name.

She muttered something, acknowledging that she was aware of his presence. She was but half asleep. He saw the medicines lay there by her bedside, the same way he left them in the morning. Some cat had spilt the milk from the cup and drunk more than half of it.

“You have to drink this syrup to heal” he said.

She didn’t like that honey smelling syrup. “I hate that smell” and the taste is “Yuck” she said turning to him.
“I am glad that your nose is cleared” he smiled

“This will heal your fever. Drink this” He lied down next to her on one arm….while in another hand he held the syrup.

She twisted her head off and turned away to the other side. He sat up next to her. He pulled her to a sitting position with his free arm. She couldn’t sit on her own. He let her rest against his chest.

She tried to speak, to tell him not to force her, but before the words could slip from her tongue the warm edge of the cup touched her lips and the fluid leaked into her dry mouth. She shook her head vigorously and he pulled the drink from her.
“I do not want it ….leave me alone.” She yelled in a frail voice
“No,” it was all that came from him, however it was firm. He raised the cup to her again, but she refused and turned aside.

His tightened his hold and his hand reached the back of her neck, holding her head upright. The cup tipped, pouring the concoction into her mouth and he had to remove it once as she spat some of the mixture from her lips and it drenched her blankets.

“You leave me no choice,” he was tough,
but this time before she could spit off the liquid, he covered her lips with his. She struggled to free herself from his grasp, but in her weakened state it was to no avail. She swallowed, and it was only then that he removed his lips.

She frowned at him and wished to speak, but the cup was at her lips again. But before she knew it, so were his. He repeated this action until the cup had been emptied of its contents, mercilessly forcing the drink into her body.

“How dare you,” she tried to growl or perhaps snap at him, but it only came out as a worn out whisper. He placed her head back onto her pillow and pulled the blankets tightly around her chest.

“Sleep well,” he said.

The Frog

2010-01-15T18:06:00.005+05:30

Once upon a time in a distant forest lived there lived a small community of frogs… As it happens in those days they spoke beautifully.

In soft tender tone they would sing songs of the pond. The lotus would go to sleep listening to their songs. The flies mesmerized by them would stop mid air alas would be caught dead. The birds would keep quiet in envy. They would move away high up on the trees to sing.. to not to interrupt. Few of the brave souls would try to challenge them but most either slinked away or joined them in their symphony keeping time.

It was an ideal world. A paradise.

Into such a world came one poor frog. He didn’t have a sweet voice. He croaked. And to balance this defect out, god had given him the skill of enterprising and the intelligence to use it. He marketed himself as unique artist. When he spoke people listened. Simply because he was different.

He was very much in demand.. and the whole of next generation imitated him blindly. Especially the Toad X.
Toad X was such an imitator that he surpassed his idol. He talked like him walked like him. And inculcated it onto others as the ‘cool’ thing!
Many generations passed as it happens and all the frogs forgot that they can sing. They all croaked now and thought, croaking is how they sound. Until one day Junior X was born. Interestingly, he was left alone by everyone as.. he sung.

And when he sung, the flies stopped mid air. All the members of the pond envied him and hated him.. as he was so different. Which he wasn’t.. he was more true to what they really were than anybody else.

But that my friend was his crime.

He was suppressed, tortured until he gave up singing until he died. And when he died, he was celebrated as the one and only singing frog who was brave enough to survive in this cruel pond…

And that perhaps is the story of every being in this world….

The Fantasies

2010-01-13T14:08:00.003+05:30

He was a wonderful artist, people said. A magician of words. A great story teller. When his pen started to weave magic, no one could remain unaffected. Under his blazing sun, she all but remained over shadowed. She had gentle ways, she did. And she never begrudged him for he was her sun..her knight in shining armor. She was very much content to rest in the welcoming shade of his shadow and protection.

But she was always there for him. To listen, to correct, to advise, to hold his arms, pick up his clothes and plates behind. To make sure he eats, he sleeps... Like a true soul mate.

And he took all of it as his due. She loved him yes... But she wished for once he would notice her, for all that she did.

She kept the fireplace burning, literally and figuratively while he journeyed through the land of fantasies. He talked about emotions, alive and raging, of gentle murmurs and whispers, of sighs and nudges. And yet, or may be because of it, he never understood them in real life.

She wished for once, just once, for him to notice her. Really notice her. Not with those dreamy eyes that she loved so much but in complete awareness. She wished she could be more than an audience to his fantasies..she wanted to be a part of it.

Alas, her wish was never fulfilled while she was alive. There were just too many ideas waiting to be spun into intricate stories.

And then it happened. She died. She was gone forever from his life..unnoticed.

He couldn’t write anymore. For you see, all his stories were for her, of her in many different avatars. When the muse died, the art decided to abandon him to his grief.

If only she knew, it was her, always her, that lived in his fantasy!

The Window

2010-01-11T18:45:00.005+05:30

It was a sunny afternoon. My companion was still sleeping, dreaming her wonderful dreams, while I looked out of the window, observing the passersby. There were not many. A small kid of 4-5 years playing ball on the road with his imaginary friend. An old man chiding him to stick to the pavements. A woman in the next building hanging clothes as the wind blew on her face. And there was a lady waiting to cross the road at the corner, lost in her thoughts.
I wondered what she was thinking. She seemed pleasantly happy. In a way, she was day dreaming. As the signal changed, I saw her looking this way before crossing, just to be sure. I couldn’t help but smile. Then I recognized her. She was… She was my wife.

There it was. My living nightmare. My most cherished dream. I willed her to look up, to notice me. I hoped she would. Then this charade would end. This game of lies that I played with each living breath. A farce that wasn’t even original.

And then she looked up. And I … forever a coward, instinctively moved backwards. She hadn’t seen me. She was looking at the birds flying in tandem to an unknown music, perfectly choreographed. I was glad for a moment, and yet, despair seemed to raise its ugly head.

Was it that she trusted me so blindly, or was it that she knew and accepted it as a passing fancy ? And yet, with contrariness of emotions, I could feel a rage building within myself. But whom was this rage directed towards? Her for not noticing? or me , for wanting her to notice and letting truth come to light, or towards my lover, who by her sheer presence made these lies necessary?

I looked at her receding back. She looked happy. A stranger on the road. My wife. She was happy. I wasn’t.

Presently, my lover demanded to know what caught my attention. I said, it seemed like raining , as I closed the windows and returned to her welcoming arms.

TRRRRINGGGG....the alarm buzzes N I wake up from my dream!!

P.S. This is an excerpt from a dream that I had few nights back..have tried my best to put it in words ..of course with little imagination in order to give it shape. Hope I had a way to remember my dreams.

The Lucky Chinese Tag: Eminent Eights

2010-01-07T17:05:00.010+05:30

So here is an interesting tag..if the name was indicative of something..it’s suppose to bring luck..and LUCK is what I need..

I was tagged by Amity Me - wonderful writer with immense creativity..

Thanks Amity for tagging me..

Quite an interesting tag as it makes you dig deep within to answer all the questions..So here is my attempt to answer all the questions..

Now am keeping my fingers crossed and waiting for the "Lady Luck" to smile on me..

8 TV shows I like to watch:
1. Travel & Living - Anthony Bourdain No Reservations - Wish I could get paid for a job like his!
2. Discovery - The Haunted & Man Vs Wild
3. Cricket Matches - No matter who is playing
4. Tom & Jerry - I completely adore the series
5. News Channels - Esp the ones that constantly telecast cheesy news like World's coming to end n blah blah.I watch them as if they were some comedy series...
6. Any reality shows related to Dancing (As I have got two left feet when it comes to dancing I just watch and and motivate myself..maybe one day..someday)
7. HBO Movies
8. WWE Matches - Its funny..but I guess the child in me still loves the show despite of knowing that its just a gimmick

8 favorite place to eat and drink:
1. Azzurro- They have same great range of pasta dishes..
2. Subway - Love the subs ova dere
3. Barbecue Nation - The exotic range of kebabs on offer are mouth-watering
4. Sarvanan & Udupi - They both serve some excellent South Indian Food
5. Satvik - Have never come across a better place when it comes to indulging in vegetarian food
6. Chicken Inn - Open till wee hours in night it has an elaborate menu
7. Coriander Leaf - Specializes in Pakistani and North Indian cuisine
8. Mom's Kitchen - No restaurant comes close to it.

8 things I look forward to:
1. Holidays & Weekends - Am already missing them...
2. Getting my Guitar - Courtesy "N"'s sweet relatives..am so looking forward to taking some lessons in guitar
3. Be regular with my blog
4. Year Twenty Ten - 2009 was little disappointing I hope and pray this year turns out to better
5. To plan an outing with my friends who mean a lot to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the last trip to Agra.
6. Be an optimist
7. Be Selfish - Its time I start being a little selfish and think about me and just me
8. Meeting my Parents

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. Spoke to mom for a length
2. Dreamt of tossing a coin at Trevi Fountain - Legend has it that one who tosses the coin in the fountain is guaranteed a return to Rome..
3. Realized that "Love is Actually Blind" - A friend of mine is dating a girl who is one of the most annyoing person I ever meet
4. Laughed out Loud about the point #3
5. Thought of uploading the New Year Party pics on FB
6. Thought that life is not fair - It keeps on testing your patience.
7. Was wondering what to do this weekend
8. Heard a nice song ..but cannot recall it now..trying..still trying..no use

8 Things I love about winter:
1. The food and the veggies that come with season
2. Winters means New Year and party time for me
3. Curling up with ... and a blanket and watching some good movie...*evil smile*
4. Jackets & Sweaters
5. The fog
6. Stuffed Parathas - Of course with dollops of butter
7. Sleeping
8. Hot soup indoors in the warm when its horrible outside

8 things on my wishlist: (That I am most unlikely to get)
1. Own a high end Phone
2. Guitar
3. Learn to dance - Can think of singing though I would love it
4. The amazing ability to turn lights and appliances on and off with the mere clap of my hands
5. Vacation to Bahamas
6. And Seychelles
7. And Galpagos Islands And Mauritius, Panama, Cayman Islands, Hawaii....
8. I wish i could care less about some things and say "F*** it all"

8 things 'am passionate about:
1. My collection of DVD's - Guess I should have close to 1000 movies by now
2. Music
3. Hanging out with friends
4. Good Food
5. Cooking
6. Travelling
7. Neatness - Many people Frown at this habit of mine..staying neat and keeping my house and bed absolutely clean
8. Watching Movies

8 words/phrase I often use:
1. Theek Hai - Its ok..can be often used as.. Hope you understand
2. Aur Batao - What else?
3. Yup
4. Yes
5. I love you
6. Kya Baat Hai! - An expression that can be substituded for WoW
7. Dost - Friend
8. Wassup??

8 things I learnt from the past:
1. Relationships end only when you want them to end.
2. Nothing lasts forever.
3. You reach a stage in relationships when what is unsaid becomes more important than what has been said.
4. Everyone is selfish.
5. For some people its not the quality of time but the quantity of time that matters.
6. You don’t need to be a handsome hunk to walk away with the most beautiful lady.
7. The prettiest ladies in the world would either be married or engaged to someone else.
8. People say" Forgive but do not forget" whereas what they mean is " Forget but do not forgive"

8 places I would love to go/visit/see:
1. Volunteering in some African Countries
2. Visiting the lesser explored islands like Galapagos
3. Watch the Northern Lights
4. Valley of Flowers
5. Sydney
6. Dubai
7. Auckland
8. Bermuda Triangle

8 things I currently want/need:
1. Break..From life..job..relationships..everything
2. Want to Sleep
3. Wish "N" was here she would know what to do..
4. Wish that its a "Better Day Tomorrow"
5. Wish to meet my friends
6. A time Machine - Ne clue where I could get one..
7. Money.. - Strongly believe that to say that money does not matter you need to have money.
8. Nice comments to my post - Phew am tired..mentally exhausted after completing this tag..

8 people I would love to tag:
I dearly wish to share the luck with everyone who follows my blog..but being binded by the rules am picking up my eight choices...
1. Angel6033 - In Joy and Sorrows
2. Girl Next Door - Moments I will cherish
3. Bubba784 - Globe Trotter
4. CutePriya - Very Mee
5. Sid - Sidoscope
6. Sulagna - Pink N Black
7. Gavin - Insanity's Musings
8. Deeps!! - Word as form of life

I know I have missed out on a lot of people and now am having second thoughts ..about tagging people..so I request anyone who reads the post is tagged and its obligatory for him/her to answer this tag..

Wish Me LUck Now!!
:-)

The Workplace

2010-01-05T21:44:00.011+05:30

Offices or Workplaces are not merely a place to work.(Hope my boss does not read this) For many of us like me they are "observatories of human nature" and this is where many of us like me learn important lesson of life - Wisdom.

Thought of sharing these pearls of wisdom with my fellow bloggers that I have accumulated over my years of observation.

DISCLAIMER: Well I write this post with intention of not hurting anyone and Just an FYI thankfully none of these people work with me.

The Mr./Miss/Mrs. Know-it-All
The KIA guy is extremely difficult to get rid off. The know-it-all runs on a shortage of self-esteem, sometimes connected to limitations in certain anatomy or their personalities. They hope by projecting their vast and superior knowledge, they can compensate for their shortcomings; pun intended. Coworkers in this category can be identified by their habits of putting irrelevant trivial facts into conversations, by trying to dominate meetings and in challenging every other point raised someone else. Can be quite irritating at times.

The Drama Magnet
Both males and females can use drama to make their uninteresting lives interesting. They dramatize all aspects of their life to make them look interesting. For them, work is like the professional league of drama. Drama Magnets pick fights, get insulted easily and have a complaint about everything from the water cooler to the weather. Drama Queens/Kings have got huge social circles and always want to remain the centre of attraction.

The Boss's Pet
People belonging to this group are both sweet and slippery; they are “loyal” to everyone, but primarily to the boss. Keep away from them because, they will betray, spy and kill to advance their career. Beware of what you say around them because you know they are just gathering information. Your boss probably knows how fake those belonging to this category are, but most bosses need pets; they aid in their rule and make bosses feel powerful.

Expert tip to Spot One: They sing "Happy birthday" the loudest on the boss’s special day.

The Doormat
Everyone steps all over them and makes them feel insignificant. Underpaid and perhaps underappreciated, they would hate their job if they had ambitions or self respect. The doormat sort of person thinks that they are important and in-the-know, when in fact this is just a delusion to compensate for dignity. However, there are enticing doormats, they make you wonder how a human can function with no spine.

The Rumor King/Queen
Well this category is primarily dominated by females. If it wasn’t their hidden talent of gossip, I would have termed members of this group to be "Doormats". They seem enthusiastic about work because they appear to discuss it so much. They are actually talking about co-workers. The smaller your office, the less they have to discuss — therefore larger companies are their primary stomping ground for them. Rumor King/Queens more often than not tend to be tea drinkers, smokers and water cooler clingers. Through my experience have figured out that best way to deal with them is to listen, nod your head, but do not talk.

Hope you enjoy the post and do let me know about the other Hybrids or Species that I might have missed out on.
Would love to know about them.

New Year Cometh

2009-12-31T15:36:00.003+05:30

New Year’s Day is almost here; the start of a new calendar year and a time when we all seem to give in to the imperative to renew and remake ourselves.

Are you planning on losing 5 lbs?
Taking up an exercise program?
Stop (a) smoking (b) overeating or (c) overspending?

Well different people have different wishes & resolutions..but for me..its plain and simple..I just want my life to to be "still" not that I hate progress and do not have aspirations..

Click on image for blow-up

Sometimes I just sit down and think..that with every passing year life gets tough and more complicated..

Oh I am so envious of the little kid who does not have to care about anything happening in this world..
I get goosebumps thinking about my school life..crushes..girls..fights..
I miss my college life..late night parties..bunking lectures..last minute preps before the exams..

But I guess changes are part of life and every New Year brings - Inevitable "Changes".

I feel some changes coming...good changes of course! Not only for me but for everyone associated with me..

As My Angel always says to me - When the WHOLE WORLD says "Give up", HOPE whispers ' One more time"

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.

Here is Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!!

Absence

2009-12-30T20:31:00.002+05:30

Hello my fellow bloggers.

I hope you all are having a nice Christmas holiday season.

Anyway, I have been off site for longer than I care to, due to a steadily increasingly busy schedule, both personally and professionally.

More of it could be professionally, have been going through a mental block. Don't know whether it just happens with me or does everyone face it sometime!

I just couldn't write anymore. I still haven't been able to figure out why, but I could not. After my last post there was sort of a perpetual block.There were so many things on my mind which I wished to write about but when it actually came to penning it down, I was lost.

I kind of developed a major "depression". Though I feel that depression might be a bit too strong word to explain my state. It goes like that for me. I have periods of relative stability and then weeks of being your regular zombie. I WANTED to write. But I couldn't. There really isn't a good example to explain this. But when I get in that mode, I simply don't want to do anything.

And it's not just with writing. It's with even the most basic things. I really shouldn't be doing this. But I'm only sharing it because I think people need more than just, "I couldn't write."

For a person who makes his living out of "Writing", I could not write seems to be lame excuse. But it's true.

But on the brighter side am back and back for good, with lots of thoughts and determination. Writing these many paragraphs in the past few weeks for my blog certify's that am on stage of recovery.

Initially,I considered simply not addressing my long absence at all. But it seemed likely people would wonder why I would have been gone for so long from a blog I myself created. Yet, the reasons for my absence were not particularly interesting.

So with this post, I acknowledge my absence and register an intention not to let there be so long an absence again.

I only want to say that I want to continue to be a part of this and not just as an observer.

Got a lot to catch upon!!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!

Random Things and an Award

2009-11-12T19:14:00.005+05:30

Being relatively new to the blogging world..I did not expect any award, when I started..but for me nearly all the best things that I have in my life have been unexpected and unplanned..

So it was little unexpected but extremely heartening when I got my first award for my blog from fellow blogger SmileyFreak - An extremely talented blogger with a great sense of humor and a magician of words.Thanks a ton mate for this award - This being the first award for my blog, would always hold a special place for me..

Also a big thanks to all the fellow bloggers who take out their time to read through my random posts and leave their valuable comments and suggestions..

So as they say with great awards comes great responsibilities(Poor Joke - Sorry but could not find a better line..Hope you like the tweak..) here are some rules

1. Thank whoever gave this to you

2. Copy award

3. Post it in your blog

4. Tell us 7 things that your readers don’t know

5. Link 7 new bloggers

6. Notify winners of the award with a comment on their blog

7. Most of all - Keep being awesome!

Did You Know.....

1. I love cooking. If I had an option to sit back at home and cook food, while my wife/gf goes for work, I wont mind.

2. I just have two colors in my wardrobe - Black and white.

3. During school days, I got myself enrolled in a "Painting Class" to meet a girl on whom I had a crush. Though I really sucked at painting. (As I write this I am wondering where is she now?)

4. I am scared of syringes.

5. I live and breathe competition. This goes for sports, work and even conversations; I can't help it and it sometimes aggravates people but I definitely don't like to lose.

6. I don’t have a creative bone in my body. I can’t draw, paint, play an instrument, sing, or dance. Nope, nada, not a one. That’s probably why I am so passionate about music and the arts. The ability for a human to create, draw or paint a life-like image just stirs me to my soul. (Yeah, and I am jealous too.)

7. I love getting drenched in rains.(Many a times have just walked out on the streets or on the terrace to get drenched in rain)

8. I think there are two types of people in this world, those who can count to seven and those who can't.( Gotcha!!..A mischievous smile)

Oh I so wish..I could give this award to every blogger that I follow, but unfortunately..am bound by the terms and conditions..
So without any further ado I award this award to:

Chocolate Lover: Love the poems..they are so AWESOME
Amity ME: Great creative posts
Angel6033: Honest and unique
SiD "Ravan" Kabe: For giving me daily dose of laughter
Girl Next Door: For those thoughtful and meaningful posts
Sulagna: Reading her posts is just pure fun( Reminds me of the Indian in me)
ChinkyGirLMeL: Because..because..I Just like them..

Congratulations to all!!

The Silver Lining

2009-11-10T19:51:00.003+05:30

When the clouds show no promise of a silver lining, there is grief and there are many ways of dealing with this sadness.

Some blame Him, He who is the eternal punching bag. The weight of their gunny bag hasn’t really reduced physically, but in their minds maybe they feel a little lighter. ‘He brought in these clouds, He better bring in the sunlight soon. Otherwise, there is no God.’

Some wallow in self-pity and do practically nothing but just whine at their misfortune- ‘Life is not fair. Why can’t these clouds hover above the neighbor’s house? Why me? I am helpless.’

Some are practical; they just look at the sky and say- ‘It’s cloudy today. It’ll rain and things will be messy. It’s beyond anyone’s capacity to stop the rain; no point wasting my time worrying about it. I’m going ahead and doing what I was doing.’

Very few are determined action seekers, doing what they can, leaving no stone in the world unturned knowing very well that it’s an impossible daunting task. Even at the most miserable and trying times, they have the capacity to smile and count their blessings while keeping the faith. They have a glimmering hope in spite of depleted resources and harrowing prognosis.

It’s a high time that silver lining made its presence felt.

Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.

Innocence Killed

2009-11-06T14:51:00.003+05:30

"What colour is the sky?", the teacher asked the little boy. The image of the sky he'd seen just before class flashed past the boy’s mind.

An image so clear and powerful that it made him forget all about what he'd been taught at school over the preceding few months, and he blurted out his answer, "White". The kids laughed.
It became the joke of the day, one that would unite them all in good-humored conversation but be easily forgotten by the next day. But the boy remembered. Till much later.

Because he never understood why everyone said the sky was blue when it wasn't. It confused him. It was white, most of the time. There were times when it was yellow, or orange. It was black every night. He had seen blue in it too, but only occasionally.
And then those rare times when he saw shades of pink.
The poor thing could never quite make up his mind about the colour of the sky. Among many other things.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Always Listen to your Mom

2009-11-05T18:04:00.004+05:30

Click on the image for a Blow-up

Found it while browsing through one of the sites and thought of sharing this..Found it really hilarious..

Keep smiling..

Discovering Me

2009-11-04T20:37:00.008+05:30

POST DEDICATED TO “N”

Sometimes people come into your life
And you know right away that they were meant to be there.
To serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson,
Or to help you figure out who you are or what you are..

Sitting in the cubicle of his office he had nothing better to do then to just surf websites and remain engrossed in them, he was always a loner, a “Dreamer” you might say..

Off late he had been smoking a lot (He knew he would have to cut down on the number..if not stop it completely) But did he actually care about it- “No”..

So it was just another day in office. Most of his days where pretty much the same. Work!! Work!! And More Work!! That was the only way he could take his mind off the pain and sorrow he had been going through.
One boring day he stumbled across a cute picture of a lady smiling courtesy his habit of surfing websites(She was cute that's what he thought) Dressed in pink she looked like a cute teddy- the one that girls go completely ga-ga over.
He sent a “ Friend Request" to her..hoping that she would "Reject" it..

After all he was a strangely introverted lad with dreamy eyes, no one had ever associated him with any act of bravado especially when it came to love.

But Surprise! Surprise!..she accepted and that's how they kicked off..

She was full of questions. It was as if she was holding something back for years. What’s this? What’s that? It was irritating but he loved it. He was getting the much needed attention that had very much phased out from his life. He was lonely and he needed it and perhaps so was she.

The couple were separated by different time zones..distances which neither of them could cross.. when one fine day..she took a step to erase out the distance and call him. It was the loveliest voice he had heard in years. Just like the chirping of those lovely birds. Her giggles were so musical and timely as if she had been practicing it for years till she mastered them.

Those words and giggles gave him the strength to hold onto his scattered life. But the distance was just too much and her assurances were not working any more. Well guess it was the end after all, isn’t this the way most long distance relationship’s end?

"NO"
Sometimes love is stronger than a man's convictions.

Said the Lords of Heaven. They met, yes after a year of holding onto each other and six months of expressing their undying love for each other they met.

She was beautiful just as he had thought she would be. They were meeting for the first time but it never seemed like the first.

It seemed they had known each other from years before. Maybe they had been together in their past life(But he rubbished the idea as he did not believe in the concept of rebirth and neither did she)

"Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.”

Her long lost faith in love was restored and so was her faith in MEN, LOVE & LIFE.

The romance continued and kept on growing as years passed by. The tiny spark that ignited when they first saw each other was now a powerful flame. Even after four years, the love for each other remained but now was the time when he had to make a choice.

He had to answer the toughest question of his life. When would he marry her or rather Should he marry her? After all four years were good enough time to know a person right?

This question was slowly eating him up and he was wondering what the answer to this question would be.
Posing in front of the World's Best known monument of Love..he knew he had figured out the answer..the answer that would make them Happy.

"She was his sunshine and he could not let anyone take his sunshine away from him"

The doubts and hesitations had cleared. The skies had opened up and it started to rain.

The rain stormed down and swept away the inhibitions that he had in his mind…

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away…

The Crime

2009-11-02T20:32:00.003+05:30

Actually intended to write a post about the Halloween or something more funny.. but somehow it’s just no more on my mind. Was going through news today and got stuck on a particular piece of news.

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_13690105

Guess this problem has been seen as a 'woman's problem' for far too long and we urgently need more people to publicly condemn this sexual violence and heinous crime.

Neon lights and heavy music, sweat and perfumes and deos, almost killing one of the five senses, in trance and hypnotised bodies.. grooving to the unidentifiable beats.. who cared for music.. when an unattained state of nirvana was all the fever of the night..

Contagious, yes it was.. for every one who stepped into THE CLUB..

She was taken in by that fever too as she entered the disc that night, dressed in a black and grey spaghetti and low waist jeans. She gelled in with the crowd, both attire and attitude wise.

After a few swigs of tequila shots, a state of loose control had taken over her mind. Her friends, who she had come with were lost in the crowd and so was she. But there was someone who had just found her and noticed her.

Too much of tequila and dancing had induced a sort of a sick feeling in her. A breath of fresh air would have perhaps relaxed her. She made her way to the door brushing past the "in-trance" crowd. In the darkness and with a beating brain, she could hardly see the door, but she did manage to reach it..

And the door closed behind her as she walked out..

The next morning as she opened her eyes and perhaps her mind she was in an hospital with bruises all over her body and yes.. her brain.. and now her life!!

They said she had wronged by wearing revealing and seditious clothes and then toppping it all by drinking tequila.

A woman, they say should always.. always.. always.. never do what she did..!!

She had sinned and she had paid..!!

But was it her who had SINNED or WE?

The Bastard of Istanbul

2009-10-29T17:36:00.002+05:30

Have been trying for quite some time to finish up a book that I bought and I successfully managed to do it last night.

The Book: The Bastard of Istanbul
Author: Elif Shafak

"The Bastard of Istanbul," set in the United States and Turkey, concerns two families — one Turkish, living in Istanbul and the other Armenian, divided between Tucson, Arizona and San Francisco.

The Bastard of Istanbul refers to 19-year-old Asya, a rebellious young Turkish woman who simply adores Johnny Cash's music. She lives in a household with her mother and aunts and her only uncle has emigrated to America. Her uncle's Armenian-American stepdaughter, Armanoush, sneaks off to Istanbul to learn more about her Armenian past. Asya and Armanoush become good friends, intrigued by each other's culture.

The family this young woman encounters is a confusing swirl of four generations of women that includes a great-grandmother suffering from Alzheimer's disease; a disapproving, distant and angry grandmother; her four daughters; and one great-granddaughter. The eldest daughter is a self- styled Muslim mystic; another is a high school teacher, and yet another a schizophrenic. The youngest runs a tattoo parlor and has an illegitimate daughter, the bastard of the novel's title.

The story like a roller coaster ride has its up's and downs and results in a secret hat links the two families pasts, tracing back to the 1915 Armenian deportations and massacres.

I loved the wry humor and the social observations, as well as the author putting the personal lives of her people in a larger political tableau.

The one thing that you cannot miss about the book is that it truly describes life..its complications. That is how I have known my life to be.. full of entangles and complications.

The characters in The Bastard of Istanbul are so alive they leap off the page to sit beside you on the couch. What women! Brave ones, silly ones, intellectuals and dopes.

Right now after reading the book my mind is clogged with so many questions-

What if we learn brutal truths about our families’ pasts? What if we learn about the atrocities from which we are all descended? Are we victims? Are we perpetrators? Aren’t we all suffering the consequences? Once we gain knowledge of the truth of our past, what should we do with that knowledge?

Grrrrrrrr......wish I had the answers to it..

Will try figuring out the answers..Till then in the words of the lead character of the book..

"Whatever falls from the sky above, thou shall not curse it..That includes the rain..."

P.S. Do let me know about any good books that you would suggest me to read.Thanks!!

Love Hurts

2009-10-28T00:58:00.003+05:30

surrounded by a battalion of adversaries, most of whom he thought were his kins.. he was the lone warrior.. although looking at him one could think so.. but it was not a fight for surivival.. his desparation was more out of his ambition to emerge as a winner.,

for she had promised him that she'd be his prize if he won this.. she, on whom he had his eyes set even as he was fighting.. she, who stood there on the hill and watched him fight.. she, to whom he looked for support, for strength.. for inspiration..and she kept it all away from him.. the only inspiration he gathered was an illusion of his heart.. his heart, where he thought she still lived..but what was he to to know was that she'd already chosen to walk out of it..nd she'd already covered miles.. away from him..from where he was fighting, all he could see was her.. then he saw her walk away..and a sword pierced through his heart.. smoothly sliding its way through..he fell on his knees.. his eyes still fixed to where she stood.. his head bowed down.. his eyes closed.. and the years passed by his eyes.. all the times they'd spent together.. the walks, the talks.. the thoughts.. everything..

A tear fell on the blood soaked earth.. it was tired.. it'd been waiting too long to travel this mile.. and this journey to the warmth of the earth was all that was needed to wash the pains away..he couldnt die.. thats what she'd wished for..he stood up and continued his battle.. with a bleeding heart..he won his battle.. but lost his heart.. perhaps lost his life..ud say whats her side of the story..??she'd wanted him to understand.. understand everything that she did..and he had understood.. he'd understood everything she'd done..but nature taught him one BIG lesson..

whom u love the most, hurt you the best..!!

The Sins

2009-10-26T18:10:00.003+05:30

Its probably the first time ever that I realise this...through all of these 6 years that I ve been working and lived through new shades and seasons of life..I ve parted with something that I may never regain...my innocence.Its strange how for winning in a race,I never paused to think of what I have left behind forever.

My values have changed,I have imbibed arrogance,even a tinge of manipulation or diplomacy
And now I yearn to go back to my roots.I want to go back to being a simple vulnerable guy who was capable of crying when it hurt.A child who's innocence shone right through his face.
A man who viewed world in just two hues,black or white,right or wrong,moral or immoral. I know the line between the two blurs as we grow up with realities of everyday life.Come to think of it,I didnt even go through transient phase of dilemma, the transition just happened.
I learnt the rules of survival pretty quick.

Everything around is available for 'exchange',everything is quantifiable,there's a cost benefit analysis preceding every decision of mine.I think solely in terms of my gain,my pleasure.
And yet there's no sense of guilt even though I have almost put a price tag on my body and soul while chasing materialism shamelessly.Rationality has superceded my emotionality...I ll keep in touch with a friend only if he/she does,otherwise am as busy as he/she is.And yet being part of this multitude,I dont miss friendship.I miss love though.
Even though my faith has dwindled and I ve witnessed enough infidelity,there's something that makes me want to believe in fairy tales,in virtues of trust and committment...you know the kind of romance that is practically unheard of these dayse,one that survives years of separation and distance and is still flaming.

I want to distill my soul, wipe away the blemishes,undo the hurt and rekindle the faith.I dont want to be soaked in succulence of momemtary pleasure,that gives me an illusion of being sucked up inside a black hole,like a flight into the unknown,where even if I grople for truth,I wont find any.

Can I go back to being untouched?Untarnished?Unadulterated?Unhurt by toxic veracity...can I free myself??

Reality of LIfe

2009-10-23T19:12:00.003+05:30

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

......W.H. Davies

Save the Girl

2009-10-22T21:07:00.003+05:30

While going through my blog list came across post by noted writer Shobhaa De about the death of female child..by the hands of their own mother and grand mother..

Reasons:
1. Husband did not want them to come back home with a girl child
2. Grandmother stated that she was sure the babies would suffer from deformities after coming out of the incubator, so, in any case their lives were worthless.

Ghastly and heinous crimes in the eyes of many of murdering some one. But actually who is responsible the mother who committed or the husband or grandmother who made her commit this crime.

Perhaps its none of them but us. A helpless society who raises "hue and Cry" about the situataion when its over. Had there been an awareness and help for such mothers..am sure none of the mothers would have actually done it..

Till that time we need to accept this harsh reality that its lack of efforts from our end..that has resulted in such a heinous crime..

Here is my small beginning from me to raise an awareness about such crimes..Step in and lets make a collective effort to stop this..

Read the full article at: Can it get worse?

Things you should Know

2009-10-22T17:26:00.006+05:30

1. I'm suffering from a semi-minor bout of writer's block. It seems like I'm busy juggling all aspects of my life and can't find the time or space to write or really think about everything.

2. Busy with the job. It's nothing close to what I've done these last 6 years and honestly, that's why I took it up(well maybe not). It's different, I've got a lot to learn and it's OK, so all's fine for now.

3. Thought on my mind: Newton's law states, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. If you push against something, it pushes back with the same force. The more you struggle, the more your struggles are futile. Guess could see the silver lining..

4. My brain is stuck writing just this post. I mean, seriously, it's a list, an update of sorts. And I can't even get it down?

5. All right, so really? I don't think I can handle thinking too much (or over-analyzing) right now because my life is requiring more emotion from me than it has in a long time, and that makes me extremely vulnerable, and it's dangerous for a vulnerable D to over-analyze and obsess and tune in to his fears and worries. So, for the sake of, you know, my freaking sanity, I'm trying with all my might to be normal about this.

Mind Matters: A Rendezvous with a Genius

2009-09-18T20:47:00.002+05:30

As I sit gazing at my computer screen there are so many thoughts floating in my mind at the same time..

Let me see if I could offer you a sneak peek into my genius mind..

1. What color shirt should I Buy?

2. I need to look for more colors( My wardrobe lacks color just blacks and whites)

3. Need to watch a movie with "N"

4. "Dil Bole Hadippa" would be a Flop (This is what I think please do go and watch it as I am not psychic and cannot predict future)

5. Thinking about trip to Agra (Will post about it later)

6. Taj Mahal was awesome

7. Wish I could eat those kulfi's I had at Agra (They were the best I ever had)

8. Oh Yeah it's Friday (So two days off..)

9. Wish I had loads of Money to buy me a car :-(

10. Can't come up with any new ideas for my blog

11. How can people write so creatively?

12. I think I should quit smoking altogether(Mind You I was successful with the alcohol)

13. What should I buy For G's brother wedding?

14. What did I give "N" as a B'day gift this Year?

15. Wish somebody could gift me an I-phone

16. Will India be the no 1 cricket team? (I am confident they have the potential)

17. It's been a long time I played cricket.

18. Eagerly waiting to upload the pictures of Agra Trip

19. Need to download some new songs

20. Maybe I should cook something over the weekend (Yes I can cook and cook better than many of the ladies I know..sorry..no offence meant)

While penning down my random thoughts I was struck by little wisdom and thought I should share it. Afterall it's my blog and my space so why shouldn’t I be the one who decides things.

Wise men say "It’s easy to lie" but is it really true..Don’t think so..

To be honest telling a lie is as complicated as telling the truth. The moment someone asks you a question for example there are so many permutations and combinations that go into framing an answer. You dont' think so..ok here is an example.

Boss: Why where you late today?
Me: Oh Boss!! sorry about it but I had to go to the hospital?

May sound as a simple answer but in reality you would have thought of so many things before letting out the answer.

Why am I Late?
Flat Tires No..that is such a primitive excuse..come on D..you are more creative than this..
Traffic Jam..what if he used the same route to reach office..No way..
Hospital yes that’s it…OK I had to go to the hospital..

Which Hospital did I go to?
Has to be close to my house cant name one which is located far..
Testing my geographical knowledge..1.2..3..yes that's it..xxx hospital

What Happened?
Oh what I am suffering from..Maybe cold..No..he would know am lying I don’t have running nose or heavy voice..
How about Headache..who goes to hospital for headache..Stomach ache maybe..But I do not want to miss out on the lunch they are serving..was planning to take an extra helping..I am so hungry
Oh yes..I had get myself checked for Swine Flu..have been feeling weak since past few ays..Wow am genius..No but what if he asks for the reports..ok..I need to think fast fast..yes
One of my relatives wasn't well..of course he is not going to ask you for a prescription in that case..Ok who should he be..some uncle..(Does it really matter at that point of time?)

Ok now that you have done the mis-en-palce for the answer lets concentrate on looks..I have to look sad..as though I have been starving..and not slept for God knows how long.

Now did it work?

Boss: Oh I am sorry. Hope he is fine. Just let me know if you need any help.
Me: Sure Boss!! Thanks a lot!!

My Genius Mind: D! You are genius boy. You should have been an actor. Guess only if you had the looks and physique.

Three Cheers to this thing called mind..(Hip Hip Hurray!)

Women

2009-09-16T14:21:00.003+05:30

Women!!Women!!Women!!

can't live with them, can't live without them...

but this is one species that god created and he's still laughing... at himself and his creativity...

well hold it... all your angst against me and before you count me one among those innumerable MCP's... that you already know...

i do... and i really do... respect them for what they are and all that a woman symbolises... all the strength that she represents both for herself and her family... she is the pillar which holds a house together...

god was very thoughtful when he made a woman... he gave them all that he knew that a man was'nt worth giving... for he had made the man weak hearted... for he had made man weak brained... all that he gave man was physical strength...

god made woman a mother... the most precious of his blessings...

he gave HER the responsibility to carry a child in her womb... for he knew that only she could handle the preciousness of the most virtous of his blessings... for he knew only she was sensible enough to know and understand the value of his blessing...

((just another of the reasons probably that atheists like me talk of god once in a while... cos no supernatural power could have made something so perfect as a women...))

if all this, then why? why? why?

· WHY ALL THE TALK ABOUT WOMENS LIBERATION??

· WHY ALL THE CALL AND DEMAND FOR RESERVATIONS AND CONCESSIONS FOR WOMEN??

· WHY IS IT THAT COURTESY, MANNERS AND SPECIAL TREATMENT ARE EXPECTEED WHEN DEALING WITH THEM??

i might have triggered those anti ME nerves in you again, but... seriously, if all that they want is to stand equal to us men... then why not fight it along with us... shoulder to shoulder?

even we are struggling today... the competition is just as equal everywhere... it is not ruled by the discrimination of sexes...

(( sonia gandhi... a girl from some far flung italian town who probably in her wildest dreams wouldn't have thought of commanding a position that she holds today...of course it was her sheer potential that she saved CONGRESS from going down the drains... and i don't say this out of any regards for the political party... IT IS ALL THE WOMEN'S AUSTERITY THAT SHE COMMANDS AND HOLDS THE POWER AND THE KEY TO HER OWN FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND HER...))

what i mean to say is that women are going places...but still, i know, you know, we all know... women DO let us know and keep us reminded that they are women... and they need to be treated VERY SPECIFICALLY as women...

you notice it everywhere... at office, at social events, at parties, in public transport they expect us to get up and offer them seats... ((they call it gentlemanly... ooh gimme a break...!!))

grow up gals and all those who'd wanted to be called ladies...

BE A WOMEN TO BE TREATED AS A WOMAN... AND IF YOU WANNA FIGHT THE BATTLE... STAND SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH US WHEN IT COMES TO CAREER AND LIFE...

YOU ARE THE PILLARS THAT SUPPORT OUR EXISTENCE... AND WE PROBABLY WOULDN'T EVEN SURVIVE WITHOUT YOU... FORGET SURVIVING, WE WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT YOU...

SO BE WHAT YOU ARE... BUT BE ON ONE SIDE... ((EITHER CAREERS OR EITHER WOMEN...))

PRESERVE YOUR "YOU"... probably a lot of houses will be happier if a women strenghthens her stand in the family... in the house... in the society... in HER life...

Manipulating a Female Mind..

2009-09-15T22:31:00.006+05:30

While sitting idle(though those moments are rare)..a thought came across my mind..is it possible to manipulate a women’s mind, I know it will be difficult task, but let me give it a try... I might fail to deliver (expected, isn’t it? On which planet do men deliver?)Please bear with me. After all, the first question ‘what women want’ still remains unanswered.

Women need security. She has two issues to sort before she is even willing to let you get close enough so you can attempt a manipulation.

1) Is she feeling safe with you?

2) Is she feeling safe from the World when she is with you?

Remember, this is why a woman never falls in love at first sight. One doesn’t get to know the bank balance at first sight.

If your answer to the above two questions is ‘Yes’ you are a star and you have every right to continue reading this article. Other men may as well pick up the latest PlayBoy and head to their favorite corner.

What politicians are to the citizens of a democracy, men are to the women. We never vote for the best politician (for there aren’t any) …we always end up voting for the least corrupt. Similarly, women are forced to choose the one who is the least likely to mess up their lives – which is anyway going around and around in cycles. Period.

It is this need for security and the ability to compromise, that makes a woman prefer the guy who offered to pay the bill, though he took her to a cheap restaurant.

Never walk into the restaurant and say magnanimously: “We will go Dutch…but I will take care of the tip myself.” This just might tip the scales in favour of the guy she had been keeping aside as Plan B.

But taking her to a restaurant and paying the bill might NOT make her trust you. She might start thinking, “This guy takes me to a restaurant, and pays for my dinner. Something is definitely fishy.”

If she wasn’t already on guard with you, this act of yours will put her on guard. You might not be able to read her mind, but she can read 100s of permutations & combinations into your single smile.

Mind you, women are always on guard …which helps them in their search for ‘security’. It is as if they see these boards (see pics) everywhere they go.

In a way, we men have made the women such experts in sensing the dangers nearby.

Not wanting to be left behind, the Indian Navy has decided to give up its gender bias and plans to use a woman’s seventh sense…there will be a woman in every sea-going submarine.

This woman will have to look out for dangers under the sea. Navy has SONAR etc….but apparently they aren’t as effective. The bill hasn’t been passed in the Parliament yet…our MPs are debating over the Indian Navy’s suggestion that the woman be tied to the nose of the submarine.

Anyway once you have won over her confidence…and made her feel safe with you and from the World, when she is with you…she is ready to be manipulated.

My dear men (women, you still reading?)…there are two things you need to know about a woman:

1) Women have the inherent need to know everything

2) Women love to be flattered

Women have this inner need to know everything about the man they are interested in or have ended up marrying. Talk to her…not just about cricket scores or the latest youtube video you saw on the net. Talk to her about what you did in office, what you ate for lunch, what you spoke of when you met your colleagues in the loo, what you were thinking while driving your car back from office, what her mother in law thinks of her, what her sister in law said about her…just about everything.

On the Flattery front, here are a few stock sentences that you can use to flatter her and once she is flattered, you can manipulate the hell out of her. Remember, you are dealing with a person with a seventh sense for security…so be careful.

1) Are you dieting? Or is it the gym? You are definitely losing weight

2) Where did you get that skirt? Goes really well with those shoes.

3) Did you do something to your hair today? I am seeing something extra.

4) I was walking just behind you…and guess what, when you walked past that bus stop…all the men fainted.

5) You have such nice skin. I knew you had reached Chennai even before I had landed in Chennai.

There are certain things you should never tell a woman. Even if it sounds ok to you, as a man. Sentences like:

1) If I were only half as good looking as you are…I would be your company’s CEO

2) You have such nice skin. Wish I had that too….darn these rashes!

3) Where did you get that skirt? Would love to see them crushed on the floor

4) What deo do you use? I was walking just behind you and when you walked past that bus stop…all the men fainted.

5) Did you do something to your hair today? I am an extra dosage on your shirt today

While you try these out on the women in your lives, do let me know the success rate..maybe I would get a Nobel for solving the most complex “question’ of our time…

The Jouney: Down the Memorylane

2009-08-14T19:20:00.001+05:30

Do journey’s change life, guess am still to embark on one which proves to be life changing deal for me. However there has been one and the most recent one (Irony is it dates back to a year or so…) which definitely I would cherish for long.
The journey was remarkable perhaps because of the company of friends or because of the beauty of place mixed with our own adventure, guess that is what makes it truly memorable.

Mission Sattal/Sat Tal

Sattal or Sat Tal is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, a town of the Nainital Lake District in the Uttarakhand state of India. Believe me we calibrated for months before choosing the place and it never disappointed.

The Adventure Begins:

The journey started at the stroke of midnight. As working in BPO that’s the time when we get free..packed in couple of cars, loaded with all the gear(booze) we departed to the destination. No trip in India can be complete with have essential gear in your travel kit.(Hope you get the pun)

1st Pitstop: Garhmukhteshwar

Rather a forced one courtesy a huge traffic jam caused by the hoards of trucks but a special mention to our road warriors ( R & R) who literally played the role of traffic hawaldars and we managed to cross the bridge in approx 4 hrs(Over the time limit by 3 hrs). By this time we had managed to rummage nearly 1/4^th of our stock.

2^nd Pitstop: Dhaba at Gajroula

By the time we reached over there it was early morning and time to have toast as we finally managed to overcome the traffic. Breakfast of warm variety of paranthas topped with butter and large glass of lassi was the victory breakfast for us. You can certainly enjoy these at the roadside dhabas.

3^rd Pitstop: Sat Tal

Yes believe it or not our expert drivers i.e ( S, P & R) drove the entire way from dhaba non-stop to Sat Tal. It was one hell of ride with constantly changing scenery ranging from greenlands to barren lands - the contrast was simply amazing and riding the dangerous swerves aws fun and thrill.

Expert Tip: Make sure you are carrying enough cash with you as we regretted later and had to go on a detour trying to find an ATM.

Adventure Begins

Day 1

The Welcome

The welcome to the destination was not with some cool welcome drinks but a rather challenging steep climb to our camps.

The camps were pre-booked and located on top of hill. Though the climb was tiring the view from the top was mesmerizing. You would immediately fall in love with place the moment you are on top.

Expert Tip: Do not be the "Daredevil" and try to climb the hills in case you are already tired. Opt for the local jeeps who charge you a minor amount to take you to your camp.

Trip to Waterfall

There couldn’t be a better way to relax from a tiring journey than to have a nice shower even if it means having it after you had an extra helping during the lunch(Rajma and chawal was on the menu)

Expert Tip (From Me & P): Try having a Bacardi White Rum (you can replace it with your own choice of booze) while sitting under the cool waters of waterfall the experience can be perhaps be compared to being in heaven.

Back to the Camp:

Well if you thought nightlife in hills was about sleeping you are highly mistaken as this is when the real fun begins.

The Campfire:

Campfire under the starlit sky with friends and your choice of liquor well that’s perhaps the best way to have fun and spend a relaxing and fun filled weekend. I would settle for it any day.

The Song N Dance Session: What if the Dj’s and disco lights were missing. The starlit sky, full moon, campfire and yes most important the booze was enough for us. Nothing can stop a bunch of fun-filled people like us from singing our own chorus and dancing to them as well. A complete orchestra.

After a session which span to early in the morning we finally retired to our beds to prepare ourselves for the Day 2 of vacation.

Day 2

Exercise:

“Healthy Body is home to Healthy Mind” and we totally abide by this so the morning session began with a round of badminton..funny eh..nothing can stop us from having fun and staying healthy.(also we needed to burn out the extra calories that we consumed during the night thanks to the lovely mutton that was served for dinner)

Not even a missing badminton court could stop us, we played badminton on volleyball court as the camp did not have volley ball. True crisis management and optimum usage of available resources, I say.

The expert and power packed duo of R&R were the champions largely due to their constant shouting, arguing and bit of luck as well. Yes guys that's true.

Canoeing:

Our next stop was the lake where we were getting ready to try another adventure- Canoeing. Had heard and seen it, but never tried it and that was for the entire group.

Well till I d personally tried it, I thought it to be a relatively easy thing to do but trust me there is lot of mathematics, skill and science involved in ensuring that you stay adrift and keep the canoe moving.

Expert Tip: Listen to the instructor rather than me who was busy smoking and chatting and had tough time coordinating with my partner

Don’t know about others but me & P both turned out to be worst canoers but hey there is a silver lining- "we at least tried unlike few others who were mere spectators standing ashore".
We finally rowed the canoe for a while till we could no further bear the embarrassment of failing to co-ordinate, don’t know who was worst whether it was me or P but am sure I would do lot better the next time..

BTW the two brave ladies (T & A) had mastered the art of canoeing and would won hands down.

The Goodbye

Yes after our canoeing experience and a nice warm lunch it was finally time to bid goodbye to the valley.

Ever felt like separating with someone that’s how we or at least I felt it was the place that made me forget everything even if it was temporarily for a few days. It was indeed a trip which in true sense left a deep imprint in my memory.

Hope to see you soon!!

Chapter 2 - Life

2009-05-14T15:53:00.002+05:30

Life isn’t all Ha Ha He He!!
Before you proceed assuming, I'm writing a review on the book by Meera Syal or on the movie with the same name.
Statutory Warning: What you are going to read is a grey confession of a writer stuck between the black and white shades of life.
Seen on of the msn's names in my fren list - Life is a f****ing joke and I don't get it..my dear it stands true for me as well even I could never get what life is all about.
Am still to being struck by enlightenment; perhaps I need to go to the Himalayas and stand on one leg, trying to figure out the jargon "Life"(guess that’s the way these yogis and sadhus- the truth seekers get to know everything..sorry my knowledge about truth seekers is limited to bollywood movies..n books..only)

I have always pictured life as roller coaster ride..going up and down the rails enjoying...getting petrified..the sudden rush of adrenaline..but overall an experience..to treasure..
I have always believed that like roller coaster when you are cruising upwards the anticipation of reaching at top is most exciting and then the view from top is awesome. Just like life, while you are on top you are having the fun enjoying everything..wearing rose colored sunglasses.
But then comes the free fall...the tumble...when u start sliding towards the bottom..of course like life with a hint of optimism(just like life who always gives u a shade of light in the drak)..that you would rise...
Hence I always keep on repeating..enjoy the view at the top..coz when you hit the bottom you are not sure when you going to rise again..
Well this indeed is my logic of life..but what am confused about rite now..is where am I?? cruising upwards, at the top..or sliding towards the depths...n honestly its really difficult..
That’s how life has been for me always...a unique "Conundrum"...

Thinking About The Days When I Was Young
and Life Was Looking Pretty…
It's Hard To Commit When All You Think Is
Life's A Joke
Breathing It In When All You Want Is Gone
and Life Is Looking Shitty...
It's Hard To Admit When All You Think Is
Life's A Joke

.................The Speaks Band

Wish I could see the light at the end of tunnel..(hoping I would..)
A diehard optimist for you..
P.S. Thanks to all who commented on my last blog..Please keep it coming..

Chapter 1 - The InTroduction..

2009-05-13T14:41:00.001+05:30

Who am I??

One of the most difficult questions that could be ever asked to you..(At least I think so..)

But for some of the intellects out there..this must be a pretty silly question..(Afterall all you need to do is give your introduction..My name is...Blah Blah..N I did my schooling from..blah blah..)

Well am not talking about my Introduction..But Who am I really??

A dreadful question..to which I have still not been able to figure the answer to..(Guess what am almost 26..n still am clueless about my true identity..)..its not that i have never thought about it..i think about it..n by the time I could take down the notes..the moments melts away...

Have always been racing against time..thts how my life always has been..

Am just another face in the crowd..perhaps not deserving a second look while walking on the road..(Dunno maybe sumbudy mite be checking out..neva checked it myself..)

Well am A son..trying to live up to the expectations of his parents..A brother..who is seriously trying hard to keep peace..with his sister..A friend..who doesn't get time to socialize n meet with his buddies...

See as u would have realized by now..I more or less each one of you.. reading the blog..

Aint we all trapped...waiting to get free....

You know they got me trapped in this prison of seclusion
Happiness, living on the streets is a delusion..
Even a smooth criminal one day must get caught
Shot up or shot down with the bullet that he bought..
....2 Pac - Trapped

Do let me know If I have any found any clones of me out dere...would love to know more about you...