Report card on the resolutions made last year..

Ok, so it's been a year since i made some resolutions to improve my mesmeric existence (or should the adjective be 'mundane'? Calling all dictionaries..). Here's the report card:

1. Thou shalt enroll in a driving school: 10/10
Not only did i learn to drive four wheelers, but i am also a proud owner of a brand new Hyundai i10. A spanking navy blue one. Just realized what i have been missing all these years.
2. Thou shalt go jogging every morning : 00/10
The less said, the better.
3. Thou shalt go home early from work : 00/10 or 10/10
If change the definition of 'home', i would score a perfect 10 in this as well. I spend so much time in my 'office', that i can officially call it my 'home'. My former home can be deemed "The place where the rest of my family reside". I do get to check out their dwelling place once in a while.
4.Thou shalt stop making New Year's resolutions : 10/10
Bang on. No more resolutions. That is my resolution this year.

Back to Pune..

..feels good to be here, even if only for a day.
Had started out my career here as a college graduate. I remember my mom packing up my stuff and helping me move to a new city. Trying her best to hide her tears, and encourage her son who was nervous about moving away from his house for the first time in his life. I still remember the first day at Infosys, when i alighted from a bus alongwith dozens of other dreamy-eyed aspirants trying to make it big in the IT world.
Carrying just a college backpack, a notepad and a pen. And the dreams of making it big one day. Plus the fear of the unknown. The date was Oct 13th,2003.

And by the quirk of fate, i have come back to the same city after nearly 3 yrs ( i left Infy on Dec 9th, 2005). The date is 20th Oct, 2008. And i am still carrying a notepad and a pen in my backpack. Additionally, i am also carrying a laptop in it. And instead of a bus, i am travelling in a company arranged Toyota Innova. And i just completed a project presentation for some of my juniors, who are as dreamy-eyed as me and my colleagues were, back in 2003.

I guess i have progressed a bit. Just a li'l bit. In my career, in my life. Although i have thought about this at some point or the other, this is the first time i actually realized..
..the journey has well and truly begun.

Last man standing..

..or sitting, rather. Not me sir, I don't want to be that guy.

There's one thing i have recently come to know about myself. I hate to be the last guy in a restaurant during it's closing time. There is something unnerving about the whole ambience, with the waiters rushing you for your orders, the cleaners staring at you impatiently. Heck, even the cooks peep from the kitchens, to check out the moron who is keeping them away from their sweet homes. There is an air of negativity around as you try to tuck into a hurriedly prepared meal, which as you might expect, is a disaster borne out of a compulsion to do one's duty. It's even tougher when your partner feels that she is not 'in a mood to eat' (which a glutton like me can never fathom) and she opts for a glass of juice or a bowl of fruits. Stuff that can be arranged quickly. And consumed even faster.

So, as you bite into a rubbery, cold piece of roti dunked in a red, oily and tasteless gravy, you just wonder "What about the adage that the noblest deed is to feed a hungry man?". And then you notice the smiling face of owner or the guy at the cash counter.

Well, at least someone's happy.

Keep rocking..

Last Friday, i happened to watch (finally!) Bollywood's first movie based on the genre of rock music - Rock On. To be honest, I didn't have too many expectations, coz of late i have ended up being disappointed more often than not. Nor did the buzz that it generated influence me much, because if 'Singh is Kkkkkking' can be a hit, then anything and everything will be lapped up by our inane movie going public. Having said that, this movie turned out to be a pleasant surprise for me. The refreshing storyline, decent performances, the music (USP of the film) all seemed to work. But most importantly, i could identify with the central theme or the premise, if i can call it that:

What is a man, but for his dreams?

If you want to know what i am talking about, then catch the movie on big screen. I need not elaborate any further. The movie will speak for itself, and how well at that! Watch it.

Bangalore, Jaipur, Delhi..

..and next Mumbai, perhaps? Who really cares? Is it just me being cynical or have we become used to such barbaric attacks on innocent people? Life goes on, we have shown courage..blah, blah, blah. As i have already mentioned in one of my previous posts, try telling this to the near and dear ones of the victims.

All thanks to a corrupt to the core and inefficient Congress in power at the Centre.

A big sunny field to be in.

In this strip, Hobbes reminds me of someone in my life. Someone very close to me. I wish i could be like that person, but i guess i am more like Calvin here. But as long as i have Hobbes on my side, do i care?

Goodbye, Chandru Mama.

I will miss you. The simplicity with which you led your life, the sharp acumen you showed in financial matters, the ever smiling face. Most importantly, the amazing sense of humour that you were blessed with.

I still remember the time, maybe 20 yrs back, when you gave me a 5 rupees note and explained to me the importance of saving money. Your zest in wanting to repair electronic items like radios etc, that more often than not, ended in being messed up further ( just like your father i.e my Muthashan). Your explaination to me on how a TV works, which i used to remember when i was studying the subject during my engineering days. I want to go on and on, but words fail me today.

I am glad that you could make it to our place for my wedding, and bless us. The one final re-union of the entire family under one roof.

Your mother misses you, your siblings miss you, we all will miss you. A lot. The memories will remain forever with all of us, whilst you are re-united with our beloved Muthashan in heaven.

God bless your soul.