Sundays at the park with AD.

Walking by the Boston commons late this afternoon, I got to do a lot of fun things:

a) Got scared out of my wits by a squirrel jumping on my bench.
b) Danced with a group of doped Jamaicans at a reggae party.
c) Chased by a dog from the frog pond till the tennis courts.
d) Caught up with AD after a month of missed calls, false promises, late night voice messages, SMSes, off-liners and emails.

I love AD. My best man, brother and comrade. One of the very few in the world who can reiterate what I think in his own inimitable panache. One who stood his ground, despite initial setbacks and came back in style. We go back a long way and we will go ahead further.

Shaadi.com Snapshots

M: there are many options

1) of you sleeping somewhere
2) of you with some women
3) of you pushing me off a cliff in San Diego
4) of you, after your operation

Excerpts from an actual conversation with a well wisher.

Long Weekends

Long weekends translate into lots of time.
When the weather shows its unwelcome side, its a party at home.
Two people: one with a lot of time on hand, another with only this weekend free.
This long weekend included lots of cleaning, a little cooking and tons of catching up.
The past revisited, the present lived and the future pondered.
Promises were made, connections were bridged and misunderstandings were negated.
Weekends are a blessing in more ways than one.

Channel [V] Jammin

About 6 years ago, Channel [V] came up with this interesting concept of an album by bringing together up and coming singers of different genres to create a fusion album. The series also sparked 10 half hour episodes which chronicled the conception of the song to the final version. The singers included
Strings, Sagarika, Euphoria, Mehnaaz, Taufiq Quereshi, Pentagram ( yes Vishal and Shekar), Parikrama, Usha Uthup, Shaan, Sukhbir, KK, Suneetha Rao, Alms for Shanti, Vasundhara Das, Abbey, Ashutosh-Dhruv, Vedic Chant, Silk Route, Sanjay Maroo and Shankar Mahadevan.

I have been trying to scout some of the videos on youtube and here are some..

Euphoria and Mehnaaz, Rok sako to rok lo..

This song was a tribute to team India.



Shaan and Sukhbir, Deewana



My favorite, Pentagram and Usha Uthup, Rhythm and Blues.



Saagarika and Strings, Pal

Missed Connections

Dad's emphasis on being on time for trains has not been ingrained in my head yet. My inability to make it on time to modicums of commutation is a omnipresent joke among my family and friends and it just keeps getting better with the passage of time. Though I can proudly say 2009 has been awfully sober except for the one time I threw myself in front of the Peter pan bus to Stamford in March ensuring that I am on it. The train rides and the flights have been less dramatic. I should not be speaking too soon, lest California 2k8 part two happens.

Circa Christmas 2k8, family and a bunch of friends were in Southern California living it up in the heat while I was literally white amidst white. It took a week of phone calls, emails, cajoling, threats and then eventually I was not given a choice to make it to the west coast for a week of sunshine and fun. Indecision had another laugh while I contemplated traveling on either the 23rd or the 24th, deciding on the former. My flight was at 7 in the morning and I spent most of the previous evening and night doing the most inane things and did manage to complete some packing in the meantime. I finished most of what I was doing by 3 and in anticipation of sleeping on the flight, I hit the couch for what I called a little nap for an hour before heading out to the airport at 4.

I wake up to bright light on my face thinking that I have been magically transported to the northern Canadian border. I looked at my phone to see it flash 7: 10 AM in my face!!! I pinched myself to make sure that I screwed up and woke up G who in characteristic slumber tone said the most meaningful words I ever heard that month, "Why Am I Not Surprised". I called M, who was in deep sleep ( it was 4 AM PST) only to hear her mumble something incomprehensible. I did get a rundown when she was fully awake. Eventually, in true holiday spirit, the sweet lady at the United Airlines counter did reassign my ticket for the 24th morning. Atonement for my sins included being the butt of jokes at a lot of gatherings during that trip. Thankfully, a focused host and 2 alarm clocks made sure I was on time for the return trip back to Boston.

A Days Worth!!

Lessons from the entire day:

1) Driving early morning is an entire experience by itself, and never drive on an empty stomach.

2) Getting in early means easier security checks.

3) Sleeping on flights beats sleeping at home.

4) You end up missing people no matter how connected you are.

5) The right words do not do what they intend to a lot of times.

Its good to be back.

Logan

May 1st 2009, Talk to the adamantium bone claws!!!

Loneliness and Perspectives

Some of the most intuitive and expressive people I know need to either write or write more. It is a waste of some of the most brilliant perspectives otherwise. I am going to take it upon myself to get them going, simultaneously and selfishly enrich my thirst for inspiration, laughter and a different viewpoint.

On a tangential direction, Loneliness gives you strength. It makes you aware of your inner self and the things you are missing. That makes you reach out, take initiative and life your life the way you want to. Looking for company to do things you love is overrated. To do what you want, all you need is passion, enthusiasm and lots of energy, not a bunch of uninterested people. Having said that, if there are like minds, it does make things merrier. I am making my lists of the big and small things that I want to do this year and I am sure to make some progress.

So to all ye people, keep writing or do start at some time. Times are dreary and we need some fresh words and views to get us through them.

Do let me know what you think of what I think. It helps me quite a bit.

Hanuman Jayanthi's and Happy New Years.

A wee deliberation on a touchy issue which has been a consistent part of my thoughts, actions and conversations over the last week. April is a month of celebrations, starting with Ugadhi, Hanuman Jayanthi, Ram Navami and progressing to Vishu. M's disbelief in my awareness of the festivities and G's contemplation of a dear friends inclination to "Puja-Paat" spurred me to pen my thoughts.

To me, an individual's faith is a manifestation of his success, tribulations, hope, despair-the whole gamut of thought that resides in his head. He realizes his dreams, shares his joy, overcomes his sorrow, fosters relationships and makes his life a better place by placing emphasis on a higher level which could take different forms. Faith helps me think big, act wise, love unconditionally and keeps me rooted to the ground. I am eternally grateful.

Earn X, Work for 2X

I should record whatever my dad says. He has this interesting perception of conversation in saying everything he wants and then listening to you. More often than not, he leaves us speechless by his astute understanding of whats in our heads. It is a little spooky, but that is why he is dad.

We were discussing financial aspects of a position I was considering a couple of days ago, wherein my concern was evident. His take on the position was to accept what they offer and work twice the amount. Hard work does always pay, it could be in kind initially, eventually there is going to be a lot of cash and finally there will be a lot to cash in.

I am back after a sabbatical. I needed it. There will more writing till the next one.

Excesses

I love what they say about excesses.
The more you do something, the more you enjoy it.
More the interaction, more the affection.
The more you visit a place, the more you want to be there.
New York does that to me.
Can't wait to be back.

Laying Low!!

I wish I knew why but unfortunately I am going around in circles. I am going to lay low!! Hopefully the bug bites soon.

Say

"Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You better know that in the end
It’s better to say too much
Than never to say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say"

John Mayer,"Say"


To them who matter,

I haven't said the right things at the right times. I haven't been there at all times. I want to and I believe I will. I wish and hope you think so too.

Tintin Updates

Heres the latest on the Tintin Series to be filmed by Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg:

Spielberg's movie is based on the Secret of the Unicorn and The Red Rackham's Treasure, where Tintin and Capt. Haddock go searching for treasure buried by Sir Francis Haddock stolen from the infamous pirate Red Rackham. Tintin will now be played by Jamie Bell as opposed to Thomas Sangster.Daniel Craig will be playing the role of Red Rackham. The icing being Simon Pegg and Nick Frost playing Thompson and Thomson.
(If you've seen Hot Fuzz, you know who I am talking about)

D) It is written

A few days back, G’s cousin came to town and a few of us wanted to grab a bite. A very popular Indian restaurant was recommended and all of us decided to head out there. Boston is known for the early hours it keeps, and this place was no exception. They were to shut at 10: 30. When I called them up at 9: 30 asking for a reservation at 9: 45, needless to say they were pissed. No amount of indignation, anger or wrath can come in between us and good food, so we held on and reached the place at 10.

The hostess ushered us to our seat, making no effort to hide her irritation as we placed our orders. Then it happened:

The restrooms flooded.
Water started seeping into the restaurant
We were ushered to new seats and then out of the restaurant.
Our dinner was on the house.

A Few Crazy Ones

Following another warm conversation, These words of Steve Jobs, resonating with character, still works wonders for me.

“Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do”

Scrubisms

 

A montage of some of the best episode enders over the last few seasons of Scrubs ( a lot of which happen to be my personal favorites). Video Courtesy: Youtube

More Scrubs on ABC this spring. Yay!!

11 Best Foods we arent Eating..

I am going to be repeatedly emphasizing the need to eat right as part of the “ Do Not Repeat the Mistakes of the Years Past” Initiative. NYT and Dr. Johnny Bowden provides a list of some of the most healthiest foods on the planet, easily available, yet rarely seen on plates.

Link

Frankly Speaking

Benjamin Franklin was a genius, no second thoughts about it. I'd spend a lot of time savor spending time talking about the contributions he has made to..pretty much everything. One of these days I sure will. However, this ditty is about a code of conduct developed by a young Mr. Franklin, in his twenties, on his way back from London to Philadelphia. He followed the plan faithfully till he was 79, when he finally decided to document it in order to ensure he diligently followed it for the rest of his life, thanks to its efficiency.

His 13 virtues were as follows:

1. TEMPERANCE.

Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. SILENCE.
Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. ORDER.
Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. RESOLUTION.
Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. FRUGALITY.
Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. INDUSTRY.
Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. SINCERITY.
Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. JUSTICE.
Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. MODERATION.
Avoid extreams; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. CLEANLINESS.
Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

11.TRANQUILLITY.
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. CHASTITY.
Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dulness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

13. HUMILITY.
Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

The way he implemented it was even more impressive. He gave attention to one virtue a week, so that at the end of 13 weeks, he would have completed an entire cycle. He then went back to virtue 1 and repeated the cycle.4 more times. He kept track of his progress by maintaining a notebook where he tabulated the 13 virtues against the days of the week. He used to review every day spent and place a dot near the virtue for every fault committed with respect to it. Initially, there were a lot of dots, but they diminished over a period of time. It did take a lot of effort, hardwork and discipline, but then the results speak for itself.

Happy New Year!! May this year get you closer to where you want to be.

Ghosts!

There are ghosts. Everywhere. Your own personal ones. Ghosts of your actions. They will haunt you for the rest of your life-no matter how you change, for the better or for the worse. these ghosts are the albatrosses around your neck.

I am throwing it out in the open that I have not been the most sensible of persons. I have made mistakes and I have learnt to be better the hard way. I believe I am doing a good job. Please believe and do not ruin it.