Back from Kolkatta

I returned from Kolkatta yesterday and it was a wonderful trip. Met uncles & aunts, cousins, nephews & neices. It really felt great to meet them. There were some not so good moments as well. I will discuss about the trip sometime later. This post is a look back at the checklist of things to buy from my last post (http://strictly-my-views.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-am-going-to-kolkatta.html) and I must say its not worth mentioning as I have very little to check in the list :(. Here it goes -

- A black leather bag for a friend (who didn't mention any design) - the shops were majorly closed so couldn't buy :(
- A kurta for another friend (who doesn't wear kurta) - got this one :)
- A farewell gift for another friend (I know nothing about his choice) - got this one too :)
- Sweets for some friends (most of whom would be on leave next week) - got very little sweets :(
- A soveigner (just added to the list by another old friend) - :( the markets were majotly closed
- Something for another friend (who hasn't specified anything and wouldn't get anything for me) - :(
- Tea for a friend who liked the sample - got this one as the shop was open :)
- Pictures for a friend who hasn't been to Kolkatta for long - :( my memory card full too soon
- Something for me as well - maybe clothes :) - didn't buy this too :( :(

Overall a poor report card I must say but then it was too hot and humid, then the markets were closed as well so I couldn't help it. Apologies to my friends whose things I missed; but I will remember to get those the next time :)

I am going to Kolkatta

I am going to Kolkatta tomorrow after a gap of 3 years. I am going there to celebrate Durga Puja :). The Puja will take place in my uncle's house and it is going to be a get together for the entire family. I enjoyed it very much the last time and now again I am hoping for the same :)
This time I wouldn't be spending too much time there - will reach on Shasthi and leave on Dashami. But its gonna be fun. Now how exactly the days went, this I would write about after returning from there. And I am hoping I will have many things to write.
Just as I am writing this post I am thinking about how things are going to be. And this time I am planning to do some shopping as well; but I am not sure if I will find time and the things. But lets see what all I have in mind -
- A black leather bag for a friend (who didn't mention any design)
- A kurta for another friend (who doesn't wear kurta)
- A farewell gift for another friend (I know nothing about his choice)
- Sweets for some friends (most of whom would be on leave next week)
- A soveigner (just added to the list by another old friend)
- Something for another friend (who hasn't specified anything and wouldn't get anything for me)
- Tea for a friend who liked the sample
- Pictures for a friend who hasn't been to Kolkatta for long
- Something for me as well - maybe clothes :)

Let's see how many I do get actually because I have my doubts :P. And so I haven't named the friends but I guess I am going to send them this link ;).

A complete disgrace to football

I have been restarining myself from writing this post for more than a week now but I think I should write about it just to spare me the trouble of deciding whether to write it or not. This relates to the Arsenal vs Manchester City match last to last Saturday which City won and particularly to a player named Emanuel Adabayor (I hope I have spelled the name correctly). Adebayor had been with Arsenal for more than 3 years now and has grown as a player during this time. I must mention here that Arsenal happens to be my favourite team. This summer Adebayor moved to Manchester City in a big money move. Being an Arsenal fan I had started liking this player and I must say he is a pretty good player. And understanding football as a game it was perfectly fair on his part to move to a new club which is financially rewarding to him and where he gets to play good football. Every player would want to do himself good till he is on top of his form after which his value diminishes; so it doesn't matter what people say but you got to make the best of your playing days. Till this it goes perfectly fine and I have no issues whatsoever.
During the match Adabayor scores and runs the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal fans. The fans have been booing him since his move - understandably so - and Adabayor is upset with this. So once he scores he gets his chance to get even with the fans and does this act out of pure emotion. And I can understand this. Although I would have liked him to show some respect to the fans I do understand that this kind of thing can happen in the heat of the moment and it is okay.
But what made me angry was when he tried to stomp Robin Van Persie on the face. Doing this to any player is totally un-acceptable but more so to your ex-teammate is absolutely disgraceful. This action of Adabayor really upset me. And the stomp nearly missed Van Persie's eyes which could have made it really dangerous. Had I been on the pitch I would have broken this guy's legs for sure. I am not joking but damn serious because this is how upset I was seeing his actions. All I can say is players like him are a total disgrace to football who lack the dignity to respect his ex-teammates and his old club which made him a star from a nothing player. Of course he had the talent but it was because of being at such a great club he got noticed and this is how thanks them. Its a shame.

I was on paper :)

I was on paper today - Navbharat Times (Hindi newspaper) edition - 18th September 2009, page - 2, under the heading 'third umpire'. I had said a few lines about the Gurgaon toll plaza and my photo got published in the paper with my comments. The interview had happened yesterday when my cab driver had gone to renew hi pass. A reporter popped up from somewhere and asked me for my views. I said what I had to say. He asked me to lower the window glass so that my picture could be taken. I did so.
Never in my wildest dreams had I thought that my photo would be published. In fact I had even said my cab mate that the guy's gonna just tear that page. She had assured me that it would be printed. And it did. The moment I got in the cab today the driver said "Appki photo aayi hai paper mein". I said "What?" and he showed me the paper. I asked him if I could keep it and he agreed. So now I have the paper with me to show that I was in paper.
There's nothing to boast of I guess but somehow I am feeling pretty happy about it. I never thought this would give me so much pleasure; but I guess for once the child within me has awaken as it has got something to cheer about.

Returning from office - one night

Everyday while leaving office I get the notification via email as to what my cab no is and who all are going in the cab. Usually I would look for a friend or a known person so as to make the return journey a little fun. The other day as the email notification popped up I saw a friend clubbed with me in the cab. And then there were only 3 people so I went down a little earlier than usual so as to get the back seat. I thought we would be chatting all the way as we usually do in the morning. So all geared up with probable things to talk I took my seat in the cab. But things don't go the way you want them to. And the same happened here - a 4th girl came in and sat in the middle. Not only that her drop was to be last as per the distance and as per company rules a girl should not be dropped last. So we told the transport guy that either give her a separate cab or her's will be the last drop. (A few days back we were forced to drop her and it took us extra 30 minutes to reach home) The girl didn't want to be dropped last, understandably so, but since there was no other cab available she had to give in. She was visibly upset but I didn't care as that had already spoilt the probable happy journey back. Whenever you plan it has to go wrong (thanks to HIM). So what could have been a conversation all the way turned into a small chit-chat here and there.
But the music playing on radio was too good - the saving grace probably. One song took me down the memory lane before I was brought back by the words "Come back to reality". Of course we couldn't have spoken with this 4th girl in between. And in the hindsight if I look back this friend of mine needed some rest; otherwise wouldn't have come early (that was early for my friend). So maybe HE was making sure my friend got the rest (HE always does that and I don't mind that :)).

And in the end I did end up dropping this 4th girl; and yes it took me 30 more minutes to reach home. I didn't care about this girl but still dropped her as I thought I should do so. More so probably because our conduct - of confirming her drop to be the last - had upset her; she was upset the entire way and I didn't want to miss the fun of seeing her expression change when I said to the driver after the 2nd drop "Let's drop her first".

HE has his means of getting things done by me and usually wins the battles between us (more on this someday later - maybe not). But one day I will get my chance :)

The burden is increasing

There are a lot of thoughts in my mind; in fact for quite some time they have been there. I have been thinking a lot about them but the more I think about them the more I get confused. The thoughts keep on seeking my attention and at times they would get some time but nothing happens; and they remain just that - thoughts. It feels kind of a pressure cooker where in the pressure is continuously increasing.
Of late I have started feeling the heat of the thoughts that has been disturbing my thought process. Although there has been no visible effect (this is my guess), sooner or later it will show up. Of course I will figure out a way; but when I don't know.
There are a lot of things I could do, rather should do, but I haven't been doing; and that too for no good reason. I would decide on doing a few things, then postpone it and then again postpone it. It seems as if I don't want to do anything; but then I want to do them. Its like I want to do 'A' but don't want to do it, want to do 'B' and don't want to do it (I know it sounds crazy). And in between I am doing what I am supposed to do and doing it the way it should be done.
My mind has become a complete jigsaw puzzle which needs to be sorted out. Sometimes I feel I am leading 2 lives at the same time - one visible to me and one to the world - and they are unaware of each other. The mind and the body are taking the burden. And the burden is increasing.
People say when you discuss things the burden decreases. Sharing your feelings helps you to calm down and release some of the pressure you have. I also advice the same to others - "instead of letting the things boil within you, you should bring them out". But in my case it seems to be working the other way. Speaking out seems to increase the burden. I spoke about some of my thoughts to someone today and the burden seems to have increased.
I am writing this post as this is supposed to make me feel better (according to one of my close friend). This doesn't seem to work either. The burden is increasing...

How different can people be at different times

"Meri chappal fir toot gayi" This was the first statement I heard as I picked up my phone. And it was followed by laughter. No it wasn't a prank; it was one of my friends calling me at around 12 noon when I was on way to office. There was a happiness in the voice - the happiness that you find in children who have done something unexpected, don't know what to do next but are laughing at their situation. She continued "I am midway to my office building and I can't walk" Some more laughter "Ab main kya karu?". I replied "Just pick the chappal up and walk barefoot" (I thought it was the logical thing to do although it was a bit ackward). "Namaste London types" she asked. I said yes. She said "Dekhti hoon". She was in this child mode again enjoying the situation which had stranded her midway in the heat; and here she was laughing at herself instead of panicking.

"I am not sure" I get an sms one day. I call her "Kya hua?". Her voice is sad. "We haven't had a 10 minute conversation in the last 3 days" She hasn't slept well the previous night. "People can be busy at times" I reply giving an explanation. "How busy can one be that one doesn't find even 10 mins in a day?" She has been thinking a lot. "There could be other reasons as well but its nothing to get so upset about" I say trying to give an explanation. "There is no reason for not calling and talking" She is hurt. "It is not that serious ..." and the conversation continues.

Same girl at 2 different instances. How different can people be at different times.

Reliving those Golden Moments

How often it happens that people think of some old golden days and wish they could relive them. I, myself - given the chance - would love to relive some old days. I don't know what stops people from redoing those things; or maybe I know but am not willing to accept. They say certain things just happen once in a lifetime and they are meant to be that - once in a lifetime.

What prevents people from re-doing the things they would love to do once more? Probably they don't get the same circumstances; Or maybe they don't find all those people; Or maybe all the people can't come together; Maybe that was one moment of madness and now shouldn't be repeated; Or maybe that event took place accidently; Or maybe that moment was so perfect that trying to repeat it may spoil that moment. (Maybe these are some of the reasons why I haven't tried)

But you know what today I found out that those moments can actually be relived and people do that without knowing it. I came to this realization while comming to office today. Not that I hadn't seen it before but somehow it never stuck me; and today somehow the chord struck me. We were 3 people in the cab. We were having a conversation which led to one of us going back to her old days. It was at first just a mention. But then she started going over the details. Her facial expressions were changing as she mentioned the details and the things they used to do. And at that point of time she was actually reliving those moments. For the remaining 2 of us it was just an event but to her it was soemthing different; something whose true value only she could understand. And at that instance as she was narrating she had travelled back in time, doing those things all over again.

And now as I am writing this blog, I am going back in time.....

Destiny - is it fixed?

Today while comming to office in my cab I had a conversation with my friend. The conversation started with marriage (will write a post on it soon) and somehow turned towards destiny. My friend said he believed in creating one's own destiny; that one's destiny is not fixed but one has the ability to make one's own destiny. I said I didn't agree to it and that one's destiny was fixed. We didn't come to any conclusion and our conversation ended when he got a phone call.
I have always believed that one's destiny is fixed. But the path towards one's destiny is not fixed. Everyone can choose his/her own path. One might not take the shortest route but eventually one would reach where one is destined to reach. One may have a smooth sailing or may be caught in a storm but either way if one is supposed to reach somewhere s/he will surely make it. There are people who say that one has the ability to make one's own destiny by working towards it. I have seen many cases where in people have given their best efforts yet they didn't achieve what they desired. Its not that they didn't try enough; its just that they weren't meant to get that.
One might question - "If one's destiny is fixed then why should one do anything? Whatever is to happen it will happen no matter what". Point taken. But even if your destiny is fixed you have to work towards it. Nothing happens without any action. For one, you don't know your destiny; so no point doing nothing. Then you can't just do nothing - at any time you would be doing something; and that something will take you towards your final destiny.
But the question remains "If your destiny is fixed what is the point putting in the effort?". The reason you need to put in the effort is because you want to enjoy the journey. You don't know your destiny and finally reaching there might not be well accepted by you. But what you can do is make the choice of the path to take, the road to travel and to do things you want to. Why waste today worrying about tomorrow.
There are people who believe in God and there are people who don't. Some common beliefs among people (especially spiritual and religious sorts) are God controls everything and whatever happens is done by Him. But then there is someone (I am forgetting the name :() who has said things a little differently and I quite liked what he said. He said that God is central to everything; but its like tying a rope around a cow and tying the other end of the rope to a nail or tree. The cow has the freedom to move in a specified area (equal to the area of a circle with radius equal to the length of the rope); but it can't move beyond it.
Its just how you look at things and believe in them. Whatever you believe in truly keep following it and you will reach where you are meant to. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey.

Final Destination 4

"I think we changed nothing. We were meant to be here at this time" These are the last lines from the film 'Final Destination 4'; and probably the only thing I liked about the movie. Saw the movie yesterday with a friend and it is right up there in my list of most disliked movies.
Maybe I had wrong expectations from the movie but still it was a total waste of money (I paid for the tickets) and time (ok not so much time - it didn't even last 1.5 hrs). And my friends comments were "I don't usually say a movie is bad but for this one I have to say it". You don't believe me or him then go and try watching it. By the way TOI gave it a rating of 1.5 (I wish I had seen the ratings in the morning).
Maybe watching it in 3-D would have been better. I haven't watched a movie in 3-D so far but I doubt if it would be fun to watch deaths in 3-D.

Sitting in office alone

8:30 PM - Sitting in office alone.
Today being a holiday in the US all the people in my account have gone home save me (and another guy). And I have more than 1 and 1/2 hours to spend. My work for the day is over the cab is scheduled for 10:15 PM.
I am wondering what all I could do in this time. Lets see what options I can think of -

• Write a blog (this of course I am doing right now)
• Chat: let me see who are online - P with whom I already chatted for quite long, M logged in just now
• Play: in office it shouldn't be done; so let me postpone it
• Listen to music: Already doing
• Study: next please
• Meet someone: Well odd timings mean no one's around :(
• Call someone: shouldn't bother someone at night

So where does that leave me? I guess blogging, chatting and playing

Conversation with Manas: How to earn quick money

This Sunday I was sitting with Manas at McDi. I asked him what's the way of earning quick money. As he started thinking I added "legally".
The conversation went like this.
Manas: How much risk do you want to take?
I: Minimum
M: Initial investment?
I: Minimum
M: What do u want to do with the money?
I: Buy Bose speakers and a Scorpio - cash down
M: Anything else?
I: An LCD TV as well
M: Anything else?
I: For now that's all
M: Soch le acche se
I: Soch liya
I: Will it be a continuous inflow or once?
M:It is advisable to do it once. Repeating it is not advisable and may not yield same results.
I: Okay. So what's the plan?
Manas kept quite for abt 30 secs and then said "Shaadi kar le"