A game of 8...

Tagged aeons ago by Pri and recently by Solitaire, I decided to go for it finally. The tag makes me list out 8 stuff based on different criterias... So here I go now... you can munch on you popcorns now!!!

8 things I am passionate about...

Love
Life
Music
My guitar
My Blogs
Figuring out people for what they are
Friends
Family

8 things I want to do before I die...

Own a Maybach
Tour the world, esp. Italy, France, Greece and Egypt
Be an
author of note
Be a rockstar
Be a chef par excellence
Achieve all the which I desire today
Help as many people as possible
Find a job which suits my abilities perfectly

8 things I say often...

What the hell!!
Crap!!
Get lost!!
Outta ur freakin' mind, are you??
What a ...... !!!
I hate it!!
That's the way I like it!!
Bloody hell!!

8 books I have read recently...

Unaccustomed Earth
The Last song of Dusk
Maximum City
Anything for you ma'am
That thing called love
Above Average
Kite Runner
The Witch of Portobello

8 songs I could listen to over and over again...

Neele neele ambar par
Wonderful Tonight
Kuch na kaho
Sili sili tapti raaton mein (dil kya kare)
Can't help falling in love
Musafir hoon yaaron
Hotel California
Winds of Change
November Rain
Don't cry
Civil War
Cats in the Cradle
Fade to Black
Nothing else matters
Sapnay (Ek pal) - Silk Route
Guncha koi - Mohit Chauhan
Aaj jaane ki zidd na karo

..... oops this is more than eight!! Well there are loads on my list!!!


8 things that attract me to my best friends...

Love for music
Understanding nature
Streaks of childishness
Mischievous
nature
Their beauty
Their talents
Ability to help to me when I need it the most
Chatterboxes :)

8 people I think should do this tag...

Mann,
Vands,
Mads,
Solo,
Phoenix,
Clouds,
Ashu,
The eigth person to comment!!!

A Confused Existence

A few summers ago, when I was still a teenager... an age when people expect you to be terribly confused. Strangely, I never was!! I knew what I wanted, why I wanted, what were my backups and how to go about it too. I wasn't a confused chap at all. A little more than half a decade after school, I retract my statement - I am confused. I'm in my twenties and while I do have a decent career and other stuff in my life in proper place, I'm strangely restless. As per Maslow's hierarchy principle, I am approaching the top of the pyramid. Suddenly, I'm unsure of the future. The unpredictability in the entire situation is getting to my nerves. This forced my look around at other individuals who are in the same age bracket as that of me. And strangely enough, I realise I ain't alone. To a greater or lesser extent we all are going through the same psychological pressures. The unpredictability of the future on a professional and personal note is driving most up the wall.

The lessons learnt aren't too different either. You realise that people around you are selfish and mean, would do anything to forward their own gains. The close friends aren't really the great individuals you pictured them to be, rather they had an interest in being with you and that sure did/does more harm to you than good. Your job isn't what you had in mind when you started. You want something better, but don't know when or how you'd land there. May be you want a change but that means starting at the bottom of the ladder. Used to the comforts your current pay packet gifts you, this change certainly doesn't appeal to you. Suddenly, you feel lonely.... very lonely.

And when it comes to the matters of the heart... confusion reigns supreme!! If you observe, either of the scenes are being enacted around you: a broken heart, waiting to come across that special one, in love with two at a time and lost on that, uncertainty over the future of a relationship. Am I wrong?? And then comes along the new twist, you want to settle down. Commitment rules topmost on your mind then, each and every action of yours is directed the very same direction. Loans, money, a future together, getting a good life... all this rules your mind.

They said twenties are the best times of our lives and you'd tend to say otherwise. I'd say, its the twenties which make an adult out of a child.This post may seem confused to you, but the fact is I too am going through most the situations mentioned above... and that is gnawing me up. A trifle too much!!

PS: In case, if one wants to read up on Maslow and his principle check out the following sites: "Motivation Theories: Individual Needs" and "A Theory of Human Motivation". You can read up on Abraham Maslow over here: "ABRAHAM MASLOW
1908-1970
Dr. C. George Boeree"

Apart from that, you can google. You'll find loads on him and his theories. For students of psychology and management, his principle should be the easiest to state off hand.

Law of the Garbage Truck

This came in the morning mail and I just decided that I would share it....

How often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood?

Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly one can get back their focus on what's important. David J. Pollay explains his story in this way....

Sixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City
taxi cab. Here's what happened. I hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!

The driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean...he was friendly. So, I said, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

And this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

"Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally..You just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did."

I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, "I'm not going to do it anymore."

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don't. Believe that everything happens for a reason. Never let the garbage truck run over you....

Goin' Crazy

In all honesty... I think this is the umpteenth post I'm typing out!! The difference from the previous ones being this has no theme, like as of now I'm writing this one just cause I want to.... no other reason!! Nopes!!

I mean, I've tried writing something about life in general, not mine but one which looks at things a bit philosophically, a poem (fell flat.. honestly horrible!!), a short story... (couldn't understand the crap myself after a few minutes.... scrap it!!).

I tried to get some work done... again that bombed.. can't concentrate on anything.. tried gossipping with a few.. even that failed. I mean, is this what people meant by Torrid Tuesday or something like that??

So, there I am very much in a mood to bunk work (just like college.. :D), and saunter down to the nearest bookstore.. grab the latest Jhumpa Lahiri novel... sneak in at CCD, order a Cool Blue or a Kaapi Nirvana and simple while the noon away with the book. Too nice to be true on a working day... sheesh!!!

And the thing that is driving me crazy is the burns that I have in my mouth.... I mean, the doc said it would be an extraction. I was pretty cool about it. But then things had to go wrong.. and I ended up with burns (due to the dentist's drill). The result is such that, I want to eat, I need to eat (am hungry!! :( ) but then, I fear having something as basic as water as it hurts. But then, am managing.... just a tad bit hungry, that's all!! And then there was this party on Sunday amongst friends where we got together to celebrate the Bengali New Year. There was food, drinks, music... and all I could do was talk a little (even that's a pain!!), sing a lil... (damn!!), hardly eat anything.... and drink only Sprite.. coz that has least soda and thus would hurt the least!!

That makes me wonder, here I am who has no option but to restrict his intake despite having the position to get anything he desires, and I'm going crazy with hunger. How do those who do not have the privilege to decide whether they can eat or not tolerate this inhuman state of the body? As a kid, I was often told about the famine struck conditions of East Africa. I wonder how they deal with this? I wonder how people who don't have an option on what they do, deal with that helplessness? From where to they draw their strength to accept the fate that they have and still try and live a happy life out of it? I mean, that kid on the street who isn't sure about his two square meals is perhaps happier than I am. Or is it that the grass seems to be greener on the other side.

Happiness is relative. In that case, what is happiness?? How do you attain it?? It's all so confusing isn't it??

Allow me to take your leave, have a few medicines to take. Ciao!!!

PS: This just came in.. The Mumbai Bloggers Meet scheduled for the 20th has just been postponed to the 27th for lack of proper venue. Anyone who knows of a centrally located, easily accessible, indoor venue in Mumbai which can seat about a 100 bloggers at one go, please contact the Indiblogger team ASAP!!

Some humour:
Theory is when you know something, but it doesn't work.
Practice is when something works, but you don't know why it works.
Programmers combine Theory and Practice: Nothing works and they don't know why.

Lost!!!

Nothing much to post about to be honest but then the bug at times bites real hard and despite the want of ideas even before you realise your fingers are flying away on the ketboard and well.. you are writing a post. So lemme see what have I been upto really.... I've been trying to ease upa little.. it seems i'm strung real high and get irritated at the drop of a hat; Been tryingt o write a story... and before I was through with that I end up with another idea..a dnw ell now I' have two stories developing in a parallel track... i just they don't merge to create a catastrophic work of fiction!! Phew!! apart from that.. well mum is in town.. which means I'm being real good boy nowadays. And well... am having a tooth extraction, wisdom tooth... coz the brat is bugging the otgher functional ones and can cause serious damage to them. So, that means after tonight I'll be off solid food for about 48 hours. Darn painful thought I tell you.... and there I have a friend who calls up shrieks, "You are having a dental abortion?? Cool!! When is it going to be?? Do ensure you eat to hearts content before you go for that!!". And there I was trying to keep a straight face and not grimace back. Though it wouldn't have mattered much, 'coz she was over the phone but then...

Apart from all this I have been wondering at the amount of time we all spend at work. I mean, most of us end up doing so at the cost of our personal lives. In the professional world we are replaceable, but not in our personal lives. We go to work come back home and still think about something or the other pertaining to work. At times, I get the feeling that we've sold our soul to a devil called profession, which is engulfing all our senses leaving us as nothing but money earning machines. I mean, what on earth are we getting from working our asses off??? A sick body, a fatigues mind??? Philosophically speaking it's not really worth it. And yet, in world that we live in "You need money honey!!". perfect catch 22 situation if ever there was one!! I feel like breaking away from this routine ridden, mundane life of mine and doing the things that I like the most and yet they all cost something... there are no free lunches after all. So, to pursue the things I like, I have to work so that I can really chuck everything and simply sit back adn relax one fine day. But, will I be energetic enough for that then???

At times I feel we are lost. We are ignoring our heart's calling in doing what the "world" supposedly deems fit, defines as success. In a quest to build a beautiful and secure future are we not missing out on a splendid today?? Are we not lost???

20 things about ME!!!

Got tagged by Solo for this one and since I didn't have a thing to do.. well why not.... so here goes... 20 things about me!!!! :)

1. LAST MOVIE YOU SAW IN A THEATER:

RACE.... a good, fast-paced thriller

2. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING?

Maximum City by Suketu Mehta. Like the way he talks about Mumbai.

3. FAVORITE BOARD GAME?

hmmm......... this is a tough one. I've played loads but can't say anyone of them is my favourite. My favourite sports are lawn tennis, badminton, table tennis and snooker. That's it!!

4. FAVORITE MAGAZINE?

I don't read mags.

5. FAVORITE SMELLS?

New books, Davidoff Cool Water, BVLGARI Blue n the scent of a woman :P

Did I forget the smell of freshly baked cakes, tandoori chicken or for that matter kebabs and all??

6. FAVORITE SOUND?

The sound of music... whatever be the source.... a voice, an instrument, a soundbox.

The rev of a powerful bike or car.

Someone's voice when she decides to baby talk!! :D

7. WORST FEELING IN THE WORLD?

Not being able to do what you think should be done.

Feeling helpless. Not in control of situation.. losing or fear of losing someone you love.

8. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU WAKE?

darn!!! its morning...... what time is it???

9. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACE?

Nothing in particular..... Crispy Chicken at KFC, McAloo Tikki at McD, Jumbo Chicken Burger at Burger King, Chicken Farcha at Lucky's KoregaonPark Pune, Egg Bhurji at Pune Station. Too many... can't single out any single one!!

10. FUTURE CHILD'S NAME?

I'm not letting you into this. It's a secret!!

11. FINISH THIS STATEMENT. "IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY I'D...?

start my own restaurant and then may be a hotel, and develop it into a chain. And yeah, travel frequently to places where my heart belongs like Delhi, Kolkata and Sikkim.

12. DO YOU DRIVE FAST?

Safety is more important than speed. So, 100kmph is the max I'd clock past midnight on an empty street in the city.

13. DO YOU SLEEP WITH A STUFFED ANIMAL?

No!!! But, there is one who does watch me from where she sits every night!! A gift in case you were wondering!!

14. STORMS-COOL OR SCARY?

Pleanty of oppurtunities ;)

15. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CAR?

Errr.... don't remember!! :P

16. FAVORITE DRINK?

Coffee, Thums Up, Budweiser, Old Monk, Blue Curacao based drinks, Vodka with Lime cordial, Wine (Chilled white and room temp or cool red)

17. FINISH THIS STATEMENT, "IF I HAD THE TIME I WOULD .....

I'd alow myself to travel back and know in & out every city I've stepped into.

18. DO YOU EAT THE STEMS ON BROCCOLI?

What's that????

19. IF YOU COULD DYE YOUR HAIR ANY COLOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CHOICE?

No thanks!! I'm quite happy with Black.

20. NAME ALL THE DIFFERENT CITIES/TOWNS YOU HAVE LIVED IN.

Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, Jaipur, Sikkim, Pune.

21. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

Soccer, Snooker, Pool, Any racquet game.

22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU.

A lively writer. For more comments I'd have to know her a little more and thus require more time.

23. WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?

The floor!!

24. WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BORN AS YOURSELF AGAIN?

Yup!!! Am too good..... may be a with a few cosmetic changes but otherwise the same.

25. MORNING PERSON, OR NIGHT OWL?

Night owl.... what's morning???

26. OVER EASY, OR SUNNY SIDE UP?

errrr........ what's this about???

27. FAVORITE PLACE TO RELAX?

My bed, bean bag, a cool floor, a bath tub!!

28. FAVORITE PIE?

Errr... none really!!

29. FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR?

Butterscotch, Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla and the Gelatos (don't remember the names except for Mecroche(Ti Amo)!!)

30. OF ALL THE PEOPLE YOU TAGGED THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST?

Honestly, I haven't the faintest clue!!!

That's it done.... and the ones I tag are:

Gini

Pri

Aashi

Sneha

Deya

Raka

Ashu

Mann

Vands

Mads

I suppose that should suffice!! :)

Fried eggs..... Sunny side up!!

Nopes this has nothing to do with eggs. Neither would you taken through a discourse on how exalted and much respected my culinary skills have become (which by the way is still far from good, ahem!!). Time or should I say fate has been playing truant with me and has me gasping for breath every now and then. In light of my aspirations and other such stuff, I set upon all the actions with as much gusto but then it seems they've come to a stand still. I would say the entire show has started to well.... stagnate. Chuck it. And well other stuff are not going along too well. So I might say this is an attempt to cheer the self up... you may click on that small red cross the top right corner of your window now or carry on at you own peril.

Microsoft works!!

It was at the recently concluded Pune Bloggers Meet that Sandhya, a Microsoft evangelist, was talking about the Microsoft Live writer. Frankly, we were all surprised to know that it as FREE. (yup!! you got that right.. go grab a copy and tell me how it is!! :D). And then time for a Demo. It worked nice and fine or were there a few glitches. Whatever it was, suddenly I exclaimed "Microsoft works!!". It was more of a sarcasm really but well......

Delhi Blues........

There is this friend of mine who never fails to crack me up with her childish antics. Here's one of her latest (imagine baby talk, alright):

F: "I've got malaria!!"

Me: "Hmmm.... how do you know you never went to the doc??"

F: "No!! I've got typhoid!!"

Me: "huh???"

F: "No wait.... I think.. damn!! I dunno......."

Me: "Make up your mind and then I'll worry"

F: "You are absolutely hopeless"

And there I was dumbfounded as to what was that I did!!! Usual story.... chuck it!!

It really matters what you say... apart from the how!!

This one happened here at work. An entire team having a bite in the evening. Here is a snippet of conversation:

R: Dude, mujhe tere nicheka chahiye!! (referring to the burger he was having!!)

Dude: WHAT??? (Obviously thinking something else!!)

Silence.... and then the team bursts out laughing!!

It's so cold.

Another one from my pal. A cold Delhi morning. The auto speeding towards destination. She gives me a call.

F: "Sam, it's so cold here!!"

Me: "Didn't you take a shawl??"

F: "No, but I am wearing a coat."

Me: "Isn't it the same one, which never fails to keep the cold out."

F: "yeah...."

Me: "And then you complain about it being cold...."

Beer is to be taken chilled.

Well, there was this once I got myself a beer and had just about half of it. Lack of fridge allowed the beer to come around to room temperature. I forgot all about it. My dear flatmate N turns up with the bottle more than 24 hrs later and was like, "What would happened if I had this beer?? Can't let it go waste like this"... "Be my guest", I replied. He drank.... bottoms up... seconds later he was spewing it all out. Lesson: beer is to had chilled and in no other condition.

Once a non-veg.. always..

A few summers back, a friend of mine went the Maneka Gandhi way and denounced non-vegetarian food. Good.. nothing wrong with it, except if you love non-veg and your friends decide to go on a non-veg eating spree right after your decision.So one fine evening, with a plan to booze, we got all the stuff in our rooms along with loads of tandoori chicken and panner tikka for the veggie convert. With just the last piece of chicken lying around and most the guys too full to stuff anymore, our friend promptly jumps upon it. Though the action was deliberate to tempt him, we had not expected this result. He simply stared at us with mouthful of succulent chicken flesh, and finally mumbled: "Well you guys weren't having it, and the poor fellow seemed to be beckoning me to it.. I just decided to.. you know... relieve it... you know.... YOU DOGS!!!! STOP STARING!!!!"

Ah.. i dunno.. am smiling a little at those memories. Lesson learnt: Never try recounting tales.... I remember them fine but I narrate them in a pathetic manner. Period!!

Oh and those who have read this far. Thank you.... I know am out of your reach so my back is safe, but apologies for writing such a horrible post!!! :D

So long.. enjoy your eggs.. sunny side up!! :)

Cheerio!!

Mumbai Blogger Meet

Hey folks!!
last time around a few had complained that I had put up the Pune Blogger Meet news too late for any one of them to make it. So this time around, you have it almost 3 weeks in advance. Make the most it. See you all in Mumbai. This one is again organised by Indiblogger.

Scheduled for 20/04/2008 at 16:
City: Mumbai
Venue: To be announced, once discovered.

Mumbai blogger meet

20/04/2008 at 16:00

Check out the link here: Mumbai Bloggers Meet