Growling Tiger from the blanket of his house will certainly give an impression of a big threatening dog. My neighbor does not even require a board on perimeter wall saying “beware of dogs”. Yes, Tiger indeed is a dog, but, if our Tiger ever comes face to face with a wild Tiger, the wild one will die. Die of humiliation. Even a blind man will disqualify my neighbor’s claim to name the beast, Tiger. Tiger minus bark is unnoticed on the street among all the other street dogs. It is unrealistic to believe that the poor being’s name is Tiger. Difficult to understand, why my learned neighbor named the lean, bony, skinny creature, Tiger. Perhaps he did not find time to rechristen the dog after puberty. Nevertheless what is remarkable is the deep fearful bark. The bark is what is important in dark dead of night to threaten intruders. And Tiger satisfactorily does the job of keeping away trouble. Rather he is the cause of all my troubles.
Usually everybody loves their privacy especially when in bathroom (also read as restroom), me not an exception. But since the day I have shifted to this locality, my first step into the bathroom sets off alarm, as if it is to warn my commode of incoming artillery barrage. The continuous scaring bark of “Tiger” defies my purpose of visiting my restroom. By the time I take position to release the pressure that has built within my bowels, the cunning dog starts terrorizing me through never ending howl. Finally, I come out broke after a desperate try of emptying my intestinal coil. True, by this time I should have gotten used to the unkind gesture, but I have still not learnt to convince my intestine to get used to it. Slightest of disturbance during nature’s call ruins it. These days my visit to the relieving room is no less than expedition.
Believe me, I did not leave any stone unturned, explored all the ways, all the tricks to fool Tiger, and I have not succeeded yet. Including, using restroom without light. I mean bulb light, replaced the glow with candle light. Ultimately when I sat to test, I was like a sitting duck as vulnerable as was in the past. No my friend, it is nowhere near like a romantic candle light dinner. I have a feeling the dog probably spends the time waiting for me underneath the ventilator of the restroom. I am a victim who spends prolonged minutes to ease out in vain and the merciless dog shows no pity. As we have animal rights organization to prevent animal abuse from human, I need a human rights organization to prevent human victimization by animal (more precisely, neighbor’s dog).
In stress, I planned a retaliatory attack to give it back (Tit for tat) to the dog when it ventures out for poop. However the plan has its challenges and risks. Tiger is accompanied by the arrogant owner, which makes it difficult to execute “project Tiger”. Hence, I will have to wait with a patience of a saint. One such morning when I was keeping my eye on Tiger, I noticed Tiger indulging in pooping right in front of the gate of a villa 2 blocks across. After parking his excreta under the board that stated, “No parking in front of gate”, moved on as if the job was done by someone else. Tiger’s majestic walk gave a false impression that he was not the culprit. Most of the days I have seen the dog’s devastating intentions of spoiling well kempt lawns.
Hallelujah, I got a golden opportunity, that morning Tiger was alone and was in half squat pose to release unsightly, smelly stuff. I looked around to see if my neighbor was around. He was not, I kneeled down picked a stone and looked into the eye of my biggest enemy of past few months. Damn! Tiger’s doleful eyes left me in a dilemma whether to threaten or show mercy. My unhurried decision left me with no choice, Tiger’s “Guardian Angel” (or Guarding Angel) was standing behind me, monitoring my moves. It was a generous miss.
With the agony, I will pass rest of days, haunted in the locality with the foolish hope of opportunity knocking my door again.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
To live without you ...
Tide had the supremacy to sweep me, standing and resisting was beyond my strength. Deciding to stay put or rather flow with the tide was the only thing I could do. It was a difficult choice year’s back, but there was hardly anything that I could do to turn the events. The bond that I nurtured caringly for five years was not sturdy enough to take the blow, in a moment it was brutally ruptured. That day had I not let you go, I would not have learnt to live without you.
I am sure it was not love at first sight, later I do not even know when I fell for you. Perhaps the first encounter prepared me to think you are made for me. Dreaming about you in leisure was the only thing that I did. Subtle changes in me went unnoticed. Although I dare not to let anyone know about my feelings, I always desired to have you around me all the while, when I rouse in morning till I retire end of day. The attraction was fatal and irresistible. By then my world had already started revolving around you, stealing a moment with you in-between classes were utmost satisfying.
You were fascinatingly incomparable in your white top and khaki bottoms of all named brands. Initially, people used to stare at us thinking, I was too young to have you in my life but then it was just beginning of a lasting relation that I could never think of stay away from. I loved strolling with you through the same streets innumerable number of times which otherwise was boring, at times over the skywalks of railway stations, godly hours on the bus stops, on the back roads to avoid getting caught, vainly hide you behind my back at the first sign of trouble. Accept my confession, I would have had to be unfaithful in disowning you if trapped, Thank God!
Once when I was completely bedridden with fever, every conscious moment I was longing for your comfortable touch which I felt could cure me. Impatience was unmanageable, as if someone was holding me against my wish and I desperately wanted break the shackles to be with you. It was very uncharacteristic of me but fact. The zeal to get well soon was driven by your thoughts. God willing I recovered quicker than expectation and regrouped again. The separation brought us closer than ever.
The time that we spent together always looked too short, I realize even my whole life with you would give the same impression. This day when I am trying to live every moment, time is struggling to pass. Your first affectionate touch on my lips is still fresh in me as if it had happened just the other day. You were there with me like a loyal friend in my anxious moments, sad days and better days. Your presence around me was stimulating, pumped fresh lease of life in me. I was hopeful of spending a good rest of my life in your vicinity. Life without you itself was life threatening. Subsequently, with you was equally threatening. Indeed you threatened my life, I am glad I do not have the urge to hold you in my lips anymore.
Today when I notice you locked by lips of a person, I feel pity on him. May good sense prevail so that he walks over you and get away from your deadly web. After all life is precious than cigarettes.
I am sure it was not love at first sight, later I do not even know when I fell for you. Perhaps the first encounter prepared me to think you are made for me. Dreaming about you in leisure was the only thing that I did. Subtle changes in me went unnoticed. Although I dare not to let anyone know about my feelings, I always desired to have you around me all the while, when I rouse in morning till I retire end of day. The attraction was fatal and irresistible. By then my world had already started revolving around you, stealing a moment with you in-between classes were utmost satisfying.
You were fascinatingly incomparable in your white top and khaki bottoms of all named brands. Initially, people used to stare at us thinking, I was too young to have you in my life but then it was just beginning of a lasting relation that I could never think of stay away from. I loved strolling with you through the same streets innumerable number of times which otherwise was boring, at times over the skywalks of railway stations, godly hours on the bus stops, on the back roads to avoid getting caught, vainly hide you behind my back at the first sign of trouble. Accept my confession, I would have had to be unfaithful in disowning you if trapped, Thank God!
Once when I was completely bedridden with fever, every conscious moment I was longing for your comfortable touch which I felt could cure me. Impatience was unmanageable, as if someone was holding me against my wish and I desperately wanted break the shackles to be with you. It was very uncharacteristic of me but fact. The zeal to get well soon was driven by your thoughts. God willing I recovered quicker than expectation and regrouped again. The separation brought us closer than ever.
The time that we spent together always looked too short, I realize even my whole life with you would give the same impression. This day when I am trying to live every moment, time is struggling to pass. Your first affectionate touch on my lips is still fresh in me as if it had happened just the other day. You were there with me like a loyal friend in my anxious moments, sad days and better days. Your presence around me was stimulating, pumped fresh lease of life in me. I was hopeful of spending a good rest of my life in your vicinity. Life without you itself was life threatening. Subsequently, with you was equally threatening. Indeed you threatened my life, I am glad I do not have the urge to hold you in my lips anymore.
Today when I notice you locked by lips of a person, I feel pity on him. May good sense prevail so that he walks over you and get away from your deadly web. After all life is precious than cigarettes.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Mida’s touch of dirt ...
You may have guessed, I have done the unthinkable. I used my wild imagination to find a self explanatory title to this post (basically to evade reader’s curse). If I missed the trick by whiskers then I deserve a pardon. The pregnant pause since my last post was dedicated to restrict “yours sincerely” from doing what he disliked most, but not savoring the fabulous prospect provided by KK’s KR would be almost committing crime. Now for those who do not know KK’s KR, please hold your patience, soon it will be sans veil.
The recent elections brought us some surprises. UPA got a walkover through the courtesy of opposition parties. I wish, KR could mimicked the same politeness and offered a win to RR’s, if not of respect for the defending champion’s then at least for sake of the world renowned and stunningly beautiful owner. An ardent fan like me can hold tears if a team lose repetitively again and again and again (exaggerated? my count of “again” is minimal against their number of losses), but could hold no more, to find the gorgeous in disarray. Offer of my shoulder would cost me more than a fortune, hence a bad idea. What an irony, till the previous week, I was angry because of their performance (do I need to prefix it with “bad”) same goes for this week, just because of scoring a win. KR’s have found a way to dishearten fans, they lose it when it is much required and win it when they could do with a loss. Yes Lady, I agree they are the only reason for your plight. A win for them was inconsequential whereas for you, it meant a semi-final berth. They have been such a spoil sport, spoiled your party. Accept my deepest sympathies for their mischief.
Anyway, let me not beat around the bush and get to the point. Since all the quacks are doing a postmortem on KR’s failure I thought I too will contribute. My findings may sound funny but at times the solution of a complex theorem resides in the simplest of explanation or vice versa. So, let us begin the journey to unthinkable.
Holding the playing XI accountable for the results will be cruelty. See, it needs a brave heart to accept defeat match after match and still prepare self for next occurrence. Therefore, I will be anything but cruel, so bear me.
Have you observed a herd of sheep grazing at different place everyday? The owner completely depends on border collies (sheepdog) for herding and directing the herd to a new place day after day. Now replace, sheep with playing XI, owner will not need any replacement and border collies with coaching staff. Next time when you see a breach in cordon (sheep herd) you will know who is accountable.
What do you say if the native sheep which promises to be the best in future is not taken out for grazing and left on its own to die with passing time? A team can just not win with talent hired from outside. Of course they are expected to play well and they may, but at the end, local talent has to be tried before it is tested. Moreover playing local talent is the best option because they will always be available (anytime of year) and will not depend on the window to play after serving the national team. Players from other nations (on rolls of national team) will have inconsistent attendance during tournament matches, do not even think of their presence during practice sessions. The team which does not breathe together can never win together.
It also has to do with our affinity towards anything that we import from outside, even if the quality is substandard. It is high time that we start believing in ourselves, our products, and feel we are the best. Do we really need imported director/coach for a team? Can’t we see within to find the persons who best suit the job, when we have such abundance of talent? Before directing (or guiding) a player (team) a coach has to identify the talent (in each individual) and to do that it is important to understand every players psyche. For a coach bred in different nation, it is a daunting and haunting (after the series of loss) task to understand 7 local players (IPL still has restriction of playing only 4 outside players). I have heard, to overcome this, a self deficient director has requested to raise the number of outside players to 5. If such requests are granted year after year, I am afraid in next 7 years, IPL will only be a misnomer or the abbreviation will stand for “International Premiere League”.
Now few pointers for the owner, circulate a copy of your movie where you enacted a coaches role. Needless to say that your act was fabulous, use it to your advantage. The only drawback, players from abroad will not understand unless it has English subtitles. But, think if you do not provide subtitles it will again benefit you, they will start taking Hindi lessons that in turn will give them a feeling of being one among the locals. One word of caution, also force your support stuff to attend the classes regularly.
Why would you devoid yourself of taking some lessons on behavioral aspect either? Displeasing big shots of cricket, using insulting words will only help you and your team to attain martyrdom. In your bad days (or team’s bad days) these experts of the game will bail you out. So, watch your words and control your behavior off the field. Accept the fact, in this jungle someone else is “The King”.
Nevertheless, nothing can take away the credit for entertaining us from KR, they showed us many ways of losing a game. I think, for this year’s league this was all they had for us and that is end of it. I am definite they would save much time during retrospection because success was sporadic and it remained elusive thru the tournament, whatever they touched, it turned into dirt. If they don’t stop building pillars of failure, someday all the golden colors of their jersey (and rest of sporting gear) will turn to dirt brown. The fire on the helmet will give way to diminishing smoke.
Closing thoughts - an owner can sell a team if it does not do well, a director/coach can move on (or let go), a player can also switch loyalty but where does a fan go? All stakeholders except a fan, play for money. A fan just plays (read as follows) for heart. Like others I too will still stick to my team “The KR”, hoping, next league they would finish in top 2, as DC did this year.
The recent elections brought us some surprises. UPA got a walkover through the courtesy of opposition parties. I wish, KR could mimicked the same politeness and offered a win to RR’s, if not of respect for the defending champion’s then at least for sake of the world renowned and stunningly beautiful owner. An ardent fan like me can hold tears if a team lose repetitively again and again and again (exaggerated? my count of “again” is minimal against their number of losses), but could hold no more, to find the gorgeous in disarray. Offer of my shoulder would cost me more than a fortune, hence a bad idea. What an irony, till the previous week, I was angry because of their performance (do I need to prefix it with “bad”) same goes for this week, just because of scoring a win. KR’s have found a way to dishearten fans, they lose it when it is much required and win it when they could do with a loss. Yes Lady, I agree they are the only reason for your plight. A win for them was inconsequential whereas for you, it meant a semi-final berth. They have been such a spoil sport, spoiled your party. Accept my deepest sympathies for their mischief.
Anyway, let me not beat around the bush and get to the point. Since all the quacks are doing a postmortem on KR’s failure I thought I too will contribute. My findings may sound funny but at times the solution of a complex theorem resides in the simplest of explanation or vice versa. So, let us begin the journey to unthinkable.
Holding the playing XI accountable for the results will be cruelty. See, it needs a brave heart to accept defeat match after match and still prepare self for next occurrence. Therefore, I will be anything but cruel, so bear me.
Have you observed a herd of sheep grazing at different place everyday? The owner completely depends on border collies (sheepdog) for herding and directing the herd to a new place day after day. Now replace, sheep with playing XI, owner will not need any replacement and border collies with coaching staff. Next time when you see a breach in cordon (sheep herd) you will know who is accountable.
What do you say if the native sheep which promises to be the best in future is not taken out for grazing and left on its own to die with passing time? A team can just not win with talent hired from outside. Of course they are expected to play well and they may, but at the end, local talent has to be tried before it is tested. Moreover playing local talent is the best option because they will always be available (anytime of year) and will not depend on the window to play after serving the national team. Players from other nations (on rolls of national team) will have inconsistent attendance during tournament matches, do not even think of their presence during practice sessions. The team which does not breathe together can never win together.
It also has to do with our affinity towards anything that we import from outside, even if the quality is substandard. It is high time that we start believing in ourselves, our products, and feel we are the best. Do we really need imported director/coach for a team? Can’t we see within to find the persons who best suit the job, when we have such abundance of talent? Before directing (or guiding) a player (team) a coach has to identify the talent (in each individual) and to do that it is important to understand every players psyche. For a coach bred in different nation, it is a daunting and haunting (after the series of loss) task to understand 7 local players (IPL still has restriction of playing only 4 outside players). I have heard, to overcome this, a self deficient director has requested to raise the number of outside players to 5. If such requests are granted year after year, I am afraid in next 7 years, IPL will only be a misnomer or the abbreviation will stand for “International Premiere League”.
Now few pointers for the owner, circulate a copy of your movie where you enacted a coaches role. Needless to say that your act was fabulous, use it to your advantage. The only drawback, players from abroad will not understand unless it has English subtitles. But, think if you do not provide subtitles it will again benefit you, they will start taking Hindi lessons that in turn will give them a feeling of being one among the locals. One word of caution, also force your support stuff to attend the classes regularly.
Why would you devoid yourself of taking some lessons on behavioral aspect either? Displeasing big shots of cricket, using insulting words will only help you and your team to attain martyrdom. In your bad days (or team’s bad days) these experts of the game will bail you out. So, watch your words and control your behavior off the field. Accept the fact, in this jungle someone else is “The King”.
Nevertheless, nothing can take away the credit for entertaining us from KR, they showed us many ways of losing a game. I think, for this year’s league this was all they had for us and that is end of it. I am definite they would save much time during retrospection because success was sporadic and it remained elusive thru the tournament, whatever they touched, it turned into dirt. If they don’t stop building pillars of failure, someday all the golden colors of their jersey (and rest of sporting gear) will turn to dirt brown. The fire on the helmet will give way to diminishing smoke.
Closing thoughts - an owner can sell a team if it does not do well, a director/coach can move on (or let go), a player can also switch loyalty but where does a fan go? All stakeholders except a fan, play for money. A fan just plays (read as follows) for heart. Like others I too will still stick to my team “The KR”, hoping, next league they would finish in top 2, as DC did this year.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Strong second in command...
Hagar seemed preoccupied with some thought. On asking he responded, “I am searching for a strong second in command, someone with courage and determination. Someone who can deal with difficult people and someone who can excel in hand to hand combat!”. After a patient hearing the listener replied, “How about your wife?”. Hagar may dare to ponder over the suggestion, but I and some of my likeminded friends will never, because we are thankfully not blessed with a wife. Almighty has been little kinder to us.
I am in a phase of life where people in my country think it is high time to get married. People are neighbors, married friends who do not wish to see their bachelor friend’s happy and finally parents. A caring neighbor will lose his sleep over an unmarried person in locality, they in turn will make all the arrangements to pass insomnia to the already suffering family, especially the unfortunate guy. The same neighbor would be compassionate towards a spinster by saying, “so pretty girl but unfortunate in not getting the right proposal”, on the other hand for a bachelor the comments would be poles apart, “the guy has some problems, otherwise why would not he get the right proposal?”
It is a midlife crisis that I am passing thru. If I hang-out with guys for outings and party, neighbor’s conclusion will be confirmed about my problem and they would not want to do any litmus test on my likings. Fully and finally I will be classed in “Dostana” category. To prove them wrong, if I go around with girls, I will be casted as characterless and socially boycotted. Under any circumstances I will be a loser and will be put under social discrimination. I have tried to find a mid path so that I am spared, I stay within myself, no going out. I know, it is a dumb way but I am happy to be tagged “self-content” rather than “characterless” or whatever.
As I stay away from parents only twice a year I had to face the difficult environment. Still manageable but these days it is even challenging to attend parties and social gatherings, friend’s wives are more concerned about my marital status. Brows are raised and weird embarrassing questions are asked by their better halves. My bosom friends pass me cunning smile from behind their wives to see me in awkward position. Very often I smartly change the topic, also at times I keep myself engrossed in other sundry things to bail myself out. A good friend of mine uses a different technique, he says, “his girl friend has ditched him.”, he artfully creates a sympathetic ground and avoids volleys of question.
I desperately wanted to stay away from such places. I guess that was an unrealistic “want”. The other day a young team member of mine sent me an email with some attachment. She wanted me to choose someone from the attached snap. I opened the attachment and found a bunch of beautiful girls standing in a group, promoting a brand. Initially, I thought the snap was from her college, only later to find the snap was of all the contenders competing Miss India ’09. Cruel world, nobody misses a chance to wash hands in flowing water. Being a software engineer we are taught to do a fish bone analysis for every problem. For me at present such things are no less than a problem. So, I did my analysis, inferences, ultimately a conclusion that was straightforward. If I get married all this will be put to end and along with, a series of never ending problems will crop.
Subsequent to marriage a guy loses to be sensitive towards self, lose to be sensible either, will also lose the right to speak, forget about speaking the complete truth (he would rather disclose truth that would make her happy), at times also lose his home for couple of nights (we call it night out). If he dares to breach the set of above laws (it is partial list and there are so many undocumented laws) even god will be powerless.
A smart wife (actually all better halves are smart) will always find a way to know about husband’s schedule when he is out of sight. He cannot remain at ease anytime and should be prepared to receive her calls, citing not so convincing cause. The first question invariably would be, “where are you?”, I and all my married friends will agree that this is the only answer she is interested in, rest of the discussion is filler. How do I know? Courtesy my friends whom I meet over cup of tea, which they dare to declare to their respective better halves. They have reasons to hide, of course who wants to face a firing squad after returning home? Better not to divulge and buy peace of mind and better treatment at home.
An intelligent guy will never get into an argument with his wife, as he does not stand a chance to win. Worst would be if he gets sucked into a heated discussion and wife threatens to leave home at the dead of night. He should be ever willing to oblige her by leaving home first, otherwise he may see himself in the morning daily or he may be talk of the colony next morning for wrong reason. In place of unwanted publicity he may have to spend the night at someplace else, probably at an unmarried friend’s place like mine. No, he cannot ask for shelter at any married friend’s house that will be cause of embarrassment for his better half.
If you have a married boss and you are fed up of his abuses and scolding’s don’t be upset, just show your pity on him, because this is how he is treated at home. He is as weak in front of home ministry, as you are in front of him. Unluckily, he has found an easy target in you to excrete his frustration.
Hindsight, I have decided it is still a long way for me to go and experience such extremes of life at the cost of freedom. I will love to be reason of jealousy for all my married friends.
Someone has rightly said, just before his marriage, “Happiness is not everything in life.”
I am in a phase of life where people in my country think it is high time to get married. People are neighbors, married friends who do not wish to see their bachelor friend’s happy and finally parents. A caring neighbor will lose his sleep over an unmarried person in locality, they in turn will make all the arrangements to pass insomnia to the already suffering family, especially the unfortunate guy. The same neighbor would be compassionate towards a spinster by saying, “so pretty girl but unfortunate in not getting the right proposal”, on the other hand for a bachelor the comments would be poles apart, “the guy has some problems, otherwise why would not he get the right proposal?”
It is a midlife crisis that I am passing thru. If I hang-out with guys for outings and party, neighbor’s conclusion will be confirmed about my problem and they would not want to do any litmus test on my likings. Fully and finally I will be classed in “Dostana” category. To prove them wrong, if I go around with girls, I will be casted as characterless and socially boycotted. Under any circumstances I will be a loser and will be put under social discrimination. I have tried to find a mid path so that I am spared, I stay within myself, no going out. I know, it is a dumb way but I am happy to be tagged “self-content” rather than “characterless” or whatever.
As I stay away from parents only twice a year I had to face the difficult environment. Still manageable but these days it is even challenging to attend parties and social gatherings, friend’s wives are more concerned about my marital status. Brows are raised and weird embarrassing questions are asked by their better halves. My bosom friends pass me cunning smile from behind their wives to see me in awkward position. Very often I smartly change the topic, also at times I keep myself engrossed in other sundry things to bail myself out. A good friend of mine uses a different technique, he says, “his girl friend has ditched him.”, he artfully creates a sympathetic ground and avoids volleys of question.
I desperately wanted to stay away from such places. I guess that was an unrealistic “want”. The other day a young team member of mine sent me an email with some attachment. She wanted me to choose someone from the attached snap. I opened the attachment and found a bunch of beautiful girls standing in a group, promoting a brand. Initially, I thought the snap was from her college, only later to find the snap was of all the contenders competing Miss India ’09. Cruel world, nobody misses a chance to wash hands in flowing water. Being a software engineer we are taught to do a fish bone analysis for every problem. For me at present such things are no less than a problem. So, I did my analysis, inferences, ultimately a conclusion that was straightforward. If I get married all this will be put to end and along with, a series of never ending problems will crop.
Subsequent to marriage a guy loses to be sensitive towards self, lose to be sensible either, will also lose the right to speak, forget about speaking the complete truth (he would rather disclose truth that would make her happy), at times also lose his home for couple of nights (we call it night out). If he dares to breach the set of above laws (it is partial list and there are so many undocumented laws) even god will be powerless.
A smart wife (actually all better halves are smart) will always find a way to know about husband’s schedule when he is out of sight. He cannot remain at ease anytime and should be prepared to receive her calls, citing not so convincing cause. The first question invariably would be, “where are you?”, I and all my married friends will agree that this is the only answer she is interested in, rest of the discussion is filler. How do I know? Courtesy my friends whom I meet over cup of tea, which they dare to declare to their respective better halves. They have reasons to hide, of course who wants to face a firing squad after returning home? Better not to divulge and buy peace of mind and better treatment at home.
An intelligent guy will never get into an argument with his wife, as he does not stand a chance to win. Worst would be if he gets sucked into a heated discussion and wife threatens to leave home at the dead of night. He should be ever willing to oblige her by leaving home first, otherwise he may see himself in the morning daily or he may be talk of the colony next morning for wrong reason. In place of unwanted publicity he may have to spend the night at someplace else, probably at an unmarried friend’s place like mine. No, he cannot ask for shelter at any married friend’s house that will be cause of embarrassment for his better half.
If you have a married boss and you are fed up of his abuses and scolding’s don’t be upset, just show your pity on him, because this is how he is treated at home. He is as weak in front of home ministry, as you are in front of him. Unluckily, he has found an easy target in you to excrete his frustration.
Hindsight, I have decided it is still a long way for me to go and experience such extremes of life at the cost of freedom. I will love to be reason of jealousy for all my married friends.
Someone has rightly said, just before his marriage, “Happiness is not everything in life.”
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Outside a dog, books are man’s best friend
Last couple of weeks it’s been tough for me to spend my time, which is relatively idle. Of course it is official time and let me mention, I can be found only in two places through the year, either race course or stable. Did I sound whinny? If I say, change in organization is the cause of the free time, I may not be wrong. I am in transient phase, trying to gain foothold at a new place. As I hardly have any control over the cause, I consciously decided to utilize the time to gather information. Gathering information (like policies, etc.) about the new place seemed to be the call of the hour. Hence I started my expedition.
Human resource department takes pride in claiming, that all related information is just a “click” (Mouse click) away rather than saying a building away or a location way (as in case of big manufacturing houses). But I have so much of free time that I will easily motivate myself to commute from building to building or location for the sake of information. Now, there’s a problem in “click methodology” (of extracting information), I need a system (desktop, aka computer). My boss told me I will have a system only when I have a project. And my experience says when I have project I will not have enough time to excavate information. Irony of the industry is the right tool is only procured, not at the right time but much later than that, saying “better late than never”. I want to thank the person who phrased the words, at least it provides an easy getaway.
Implementing “click methodology” was not feasible, thus resulting in my dependence on people whom I talked to in the organization. The only drawback of such practice - whatever is served, will look like Swiss cheese (which has more holes than cheese). It depended on an individual’s inventive mind on how to cement the holes and make it concrete. While such transfer of information continued thru such unscheduled on-call meetings, I used the rest of the time in library. No don’t get me wrong, I just comforted myself in the cozy sofa kept there. To hide the oddity of my relaxed posture on the sofa, I picked up a newspaper and buried my face behind the pages. This habit had a magnetic effect, now I happen to read the columns as well, even of financial news papers. Albeit, my resume projects my expertise in finance, my knowledge and pocket will disagree at will. I read such journals of compulsion as there are hardly any takers in the library who loves reading those pinky orange colored papers. The rest of the dailies are always on demand, predator outnumbering prey. To get my hand on to one, I depend on my scavenging and hopping skills of a frog. By the mid of my day I realize my hard work paid, I read 3 of those.
Passing the rest of the day is much easier because I do not have to imitate a frog and I can sit quiet especially after a sumptuous meal. It is important to relax after a hard day’s meal, so I browse the open shelf for small books which has 200 pages or less, than find a low profile corner of the library (where less people ventured) and unwind myself over a chair. People say, “Outside a dog, books are man’s best friend”, I whole heartedly agree to this. I remember, during my school days, I remained surrounded by books whenever I slept. Yes, that’s primarily because I used to fall asleep over an open book on the study table while studying. Who needs a sleeping pill when books are around? Physique of some book is meant to force people like me to sleep. Here in library, I get so engrossed in the book (read as sleep) that unconsciously my chin rests over the table, and my eyes almost closes, at a distance of a few millimeters of the page. I wish, I could even read the first chapter of the books completely that I picked relentlessly, post lunch after post lunch. Believe me, my intentions are always sincere, but the urge of a cat nap betrays my effort. All the books I tried reading after lunch can vouch on my claim. Darn me! Nevertheless I have an inference from this experiment, all the books smells the same.
Practice makes a man perfect but an imperfect practice seldom – Yours sincerely.
Human resource department takes pride in claiming, that all related information is just a “click” (Mouse click) away rather than saying a building away or a location way (as in case of big manufacturing houses). But I have so much of free time that I will easily motivate myself to commute from building to building or location for the sake of information. Now, there’s a problem in “click methodology” (of extracting information), I need a system (desktop, aka computer). My boss told me I will have a system only when I have a project. And my experience says when I have project I will not have enough time to excavate information. Irony of the industry is the right tool is only procured, not at the right time but much later than that, saying “better late than never”. I want to thank the person who phrased the words, at least it provides an easy getaway.
Implementing “click methodology” was not feasible, thus resulting in my dependence on people whom I talked to in the organization. The only drawback of such practice - whatever is served, will look like Swiss cheese (which has more holes than cheese). It depended on an individual’s inventive mind on how to cement the holes and make it concrete. While such transfer of information continued thru such unscheduled on-call meetings, I used the rest of the time in library. No don’t get me wrong, I just comforted myself in the cozy sofa kept there. To hide the oddity of my relaxed posture on the sofa, I picked up a newspaper and buried my face behind the pages. This habit had a magnetic effect, now I happen to read the columns as well, even of financial news papers. Albeit, my resume projects my expertise in finance, my knowledge and pocket will disagree at will. I read such journals of compulsion as there are hardly any takers in the library who loves reading those pinky orange colored papers. The rest of the dailies are always on demand, predator outnumbering prey. To get my hand on to one, I depend on my scavenging and hopping skills of a frog. By the mid of my day I realize my hard work paid, I read 3 of those.
Passing the rest of the day is much easier because I do not have to imitate a frog and I can sit quiet especially after a sumptuous meal. It is important to relax after a hard day’s meal, so I browse the open shelf for small books which has 200 pages or less, than find a low profile corner of the library (where less people ventured) and unwind myself over a chair. People say, “Outside a dog, books are man’s best friend”, I whole heartedly agree to this. I remember, during my school days, I remained surrounded by books whenever I slept. Yes, that’s primarily because I used to fall asleep over an open book on the study table while studying. Who needs a sleeping pill when books are around? Physique of some book is meant to force people like me to sleep. Here in library, I get so engrossed in the book (read as sleep) that unconsciously my chin rests over the table, and my eyes almost closes, at a distance of a few millimeters of the page. I wish, I could even read the first chapter of the books completely that I picked relentlessly, post lunch after post lunch. Believe me, my intentions are always sincere, but the urge of a cat nap betrays my effort. All the books I tried reading after lunch can vouch on my claim. Darn me! Nevertheless I have an inference from this experiment, all the books smells the same.
Practice makes a man perfect but an imperfect practice seldom – Yours sincerely.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Arise, awake, and stop not ...
After all the hiatus, finally the country is coming to terms and is back to normalcy. No points for guessing, I am talking about “The Mumbai Carnage”. In my thoughtful subconscious mind, I asked myself why it happened in the first place. Was it just an intelligence failure or another failure at our end? Yes, “our”, of course including me, even if I am sitting long way from the financial capital of the country. Ask me the same question in public somewhere in Gateway of India, my answer will be different. Although I thoroughly understand “Security is personal”, I will blame everybody else except me, starting from police to politician, and how can I forget the neighboring country.
If you have ever commuted by public transportation, you may find writing on the wall, “you are responsible for your belongings”. Does that also include “Life”? May be, isn’t life my own belonging? I believe, I have to explain this one with simple examples relating to day to day life. Why do we wear helmet while driving? If we all follow the road rules properly without failure do you think we will ever have to wear helmet? I have another example for those who could not relate themselves from the previous example, do we leave our entry gates and doors of our houses unlocked, even if we have 24/7 security beside the gate? By saying all this I am not trying to save the public servants who are responsible for security of Republic of India and people residing within. More so, when I religiously pay my taxes year after year (which is used for country’s development including security). And at the same time, I notice poor police to public ratio, which stands at around 1000 persons/police. Since now I am sympathetic towards the police, let me pick the next one from my blame list, politicians. We are a democratic country, how does a politician comes to power? I presume the answer is hidden well within the question, irrelevant of the fact whether I practice my voting right.
I am stuck, the last and only option in my blame list is the neighboring country, where I have never been, neither am I aware of their culture. Population of India is 1,147,995,904 (more than 1.14 billion). Disclaimer: By the time you read, figures are bound to change. How is it possible that an alien intrudes our country without detection? There has to be at least one out of such a humongous count, who must have noticed anti social elements entering through, so called porous border. That suggest we are careless and not so cautious about unfamiliar events happening around us. Unfortunately we are surrounded by not so prosperous countries than us and such tales of horror will keep occurring till they follow the path to development (not only defense). Investigations have showed root cause of such crime, most of the time is meager sum of money. So, it is more important that we remain vigilant and bring out the little policeman within us and question things as and when it is happening, rather than sitting like a duck expecting we will not be harmed, whereas the fact is, someone from my own society, country will be harmed. Being a student of management (by virtue of my job) I have understood, this incidence has placed us in reactive mode (fire fighting) because we were not proactive in estimating the loss that will be caused if we do not plan properly.
With faith in almighty, I hope such gruesome incidence will not be repeated anywhere, anywhere in the world. Let us pledge to work towards a peaceful country and world.
Arise, awake, and stop not till your goal is reached! -- Swami Vivekananda
If you have ever commuted by public transportation, you may find writing on the wall, “you are responsible for your belongings”. Does that also include “Life”? May be, isn’t life my own belonging? I believe, I have to explain this one with simple examples relating to day to day life. Why do we wear helmet while driving? If we all follow the road rules properly without failure do you think we will ever have to wear helmet? I have another example for those who could not relate themselves from the previous example, do we leave our entry gates and doors of our houses unlocked, even if we have 24/7 security beside the gate? By saying all this I am not trying to save the public servants who are responsible for security of Republic of India and people residing within. More so, when I religiously pay my taxes year after year (which is used for country’s development including security). And at the same time, I notice poor police to public ratio, which stands at around 1000 persons/police. Since now I am sympathetic towards the police, let me pick the next one from my blame list, politicians. We are a democratic country, how does a politician comes to power? I presume the answer is hidden well within the question, irrelevant of the fact whether I practice my voting right.
I am stuck, the last and only option in my blame list is the neighboring country, where I have never been, neither am I aware of their culture. Population of India is 1,147,995,904 (more than 1.14 billion). Disclaimer: By the time you read, figures are bound to change. How is it possible that an alien intrudes our country without detection? There has to be at least one out of such a humongous count, who must have noticed anti social elements entering through, so called porous border. That suggest we are careless and not so cautious about unfamiliar events happening around us. Unfortunately we are surrounded by not so prosperous countries than us and such tales of horror will keep occurring till they follow the path to development (not only defense). Investigations have showed root cause of such crime, most of the time is meager sum of money. So, it is more important that we remain vigilant and bring out the little policeman within us and question things as and when it is happening, rather than sitting like a duck expecting we will not be harmed, whereas the fact is, someone from my own society, country will be harmed. Being a student of management (by virtue of my job) I have understood, this incidence has placed us in reactive mode (fire fighting) because we were not proactive in estimating the loss that will be caused if we do not plan properly.
With faith in almighty, I hope such gruesome incidence will not be repeated anywhere, anywhere in the world. Let us pledge to work towards a peaceful country and world.
Arise, awake, and stop not till your goal is reached! -- Swami Vivekananda
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The last bus
The 32 seats bus entered the campus, bordered by barbed wires neatly hidden behind sheets of green jute knitted fabric, security scanning authentication of entering vehicles from the guard post. Sitting in one corner (facing wind shield) I was gazing at the passing coconut trees and a wide delicately mowed lawn which resembled a golf course just because of the marking flags to identify location of nearby hole. I turned my sight to other side to see if it was a place to play golf. Yes it was but I could measure the latitude, probably it was a mini course and not a 19 holes course. Bus stopped near a small 2 floored building after traversing the serpentine road cutting the lawn diametrically.
As soon as I stepped down a breeze embraced me, welcoming to the new facility where I will have my new base. From bustle of the city to a quiet and uninhabited island which is connected by a makeshift bridge which promises to break even at the first warning calls before flood. I felt like a prisoner sentenced to stay here for life. The coconut leaves high up, rubbing to each other on a bright sunny day, called me to give me a faith that I can also stand tall, independent with my own space which was in ample here and that is what is needed when I have vision to grow. I decided, I will grow here whatever comes I will take it head on. With the thought I walked pass the security at the entrance to the ground floor, which still had a deserted look. Was me, the only prisoner of my thought, sent to this facility? I hope not, otherwise my determination will take a dent, nevertheless I will still give it a fight.
When the clock ticked 1230 hours, I noticed few more people entering the floor with steady steps proving they are not as fresh as me in the enclosure. I was happy to see more of my species, and one of them confirmed I was the 40th inmate here, so nothing to worry. But my mind still reluctant to accept that there was nothing to worry and a thought of breaking off from here frequented my mind for first few weeks. To kill the thought and get accustomed to the place I used to come out of the floor with a reason to smoke. Smoke break was also meant to heighten my spirit by observing the same coconut tree which was standing tall nearer to the sky, beating the concrete building.
With passing time I liked the place, largely because of the work schedule, which hardly gave me the luxury to think anything else, and my companion “the coconut tree”. In my not so good days my companion shared my pain and the smoke that I was airing. Days when I was low, starved, frustrated, lost, it was right beside me to boost my moral and gave me the hope that I was growing with every experience, good or bad. Moreover good and bad are complimentary and are well appreciated in each other’s coexistence.
The next year, I was shifted to the next newly built, bigger building on the other side of the road. I knew, I may not get enough time to see my companion once I am out, but I also had to accept the opportunity, expecting I will grow. While leaving, I wished I could see my companion from my new floor. Almighty was kind. Now I have a terrace on the 5th floor to smoke and see my companion from far. Things have changed so fast in 18 months, earlier I used to look up to my partner with hope, now I look down to find my friend. The concrete building belittled the existence of my partner. I asked myself, was this growth that I was in search of when I was deported to this campus?
Today, little more than 2 years have passed, and I am holding on to the same zeal that my companion gave me long back. My watch is showing 1845 hours, I am seated in a 32 seats bus on one corner, with my back to the wind shield, facing the rest of the commuters, as if getting ready for new ordeal. The driver has started the engine and I am looking at the place where I used to share my time with my companion, bravely defeating wild wind. A new concrete structure has invaded my partner’s space, I do not see my friend anymore. With a deep breath, I looked up to the dusky sky, a cool breeze touched me, embraced me for the last time. My thoughts slowly dying under the rumbling sound of the moving buses. With a vision to grow somewhere else and a hope of brighter tomorrow, I am leaving this place forever, this is my last bus from the campus.
As soon as I stepped down a breeze embraced me, welcoming to the new facility where I will have my new base. From bustle of the city to a quiet and uninhabited island which is connected by a makeshift bridge which promises to break even at the first warning calls before flood. I felt like a prisoner sentenced to stay here for life. The coconut leaves high up, rubbing to each other on a bright sunny day, called me to give me a faith that I can also stand tall, independent with my own space which was in ample here and that is what is needed when I have vision to grow. I decided, I will grow here whatever comes I will take it head on. With the thought I walked pass the security at the entrance to the ground floor, which still had a deserted look. Was me, the only prisoner of my thought, sent to this facility? I hope not, otherwise my determination will take a dent, nevertheless I will still give it a fight.
When the clock ticked 1230 hours, I noticed few more people entering the floor with steady steps proving they are not as fresh as me in the enclosure. I was happy to see more of my species, and one of them confirmed I was the 40th inmate here, so nothing to worry. But my mind still reluctant to accept that there was nothing to worry and a thought of breaking off from here frequented my mind for first few weeks. To kill the thought and get accustomed to the place I used to come out of the floor with a reason to smoke. Smoke break was also meant to heighten my spirit by observing the same coconut tree which was standing tall nearer to the sky, beating the concrete building.
With passing time I liked the place, largely because of the work schedule, which hardly gave me the luxury to think anything else, and my companion “the coconut tree”. In my not so good days my companion shared my pain and the smoke that I was airing. Days when I was low, starved, frustrated, lost, it was right beside me to boost my moral and gave me the hope that I was growing with every experience, good or bad. Moreover good and bad are complimentary and are well appreciated in each other’s coexistence.
The next year, I was shifted to the next newly built, bigger building on the other side of the road. I knew, I may not get enough time to see my companion once I am out, but I also had to accept the opportunity, expecting I will grow. While leaving, I wished I could see my companion from my new floor. Almighty was kind. Now I have a terrace on the 5th floor to smoke and see my companion from far. Things have changed so fast in 18 months, earlier I used to look up to my partner with hope, now I look down to find my friend. The concrete building belittled the existence of my partner. I asked myself, was this growth that I was in search of when I was deported to this campus?
Today, little more than 2 years have passed, and I am holding on to the same zeal that my companion gave me long back. My watch is showing 1845 hours, I am seated in a 32 seats bus on one corner, with my back to the wind shield, facing the rest of the commuters, as if getting ready for new ordeal. The driver has started the engine and I am looking at the place where I used to share my time with my companion, bravely defeating wild wind. A new concrete structure has invaded my partner’s space, I do not see my friend anymore. With a deep breath, I looked up to the dusky sky, a cool breeze touched me, embraced me for the last time. My thoughts slowly dying under the rumbling sound of the moving buses. With a vision to grow somewhere else and a hope of brighter tomorrow, I am leaving this place forever, this is my last bus from the campus.
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