Truly Tempted

The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it - Oscar Wilde

Why is there such a strong affinity for something that is out of bounds? Is it because it is out of bounds? Probably yes! Anything that is immoral or wrong and with a high degree of repercussion is more simulating to our senses. Right choices are – “Aah! So bland”. But then the basic question - what/who defines right and wrong? That judgment usually comes from elements who contribute an iota to your existence. Why then are we always worried about appeasing these elements?

A paradigm that makes more sense to me is the one where your choices are based on people. A choice that hurts someone and in return makes you feel uneasy about your judgment - that is morality in its true form. It cannot be based on gospels and sermons because its much more than that.

So when faced with a choice, stop fretting over making the right one. It’s anyways easy to be God; what’s tough is being human!

Puneri .....once again

A friend's conversation at a famous diary in Pune. The taste of this conversation is in marathi, so keeping the conversation language as is.

She: Dahi aahe ka? Kitila?
Shopkeeper: 12 la
She: Majhyakade 11 aahet.. 1 nantar deu ka?
He: (thankavun) NAHI
She: Bara.. taak?
He: (again thankavun) SUTTE 5


Kahihi mhana, tya puneri maaz chi majaach vegli!!!!!! I miss it.

Defining Moments

What does it take to enjoy a movie? A good theater, a good movie...Naah! It needs an exam, rather, exams. A bunch of papers that kill you as they pass by, giving you a sigh of relief on just the last day....and that’s the perfect moment to watch a movie. No other criteria come close to that moment of finishing up your paper and heading towards the theater with your gang.

Someone was tad too perfect when s/he said that Life is nothing but a bunch of moments. Everything between those moments, well, who cares about them anyways?

Roses make no sense until the moment you have someone to give it to as you are popping the question. For that moment, nothing but a red rose would do. And irrespective of the answer to your proposal the red rose and the moment become an inseparable part of your life.
You may attend a few thousand parties in your lifetime but the party you threw with your first pay stands out from the rest of them. After all it defines a moment you were proud of yourself irrespective of the self skepticism you carry otherwise.

After adding a lot of inches to your waistline and accumulating a fortune, you may buy a Mercedes, but still it cannot beat the first Ambassador your dad bought home for the family. The moment is too precious which your accumulated fortune cannot replicate.

Most of the times we are so busy worrying about the future that we let go many such moments in the present. So the next time you think you have a defining moment just hold on to it, for it would be past soon.

Aptly said by Gulzaar -

Ek baar waqt se, lamhaan gira kahin,
wahan dastaan mili, lamhaan kahi nahin.....
thoda sa hasake, thoda sa rulake, pal yeh bhi jaaane wala hain....................

Quote

The unlucky are nothing more than a frame of reference for the lucky. You are unlucky, so I may know that I am not. Unfortunately the lucky never realizes they are lucky until it's too late. Take yourself for instance; yesterday you were better off than you are off today but it took today for you to realize it. But today has arrived and it's too late. You see? People are never happy with what they have. They want what they had, or what someone else has.


........If you haven't seen the movie do watch Lucky Number Slevin, atleast the starting 45 minutes

Friendship

Which is the most generalized relationship in the world? Think! Think!....... Friendship! It can just walk into any other relationship and stay harmoniously with it. Even if the original relationship fades away, friendship can stay and maintain its own identity. Truly something different, isn't it? We all get introduced to friendship long before we spell R-E-L-A-T-I-O-N and we tend to stay in friendships long after we have understood, tried, succeeded and messed relations. With the Friendship Day approaching I thought it would be cool to write about people who make up a big part of each one of us.

When I was a school kid we had this tradition on birthdays that the birthday girl could choose her best friend and take him/her around to distribute sweets. I always so eagerly waited for my friend’s birthday, because I assumed that on those distribution rounds the best friend got extra chocolates. So I distinctly remember when one of my best friends did not choose me for the tradition, I sulked for weeks to come. Come to think of it today it sounds cute but childhood friends evoke a strong passionate reaction amongst many. You had to be loyal to your friend, loyal in sharing lunch boxes, not getting too friendly with someone else and making sure that your friend was always the first to be invited to your birthday party. Since you almost grow up together in an era where other distractions have not yet taken priority, these friends are probably the most treasured (for many people).

In college, a friend is someone who rides pillion with you to college, bunks lectures and hangs out because you think the lecture is boring and completes your file while you try to impress the opposite sex. A friend lies to your mom that you are studying at her place when you are actually out with your date. A friend is the first person your mom calls up when she wants to make sure that you are indeed going on a safe trip. Everything 'extra' is promptly fulfilled by your friend without nagging you about it. It may be extra money for movies, extra time for completing your notes, extra butter-polishing so that you get to attend the lab session and many such extras.

As we all step into the adult world, this relationship quietly steps aside to make way for others. You become a professional, get hooked, become parents and go onto add many other feathers to your relationship cap. All this while friendship just exists! At times, you forget to invite it into your happiness, forget to share your grief or a momentous achievement but it never sulks. It definitely comes a long way from the childhood friendship we all adhered to. After the initial glitz and glamour, when the newness of many relationships wear off, we all cater to the neglected but still strong bond of friendship. You may have not spoken for years but just drop a mail and see the way your mail thread grows.

Friendships are like that, they do not really need a lot of attention; once the bond is set, it seems to exist forever. Anyone who makes you feel good about yourself, reminds you of your past and makes you laugh, feels happy about your present even if s/he is no longer a part of it deserves a special pat. So this friendship day raise a toast to all your friends with the age old yet contemporary proverb by Albert Camus -

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.


Happy Friendships Day everyone!

Help!

He: What's the difference between a semi sleeper and sleeper?
Me: The semi sleeper is just a more comfortable chair.
He: But then why is it called a semi sleeper? Why not simply call it a chair?
Me: Its not a chair...it's more comfortable and reclining.
He: But it's still a chair...
Me: Alright.....it's a chair..

I get back to my work and approximately 5 minutes later he screams.......

He: I understood the difference!
Me: Ugh! what?
He: Semi sleeper chairs have a maximum angle of 135 degrees and sleepers are 180 degrees.....
Me: .............................. (Lost for words)

Whoever asked me to marry a geek!

Good Morning

On the way to my hubby's office early morning today I came across a plethora of views. Views that exist always but are missed in our everyday running-to-office-state! Since it was my officially laze around day I decided to stop and look around.

Newspaper folks were busy distributing the papers according to their customer's taste. The milkman was in a hurry carrying the containers of milk. Mom and Dads in their sleepy night gowns waiting for the school bus for their wards. Their wards on the other hand excited to talk to the friend standing just beside them. Women surrounding the hand-cart vegetable seller to buy some fresh vegetables to pack tiffins or for the breakfast. Men with handbags for some early morning shopping to help their wives - milk, veggies and newspapers probably.

A bunch of freshly bathed people waiting patiently outside the temple as the priest completed his prayers. The deity decorated with beautiful marigolds and the incense sticks spreading more than just the fragrance all around. The small shops were all open and the shopkeepers all set to cater to the early morning urgent needs of their customers. The big shopping malls were still in deep slumber. The eateries were full of people who probably had no one back home to cook a sumptuous breakfast. A bunch of guys on their bicycles carrying lunch boxes and chatting amongst themselves as they rode to work. By this time we reached his office and I saw the IT professionals all set for their early morning stand-up/scrum meetings.

Mornings bring in a lot of things other than just than a new day. It brings in hope. It brings in the thought that yesterday, however it was, is gone, and today will probably be the day that sets everything to what I want. Good Morning!!!

:)

It poured suddenly and I could not ride any longer, so I just parked my vehicle and stood near a shop. I saw Mr.I (Mr. Important) coming. Why that name? Well, he wore an important black tuxedo with important leather shoes and carried the even more important BlackBerry. And his driver carried an umbrella to shield Mr.I as they both walked towards where I was standing. So maybe that's not a good nickname but in the context, it was definitely apt.

Their conversation told me that Mr. I's car had broken down and so he was stranded. Probably too important to just hail a cab I guess. He waited fidgeting with his lapel and phone simultaneously when two middle aged aunties walked to him and the fun started.
The aunties: Aren’t you Chinnu? (If that was indeed his name/petname then my nickname was better, wasn't it)
Mr.I: Excuse me.
Aunty 1: Oh, see, look at him. He is so big that he cannot recognise us now. Arre we were your neighbours when you stayed at GM (someplace I couldn't catch).
Mr.I: Oh Ok, but I am really sorry I don't seem to recognise you.
Aunty 2: Aren't you Vandana's son. How is she?
Mr.I: Mamma is fine. Whom should I say asked for her?
Aunty 2: Oh, Chinnu you cannot recognize me. I know you since you didn't know how to wipe your flowing nose.
At this point I burst out as did a few others.
Mr.I (embarassed): Hmm, Aah, hmmm, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Aunty 1: Chinnu, this is very bad. Ok tell mummy that you had met us. Radha Akka and Meena Akka. (Akka means sister). And don't loiter in the rains or you will catch a cold. Saying so they pulled his cheeks and left.

Mr.I was maroon red with embarrassment and I just couldn't stop laughing. Whoever you are, aunties always behave the same way I guess.

First Impressions - Bengaluru

Staying in Banglore for some days now, the one word that comes to my mind to describe this city - Leisure! May be the hard core Bangloreans would disagree but being a new entrant I really think people have lot of time in this city. The best justification for my observation would be the houses here. Most of them are independent houses and are huge....I have been to quite some places in almost a week...People here really seem to put a lot of thought into building their dream-homes, if I can call them that. Most often than not I see a new idea implemented with respect to some aspect of the house; be it the main gate, the sidewalk in the garden, etc. Coming from Mumbai, where the only houses are flats and with rates that burn your pockets this is indeed a welcome change. Pune too boasts of some areas with great bungalows but the frequency is definitely less than Banglore.

Another beautiful aspect of the city is its climate. The climate is wonderful and for a person who prefers a cooler environment this is heaven. And another impressive thing out here is that many locals can converse fluently in English. Thanks to the IT sector I guess!

But as a newcomer my top 3 glitches would be-
1) I miss not knowing the local language. All my life I was in places where I was good with the local language. Sometimes when my questions draw a blank stare I feel so lost and bad too.
2) Multiplexes are oh-so-costly. After the bad reviews for Cars 2 I didn’t dare go watch it . They should atleast drop the prices for the morning shows for stingy movie buffs like me
4) Local Trains - If you are from Mumbai you have to miss the railways yaar!

But I think the glitches are too minor and once I become the proverbial Roman in the city of Rome they would cease to exist. Cheers to that!

Etiquettes anyone?

I was travelling to Nasik in a semi luxury bus and long bus rides are something that I do not really look forward to, unless absolutely necessary. Anyway, this time I had decided to make the most of my journey and had equipped myself with some movies. My journey started and so did the first movie on my laptop. I was watching Omen - yeah the old one. "Mi pahila tar chalel na (Would you mind me watching?)" - the man sitting next to me asked. He was a villager dressed in the typical attire of white dhoti and a semi white kurta. "Mala sanagamner la utraycha aahe. laambcha prawas, tevdha picture baghitla ki kalnar nahin...chalel ka?" (I have to travel far and watching the movie would be a good timepass). I hate intruders in my book reading or movie watching sessions but the man had so earnestly asked me that I could not refuse him. "Pan tumhala sound aiku nahin yenar......", i told him showing him my headphones. He retorted, "Vanda nahin.....aamhi faqt picture baghu..."(No probs, I will just watch the movie). I was wondering how he could enjoy without the sound but I just it let it be because I didn't really have a choice. A few hours into the movie and I got bored, so I decided to change the movie. As i was about to start another one, I suddenly remembered that someone else was watching it too.....I looked at him and he signed me to go ahead and change the movie. This time I started “To kill a mocking bird" (Yeah i was in mood for some oldies).......I loved the movie and was completely immersed in it when suddenly I felt the nudge. I looked at my co-passenger and he was smiling. I put down my headphones and he said..... "Aaala sangamner...picture baghta baghta kevha aala kalalach nahin bagha.....dhanyawaad tai". (My stop has come, thanks for the movie sister). Saying so, he got down.

I kept looking at him. All through my journey I had not given him a second glance. Yet while getting down he had the etiquette to thank me.......and thank me for what...an english movie that he watched without the sound. I smiled........we spend a fortune trying to teach and learn etiquettes from our elite schools...and I wonder if we really do learn anything.

Quote

One of my all time favourite quote -

Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and then beat you with experience.

Happiness for rupees 10 ;)

He walked into the shop a little confused.

He: Perk kitne ka hain?
Shopkeeper: 10 Rs.
He: Kitkat?
Shopkeeper: 12 Rs
He: 5 ka kya kya hain? [Anything for 5 Rs?]
Shopkeeper displays him various options but he is not impressed.
He: Pepsi cola kitne ka hain?
Shopkeeper: 2 Rs.
He [with a glad smile]: 4 pepsicola dena aur 4 eclairs.
Saying so he removed a 10 rupee note and gave it to the shopkeeper. Just as he got out of the shop, 4 ultra enthusiastic kids jumped on him and finished the treat he had just bought for them.

It was just amazing to see 10 rupees giving so much pleasure to so many people.

Power of faith

It was a Saturday.She was sitting next to the Hanuman temple and selling oil in small glasses. Hordes of devotees came to her, picked the oil glass and went inside the temple to pour the oil on the deity. The payed for it and returned the glass only on their way back. There were approximately 200 devotees at any given instance, wanting to please the lord with the oil offering. She sat quietly, accepting the money; murmuring only occasionally when someone asked her the price of the oil filled glass. As I went to pay her I couldn't help but ask if people really paid her and returned her glasses. Her reply, "Do saal se yahan baithi hoon aaj tak kabhi gadbad nahin hui. Koi agar bhool gaya toh agle shaniwaar aakar paise de jaata hain" (Since past 2 years I have never had a problem with my accounts. Even if someone forgets on a Saturday they come back and pay the next time they come)

Ain't it cool in the era of 2G scams? Tightens your belief that everything is not yet wrong................

2011 World Cup is ours!!!

Not a cricket freak at all but no one can stop me from savouring the moment. India is the new cricket world champion..............The icing on the cake, as almost all the players said, we won the cup with Sachin Tendulkar in the team! He definitely deserves it, as do the billion other Indians who eat, sleep and live cricket.

Congratulations!!!!!! Let the party begin!!!!!!!

Mood Cricket

Aah! It’s great to feel the vibes of anticipation in the air. Everybody is looking forward to probably the greatest clash in sporting history. India vs Pakistan always evokes this kind of euphoria. Irrespective of the outcome it’s amazing to watch the two nations go hammer and tongs to fulfill the expectations back home.

You can't help but be affected by the mood today!!!!!!!!!!


Update:
India won this match and even the generally reserved public figures couldn’t contain their excitement. I will never forget the way Sonia Gandhi's arms flew up in the air after we won. It was heartwarming to see the always reserved leader open up a little ;)

:)

In the movie, Italian Job, Charlize Theron, who is a safecracker has the habit of listening to music in her headphones when she is working on her complicated jobs. "It makes me feel I am alone" is what she says when asked about the peculiar habit. I never thought about it until recently when I seem to have developed the habit too. Yeah and the argument too is the same :)

:)

My friend, Anu would always taunts me that no matter where I go, however new the place, I always end up meeting old friends. However, ever since I came to Mumbai it was not the case. Although I knew a lot of people here somehow I never bumped into them.

This week however I met 2 old friends - one at the train station and another, a classmate, recently joined my project. The look on her face when she saw me was worth a dekko ;)

Lovely Lines

Why ponder thus the future to forsee,
And jade the brain to perplexity?
Cast off thy care, leave God's plans to him
He formed them all without consulting thee.

-Omar Khayyam

Utilization of time

Looking at her certifications the interviewer was a little perplexed, so he asked - "Madam, you have been married for 5 years, have 2 kids and yet you have 3 Java certifications, six sigma certification as well as a correspondence MBA. How did you manage it?"

Her reply - "I stayed at Ambernath and worked at Andheri. My travelling time is 3 hours one way, out of which I spent almost an hour at the traffic congestion at Gandhinagar flyover. So I could manage all what you see in my resume"

That's called turning the tide in your favour ;)