Taking the Plunge

I am seeing a simple, sweet, innocent girl with a lovely charismatic face. And it all comes back to me, and it all comes back to me...

Ever wondered, why certain things that happened, did happen? You cannot tell why something happened today, but you join the dots only connecting backwards!

Life progresses and the little baby grows into a child, and the child into a boy. As he reaches puberty, his thinking matures as the life advances. The materialistic world gets him, and the responsibilities start piling up. He makes many friends on the way, but even good friends move on. He wonders, why the good times with friends can't stay forever. He makes new acquaintances, which leads him to the acquaintances of those acquaintances, and then...

Sees an adoloscent innocent face with her hair reacting to the gushing cool breeze coming from the nearby window. The Mumbai - Pune train travel, never felt so much soothing. Only, if you could see that smile on the face.. !! You introduce yourself, and immediately realize that you have made a stupid impression! You talk, talk and talk! Talk about nothing, Talk about something and talk about everything. And she listens, and listens.

You sit in the garden for a long time, just to be with her. Just to listen to her, Just to talk to her, Just to see that smile of hers. You discuss about the beauty of the moon, which otherwise never attracted your slightest attention before. You visit the coffee house again and again, watch countless movies together, try all different cuisines, and may be even watch that CIRCUS show.
You meet her, then you want to meet her, then you need to meet her, and then may be only for a while, she goes away. Now, you die to meet her.

When she is back, you hold her hand, and she places her head on your shoulders, and your head falls on her. You have your cute little fights on who missed whom more. You also know that she is the one, and she knows it too... but still no one would express the three little words!

You then gather some courage, and invite her to a quite little place for two. The magnificient roof top ambience with very old romantic live music, is wooing her. She knows what might happen. You excuse yourself for a bathroom break. And when you are back, you arrive wearing a suit, and holding on to a red rose. Then you utter the three magical words... and you are relieved that you did it. You finally did it. She then holds your hand, and that is all the answer that you need. That is all, the answer that you need.

You now plan, on what next, and the dilemma of convincing the society haunts you both. Will they agree, or won't they, makes your nights sleepless. You finally risk it, and to your surprise, things readily fall into place. You cannot believe yourself.

What dots of life it has been, and how they marvellously connect. Holding the ring this christmas eve, my eye meet yours and ...

I am seeing a simple, sweet, innocent girl with a lovely charismatic face. And it all comes back to me, and it all comes back to me.

Shopping in the narrow gullies of Mumbai...

To start with, I am not a GUCCI or PRADA guy, even if I would be found frequently hanging around a MALL, buying some cheap stuff that I don't really need :). Frankly, I very much HATE the MALL culture, but choose to live with it.

I am not very sure about others, but if you are a GUJARATI person living in Mumbai, and would like to do some feminine shopping in bulk, you do not hit a MALL, but you head to south Mumbai, into the narrow streets of Zaveri Bazaar (for Jewellery), Hanumaan Gali and Bhuleshwar(for clothes), and other adjacent streets, for anything and everything.

These streets are really old, narrow, and not-so-clean. Buying stuff from the stalls, would give the first time spectator a feeling that you are buying some cheap stuff off the road, as the shop would not be equipped with four walls an air-conditioner, or even a fan for that matter. But only if someone were to tell you that these wholesale dealers are the same people who deliver the goods in the elite shopping malls of Andheri or Bandra, would he/she really belive it? No, you may not! But then I wondered why I didn't otherwise see any manufacturing factory, of say, Sala Liketan.

We surpassed some utensils shop, which was really of insignificant size and shape and it looked like the owner might be just smart to make his two ends meet. But he actually turned out to be the sponsor for all the benches, and related furniture for all the municipal schools in vicinity. Great, ain't he? We had a look at where the very famous garment owner (name witheld), who would earn in crores, lived! It was really just a shanty place.

We then visited an atleast 50years old UDIPI place, which was again a very shabby place. But only if you would have had his wada, dosa, and especially chutney (coconut, and morogapuddi), you would have exclaimed it ONE OF THE BEST SOUTH INDIAN CUISINE you would have ever had!

All such historic places and its importance, made me wonder - do the best of businesses flourish in such quiet/shanty/shabby places? And would you, as a consumer rather sweat and buy something off the unclean roads? Or would the MALL culture eventually take you over?

P.S.:
Well, I also happened to see the hangout places, where my parents used to meet during their pre-married days ;)

Today, after a long time, I had the privilege to walk through the narrow streets of Mumbai again. We covered Davaa Bazaar, Zaveri Bazaar, Hanumaan Gali, Panjra Pol, CP Tank and a few other narrow gullies, which I do not remember, and I simply loved it :) If you've been in and around in Mumbai, and still have not paid a visit to these places, I am sorry, but you are YET to SEE Mumbai! This is not an overstatement, it very much remains a fact!

On being Four

On Aug 14, I completed 4 years of my professional life. So, kudos to me and my friends!
For all those do not know, I completed 4 years of my IT (software) job in the same company, which I code-name in my posts as Nirvana! And what 4 years these have been! Wow!!! Fresh from college, we were a part of this organization, and we've definitely come a long way!

I still remember the tinkle in my Dad's eyes, when I told him that I got this job! He was happy to know that my first paycheck would outweigh his salary of his 28th year! Man, I could never forget that day, that moment!

Hmm.. so how do I feel, what do I think, what did I learn, where do I stand, and most importnatly - what next? Too many questions for me to answer. Here are a few thoughts:


Foreword:

• We were a bunch (8, to be precise) of fresh graduates put together, to be labeled as Project team for the Indian wing.
  
• So, it was just another college for us (lets call it Niravana), with just one exception - we were paid!
  

Coherent Feelings - Then and Now!

• When we came here, we shared a thought - I am here to work, for this organization. Now, I think - This is my organization. First we tried to abide by the rules, now we lay our own rules.. now that's a rocking feeling!
  

On a lighter side...

• However, there is another thought we shared back then - This is my cubicle, my another home. Now, we think - This is company's cubicle, and I want to go home :P !!! Just kidding!
  

What did I learn/realize

• There is hell lot of difference when it comes to work for an organization, than what you actually perceive. Back then, we wanted to be the best - best programmers, for instance. However, now we think that there is more than to being the best! Its to know what you are NOT best at! Yes, to know your weakenesses! That does help.
• I tried my best to share my knowledge, my thoughts.. The best part is when your mentee becomes a mentor, and you are proud that you once shared something with him!
  
• Be open - discuss and resolve. There is nothing more important than talking... talking honestly, talking practically!
  
• Do not settle, look out for a better solution. Of course, constraint matters!
  
• The most difficult parts of projects are achieved by taking small & simple, yet effective steps.
  
• Admit and accept your mistakes. If you did it wrong, come forward and admit/accept the same. It helps you grow.
  
• Do not panic come-what-may. This is where experience comes in handy. Consider the problem, to be half-solved if you can still keep your head cool during crisis situations!
  
• Also, am thankful, for all the overseas opportunities (14 in number) which I got, which helped me to learn a lot, just by interacting with the people across the globe! The key in understanding them, and delivering them with the best, lies in being simple. Now, being simple is usually really difficult to achieve!
  

What is it that I wish to achieve

• What I wish to achieve from here on is to BUILD A CULTURE.
  

• Build a culture, where in all the people, whether big or small, new or old, would come in and contribute.
  
• If you know some good technical stuff - share! Do not hesitate, just share as much as you know. Never mind if you are not the master of that domain. Just come and share.
  
• Always think - Which are the top-of-the-stack things around me which I would like to change? Now, work on the top 3 to make it happen!
  
• Plan out for some activity - like playing/partying/some outing! Just plan, and drag all those are around. It helps in the longer run. A combination of (Work+Play) is unbeatable!
  
• Try NOT to follow the process, but be optimistic, so as to improvise on it! Improvise, innovate, and be open to it.
  

What next?

• Read a big fat question mark here. I really need a few pointers here, to be able to figure out my immediate next goals to work on.

Well, the whole post, went a bit corporate/nerdy... however, the bottom line is - I do not regret my past four years - I enjoyed every bit, I learned every moment; but in the coming years, I still need to explore what I really want from life. The hunt is still on.. and I will not settle... will keep looking for what would I really like to do!

Me and my worse situations

Funny, Jolly, Laughing at your worst of moments kind of guy that you might be, you still would have passed those 's***ty' situations! Shit, it happens. Yes, it does!

"Accept it. Don't look back, Forget it, and MOVE ON" are the super words, that you will hear, even from the usual not-at-all-philosophers around. And you want to get pass it, and you manage to go few miles too, almost forgetting about those situations.. yes, almost!

The worst part of the shitty situation is that, even if you manage to forget it, it WILL (note caps) be remembered! And REMINDED! Not by you, but by your so-called loved ones around! Somehow, they derive pure immense pleasure, and leave no tables unturned in going down your memory lanes, and bringing it all back! And history keeps repeating, every few miles.. in an infinite loop! And then, it takes a wile for you to be back to the present, and again re-iterating the forget-and-move-on process.

Looking on how to get a permanent fix here? Doesn't seem quite. Just forming a re-iteration process flow here:

• Close your eyes, and tell yourself.. you've got through this before, you can do it for one more time.
• Always remind yourself - You are a good person. That is the only thing true.
  
• SMILE, and try to give it a laugh, though falsified.
  
• Try to detach your conscious from the obvious. A good memory should help.
  
• A quick nap could do wonders.
• Get up, and tell yourself in the mirror - "Idiot. Its OK. Get Going."

And if nothing works, just give a firm tight slap to you, and greet yourself morning, for a new day!

Its a ladder!

I’ve realized a few things:

· Life is Great.

· God is Great.

· Nothing is as consistent as change and transformation.

There was a time, when we spent Rs. 2 per day (Re. 1 on both sides, by bus). Then, we spent a couple of bucks, every Thursday for Puja Malai Gola. Every Saturday, got us a slice of Monginis Slice Cake (Worth Rs. 3/-), and banana wafers for the half day at school.

Then, we bought MTNL telephone. And then a brand new Television. How can I even forget the AKAI Music Cassete Player! Then a high class bulky VCD Player. Then a washing machine. And Bengali Sweets everytime, our results arrived. And a hit movie together for the family every 5-6months! All in all, a happy family of 4, enjoying life as it comes.

Then something happened. Threatened, as we were, we kept together. I managed to get a job, and we took off yet again. We got our house renovated, our furniture in place, a nice marble temple, a nice furnished bedroom; an Air Conditioner; nice flooring. Laptop and Digital camera soon followed. So did 5-6 mobile phones, 2 bikes, a bigger television, a new showcase, and a few negligible things not worth mentioning today (auto travels only, Twice a week @ Puja Malai Gola, Sweets and Cakes all around, New phones, etc).

The whole point is, it has been like a perfect ladder, the climbing one. You still remember where you came from, how you rose, and where you stand today. This amazes me, when I connect the previous dots of my life, looking back. And so, I still wish to be the same person, who existed in the childhood, aka so called “down to earth” person, always ready to live/survive as we did a few years back! I always fear to fall down the ladder, and lose it all. Well, let it come some day, but that day is not today! What the heck, I fly Kingfisher today!!!

P.S.: The Kingfisher experience somehow completes and complements my last 12 international travels. There is a definite adrenaline rush I am feeling, while entering the Kingfisher aircraft!

P.S.2: A few hormonal imbalances, are making me write sentimental posts. I’ll very soon be back to being myself!

Me, Mobile and the superpowers

I am growing a lot superstitious, these days, thanks to the events around me exhibiting a paranormal behavior.

The time was 1st Week of October 2006, and I got my Sony Ericsson W700i mobile, with which I lived happily ever after, until a couple of hours back! An amazing phone, with some real thinking put in its making, I am too tired explaining its features to all around me.

Getting back on the superstitions. The actors involve one friend who disliked my cell phone as it reminded someone of the someone, the other friend who didn't like my liking for the phone, and one more person, who wanted to gift me a cell phone. All three of them, had one thing in common - Yup! Ladies! The third person being my mom.

Anyways, the first friend raised a strong urge to talk me out to buy a new cell, which I readily declined. The second friend supported her, and I turned deaf. This happened for a few days, until my mom came up with an idea to gift me - a cell! C'mon! How did she know??? They never communicated. And I never needed one!

How could 3 people living at 3 different places, come up with a common purpose.

To all the three PowerPuff Ladies - When I don't pick up the phone, its because 'I' am @ fault, not my cell!

Eventually, I succumbed to the pressure, cash flew in, sky thundered, and I ended up buying a new cell! Life is very much above science!

Blog Checkpoint

"Have a look @ your old posts! Analyze Yourself! Draw out conclusions!" - that was one of the items on my list for today.

I am happy to see that in approx last 3.5 years, I covered a varieties of topics, ranging from humor, to office politics, to covering entire events, self-made theories, a lot of annoying crying posts, travel posts, new ideas posts, a few adventurous posts!

However, what was surprising, is that I expected my posts to be novice, at the start, and growing/maturing in the end. This didn't happen! Except for a few buzz words here or there, seems that, I still write the same. No regrets.

Also, going by the no. of posts (6 posts through Oct 2006, to just 3 posts in the entire 2007, 16 Posts in 2008, 24 Posts in 2009), I took off well, only exception being just 3 posts in the entire 2007! Seems someone was working way too hard those days!

And I managed just 7 followers until now, which is too low a number, given that blogging would be the only thing, I wish to do post-retirement.

In the end, I managed to float a few old blog posts, to people concerned, and it was fun re-connecting. Worth blogging.

My Day

A new day has come. I always wanted to do this; by 'this' I mean enjoying my sick leave. After "I trust you :)" message from my manager, as against my severe neck-pain, here I am, sitting on my bed, totally clueless, what to do today. There is just one goal - to enjoy my sickness. How could I ever find some company in doing such crazy things? So, I am left with myself, for the rest of the day. Or am I gonna be lucky? Nevertheless, A new day has come.

Just going by the last read HBR article, I'll spend next 18min, planning on what to do today (am poor with the chronological order):

• Blog.
• Enjoy the water sprinkler in my garden.
  
• Make my favorite Baingan Bharta.
• Rest (High Hopes!)
• Maggi (Its been long. It is time).
• Finish "Sherlock Homes", the movie, today being 7th day in a row, with last 30min remaining.
  
• Go somewhere out, else, I'll be all the more sick.
  
• Blog.

Unlikely, as it sounds, but am loving this day! Truly worth it. A well deserved break, indeed. And you've got to do, what you love most: Nothing! That's how, I am gonna sum it - Nothing!

Publishing this post has a cipher in it, explanation of which, should go right away to my secret blog.

.

[.]

Borivali ke favorite food places

Prat, my dear good old friend, is going to be back in Mumbai for a month's time, from Amricaa. And I've composed a list of eat out places for him! Need to check out, who wins - his doctoriate profession, or his mumbaiya taste! The challenge is that doctor should not fall sick, after he has all the below, in a single day!

The best food, as all of the Mumbaitees know, is served on the streets!
Good, clean, optimum quality, and most importantly it is finger licking and tasty! If you stay around Borivali, you will surely fall for, the below:

• Vada paav @ Mangesh Vada Paav (Near Babhai)
  
• Shri Raam snacks and Sweets (Saibaba Nagar, Mahavir Nagar)
  
• Mambadevi - Serves only Jalebis! (Mahavir Nagar)
• Mam Mam - Paav Bhaji (Milap)
• Naraayan - Sev Puri (Now, this one's hidden, near Himalya high school)
• Jain ka Pani puri (Kandivali Stn)
  
• Patis Paav - Apna Chaar Rasta (Saibaba Nagar Chowk)
• Ghanta Wala paan - Borivali (Chandavarkar Road)
• SooryaVanshi Paan wala - Serves PAAN with PAAN-ICE (Goregaon Link Road)
• Puja Malai Gola (Chandavarkar Road)
  
• Sanjay Kulfi (Milap and Mahavir Nagar)
  

Thanks Priyank for the following more! I had, indeed missed it:

• Bhagwati - Pav Bhaji & pulav with roasted Papad (Speciality: Open until 2/3 in the morning)
  
• Dwarka - Aloo Paratha
• Raju's Chinese - station
• Chotu's chinese - chamunda circle
• Dosa place - LT road near D.K.Stores
• Sandwich - Raju bhai sandwich near shimpoli/s.v.road signal..cheese chilli toast aur side mein "lasan chatni".
• Veg cheese franky - outside Thakkar mall (Borivali Stn)
  

Definitely, more places exist, but the above are my local favorites.
Any one wishes to add?

Aiport of Dreams

Ok.. I still have 7mins left, for my flight to depart from Singapore. I have now been here, almost everytime just for transit purposes though (just exception being once, for a few hours out in the city)... may be 8,9,10... err.. forget it, don't know how many times! However, I conclude that, if I had to ever live on an airport as Tom Hanks does, in the movie THE TERMINAL, Singapore airport would be my take.

There are several reasons that let me conclude this:

• It has amazing ambience, to start with.
• Free Internet, everyone's desire!
• Clean, unlike my room.
• Asian food everywhere. Just had my Masala Dosa (though wasn't wort for S$10).
• A fern Garden. Whoa! The fishes look so awesome, in the pond.
• 2 Theateres, one plays HBO, and the other I think plays STAR MOVIES.
• It has an OPEN SUNFLOWER Garden. However, couldn't enjoy it this time, due to the rainy weather!
• Televisions everywhere, each television catering to different needs of the people. Some play Sports, some movies, some documentaries, some news as usual!
• A fountain garden.
• A gymnasium (not a member of the business class though).
• Sauna, Massages, everywhere.
• A formula one car, on display, for now.
• Helpful, and beautiful people.
• Beautiful people.

And my time's out! Here, I go! Wanna be back though, just for one more time.

My thoughts - dying out!

Phew! Its been long since I've written a post!

I wonder, the best time, when we twit, check facebook or write a post are when we are (moderately) busy. Its not fun, when you've nothing more to do, than keep clicking on that refresh button, to check if anyone has yet replied to your post. Or, its not fun, when you are so damn busy, that your gmail count reaches to several hundreds, or facebook loads with new applications, if you haven't signed in for a long time.

Lately, I find that my thoughts, my observations, my humor, is slowly dying out. Now, may be that is becuase, I am entangled into a lot of work, with an idle mind! Ironical, isn't it?

These days, it would be my last weekend here, but everyday was like going on a critical mission. You wake up, have exactly the same breakfast - a sandwich, cereals and that juice, then head on the same street, and walk for exactly 3 minutes, reach the office gate, get your bag assessed by the same security guy, go to the 9th floor, and enter your digit code - 6057#!

Then, some one comes with a Mona Lisa smile and curses you, for all the cruel services, and you start co-ordinating with everyone around. You have to keep all of them happy, just because, you would be let out tonight by 9pm.

In this process, I am void of any social thoughts that I might have. I still try connecting to the close friends, and keep asking the same monotonous 'wassup' everyday, but something is missing!

So, here I lay in the bed, struggling to write, to empty my mind... Waiting for the next Friday to come, when they would finally deport me back, and I will be back to my normal self, fooling around.

All Shook Up...

There are things, you want to do... There are times when you want to do... There are plans you have to do the things you want to do... but there are times, too, when you are all shook up!

Am totally confused, and puzzled all over, where the life heads from here!

• I really want to *LEAD* in real sense, the initiatives I am taking at the Nirvanas... but not happening!
• I really want to read many books, and know many things; want to really *read* stuff, but just can't...
• I really want to decide, whether its going to be a techie mAnIaC, or a managerial mAnIaC, but just can't make up...
• Want to enjoy life to the fullest (by playing, know swimming, going long drives, may be trekking), but just not up to it...
• Want to be someone important, and not just another IT guy, but again... not happening...
• Want to really concentrate on the work, but just can't...
• Terror attacks, Uddhav and Raj stories, Rajdeep's rage makes me all boiled up...
• Friends not acknowledging, just being a nobody makes me mad, as hell...
• Idea of people thinking me as a crazy, and just a lucky lad... worst feeling!
• Mirror told me "Hello Mr. Nobody" this morning, and literally shattered to pieces... TERM_SIGNAL!!!
• Encountering failures, one by one, in various competitive stuff, makes me wonder, was I always so dumb?

Was writing this post, and battery drains down, in exactly 3 minutes. And Damn! When I click this orange "PUBLISH POST" icon, you will want me to BUZZ OFF!

I ended my post here last night; however, read the tragic death of my two company mates this morning in newspaper, and realized.. Hey, these girls had just started with their life... and it had to end so soon!

Whereas, I still have the means, motives and opportunity (crime lingo, eh?) to strike off and change all the "wanna be" to "been there, done that"... That's what I wanna do... gonna do... A new day has come!

BuZZ Test!

I am posting this via blogspot. Did it show up on Google Buzz?

Travel Bag Contains

After a few travels, thanks to Nirvana, the company which pays me, I have come up with several DOs and DONTs when it comes to what (not) to carry when you are traveling. The list is composed, by and for me, but might come in handy, if you are like me, like a Desi!

So, bhaiyon and behno, here it is:


DOs:

• Buy a really good quality Winter Jacket. This comes in handy when you are on the flight; it might get really chilly. I used to be brave and didn't use to carry one, until I was on the ariport grounds at Paris, where I was transiting, and had to walk several meters at -7degrees.
  
• Buy a leather pouch for your passport. Always keep this in the Winter Jacket, you just bought. This will surely, help you to not lose your passport at the innumerable security Checks.
• Buy an Universal Adapter, so that you can stay connected to your IPOD, no matter where you go.
  
• Being a desi, it never hurts to carry - Peanuts, Pickle, Papad, Soups, Upma Mix, and Maggi Noodles. Use the above only as side items, and do not survive on "Maggi", please.
• Carry a medicine pouch, along with a prescription. May you never use it, but always does helps.
• Carry a pair of slippers. Walking to the breakfast table, in shorts and formal shoes, don't match up!
  
• Buy a 25ft (7.6m approx) long ehternet cable. This cable is to connect your laptop to the wall socket, located several meters away. Chatting with friends, never felt better when you are still, on the bed.
  
• Load your laptop with a lot of Hindi Movies and Songs. I was never a big fan, but when you are on a trip for several days, these movies and songs, make you feel at home. This is the first thing I do, before I even install all my softwares.
• Carry a big empty back pack in your check-in baggage. This ensures that, if you get on a shopping spree, it will carry the stuff for you, without having you to buy a new bag.
  
• Wear loose clothing, while traveling on the plane. If you are comfortable in your jogging track-suit, go for it! Doesn't matter. I met this guy in his 3/4ths and a loose t-shirt wearing slippers.
• The most important of all - 7 underpants and socks! They smell!
  

DONTs:

• MTR, Aashirwaad Ready to Eats taste really bad, they are pathetic. Never carried them after my first trip. Instead buy milk, juice, bread and chocolate, after reaching your destination.
  
• Never Carry Oil/Butter/Ghee or any semi-liquid stuff for that matter. It will spill, and will be a nightmare, when you could smell the Desi Ghee on each of your shirts! Happened with one of my colleague though.
  
• Never carry TOWELS. There are plently out there in any hotel room, where you stay!
  

I am halfway, and still want to enhance this post, but its time for my office, so I'd better leave! You could always.... bbye tc gn sd.

All but 3 Idiots!

"3 Idiots: India's biggest hit. Rs. 315 crores in 18 days. "
The film's success comes at a time when the middle class is tightening due to food prices. Last week, when the movie shattered all records, food inflation was on a 11-year high.

Source: Hindustan Times.

Have you tried buying vegetables? Or Dal? Its really expensive these days. I don't bother much about fruits, as they seem to be a luxury already! Even the daily vada-paav costs 8 bucks already!
And then, I read the above news!

What's the trend with the "Spending Power" of the public? Has it increased over the recent years? Rs. 450/- for the 3 Idiots (just referring to the movie name; stop getting judgemental)?

Help me with the delusional statements below. I am still recovering, from the after sh0cks.

• I think watching a movie today, is not enough! Where you watched the movie, and where you had the dinner after the movie, is equally important. Yeah, the dinner; if you watched a MATINEE show, you are a moron.
  
• This comes at a time, when Piracy is at its peak. Every movie, is available on the internet, on the very second day. A good quality pirated DVDRip, is available, probably in the next week. But, could we ever wait, that long?
  
• "All our arithmetic, all our calculations have been proved wrong" said veteran trade analyst Taran Adarsh. All such researchers, are going jobless, very soon! The Math is all random now.
• We could really use up some money off the Rs. 315 crore mark, to fight off the 11-year high food inflation. If people get food today, they'll live more, and they'll go to more films, and eventually pay back to the film fraternity. Vicious circle, eh?
  
• From last what I've heard, Bipasha Basu got Rs. 13.5 lakh per minute, to dance on the new year's eve. If she probably danced for 5 minutes, hey, she could buy a flat in Bandra! Which, if I happen to buy, will spend my entire life paying the loan back.
  
• This movie, is generating Rs. 315 crore, when the 22 of India's top hockey players have rejected to play for the Asian Games, lined up next month, due to lack of incentives that they get. "Its a struggle for survival" says Balbir Singh, who got a bronze in the 1968 Mexican Olympics.
  
• I wonder, what will happen to the economists today, as they cannot add up any numbers! They have the dilemma of reviving the dead economy, while watching getting Bips paid several crores for a few minutes, and Indian International Hockey team getting dissolved, due to lack of funds!
  

Well, I reckon that there are only a few family-watchable-worthful films, and if you've spent Rs. 450/- per head already watching the 3 Idiots, may be its a (read PAUSE) thing... but please stop calling them the "3 Idiots" !

Interesting Things That I did in 2010

Hi All,

This post is dedicated to all the interesting things, that I am, and would be doing in the new year - 2010. So, this post will keep updating itself, over the course of the year!


Dividing this post into two parts - Wish List Things and Been There, Done That things.

Wish List Things

- Eat at following places in Pune:

Panchavati - Bhandarkar Road
Sukanta - Deccan
Rasoi - Shanivaar Peth
Shreayas - Apte Road (DONE)
Mathura - J M Road (DONE)
Krishna Dining Hall - Law College Road
Baadshai - Tilak Road
Girija - Tilak Road (DONE)

- Learn well to drive a four wheeler (am currently good at two-wheeler).
- Learn well to swim.
- Cover a few trek points.
- Grow socially, and perform a few social activities.
- Want to visit the race course at Pune.

Been There, Done That things

• Jan 01 - Food@Shreyas, Apte Road (near JM Road), Pune

Want to have some authentic Maharashtrian thali? Well this is it! It is a great place, to have a thali, with your veggie friends and family! The ambience is quite good, and cleanliness is maintained really well. Be ready to spend around Rs. 150/- on a weekday, and be really hungry!

• Jan 04 - Pune to Sinhagad biked

One fine morning, just get up early, pack your bags, and get going! I hate to ask friends around, and keep co-ordinating, to plan out an event! On-the-spot plans are always a hit. So, there I was, alone, on my Unicorn, on the way to Sinhagad Fort (Yes, you can really go on the top, with your bike).
Start Time: 06:30 hrs (from Magarpatta, Pune)
End Time: 11:30 hrs (to Magarpatta, Pune).
Round Trip: 80kms
My breakfast@ Sinhagad: The Bhakris, Vaangi Bharit (brinjal curry), Kaanda Bhajji (onion pakodas), Taak (buttermilk). The best spicy food I've had in months!!! Only for the food factor, I would like to go there, all over again.

• Jan 24 - Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass, Seattle.
  

Well, Ski(ied) for the first time, and it was real fun. 80$, was ofcourse, heavy on the pockets, but was definitely worth it. Was really surprised, to see Snoqualmie, a place fully covered in snow, with my hotel, barely 20 miles away, to be so dry! Fell for innumerable times, but got my basics right, in the end. Now, this is a tiring sport!

Other Events... Coming Soon!