Friday, March 24, 2006

What Next?!?!

People are surprised when they hear I graduated with Math and then started studying philosophy but they sure ain't heard of this one before. A porn star has become a wine-maker! No more complaints about math to philosophy please!!!

Check out the full story here.

Thursday, March 23, 2006

The Strange Ways of a Blog

It's weird that I will come to this blog and spill my thoughts onto it when I would (probably) never speak to anyone about half of what I write here. I suppose it's easier to say what you feel when there's no one judging you. No one to tell you if you're right or wrong. And not too many people reading what I write (kinda double-edged sword that) :)

But it's nice. When I started this blog I did it cause it just seemed like a fun thing to do. Only after a few months of random posts did I go deeper into the blogosphere.

I like it here. Talking to myself and a few others who drop by. You know a side of me you'd never know if you met me face-to-face :)

I'm the quiet, reticent types. I'll smile at you from a distance, say 'hi' and wont have too much more to say (if I don't know you well, which means most people outside of my circle of family & friends). I take my time to build relationships but the ones I have mean a lot to me.

I'm rambling now. See! I wouldn't say this if were speaking to you. Strange are the ways of a blog.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Sights, Sounds, Smells

- smell: wet earth after the first rain

- sight: countless stars on a clear summer night

- sound: rain pouring down

- sight: vibrant green of the flora during/immediately after the monsoon

- sight: queen's necklace in mumbai on any evening

- smell: of home-made ghee (clarified butter) wafting through the air

- sound: zakir hussain on the tabla and shivkumar sharma on the santoor on a long weekend drive alone

- sight: seeing my parents at home after a long, long work week

- sound: the rhythm of the Mumbai local train (not during rush hours of course!)

- sight: coming back to my bedroom late at night and looking out of the window to see Rajabai clock tower and the Mumbai high court lit up

- smell: (pleasant :) ) perfume in the lift/elevator left behind by someone else as I leave home

- sound: ocean waves crashing against the rocks

- sight: the sunrise and its countless colours

Some of the sights, smells and sounds that make my life

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Flashes of a Former Life

Although I broke up with with my long-time girlfriend nearly 6 months ago, there are times (like the last few days) when I end up thinking of the happy moments we had. I know I shouldn't indulge but I can't help myself sometimes. It's difficult to put five and half years behind you just like that.

On some (very infrequent) days I feel let down that I spent my college years giving my best to something that ended up in failure. And I don't know who to be pissed off at. But on most other days I am just grateful for what I've got. Grateful for what we shared together and thankful for all the experiences I've had in my life.

I've moved on from that dreadful November of 2005. I'm stronger and I am happier for it.

I've learned to appreciate life for what it is. Even when you do your best, you fail sometimes. But it's not about results, it's about trying. It's about giving your heart and soul to something that has no guarantees, losing, getting hurt, picking up the pieces and moving on.

Life's good :)

Friday, March 10, 2006

In keeping with the Poopie mood

Here's something I got about the history of the word 'SHIT'. Here goes...

In the 16th and 17th centuries, everything had to be transported by ship and it was also before commercial fertilizer's invention, so large shipments of manure were common.

It was shipped dry, because in dry form it weighed a lot less than when wet, but once water (at sea) hit it, it not only became heavier, but the process of fermentation began again, of which a by product is methane gas. As the stuff was stored below decks in bundles you can see what could (and did) happen.

Methane began to build up below decks and the first time someone came below at night with a lantern, BOOOOM!

Several ships were destroyed in this manner before it was determined just what was happening.

After that, the bundles of manure were always stamped with the term "Ship High In Transit" on them, which meant for the sailors to stow it high enough off the lower decks so that any water that came into the hold would not touch this volatile cargo and start the production of methane.

Thus evolved the term "S.H.I.T " , (Ship High In Transit) which has come down through the centuries and is in use to this very day. You probably did not know the true history of this word. Neither did I.

I always thought it was a golf term! :)

(The inspiration for this post comes from HERE.)

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

What Do You Think?

If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.
  • Agree
  • Disagree
  • Can't Say

Leave your answers in the comments section. Justify your response if you wish to :)

Sunday, March 05, 2006

A Beautiful Sunday Morning

I got up early today. 6.07 am to be precise. The sun was rising behind Rajabai Clock Tower and the horizon looked like it had been painted in shades of orange and purple. So I got into my running gear and stepped out onto Marine Drive for one the best runs I've had in a while. I ran nearly 12 kms after rrrreeeeally long and my body just listened. No complaints, no fatigue and no aches. It worked like a well-oiled machine.

I had initially planned to do a 10 km run but once I reached Sophia's, I just felt I had the energy to push myself that little bit harder. I went up to Mahalakshmi and back. It was fantastic. Even better than last week's run.

I can feel the endorphins going crazy in my body. I've got my fix again. What can I say, I'm addicted :)

Friday, March 03, 2006

Soccer on Friday Mornings

I play soccer at a park here in Mumbai with bunch of guys (at Priydarshini Park). Most of them are married and have wives and kids. But what I love about our games is that when we're on the pitch, no one cares who you are. It's about playing for the team, staying fit and having a good time.

I feel like a school boy out there. Cussing my team mates for screwing up, high fives for good moves and of course the joy of scoring a goal.

I never want to be a fuddy duddy old chap who sits there enjoying a cup of coffee watching the kids have a good time. I want to be out there, getting dirty in the mud, laughing with the kids and having a ball.

I love living life like there's no tomorrow. In a good way. I don't do stupid things that harm me. (OK, I do binge drink occasionally, like once in 6 months. I'm ashamed... not) But I do the simple things that keep me happy. I want to be young all my life. May be not physically, but mentally at least. I never want to lose my enthusiasm for life.

I love the challenges life throws at me. I love my parents. I love my family. I love my friends. Hell, I even love my ex-girlfriend. And nothing will change that.

I love my life. I hope I can always make it to soccer on Friday mornings.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

I'm an RDB Fan!


If you haven't guessed already, I'm a huge Rang De Basanti fan. I love the energy of the film, the music and the message it's sending out. Now yesterday, for the first time, I met a person who DIDN'T like it. She was so negative about the film, it was ridiculous!

Firstly, she called all of the youngsters in movie 'losers'. Then she went on to say the movie said nothing much. I half couldn't believe what I was hearing and the other half just wanted to knock her on the head. Now I don't know if you've watched the movie, but I thought it was a wake up call for all of us Indians who are so apathetic towards so many issues like corruption, communalism and a whole bunch of other evils. I found it an empowering film. It was telling me, if I don't do anything for the country, if I don't make an effort to change then I have no right to sit back in my air-conditioned room and criticize every little thing about it.

I know we have a lot of issues we need to sort out as a nation. But if I don't get my ass moving, there's no way I can expect the rest of the country to progress. If all of us decide to change and do our bit to keep our country clean, free of corruption and constantly raise the bar there's nothing we wont achieve. So Rang De Basanti only reinforces the idea that the change we are looking for is ourselves. The rest will follow.

I'm Indian. And I'm proud to be one. Jai Hind!