tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137409302024-03-07T13:14:32.628+05:30Highway to NowhereNot sure where I'm headed or where I'm coming from. Just enjoying the ride!Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-21832472451444964412009-04-21T13:56:00.002+05:302009-04-21T14:20:07.162+05:30Time for Some Navel-GazingThe last couple of months have been way too hectic, been extremely stressful at times and passed before I knew what was happening. Work has simply consumed my life! Not in little nibbles, but in one massive Gargantuan bite.<br /><br />I have to admit, I've never had to work this hard before. I'm not complaining, just observation. A lot of changes have taken place in my life in the past few months... a young business, marriage and all that both of these entail. I really haven't had too much time for my personal life or time to stop, think and introspect. I enjoy doing that. I'm one of those people who can sit by the ocean, listening to the chatter of the waves by myself for hours thinking of nothing. Just spacing out.<br /><br />I love 'spacing'. It allows me into a little world of my own. Far away from the 'realities' of life. Spacing is good. It gives my mind room to breathe, clears out the muck albeit temporarily, knocks away my fears and, for a fleeting moment, rids me of my burdensome ego. That's what I love about it.<br /><br />I want to go back to Rishikesh, spend a month there learning yoga, breathe in some cleaner air and forget myself for sometime.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-28540849244737515252009-02-24T09:40:00.003+05:302009-02-24T10:07:06.886+05:30The Fruit of DedicationWhile the country basks, vicariously, in A.R. Rahman's and Resul Pookutty's glory, the achievement almost seemed to be a reflection of a train of thought that has been running through my head for a while; the fruit of dedication.<br /><br />Often, when I introspect and attempt to examine my life objectively, one of the most interesting observations I've made is the effect dedicated effort has on me, the actor i.e. the person propagating the action whomsoever it may be.<br /><br />Whether it's my work, running, playing football or relationships, dedication and giving my best has always made a world of a difference. When I don't give my best, there are three things that happen:<br />1. I think about the fruit of the action more than the action itself.<br />2. The action/effort lacks that edge.<br />3. I feel unhappy because deep down I know I haven't given my best.<br /><br />On the other hand, when I do act with dedication and my 100%, those same three reactions turn the other side of their respective coins as it were:<br />1. Because I derive joy from the action itself my mind doesn't need to go to the fruit in search of more happiness.<br />2. The action/effort is incisive, effective and more often than not, achieves its objective.<br />3. There is a sense of calm because I know I have given my everything.<br /><br />The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Even the most insignificant actions performed dedicatedly give immense satisfaction. The very satisfaction that I seek every moment of my life. The difficulty though, is being able to perform at that high level thought after thought, action after action.<br /><br />I realise I'm not writing anything extraordinary or hitherto undiscovered, but it's a thought that's been playing in my head for a while now.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-73347999302780909822009-02-16T13:38:00.003+05:302009-02-16T14:03:38.574+05:30A Long Time ComingIt's been a long time coming, this post. There's been too much happening through the week and on weekends, I don't feel like coming back to a screen. More than anything, I think my blogging suffered a brief dip in motivation.<br /><br />The marathon this year was challenging. I don't think I was fit enough or motivated enough. I found running an effort. I missed playing football, so while heart was on the football pitch, my legs were on Marine Drive. I guess it reflected in my time for the 21 km run, I managed 2 hours 11 minutes and 48 seconds. That's about 11 minutes slower than last year so it hurt my ego initially. At the end of the race though, I felt good I had kept my promise to myself to run the race and complete it. I don't know if I'll run the marathon again next year or ever again. I'll make that decision when I need to.<br /><br />Otherwise, work is going reasonably well. Interesting projects, a lot of work for me and a fair bit of multi-tasking, something that is new to me. Nothing to complain about in these times of global economic gloom.<br /><br />As for married life? So far, so good. :) That's my verdict. The happiness and the challenges it offers you are incomparable really. Exhilarating at times, frustrating at others... but definitely worth it. :)<br /><br />I can say one thing for sure, marriage has done my football a lot of good! :) I'm just loving being out on the ground 3-4 times a week, running all over the place and scoring more than the odd goal. ;) I don't know what it is, but I'm just super motivated to play football these days. My long-term football objective is to get on the amateur team at my neighbourhood park next year. We'll see how that comes along.<br /><br />I've been away too long to pack in all that's happened into this post but I think I will be more regular with posts. I feel like writing.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-79073475498278648722008-12-02T09:51:00.002+05:302008-12-02T09:57:54.828+05:30Running #37<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run</span><br />Distance: A little less than 7 km (not sure)<br />Time: 40 min and a few seconds (not sure, don't care)<br /><br />The toughest run I've done in a long time. Towards the end, every step felt like a kilometre.<br /><br />It was one of those days when you wake up in the morning and the body is saying 'No, not today... please!' But I dragged my ass out of bed and made it to Marine Drive. I ran a shorter distance for two reasons:<br />1. I didn't have the heart to go by the Oberoi this morning. Dunno, just didn't feel up to passing the scene of so much pain and bloodshed. Not today at least.<br />2. Zero energy. I was low on energy even before I began the run. I can't explain it. Neither my mind nor my body were willing today. On off days, either the mind powers the body to go on or vice-versa. Today though, both ran out on me. Literally.<br /><br />I'm going to run tomorrow again. Maybe I'll run some other place tomorrow morning just for a change of scene. Let's see.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-71938969946940446202008-12-01T12:03:00.003+05:302008-12-01T12:32:28.310+05:30Dazed and ConfusedThe last week flew by in a daze. The terrorist attacks have been numbing leaving me angry, helpless and confused.<br /><br />Fortunately, our TV wasn't accessible because of some painting work for most of the days the siege was on, but the entire episode has left a mark on me. The mere thought that most of the places that were attacked are places my friends and family frequent really shook me. Plus the added necessity of remaining indoors for three days and not being able to do much was extremely depressing.<br /><br />Friday evening, I decided to step out for a run with my iPod. I wanted to run away from all this violence and death and gloom to another world. So I put on my headphones and hit Marine Drive. The city was enveloped in an eerie silence. Few people out on the streets and fewer cars zipping by. It was like a ghost town, relatively speaking.<br /><br />My mind was numb as I pounded away with my back towards the Oberoi. It was ironic that I was enjoying a "pleasant" evening run while a game of life and death unfolded less than a kilometre away. I was torn. A part of me wanted to go there and kill the terrorists, but another part of me knew I would harm innocent lives if I did. That apart from having zero knowledge about guns. I'd be a liability. But it was that feeling of not being able to do much that really got to me.<br /><br />While I continue with work and try to get on with the rest of my life, there is still a lingering sense of frustration and helplessness that bothers me. Usually I'm out like a light by 10.15 pm, but these days I stare at the ceiling or the light creeping in from the windows.<br /><br />What do you do when there is all this blood, gore and death around you and the only survivor amongst the terrorists really believes that <span style="font-style: italic;">jannat</span> (heaven) is waiting for him in the after-life for his 'noble acts for Islam'? Is this what Islam has been reduced to? A manual for death? And it's not just Islam really, we have successfully destroyed the true spirit of every existing religion.<br /><br />Without doubt, we are a race in crisis and I believe that if we do not mend our ways, we will self-destruct like earlier life forms that have inhabited the planet.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-44231247941913773582008-11-27T10:26:00.003+05:302008-11-27T11:04:27.465+05:30Waking Up in A New CountryI definitely did not go to sleep last night in this country.<br /><br />The country I went to sleep in had the Rajabai clock tower chiming merrily every 15 minutes. Over there, the dome of the Taj Mahal Hotel near the Gateway of India shone brightly in the evening sky, people enjoyed their drinks and music at Cafe Leopold and Colaba Causeway was a great place to hang out.<br /><br />Today though, Taj Mahal dome did shine, but not because of the bulbs that usually lit it up, Rajabai clock tower's chime had lost its cheer, the only music playing at Leo's was a death knoll and Colaba Causeway became a place to hang out, not for common citizens, but for the National Security Guard (NSG) Commandos who have flown in from across the country to fight these mother-fucking terrorists.<br /><br />In this country, they've even imposed curfew so we can't get out of our homes and endanger ourselves and others.<br /><br />I pray for those who lost their lives and for their families fighting for their old country.<br /><br />I, no, We, want our country back, the country we went to sleep in.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-91656285859321425532008-11-26T09:12:00.004+05:302008-11-26T09:53:56.428+05:30Life In Longitudinal WavesSo much has happened in the past two years of my life and it has led me to the conclusions that life unravels itself in irregular longitudinal waves. (See image below.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/physics_a2/module_4/Topic_4/wav_9.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 276px;" src="http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/physics_a2/module_4/Topic_4/wav_9.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />While image above is of a more regular pattern, with compressions and rarefactions interspersed at regular intervals, life's rarefactions and compressions are quite irregular.<br /><br />If I were to describe the last two years of my life, it would definitely be a compression. Papa's passing, a broken engagement, meeting my to be life partner, starting up my own business, getting married (in less than a month)... it's overwhelming when I think about it.<br /><br />Before that, college life and a few years after college felt like a rarefaction. Yes, there were changes and important events, but none that affected me as much as those in the past couple of years. Life seemed to be dawdling along.<br /><br />I guess that's how life is. I know I'm not making any earth-shattering revelation. Just a mundane observation.<br /><br />It can be one long rarefaction until you hit a tumultuous series of compressions with tiny rarefactions scattered in-between. Or sometimes it feels like this never-ending compression until you discover you're suddenly in this little rarefaction.<br /><br />I don't think one is better than the other i.e. a compression is better than a rarefaction or vice-versa, but they're undoubtedly different.<br /><br />Together I think they make life a wonderful journey. One long longitudinal wave. Or short. But longitudinal and interesting nonetheless.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-70878068120766033202008-11-26T09:05:00.002+05:302008-11-26T09:10:42.615+05:30Running #36<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run</span><br />Distance: 8 km<br />Time: 47 min 32 sec<br /><br />A faster pace than the last 8 km I did so I'm satisfied. The rhythm is definitely back, so is the pleasant weather in Mumbai. I think that is definitely helping.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-430523751317392762008-11-21T15:32:00.003+05:302008-11-21T15:42:24.020+05:30GladIn these times when so many people are losing jobs or sitting in office idle, I'm really grateful for having a job I enjoy. I guess that's the advantage of being in a services industry to an extent.<br /><br />That's besides the point. I think you're extremely fortunate if you wake up to a job that you enjoy and challenges you almost everyday. I happen to be one of those and I'm really deeply grateful to whatever it is out there that led me to where I am now.<br /><br />Every now and then, I guess we make decisions in life which, at the time of making them, we're unsure of and come good. Glad to have made one of them.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-34779816844459781612008-11-14T11:01:00.003+05:302008-11-14T11:11:30.065+05:30Running #35<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run</span><br />Distance: 15 km<br />Time: 1 hour 27 min 58 sec<br /><br />I was really happy with the run this morning. I woke up by 5, got enough time to stretch, cycled to NCPA for the start of the run and was warmed up enough by the time I got there.<br /><br />The most satisfying thing about the run was getting the rhythm back. I started slowly and picked up the pace gradually. On the Peddar Road downhill to Haji Ali, I was wondering if I'd struggle on the way back up, but the body responded beautifully. Everything was in synch. The breathing, the legs, the arms... I ran on auto-pilot.<br /><br />I picked up even more pace on the way back and I was surprised. At some point in your running, you become almost a witness to your body. It seems to function effortlessly. Meditative at some level.<br /><br />Looks like the recovery from the injury is more or less complete. :)Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-73167582778847648582008-11-12T09:12:00.003+05:302008-11-12T09:20:31.955+05:30Kabir's DohasI've always loved hearing Kabir's <span style="font-style: italic;">dohas</span>. Especially Shekhar Sen's rendition of them. The problem though was that I could never fully understand the <span style="font-style: italic;">dohas</span> because of my limited knowledge of the dialect in which they are spoken. I'd get an idea of what they were saying, but never the exact meaning.<br /><br />I found a site this morning that explains these <span style="font-style: italic;">dohas</span>. They're just wonderful to read. Simply constructed, yet with such deep messages. A soothing balm for our often troubled souls.<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.boloji.com/kabir/dohas/index.htm" target="_new">here</a> to read them along with their explanantions.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-81765857115967704942008-11-12T09:08:00.001+05:302008-11-12T09:08:58.768+05:30Running #34<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run</span><br />Distance: 8 km<br />Time: 48 min 14 secAjeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-30178805868410607492008-11-07T13:37:00.000+05:302008-11-07T13:41:27.659+05:30Running #33<span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run<br /></span>Distance: 12 km<br />Time: 1 hour 15 min 16 sec<br /><br />Wanted to test the hamstring over a longer distance and it went off pretty smoothly. Despite the time being relatively slower than before, I can feel the rhythm slowly coming back. It will be a week or two before I can run like I was before the injury. But a satisfying effort nonetheless.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-56386537138790105972008-11-06T12:28:00.001+05:302008-11-06T12:31:36.511+05:30Save the Environment. Go Locasexual.I love Slate! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2202431/pagenum/all/#p2">http://www.slate.com/id/2202431/pagenum/all/#p2</a>Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-29724298512082766842008-11-05T15:32:00.000+05:302008-11-05T15:46:24.301+05:30Current ReadingThe book I've been reading for the past couple of weeks is called 'What I Talk About When I Talk About Running' by Haruki Murakami. I'm enjoying it. If anything, it has stoked my desire to get back to full fitness soon and train hard.<br /><br />As a fellow runner, I identify a lot with Murakami's experiences while running. In case I left you guessing, that's what the book is about. I love the little bits when he throws in some of his philosophy. Here's an excerpt I loved:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Usually when I approach the end of a marathon, all I want to do is get it over with, and finish the race as soon as possible. That's all I can think of. But as I drew near the end of this ultramarathon, I wasn't really thinking about this. The end of the race is just a temporary marker without much significance. It's the same with our lives. Just because there's an end doesn't mean existence has meaning. An end point is simply set up as a temporary marker, or perhaps an indirect metaphor for the fleeting nature of existence."<br /></span>Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-55894808075013592862008-11-05T15:13:00.000+05:302008-11-05T15:32:28.300+05:30Running #32I ran after a break of exactly 2 weeks and I'm rusty. I ran well within myself and put in a poor time. More important now is the recovery. Will see how the hamstring holds up this week. I have my last ultrasound physiotherapy session at Breach Candy Hospital on Friday. It's the only time I've enjoyed going to a hospital. Their physio department is pretty good. I didn't like the not running restriction though, but I know the injury was bad. It felt like something had snapped.<br /><br />It's fabulous to be out on Marine Drive in the early morning running again. The cool morning breeze, those familiar faces, watching the concrete go by below my feet... back to where I should be.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Today's Run:</span><span><span><br />Distance: 8 km<br />Time: 48 min 23 sec<br /><br /><br /></span></span>Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-40290705181054865142008-10-31T19:48:00.000+05:302008-10-31T20:09:30.493+05:30The Road to RecoveryIt's been a sad couple of weeks. Last Wednesday, I had my first real sports injury, a partial hamstring tear and on Friday, I lost my mum-in-law to be.<br /><br />The hamstring injury keeps me away from running for about 3 weeks, just when I was beginning to get some rhythm after a considerable break from long-distance running. And poof! My hamstring goes bust. In the midst of dealing with it, and it is a HUGE deal to me to miss marathon prep, my fiancee's ma passed away.<br /><br />That took the wind out of my sails. And it was so sudden! Everything happened in a day, just like when Papa passed away over two years ago. It was really sad, even more so because she'll miss the wedding in a couple of months.<br /><br />I'll be honest here. I didn't get to know her as well as I'd liked to, but we got on well. We'd make fun of my fiancee together, talk about cricket a little and exchange pleasantries. She was extremely warm and treated me like a son. I'll miss not having her around.<br /><br />My fiancee's been very strong about it and I'm proud of her, but I won't write more about that here to respect her privacy. I think people's feelings on the loss of someone very dear should be kept private unless they volunteer to speak/write about it.<br /><br />We've spent the last week dealing with the loss as a family and it's been tough. Like all such losses, I know this is one we will never fully get over. That's just the way death is. It leaves you wondering what just happened. Especially when it hits you so suddenly.<br /><br />You wonder if everything you shared was a big dream. Those family holidays, the day your parent slapped you for doing something wrong, the surprisingly good report card you turned in every once in a while (read, 5 years in my case)... it feels like a different life. Surreal.<br /><br />Where did they all go...Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-65589039918089026182008-10-02T12:44:00.000+05:302008-10-02T12:51:23.062+05:30In other news......I get married in December. To someone I met at my old office. :)<br /><br />It's been on the cards for a bit now. I just didn't want to come out and say it until I felt everything was in place and the time was right. Especially after what happened with my previous broken engagement and various other failed relationships. Shit, that makes me sound like a wreck!<br /><br />But anyway, it is what it is. :)Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-88284900832365037762008-10-02T12:20:00.000+05:302008-10-02T12:44:52.873+05:30Exciting Times!I've really missed writing here for a while. It's been, mainly, because I've been busy getting my fledgling company off the ground. Hiring people, getting the website up, trying to get business... the works.<br /><br />It's been excellent learning. Irrespective of how it eventually ends up, I'm so so soooo glad I've taken the chance to pursue my dream. There seems to be a romance to life now. I can feel the idealism and belief, dormant for so long, creeping back into my life. There's no better feeling than stepping out of my comfort zone and into the realm of the unknown.<br /><br />Everyday begins with hopes or recovering from the previous day's disappointments. It's a roller-coaster. I guess it teaches you to enjoy life for what it is, not what you want it to be.<br /><br />If there's one lesson I've learnt in these past few weeks, it's this, don't take anything for granted. The new hire who says he'll join in 3 days but doesn't turn up, the potential client who promises you a lot but comes up with nothing... the list is endless. I'm not being cynical here, just realistic. There's many a slip betwixt the cup and the lip. :)<br /><br />The more I think about it, the more I feel that we're little players in this humungous play of destiny. No matter how much we may want something and work hard for it, if it isn't in your destiny, there's really nothing you can do about it. I think it's acceptance that has taught me to love life as it is.<br /><br />It's a big change from where I was four years ago, but I think it's a change for the better.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-82790215036290410162008-09-22T15:11:00.000+05:302008-09-22T15:13:14.567+05:30Running #31Distance: 8 km<br />Time: 47 min 45 sec<br /><br />Was doing a distance run after a few weeks so it was a bit tiring. But it was great to be out on Marine Drive on Saturday morning! Loved it! :)Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-16950248037106951552008-09-18T11:08:00.000+05:302008-09-18T11:11:32.018+05:30Frisbee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cloudkingdom.com/Samples/Images/Frisbee.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 178px;" src="http://www.cloudkingdom.com/Samples/Images/Frisbee.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I'm dying to play frisbee today. I think I'll step out this evening and find someone who is also interested in chucking one around.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-82305548336486684232008-09-16T18:13:00.001+05:302008-09-16T18:22:25.065+05:30CourageThis commercial drives me absolutely fucking crazy. I get such an adrenaline rush I can't even tell you.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ae3tFI8wXE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-ae3tFI8wXE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It's what I feel when I'm running the 21st kilometre of a half-marathon I've trained for, it's what I feel when I'm chasing a football I know I have no hope of reaching, it's what I feel when I'm doing the last rep of a heavy workout exercise.<br /><br />I may not win, but I got Soul.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-9340018021204998492008-09-16T12:03:00.000+05:302008-09-16T12:26:54.895+05:30Don't Get First Class......Be first class!<br /><br />That's what a teacher at school would say to us. Unfortunately he passed on before we got to senior school, but in many ways, his teaching has outlived him.<br /><br />He taught English Literature, did Mr. Joe Sheth. One of those aristocratic teachers, he had an aura about him. An air of class and panache. His leisurely afternoon smokes in the Gent's Staffroom were commonplace, much to the chagrin of fellow teachers and most certainly the school principal. His faults notwithstanding, the man left an impression on you.<br /><br />I only wish he had taught us Julius Caesar like he did for the batches 3 or 4 years senior to us. I love the play even without him teaching it to me and I can only imagine the effect his interpretation of the play would have had on me.<br /><br />I loved school life, the rowdy lunch breaks in an all-boys school, playing dodge-ball, this sometimes painful game called <span style="font-style: italic;">abba doobi, </span>volleyball, cricket, football... the works. The days we got detention for making nuisances of ourselves, the few classes that I enjoyed, art, physics (at times), english literature and a few others.<br /><br />But one of the things I'll be grateful to my alma mater for is the times spent with a few wonderful teachers who were also outstanding characters.<br /><br />While I may have taken the first part of Joe Sheth's quote ("<span style="font-style: italic;">Don't get first class, be first class.</span>") a bit too seriously, it is the second part of the quote that will always be an aspiration and an inspiration for me. I didn't learn very much academically throughout my education. I was an average, or at best a slightly-above-average student. But I remember the little lessons that our teachers taught us that never there in books. And those are the lessons that I find help you through life the most. The good times and the bad. Not some Pythagorean equation to find the hypotenuse length of a right-angled triangle.<br /><br />Of the many many important lessons I've learned in school, the one that is reverberating through my head these days is... <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't get First Class, be first class.</span>Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-48817068856941505122008-09-11T16:39:00.000+05:302008-09-11T17:03:22.058+05:30CycleIn my commitment to live eco-friendly, I've borrowed a friend's old cycle and now use it for short distances in the early mornings. The cycle's a bit rusty and old, but it runs well and is basically a very good bike. A <a href="http://www.raleighusa.com/">Raleigh</a>.<br /><br />It feels good to do these little things that I've always wanted to do. I'm passionate about the environment and conserving it and I do small things in my everyday life to stay eco-friendly.<br /><br />The little things that I do do (I love it when that happens inadvertently, the do-do):<br />1. Cycle short distances or long ones on a holiday<br />2. Refuse to take plastic bags when checking out of stores<br />3. Stuffing my pockets with litter instead of trashing public/private spaces<br />4. Try and use public transport more often than I did earlier<br /><br />I know it's not much, but I think if everyone makes a commitment to make small changes in their lifestyles, the deterioration of the environment might just slow down. That change will only come when we truly accept that <a href="http://ajeya.blogspot.com/2006/08/natures-child.html">the universe wasn't just made for humans</a> and when we learn to live within our means.<br /><br />Often, I wish we could all go back to being an agrarian society. We seemed so much more in touch with Nature and with ourselves. Now, it feels like we're a bunch of shadows in our urban jungles. Has our "evolution" really helped us? All our technological prowess, breakthrough research... what has it brought us to? A place that's definitely better than a century or two ago? I don't know anymore.<br /><br />I'm rambling. Should get back to work now.Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13740930.post-32126075527460969982008-09-10T08:48:00.000+05:302008-09-10T09:21:06.077+05:30Back from BangaloreI had a wonderful time attending my cousin's wedding. We're basically South Indian, Konkani to be specific, and the guy she married is a Sindhi so it was a nice mix of cultures.<br /><br />Day 1 - The Cocktail Party: I had an absolute blast! Everybody in the family hit the dance floor, and I mean EVERYBODY. Old uncles, aunts, kid cousins, young moms... everybody was grooving. All the guests were in high spirits, no thanks to the bartender who was serving these MASSIVE drinks. I'm telling you, I must've downed like 4 drinks (I think!), but it felt like 8! Anyway, everything seemed nice, happy and jolly. I helped random old men get their drinks, danced with uncles and aunts, said cheers to practically anyone who had a drink, laughed with and at folks and generally had fun. An evening well spent! :)<br /><br />Day 2 - Mehendi: Honestly, I can't stand the smell of the stuff so it got to me a little. Besides, I think there was a fair bit of alcohol still going through my system which made it a bit worse for me. The evening was fun though. Sitting and chatting with family at my grand-aunt's place and then a yummy <span style="font-style: italic;">biryani</span> dinner at my aunt's.<br /><br />Day 3 - Wedding & Reception: The wedding was nice. More or less traditional. The couple looked great together and I'm really happy for them. The sideshows here are the most fun. Everyone bitching about everyone else's clothes! :) It's amazing how clothes are the most talked about things at weddings. You'll see groups of men and women sitting in a huddle and discussing what people are wearing, why something is ghastly, pretty, shiny, sombre... whatever. Everyone has something to say about clothes I think. Then there's kids running around making a racket, young ladies preening and young men trying to get their attention... it's always a beautiful <span style="font-style: italic;">tamasha</span>.<br /><br />Apart from the wedding, I got a chance to walk around M.G. Road, St. Mark's Road and Church Street. Bangalore breakfasts are my absolute faves! I love the idli-vada-dosa breakfasts down south. And the best part is, the sambar isn't sweet like it is here in Mumbai (thanks to the Gujarati influence). The weather was cool, rainy sometimes and sitting there taking in the Bangalore morning at Kaycee's on Church Street wolfing down a set dosa was blissful.<br /><br />Walking up and down Church Street reminded me of the time my friends and I went to Bangalore for the Aerosmith concert and stayed at, hold your breath, Dhanlakshmi Tiffin Rooms!!! :) It was pretty nice btw, DLTR. Happy times! :)<br /><br />I'll leave you with an interesting message on a wall outside Bowring Institute. Enjoy! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYFSX9PBcutxlWZ02kaNSah3yynqn7raxO1a2b16NanVVup-y-nf7k-W0qNzVFX07KU-wHeGo6sNXnxrldF6qld3VcF7EzSNKz0q4GFEL-bh40xusYidbR3-PIbe6WtYC5M70/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCYFSX9PBcutxlWZ02kaNSah3yynqn7raxO1a2b16NanVVup-y-nf7k-W0qNzVFX07KU-wHeGo6sNXnxrldF6qld3VcF7EzSNKz0q4GFEL-bh40xusYidbR3-PIbe6WtYC5M70/s320/Image002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244233894214032210" border="0" /></a>Never mind the corrupt politicians, we'll get 'em Bill Sticks! Yee haw!Ajeyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16156547267840951242noreply@blogger.com4