I can’t even blame anybody coz nobody knew what I was good at. I liked science but my scores and my ability to work hard & study did not support the argument that I should go to science school. I was never engineering material either. I only broke tape recorders never fixed them. I neither played cricket and anyway in those sport was not career option. Arts has never been my forte; music beyond Kishore Kumar and Kumar Shanu did not make any sense. When I say make sense I meant words not raag, taal & rythem. Only thing I was good at in those days was watching TV and sleeping.

What I did after that is not important. But a lesson is. Another lesson that we all learn hard way. When I started my career life was not race; but today it is. If you want to be part of this race and want to win it make sure you get pole position every season. Otherwise you should have Mr. Mallya types team owner who proudly owns a loser & cheers for them.

All average types take a chill pill. Hard work, perseverance and continuous learning is the only hope; remember it is not a guarantee to success. [I bet my money here coz this is where I have been all my life.]

Another option is to be happy. Be content. Turn your hobbies and passion in to career and enjoy the journey. I know this one is the most impractical and weird choice but I guess it is best. Success might come late but it will come.

Last option is to have typical 9 to 5 career and nurturing your hobbies and passion in parallel. It is safe bet though there no big rewards unless your father or father-in-law are rich.

You guys still have time. Make best of it.

One thing I must say before I logout from wordpress and login to my office network. Luck plays an important part in our lives. It was only one advice that made one life and it just one advice that ruined another life. Which one will you get is difficult to find till…..

Check out Jug Suraiya’s editorial in today’s TOI. It is about concept of Status Quotient which has nothing to do with this post. But I mentioned it because it is witty and reminds be another important lesson of life. We live in Capitalist world. We all expect strange things in life which barely have any consequential impact on our lives.

Can anybody measure how much our lives were bad (or not so good) before the invention of iPhone. Were we deprived of anything? I guess it is only one man’s madness – or belief where he thinks or has superlatively convinced us how this invention has made human life better. Why only blame iPhone – just think of fcuking (mobile) phone. I know!! I know!! My last post has two videos that iPhone ads. But that’s what the point of this post is. Life teaches new lessons everyday. And many times new lessons contradict the old ones. I guess one lesson is always valid. Change is the only constant or I would say everything in life is temporary including life.

Friends are temporary and so is happiness. I do not mean to offend any of my friends. We all have shared great time together. Made plans and promises. Every time we all gathered and had good time; we dreamed of living that moment again. At the end of every long – chat, discussion, debate and fight we prayed for it to last forever. Craved for that very moment to come again in life. But none of that can come back in life. Only thing that will keep coming back is – Nostalgia.

I knew and understood part of this; it made my life easier. I could move on, make new friends, and we thought this was forever. It was not and we moved on. Went in a same loop. The journey so far has been interesting and almost perfect. Thanks to all the wonderful people I met.

It seems like this post has ended on sad note. I did not wish to end it this way. The reason I started writing was that I spoke to two wonderful friends today. It was very similar to all those moments of Nostalgia. Ha ha ha.. Too much of nostalgia.

P.S. – While writing this post I started feeling bored. But I did get my act together and tried to do justice. Other day my forecast said that I’ll feel like writing a book and I shall start putting my ideas on paper. I read this at the end of the day and I certainly realized that it was so true. I actually wanted to write a book that day. Also got a call from friend and she agreed to help. Wow.. Horoscope and forecast do say something right. I wish I would have started writing this post then and there. Nonetheless.

No1 knows the past.. no1 can see beyong today.... Still we fcukin waste time to study history in school and stuggle in office to make better future.

robo daa's special effects.

mauja hi mauja (this is an original swing.. fake is always better)

It is always curvy-turvy. Never straight. Road 2 happiness.

sit on bench, relax and watch ur options.

This is more complex then most problems of my life.

this was better shot.. btw, life is always split in two...

life is almost w/o colors in chicago's winter.. untill u see tulips ofcourse.

taare pani par....

we will cross the bridge when we reach ther. But no1 will allow u 2 wait. do it now.

All these are taken with Robo Daa’s Canon Powershot SX30S. This little machine is new fascination of his. I tried to kill few birds with gun. Could not shoot any..

Another interesting things about them is that they treat every task in project as ping-pong ball. You do not need to place it on other side of the table to win the game. Projects are game of football – you need to tackle the ball, do you part to take it forward, and pass it on to next player who can take it further. Eventually someone needs to make a goal. I am sure I do not need to explain what strikers, midfielders, defenders and goal keepers do. (I m sure MJ can write story on this.)

Also remember that you do not win world cup by beating weaker teams; you need to beat teams stronger than yours.

[more to come in this section.....]

Don’t end your day with crap about my manager. End it with this great attitude.

Here is another (If you like previous):

When every American ad is comparing it A with B. Only Apple can say that – well if you don’t have the iPhone you don’t have iPhone. Yes I have reached a place where I can only compare myself with myself. Bravo.

Today is last day of the March and last day to keep me survived in challenge. I must post something today.

Matter of the fact is that here is nothing great to talk about and worth posting. But obligation. I do not to give up so early. I can also not make announcement and call it post. And anyway, how many news babies will born this year to make me announcements? Only things that I am missing right now is – angel. I could not spend even one weekend and I had to leave home. This is the most dreadful part of life and my work/job. I also missed very important engagement ceremony. MJ got engaged and finally he will be in locked and wedded in June. Btw, if you missed my comment on earlier post – we named her Mehal.

The most interesting thing I did in this last month or so was watching couple of movies, some drink, throwing up after that and some smoke. Movies were good – Radio, Heartbreak Ridge, Insomnia, Panic Room, Hangover, Paranormal Activity (I was drunk, so do not remember much; I have seen it before though), One flew over Cuckoo’s Nest, Michael Clayton, The Fighter (in hall), Adjustment Bureau (again in hall), and …. I guess that’s it. Ohh yeah on TV – Gladiator, Mr Holland Opus, Euro Trip, now I do not remember anything. Radio was fabulous – you must catch up for great performance by Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris. The Fighter was not that “Hatke” (different) movie, but it is worth a watch for Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg fans. It is must watch for Melissa Leo (I think she won an Oscar for this movie).

I must talk about Rango. I saw it for full 15 minutes in hall and walked. I never walked out of movie before in my life. I even survived Oh Darling Yeh Hai India and Hum Saath Saath Hai. I did throw up in after Hum Saath Saath hain though.

This winter is nothing like 2007. I call that summer – summer of life – summer of 69. What a great memories I have from that winter. Nonetheless, everyday is not dog’s day. The weather is just about okay, 1 partner is married, 1 is in India enjoying world cup and 1 is too busy to even show up. I have probably another month or if god does not exist two months.

Just finished Talladega Nights, second time.

P.S – This is my 75th post. Quarter more and I will be centurion.

Today morning my brother and sister-in-law are blessed with a baby girl. This has been greatest joy in our life in recent time. It is 32 year-long wait for my mom and dad. They have yearned for it ever since my elder bro was born. Better late than never. Dreams do come true.

It is wonderful feeling and at this moment we are all dancing with joy. I am too eager to see her, touch her and feel her. God may bless her with joy, health and happiness forever.

Now another search will begin; that perfect name. All the suggestions are welcome and M is preferred letter. T is also an option.

Great weekend this has been. Saturday Nadal thrashed Tomic and on Sunday Freddy did that to Tommy. After long time got a chance to check this fighters. I think I am little inspired and decided that I will not go down without fight. I challenged myself this year that I will post something at least once in month. Now this post cannot really qualify but I am happy that this is new post.

More important thing is that I have spent considerable time today working on look of my blog. Since it inception it has been donning same theme, colors, and header image. Though I am not really feeling very great with new look I still like my last skin. It was painful process to choose new theme, selecting colors and finding a right image to put on header.  Now I know what snakes go through when they change their skins. They have reason. Mating. New partner.

As of now best thing about the theme is image at header and it photograph that I clicked which makes it even more special. If there is option I will like to change background color to something bold and bright. Only options at this point are red, brown and navy other than white. I am not too happy with the way titles look with this theme. I wish I could control them as well.

Btw MJ, do let me know if you are really serious about changing skin of your उनाडक्या.

Before I close this post; let me do what I do best. Opine. Did you guys see Jadoo’s new wax statue at Tussaud’s? I saw only a picture and let me tell I think I think it looks like Dutch Gigolo to me. I don’t know why I said Dutch but who cares. It is my opinion. In fact I have similar opinion about most statue of Indians at Tussaud’s. We know that they would not give a damn about Indians and their achievements. It is only English business sense that tells them that if you want more Indians to shell out pounds at the museum they must keep some Indian cartoons there. Btw, Jadoo also won some best Jodi award this week. A piece of advice – when you pay so much for an award, pay to writer and provide better speach. Now both of you are at Tussaud’s after all.

Thanks guys for the encouragement.

P.S: Since last few days I am extensively working as solution provide (truly consultant) and technical writer to document these solutions. Two thing I realized that I still have mind that can generate fancy ideas but my vocabulary is limited to some 100-200 hundred English words. I am really afraid if that will be sufficient to keep this blog alive. Btw, while I am writing this Nadal and Freddy are both our of Australian Open. Final clash is going to be between Murray and Novak.

When did I post last time? I guess in previous life.

This is interesting post from WordPress.com. They have launched Post every day challenge. There is option to opt for Post a Week as well. I am not sure where am I going to be… or may be they should have Post a month for me.

Challenge for 2011

Check the link. I think I must take this challenge seriously. If I wish to be blogger more seriously. I think one reason for me being so inactive is competition. I am distracted too much by twitter and it’s quick 140 character blogging. Venting out lot there these days, of course through LinkedIn. My office does not allow any sort of social networking or blogging. Plus I have started following news as well. Which only pukes all negative things about our life in India and world in general. And I prefer not to blog about them.

So let me a make resolution to join my a challenge. Post A Week. or at least Post A month. to continue being blogger for few more years or till I become full time writer. Joke of the year. Yes Joke of 2011. At least a joke to begin with.

I need my own confidence pill and free internet connection 24×7 to be blogger till I have salt-n-paper hair.

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

About 3 million people visit the Taj Mahal every year. This blog was viewed about 27,000 times in 2010. If it were the Taj Mahal, it would take about 3 days for that many people to see it.

In 2010, there were 3 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 72 posts.

The busiest day of the year was April 5th with 190 views. The most popular post that day was testimonial, for a friend, on orkut.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were google.co.in, translate.google.com.br, google.com, aiswariya.wordpress.com, and translate.google.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for testimonial for best friend, good testimonials for friends, testimonials for best friend, testimonial for a good friend, and orkut testimonials for friends.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

testimonial, for a friend, on orkut October 2006
196 comments

What ever I do, I find you. September 2009
14 comments

Customer service of world’s number one bank June 2007
12 comments

harangue .. August 2006
11 comments

prose August 2006
6 comments

From here it entered Lavender St where I lived for first half of my time in Singapore. I will miss Jalan Besar for time to come, Arab St, Coffee Halia, North Bridge Rd, Teah-C @ Ya Kun with boss, Funan Mall. Lavender St connects to Jln Besar where I spent literally all Saturday mornings while I was Singapore, had glimpse of Mustafa and Syde Alvi Rd as well.

After visit to Perumal temple there were always two options; Murugan Idli Shop or Komala’s Murugan always cored an extra goal. If air lines allowed boss must have definitely asked for take away tea from Saravana Bhavan. Quintessential need of our on Saturday mornings. Thought I always made tea in the mornings on weekend; one was never enough for boss.

From there bus took usual Bunit Timah and Upper Bukit Timah Rd. one of the plush localities of Singapore which never excited me on this journey which I made often on Saturday while visiting temple. I closed my eyes and relived every moment of my last year in Singapore.

After initial (and expected) hate syndrome my first affair with city started in Brewerkz. I had taste of Kölsch here after long time. It was celebration of my 29th birthday. If today I decided to quit alcohol for whatever reason then Kölsch will be exception for sure. (Yes, yes, yes there are many more things which will be exception but Kölsch would top the list.) Smooth taste, golden color and pure white creamy foam. Heaven. For any beer aficionados this is the place to be in Singapore every Friday. Hell every evening. (If you are veggie and have trouble finding something on menu just order two portions of Spicy Edamame and you are good for a tower of beer.

After drinking a tower of beer on Friday night Saturday mornings are usually insane and dead. Usually you come to senses only late in the evening. That was the time when boss and I would go for long walk on North Bridge Rd or Victoria Street. We preferred streets to parks. Real Singapore is on the streets. There were times when weather used to be hot, humid, sweaty, suffocating and irritating (yes all of these ). We used to switch to malls on those days. Our excuse or reasoning was that it is alternative to work out. We were lazy souls and preferred always something easy. But truth was Ya Kun Kaya Toast.

Yes another place which I would probably miss in heaven for it’s Tea-C (pronounced as Teah-C) and butter sugar toast. I wish I could pack life time supply of tea & toast to India. Cafe is named after it’s owner Ah Kun; a Chinese migrant; who arrived here in 20s well before island country was born. After 2-3 hr long strolling and meaningless wandering; discussion of Indian and Singapore politics, and governments; argument over good, bad & ugly of the world; your tired tongue, empty stomach and cramped legs shout for a cup of tea here with treat of butter sugar toast. Well mannered and always smiling staff (rare to find in Singapore), uniformity and uniqueness in taste, and quality of tea and toast. Nirvana.

Ritual and routine was never part of my life until parents asked me to visit a temple every Saturday. Early on it was forced and I was dragged; later it became part of life and has been for past few years. Here in Singapore I have continued it all along with a single exception while I was visiting Malacca in Malaysia. After visit to Srinivasa Perumal the next ritual was breakfast at Murugan Idli Shop. On some exception we used to pay visit to Komal’s. To date it (Murugan Idli Shop) is one of the best places for me to savor South Indian cuisine away from India. With limited number of items on Menu and decent service they have paid primary attention to maintain taste and authenticity of food.

Aaah.. I am on high of beer, simulated to taste of teh-c, filled with buter sugar toast & idlis dipped in Sambhar & Coconut Chutney followed by Ghee Onion Uttappam & filter coffee or tea at Saravana Bhaven remaining Saturday and Sunday were spent in bed dozing or wasted on infinite world wide web. Many times watched Tamil & Telugu movies with English subtitles on Vasantham or Saturday special Hindi movie. Few were spent reading a classic called A Tale Of Two Cities and waste of paper called Deception Point (Some call it work of fiction, story and novel); decoded Da Vinci Code and cried through heart wrenching tale of Laila and Mariam in A Thousand Splendid Sun, and again… I am hungry. It is dinner time.

Yes, I am yet to introduce you to my two favorite dinning places here in Singapore. At the end of the day when life felt miserable; when no one had left with any energy whatsoever; and we were tired of steam rice with Sambhar or Palak Daal or north Indian curry; came this dinning places to our rescue.

Apart from my two friends only thing I was enthusiast about in Singapore was indulgence in traditional Thai food and some Chinese delicacies. Of course Thai takes precedence over all other cuisines barring Indian. I was little disappointed that most restaurants in country were not interested in serving vegetarian customer. At times I felt like second class citizen who can eat only Veg. Fried Rice or Stir Fried Vegetables with Soya & Chilly Sauce. uuhrgh!! I almost started reading a (non-existent) board outside each of these restaurants that; “Dogs & vegans are not allowed”. Jokes apart; literally no restaurant showed any interest except Asian Kitchen but again I was served Fried Rice, tasty and nasty super hot. Loved it on the day but never had courage to eat again.

Koh Nangkam – A southern traditional Thai cuisine restaurant; located at North Bride Road near Sultan Mosque. It is small family run place with no frills, typical Kampong Glam decor and ambience which is mix of Thai, Colonial, and Arabian flavors the place gives almost at home feeling. Owner is a Singapore born Thai who showed great interest in us or should I say a vegan and was happy to serve few vegetarian curries and soup. My favorites have always been Tom Yum Soup, Green/Yellow Curry and steam rice. Recently I took colleague from Bangkok there who used his Thai skills to explain the chef who happens to be from Thai and wife of owner my idea of vegan food. I was served with hot/spicy Thai style Fried Rice and Glass Noodles. Finally we ended the note with Mango & Durian Pulut. Delicious. The quest will start now for Koh Nangkam in Mumbai.

With all my earlier relocations and this as well I have hated uphill task of finding a place to live. With all other cities and Singapore as well I was lucky to find a place at relative ease. Our real estate agent Mr Kumar; a Singapore born Indian; made his first deal as a broker with us. He decided to treat us with dinner after we penned a deal. After initial scheduling/cancellation/rescheduling routine we finally landed at Café Le Caire at Al Majlis. I guess I’ll thank him more for taking us to Al Majlis then finding a house at 12, North Bridge Rd. Of course many surprises came in after I moved to #04-3956; including Koh Nangkam & Ya Kun.

Starting a meal with Samovar, Mint Tea or hukka is typical Arabic tradition and you will get all this here. Choose between air-coned family room, traditional low sitting tables where hukka is served or just a table on footpath if you are okay with some sweat. Currently you get to enjoy football fever along with hukka at streets here. Boss, Kumar & RK chose to start with Kebas and I preferred pita bread with variety of humus, babaganush, & tahini along with green olives, feta cheese and salad. Vegetarian patrons can relish all this with Mézze. Main course can be biryani, variety of lamb or chicken dishes, Falafal set with an extra basket of Falafal or probably Falafal sandwich.

This place was loved by JP and his friends, boss, Sharmaji, Krishnaji and RK though my marwari friend was disappointed as his taste buds fail to recognize anything beyond desi chapatis, sabji, daal & chawal. Two things are more consistent here then corruption in India; bad service and mouth watering & relishing food. You will hate the staff for their lack of willingness to serve or sheer inability to reach out to everybody; you will love the chef all the more after your food is served. Of course you must serve yourself to find plates, spoon, fork & knives. Few other things I noted on last visit was that all the tables in family room were different and table I was sitting was not dining table but a study table. Nonetheless, even if they serve on the floor I would care less.

That Oasis was a mail from MJ. He shares birthday with Michael Jackson, like I do. So MJ is good name. But only for now coz it is not the best name. Before you ask let me tell you MJ is my birthday brother I referred earlier as Aiyla. I told you I did not like the name much.

I wanted to forward a mail form old colleague and friend to another colleague about position in India. But in error I copied MJ as he has the same name as my old colleague. MJ replied back saying something is wrong. He very well understood what was wrong, but as always MJ was himself. Well, I am not different I acted my normal self replied back with romantic line. I am not explaining anything now, I have done it in past

What ever I do, I find you. Yeah that was my reply short & sweet; and MJ at his best made my day later. Gave me the oasis. After bidding adieu to JP night before I was not in best of the spirit and for sometime felt little deserted.

What followed was chain of emails from this side of table to other side. Like Ping Pong ball in Balls of Fury. I am posting those emails here.

From MJ:

I heard these days you are talking a lot to Akki. (Common acquaintance.)

Uncle, what is plan? Btw, she is good girl, and u will stay happy with him. Trust me.

Think over it, and let me know. Mean while I will ask her. I will be blessed to set you up. I have opened a marriage bureau for both of you.

From Uncle Teja (Me):

Jerk, you will teach your father how to walk? Good. Btw I was talking her out and was trying to hook her up with you.

And you thought of setting me up with a gal now? After I left Pune. If you would have done that before I would have been blessed by your good deed and married by now.

From MJ:

Stop swearing and tell me if you want me to do the job. And stop worrying about me, my parents are already looking for a gal. And they know what I want.

[The real fun start from here. As MJ turns creative.]

You do not need to worry about me. Do something for yourself. Please do something. If you cannot go, let me know, I will go for tea.

[Generally in India when boy and girl meet (obviously with family around), they meet over the tea. So it is lighter way of saying that you went over a tea, when you go to meet a girl]

Think, a scene from Sholey. I am drinking tea at her place and to her mother, praising.

“Mausiji, Ken (me) bahot achha ladka hai. haan, kabhi kabhi daaru pita hai, lekin aaj kal kaun IT wala daaru nahi pita? Aur aap ki ladki ke dad ko bhi roj shaam ko company mil jayegi. Rahi baaki ki aadatein, to ab mein apne chote muh se itni badi baatein kya karu? Racing, matka, gambling, to main bol bhi nahi sakta. Warna aap ko bataya hota. Lekin ladka lakhon mein ek hai. To mein rishta pakka samjoon?”

How did u found this?

Btw, I could have become good writer. Unfortunately I have to pay the bills. [Papi pet ka sawal hai]

From Uncle Teja:

Good. Very good. Girl anyway mom dad are looking for me. But you can try your luck as well.

Btw, you can still become author. You can write a book on life of IT folks. Write something like Fountainhead. You will never have to work after that. What name will keep for the book? Brainheads or Pigheads?

From MJ:

First book will be of short stories. Named The miraculous “Paddy Fattu and Maddy Dhating and their Adventures”.

Next will be a guide book for all professional course students for last year. Named “How not to enter in IT, and get going better”.

Third will a PhD thesis on “How people in IT duck for several years, lose all their life in front of single machine and still be called successful”.

The fourth will be a big book novel named “The Chronicles of IT India”.
Part One “The Developers, The Machines and The Bugs”.
Part Two “The Project, The onsite and The PD”.
Part three “The PM, The PL, The TL and The Chaos”.
Part four “The Developer and The Long Died Hope”.

[Paddy and Maddy are two managers from last company, where MJ is still working and who gave me nightmares. They are arch enemies as of now]

I am not interested in writing any non-fiction since there is no reality in IT. Everything is so virtual.

The names you have suggested are the stages through which the IT developer goes in first 5 years and then remains dead brain cells. This will be covered in PhD thesis. I have planned these books. Let me know if you liked the themes. You can help me in developing the draft, editing the books. I will take care of the proofreading since we can make the bench work for that.

[Was it shock? Well for me too. I could not stop laughing and rolling. That's MJ for you]

From Uncle Teja:

Marvelous. That is what I can say to start with. I mean this is absolute and original creativity. Only the genius like you can think of all this. Only for coming up with all the titles, I am sure, people will pay you royalties. Go and register them right away. I love all the titles. I think equally.

I will do any damn job, as long as you allow me to work on all these books. Reading drafts proof reading, creating drafts, bringing tea for you while you are writing.. anything.

I m tired of IT, and I think this will be best job outside IT.

Thank you for letting me in, in advance.

From MJ:

You are always welcome. There is no project of mine that will be completed without you.

If you know the procedure of registering the names for the books, please register it by the name of both of us. Because this mammoth task will take a great toll.

These will be more sensational than the “Jinnah: India, Partition – Independence” book. And the books will go worldwide. (Global IT world)

Also, We have a definite reader group between age group 20 to 220 (if ever any IT developer had lived that long).

This means that there is at least one opportunity for us to be famous.

Of course, like the “Jinnah: India, Partition – Independence” book, these books will also hit many individuals on face, but what can we do for that?

After all, Fictions are Fictions.

Also, put your ideas on the table. We can have discussions online.

Ken, I am on HIGH today. There are 1000 ideas swarming in my head. I must write them all one by one or I will lose them all till tomorrow.

From Uncle Teja:

MJ,

Wow!! I am glad. I got one very good news today. Among many other fantasies and dreams I had for my life, the latest was to become writer. Today I am feeling like it will come true. For sure. Partially it has materialized. I have blog and I write for free. I have one very loyal reader as well.

About registration let me to do some research and find cost as well. I fully agree that they will be sensation among 4-5 lac Indian IT professionals if nothing worldwide. We will be famous, sensation and celebrity.

I do not care how many people get it on the face as long as we are honest and truthful about what we write. If we are dishonest or untruthful, then we should be funny. Stay high on for longer, the rewards will be enormous.

You have given me a fantastic idea for new post. I hope you would not mind quoting you.

Regards,
Ken

Wow!! I cannot believe that I had time for this conversation in my busy day. I think I am not busy, I am acting like one. But who cares I am getting paid for that. The day they will find they will send me back to India, and that will be my best day. I need to stop here, otherwise this will be never ending and infinite post like the desert. You might not get lucky to find oasis. MJ has given me another idea with basic draft. I have similar thought running in my mind for few days. Will start working on that post as well. MJ, I am not going to drop it. Do not worry. Just tired and Jeffery Archer is calling me for Not a Penny More and Not a Penny Less.

From You:

I am finally settled in the place now. Singapore. I must say it is not as cosmopolitan as I had thought and as my friends propagated to me. Hmnn .. No problem I am here and will learn to enjoy this place.

Basic facts. I have an apartment, non-typical HDB. A good house. Water, gas, electricity working & running. Internet connection activated with free phone and unlimited locals. No cable TV. We have decided to save S$30 a month. We includes my two colleagues, my boss and RK. They are roommates as well in this 3 bedroom HDB. Rent of S$ 2400 is little higher than what we had intend to pay. I am sure you are not interested in these details. But I need to hone my skills to write something better.

Ohh.. I forgot. I have cell phone connection now. Account opened with Citibank. Interesting story here as well. But later.

This is just beginning from break. Lot of people are asking me about my GTalk status. 6 months. Keep in mind. I wish to go back to India in six months. That is what I mean. And I need to keep that in mind. No matter what. It is one of those my theories from secret. (There is a post on this. Check out. I am sure you will like this.)

This is first weekend which is really a weekend. We went to Clark Quay on Friday. I had some Indian snacks and Classic Majito from Cuba. RK had some local seafood dishes. Liked none. I was more than happy to be non-experimental.

Started Saturday with (the) important payroll meeting. Bought tickets for movie for 6:20 show. Public Enemies, staring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. I like them both. Michael Mann was director. It was disappointing experience for three of us. Later had view of Harborfront from top of Vivo City mall. Ohh, forgot to mention that I did not miss temple on Saturday.

Found an Interesting place at the top of the mall. Where everything is sold for two $$. Yes S$2. Bought 40 items. Cups, bowls, silverware, containers, and some other non-sense. Boss and me do want to stay for longer than six months but does not want to live here like miser as well.

This is my perfect Sunday. Got up at seven. I was dreaming something or may be my sub-conscious was thinking something abrupt at 5. It is being like this for few days I guess. Boss says it means I am not really happy here. I was not earlier. Now I am lot better. Physically started accepting this change.

What better do on Sunday than blog, poke friends on Facebook, download some photos from Internet and create library on my Mac? Is there anything better to do? RK preparing drumstick curry, I had kept rice in cooker. Before publishing in between I had cut rock-melon. I love them. Post lunch planning to go to Bughis street shopping with no money in pocket.

Before going to bed on Saturday, I called Aiyla. My birthday brother. Need to find better name for you dude. It was nice talking to him. Voice and sound has more feeling than words I guess. Multimedia. Thank you for the sweet email. I owe you a reply. Now Uncle Teja is really missing you.

It is lot haan.. In few minutes. Please comment. I need them. I need to improve my score. One more good news, one of my post fetched 100 comments. Hurry. Perseverance paid of.

Alta-la-visa friends. I will catch up later.

I did continue to ponder over it for a while. I did told him something which was irrelevant. I said it because I had to say something. Honestly no good answer really clicked. I started having doubt on self and Pa’s confidence that I am confident. I fumbled for a while, shuffled pages of dictionary to find that meaning and answer.

I did get my answer finally. I am not sure if this is the answer Pa is looking for. To me confidence is to know what I (you) know, what I can do, what I can achieve. It is also important to know what I do not know, what I cannot do, and what I cannot achieve. Basically self-awareness is the key here.

Being confident also means being positive. Having belief in yourself, your existence and having sense of purpose. It is very important to feel good about yourself. I would recommend a dose of self-indulgence. Being content from within and enjoying every moment of your life.

Keeping smile on doomsday is confidence to me. Fighting your fear is confidence for me. Saying no to things you do not want to do makes you a confident person. In a way I say it is that power within yourself which allows you to chart path of your life. Walking with your head high. From where this power comes? It comes from knowledge, it comes with skills, earn it with hard work, from your desire to strive, from tolerance and your ability to sacrifice.

We need to make choices in life. We need to set the priorities for every day, week, month, and moment of life. This priorities will change, shift, new will appear and old will disappear from your list. You also need to make list of your values. It includes your faith, your family, your friends, your dreams and desires, money, career/work, fun, and all such things which you think are important for your survival. These two list must work in tandem. I would say in most of part of your life your values will not change. Not even the order of them. But priorities will keep realigning itself with change in time.

I am talking about this sacrifice here. Sacrificing item of low priority for one at the top. How you balance yourself among these two tangents of life will give you what you are looking for in life. Confidence!

Generally I do not oblige to such ideas. But I have not met him long, in fact had ignored him for long. Hence decided to surrender, in fact I was more than happy to oblige as he was going to drive me to what ever place outside Ghatkopar he wanted to go. In last two years, it is rare that I left Ghatkopar when ever I was in Mumbai. I am happy I did leave this Saturday.

For most time we spent together I had very little to talk about. In the midst of Global Economic Slowdown and Financial tumble, professionally I am not doing any thing great apart from playing carom in office. Even before the markets crashed my company had shown signs that it is miss-managed and reigns the company were not in safe hands. We had mishaps one after another. To add to frustration, price of $ in country hit the bottom for small period. I knew sooner or later we will fall, will be sold, acquired and our name will be lost forever.

Most of my friends advised me to leave the sinking ship, I thought I should, but unfortunately I could not think of any place to go. I have open offers from friends to join, but I doubt if they will match my salary. Even if they match, what about the repute I have build here in last 2 years, what about freedom I enjoy, in IT not many people gets to choose and pick their projects, deny onsite/overseas travel and enjoy the tag of best in business. I would have left all this for safe abode, but all these offers and opportunities are far away from Mumbai, and my current home Pune. I do not have courage any more to leave these palaces. There was time when I had no choice, I was dragged to Hyderabad, the city I called hell then. Today it is heaven, but I do not want to die right now.

It is being long since I enjoyed the sound of silence. I heard it in Hyderabad’s Durgam Cheruvu Lake and Sydney’s Darling Harbor. I heard on the Ghats of Lonavala and Khandala, I heard it at the water falls of Niagara and heads of high smoky mountains. It was there in hills of Mahabaleshwar. Sachin did most of talking, and I continued ignoring what he was saying. He spoke in length about his career in family business and arbitration. He talks about this every time we met after college. Sometime I feel that he enjoys sulking while I am around, and no one else. With most others he is happy as he never was. But this time he sounded much positive in the story narrated earlier thousand times.

For long time now, I am sulking as well. The only reason that there is nothing really happening in my life or is it that I am not trying really hard for anything to happen. In fact I am not aware what exactly I want to happen in my life. I have everything a content men would need, family, home, a job, and friends. I think most my friends are right; I should get married, if nothing, it will turn my life upside down and for sometime I would be lost in that chaos. I think this sound of silence which I was enjoying was illusion. Was it hollowness that needs to be filled? Is it absolute idle state of mind which needs something to focus on, or is plain regret that I am not able to make everybody happy, especially my loved ones. There was time when I used to be too eager to meet my friends; I had skip a dinner just to get the glimpse of them. Today I am afraid of the same people, intentionally or unintentionally I end up ignoring and avoiding them.

I know this is just another of those low phase in life when the morale hit bottom. It will pass on like the previous editions. I have this unmatched and ubiquitous ability to bring my chips down for no good reason. While everything in life is so good, I am feeling like looser, feeling like everything I have is useless, and everything I do not have are only important things in life. I think I only thing I need now is change.

Let is move towards chaos from silence.

Yes this is secret to happiness, wealth, love and all you wanted in your life according to this book by Rhonda Byrne. Yeah, this is a three step process to get all those things you ever dreamt and desired. Rhonda Byrne and many happy, healthy and wealthy folks (in her book) like her have reiterated zillion times that this is the only secret to life. Law of Attraction forms the basis for her book and all the people she named in the book claim that it works in your favor if you use the way she said and these people did.

In Alchemist Paulo Coelho said the same thing with amazing play of words and poetry. I loved it to the core. But primary difference between a Brazilian and his Australian counter part is putting in effort, the hard work, the endeavor and the exertion. Paulo says follow your dreams. Do what it takes to achieve what you want, and you have always dreamt. The whole universe will work towards achieving that for you.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Like in Om Shanti Om Shahrukh Khan mugged it to Hindi version, “Kehte hain agar kisi cheez ko agar dil se chaho to saari kayanath tumhe usse milane ki koshish me lag jaati hai”

But according Rhonda and her friends; there is noting you do to get what you want. Just Ask. Keep Faith (Believe). And receive. Just live your life as you have always done. Change your thoughts, your style, your behavior and you are done. Leave rest to the universe. Like if you want marry and living in the house with two car garage, always park your car to one side and leave space for your to be spouse.

If you want money, give money, believe in charity. Feel and be grateful that you have plenty of it and money will come to you.

The irksome thing I found with book is your uselessness. It kind of gives you feeling that you are there only to consume, to get, and guzzle. There is no larger purpose to your life in this universe.

She agrees that it is being and acting like selfish to the core. Her justification says universe will react to your thoughts, your desires and dreams. You can not desire for others, you can not dream for others. Only thing you can do to make other people rich is dream for more money and share. Ask for money in abundance and create wealth for the world.

The Alchemist not only achieved what he always kept dreaming but in his path to his fortune he helped other people achieve their dreams. He acted as mean or aided others to in their path to their glory and success.

I personally think life and universe want you to get what you desire and what you dream. It works towards your goals and your needs if you believe in it and be gracious to it. In nutshell be buoyant and be optimistic.

Be grateful to life and keep working towards it. Your life is your dream, your life is your endeavor to get what you dream of and this universe is your play ground. It is meant for you to play the game of life.

Just asking, believing and receiving is not life, at least not for me. It is the endeavor and adventure that counts for me.

Mark your presence, say something; just don’t read

With dad it was kind of strange. My job was that of caretaker. Go open the shop till he comes. Customer never came to us; my dad was salesman on the go. Mumbai trotter (Globe trotter) kind.

Leaving Mumbai was easy, I always loved the city I was born and raised. But I never had such great affinity as I have today. It is so true; a human being never values what he has. He is always in search of something different and new.

After living in 4 different cities, and 2 different continents today I miss Mumbai more than anything else. When I say Mumbai, I am talking about my family, extended family, and extra extended family. My few friends; very few. I do not even need fingers to count them, forget about tips.

One thing which always accompanied me since I left home was loneliness. I made many friends; some of them are great pals. These people really gave me sense of friendship and kinship; what friends are. But my loneliness never left me. She/he (what sounds better) is always walking with him, flying with me, riding with me, and sleeping besides me. Now I want to call it “she” for sure.

6 years. It was great journey. A hell of ride. I learnt about life, about people, about devils, and demons, about angels and about me, myself and Irene. Who is Irene? It should be me, myself and loneliness.

I said leaving Mumbai was easy; it was not because I did not like it much. I had bigger excitement of new job. Later I got addicted to my freedom and still not fully out of it. Philosophy says you can not be happy forever; you will have to give it up some day. One thing I must say; freedom is one side of coin. Other is my dear loneliness.

I think I can go on about my story, philosophy and psychology. I must stop here. I am back after long time and do not want my come back to be dragged brag. Okie Dokiee. Time to sign off.

Wanna say something?

Ken … have known him for quite some time now … and a little better than I could possibly know anyone else in the given time frame … and that’s because he is one hell of a smooth talker … Words in itself are powerless, they can neither benefit or harm you unless someone has the fine ability to combine them to use it for good bad and evil expressions … and he has a knack at it … one of the few people I know who have their way with words.

A cool guy … a good human and a perfectionalist by nature. He has a bundle full of patience don’t know where it comes from . Someone who is helpful, analytic … and the best has a decent ability to laugh at himself … I mean take humor in the

right spirit (well almost). How can I forget his ability to argue … this being in the right spirit based on beliefs and fundas … that’s so entertaining . And ya just read the gyan in the form of quotes on the home page of this blog.

I agree to his statement “Its difficult to define simple things” and so For now I am happy to stop here … maybe I will come back with more … some other time.

I know it’s all too good … but the fact is if I start writing the other part this is going to be an endlessly long … or should I say a never ending post … so for now just wishing him all the love, luck, success , happiness and prosperity in life.

With my heart in my mouth; we boarded train to Nuremburg. It was late by twenty minutes. We got on bus to Opladen from office on time at 16:08 hrs. I saw my manager missing his bus back home. From Opladen we had to board a train to Cologne at 16:46. I am sure you are impatient while I am giving the account of each minute of this journey.

Believe me; I had jitters, goosebumps and all such feeling since I got on train to Cologne from Opladen. On Thursday I called up YMCA in Munich and I could book a twin room for €32.00 per night per person for two nights.

Once I knew I had place to spend night, I started looking for a cheap way to reach Munich. There was return flight for €200. But it was from Cologne airport and I had no clue on how to be there. Second option I thought was Thalys; but it does not travel between Cologne and Munich. Now the only option was to use ICE (InterCity Express); which will cost €178. It was okay; as this was the only option or we do not travel. It was expensive as next weekend we could have flew for €150.

The train to Cologne got delayed by long 45 minutes due to police inquiry in Cologne. We were to reach there by 05:05 pm, find a counter to buy a ticket to and from Munich. We reached at 15:45 hrs. We ran to counter to check if we can still board the train. Looking at long queue, we decided we will go to platform and see how the train looks like. And head back home with fool’s mug. Two minutes close to 17:53 hrs we were talking to station master about the status as there was no train on platform. At the back of my mind I was toying with idea; I have reservation; but I have not yet paid for ticket. Is it possible to pay on train?

Station master told me train is twenty minutes late. Immediate question was where to buy a ticket. He said on the train. Was there moment happier in near future? I doubled checked everything. A local guy helped me to have detailed conversation with station master. Now you must have understood why I was holding my breath.

Due to police investigation most trains from and through Cologne were late. Non-Deutsch passengers were struggling with stubborn station master and other DB staff to understand what is wrong, when and how should they travel now. We had most information but were still not sure what the hell is going to happen next. Koti asked me, Ken is it advisable to board the train in this hour of confusion and chaos. I said yes. Under normal circumstances and with rational mind nobody will travel. But I will. There was no way I am going back after all the fretfulness. This is good omen.

Runway to heaven

The Europe in Hindi movies was like a heaven. I know you want debate that Kashmir is. But we will do that later. I really thought that what Hindi movies show is trick of camera and not nature after spending few days in Burscheid. I was having this belief until I boarded the train to Munich. I really do not have enough words to describe. Imagine green mountains and river. Range of tiny hills and river floating in valley. I am not sure the ICE was running on the river, mountain or was it airborne.

Each house was made of cardboard and painted ivory to white and brown. It is kept neatly at the bank of the river and foot steps of hills. All hills and mountains are brushed with shades of olive, light green and tinge of dried red-brown cherries.

Freeway to hell

At around at 8 it was dark. We could not see anything outside. Till now we were basking on our coup that we made it. We are smart and intrepid. This was time when we came to know that we were running late. In India if train departs late by 1 hr or less; it makes up in next 3-4 hrs of journey.

I assumed this train will do the same. But it did not happen. We heard on-board controller that chances of missing connection at Nuremberg are high. They have requested train to wait but even it waits we will not be able to make it to YMCA by 00:30 hrs. At this hour they close. Koti and I are now discussing whether we should spend night at Munich station or YMCA door. I was searching for other hotels in vicinity of YMCA in my “Rough Guide to Germany.”

Stakes have never changed fast before in my life than today. We are running fast on way with risk of spending our night on streets of Munich. I even thought about what to say to cops in case we are caught. I gave suggestion to Koti that we will see Munich in the night and sleep on sat morning till noon. Start again later in afternoon.

[Sat and Sunday we spent in Munich and now we are on our way back home]

My mom would say “Kaye khote chogadiye nakaryawa gharethi? In which ill-fated hour of day did you guys left? It is wild and crude translation or should I say bad?

While I was trying to pen my experience in Munich on a train to Cologne; train stopped at some station where it was not supposed to. Most passengers looked slightly disguised and confused. As usual Koti and I just ignored the announcement. Before every station they tell about arrival & departure time, connections, etc. We knew where we want to go and how.

After little bewilderment of few fellow passengers Koti and I raised eyebrows. Both of us were real puzzled now. The lady next seat saw our puzzled mug and was kind enough to explain the situation in her broken English with mixed Deutsche. Something had gone wrong on route ahead with lights that brought all trains to a standstill.

The wave of mild electric magnitude passed through my veins. The ride to Munich was rough enough to give me jitters. She advised us to take train on next platform which was halted for a hour and leave before ours to Cologne. What would have happened if that lady was not kind when rail staff and system was not?

We have no clues on what is going on. A man and woman are chattering happily behind me; which is surprise for all. A girl in front of me is engrossed in latest Harry Potter. A old fellow in book and young man in his VAIO. Koti is in wonderland. I am trying to decipher Angels and Demons while intoxicating me self with verum.

We are at Stuttgart, two & half hours from Cologne. I just handed over the Angles and Demons to Koti. He is wondering what I am writing. I already told him that I blog and this is going to be my next post.

Per my plan; we were to leave Munich at 18:24, reach Mannheim at 21:28. Take a connection here at 21:33 which brings us to Mainz at 22:15. In five minutes we take train to Cologne and be there at 12 past midnight. After hovering there for 40 minutes we take train to Opladen & cab back home at 10 minutes past one in the morning. At current state we will reach Cologne at one on the morning of Monday.

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