Happy New Year!

I wish for more harmony in the world in 2008.

Here's to the last day of 2007 :) ...

2007 was a pretty cool year. Over all more good than bad.

Some of the highlight of the year (not in any order) for me were -

1. Completing 2 years at my work place during the year (completing to and a half years or working is a GREAT feeling - I always worried before I got my job whether 1) Someone would hire me 2) If someone would hire me, would I actually be any good 3) Would I be able to stick around for at least 6 months before I got fired hehe
2. Getting my blog discovered by Cosmic and then having a lot more people visiting and leaving comments.
3. Meeting Prerna (who I know through blogging). Not only was it great to meet her but also reminded me of 3 - 4 years ago when I use to be active on a social network and actually met up with a bunch of my then internet friends.
4. The offsite at Kamshet - learned a lot - especially about myself. I find it so hard to follow without giving inputs and take a back seat - it's CRAZY.
5. Struggling at work with a couple of specific projects - learned a lot about my job but also got a lot of assumptions broken.
6. Realizing that wisdom appears in everyday events (most of which I put down on my blogs).
7. Finding blogs of really interesting people. It's a great way to find not only people who have different ideas but also come across those ideas.
8. Watching 'The Secret' (hopefully there will be implementation soon)
9. Buying a few stocks.
10. 'Partying' a little more than usual - Not that I enjoy it but the fact that I get invited is 'new'.
11. Losing my phone - not a positive highlight but a highlight none the less.

Lots more to come I am sure just can't think of all the other things right now.

I am smarter than you think I am...

So stop treating me like a kid.

Enough Already...

Hate the end of the year mainly because nearly EVERYONE asks what I am planning to do for New Years (meaning new years eve).

I know it's the kind of question people do ask you close to the end of the year but even people who know I don't party or don't like going out on the 31st, end up asking me.

This is one time when I feel ZERO guilt at lying. If I have to get out of going with a bunch of people to party - I tell them I already have plans and unfortunately they cannot be changed because no only have passes/ticket come (or any other arrangements) but also that I am seeing these people after years and they will feel very back.

Like every year I know this year also I will have to make excuses :(

What the big deal about partying man? It's such a waste of money. I don't drink. I don't dance - what I should spend thousands to go and see peoples faces?

-If all goes as planned I will be watching a lot of movies and then hopefully watching the sunrise (sucks that it's winter and that sunrise will only be around 6:30 at earliest [I am guessing]. This way I get to see at least one sunrise every year).

Perception...

Even though stars look like 'dots' in the sky, they are BIG - very big. Each star is like our sun (apparently our sun is a dwarf sized star if I am not wrong).

Now if you didn't know this and thought the stars you see at night are small - it's fine. I don't blame you. I'll never say how silly/stupid. But if you understand distance and light and everything else, and still believe the stars you see are small, then you are just foolish.

Stars also don't twinkle, they shine. What makes them twinkle is that their light gets refracted. An average person not being taught this, has full right to believe that star twinkle but those who understand about 'light moving through our atmosphere' are making a mistake if they accept/believe stars twinkle (I am saying believe and not 'say' because in general talk we all say stars twinkle and that is a matter of habit more than anything else)

Perception is important, but being blinded even when you know better is just wrong.


[Not sure if the words I have used are correct but I think the idea is clear enough]

So Readable?...

Was pretty surprised when at least 4 people asked me if I was okay and if something was wrong.

If you can't call this a great day, I don't know what you can...

Now all days should be like today I say.

1) Called up key - spend 300 bucks but so worth the 36 mins I spoke to her. Highlight of the day (month actually) for sure. So her kids are nearly normal - considering key that's a great feat. Also she did mention marriage. I don't know why I forget she is my AUNT. And guess what, she can actually do her math. Maybe it's cause she must be teaching Yash (for school) addition and subtraction :p

2) Chilled a little at work - got to know some of the 'crazy' wedding customs of South India

3) Did A LOT of keeda with Sunisha.

4) Met up with Arun thanks to whom I won a United Colours of Benetton umbrella. Glad to know he VERY REGULARLY read my blogs :) - Comment sometimes yaar.

5) Finally got Ashita's number and spoke to her.

6) Discussed 'The Secret' with Arun and on the way back got this girl on the signal telling me to buy it, and I told her I have it in my bag and she didn't believe me so asked me to show it, and I did, poor girl didn't know what to say other than offer me other books to buy.

7) BONDED majorly with 6 women in the compartment for 20 seconds - there was a crazy female in the train and when we got off the few women who were sitting across her started talking about her (had my music on so didn't hear the comments) but we ALL burst out laughing. It felt great for some unknown reason.

Merry Christmas

Special wishes to Ashwan, Berty, Bev (& the Thunderstormers), Claude, Karl & Raj

The Closer...

My latest 'favourite' TV show currently.

The first episode was not that great. Second one also I didn't like (watched it cause its Sunday and nothing better to do and also cause in this time slot I use to watch the show before this started). But I have watched a few more episodes and its brilliant.

I have to admit I love the characteristics of the main character. So proficient and competent but has these eccentricities. The role is played by Kyra Sedgwick. She is doing a pretty good job.

Also the best crying scene I have seen on TV has been this show.

Traffic Signal

Life has its own traffic signal.

The green and red lights are going to go on and off.

You will have to Stop and you will have to Go.

Only about me?

How self-centered am I?

Sometimes I think too much, sometimes I think not enough. Is it wrong to be self-centered? I don't think so. But of course like with everything else in life, there has to be a limit.

The interesting thing though is that while I might be focused on me, because I am not an 'in your face' sort of person, most people would not think for the slightest moment that I am self-centered.

2 times everytime - so strange...

My phone seems to be doing the weirdest thing.

Every time I message Gautam, he gets the SMS twice. I tried to figure why and I can't seem to fine any logical reasons.

Now Gautam getting the message twice is not an issue but me getting charged twice is.

Sure you can say 'how much does an SMS cost', but at the end of the day it is money gone to waste.

No prizes for guessing who isn't getting any SMS's from me (unless of course it is past 10:00 PM and I need to send out some message urgently).

Anyway why this figures on my blog is that there is a lesson there too. Things happen in life that are totally illogical. They might be funny, they might be costly, they might be relevant, they might be forgettable but unexpected things HAPPEN.

The only thing you can do is look for a logical solution.

Always The Last....

To Know

It's idiotic and barbaric

Been meaning to write about this for a really long time but have been forgetting.

I think the 'justice system' in Saudi Arabia is totally f***** up. I mean what the hell, a woman gets raped and you want to punish her.

I don't even have words to say how stupid that is and how angry I am at things like this. I mean what about the trauma this woman already faces? You want to not only beat her but also humiliate and BLAME her for being in a car with unrelated men? Also if a woman feels she hasn't got justice why shouldn't she go to the media?


If a woman gets raped it's not her fault. "She was asking for it", it just the most messed up thing to say. I can still understand a woman wearing something that super short and/or very revealing or something and getting stared at (I don't think it is right but I can accept that it is bound to happen) but saying that this woman was asking for it, is just so damn ridiculous.

Also wtf is this whole - how can you go anywhere without a male companion? And also how f'ed up is it to then tell a woman she was wrong to do it, especially if something bad happens to her? You are suppose to punish the man who has harassed this woman.

Anyway I could go on and on. I just think it's the stupidest level we can get as humans. It's inhuman too.

I am badly trying not to start a rant on "honour killing". Shit even the term leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Human beings are just f***** up.

dumbfounded...

I am always surprised when I come across a blog where I find someone sharing the same sentiments/feelings/thoughts I have about certain things.

I have my own take on things and I am not saying that my take is very unique or anything. It is just that it is not the most commonly said/felt/thought thing.

In real life I find very few people who feel or think the same way I do. On the net I find it so much more easily. Of course it could be that in person people don't share such ideologies openly (thought I don't see any reason why. I of course won't start talking about deforestation generally because I know that 90% of the people sitting there wouldn't be truly interested - and this could be what happens with everyone around - they don't say something because they believe that the other people around, don't want to hear what they have to say).

Anyway it's all good. I enjoy that I find more people "like me" out there. It not only gives a sense of comfort but also give more food for thought.

Go With The Flow

I always go with the flow - my life has no direction cause there is no where I have to get to.

Anyway there isn't anything wrong with going with the flow if you have no goal but at some point in time gwtf needs to stop. Not that you will only end up in bad places if you gwtf or anything, it's just that I think it's important to find a destination that you need to get to. Getting there or not is secondary. Important but secondary.

Anyway I still got a little more time (because I have given myself a little more time) to go with the flow, so I will enjoy it while I can.

And obviously I am not going to bitch cause only good things happen majority of the time.

Since you're first...

there obviously is something there.

Especially since there are other more interesting places to be.



We see it, cause it's obvious.

Familiar Strangers No More...

So I met my first blog buddy - yayyyy.

Met up with Prerna today - she was kind enough to come all the way to where I work (she had no issues with the distance though I am sure she wasn't thinking that way on her way back hehe).

It was great meeting up. I did maybe 5x of a talking - thankfully she asked for some gyan about what I do so it wouldn't seem that much.

Hopefully this we will meet up often. I owe you a coffee Prerna - if you are at our office again, you will be served the 'special' coffee I drink.

Btw I had to ask you a question and I forgot - why is it PK?

@ Cosmic - neither of us scared the other off but we are wondering about what kind of crazy person you are :p HAHA

Light Years...

Distance and time....time and distance....


I miss not seeing you around.

I miss not hearing your opinion on something.

I miss your stupid jokes and wise ass comments.

I miss how we made fun of each other.

I miss bumping into you at the most unexpected time.

I miss your attitude.

I miss how we fought for each other.

I miss trying to solve your problems.

I miss creating problems for you.

I miss the opportunities you gave me.

I miss hearing you laugh at all my jokes.

I miss being part of the group.

I miss bitching with you.

I miss sharing homework and showing you the test answers during the test.

I miss how you encouraged me.

I miss our brain-storming.

I miss how we always cancel plans we make.

I miss the good old days.

How would I be who I am if it wasn't for you?


I miss a lot of people I have grown apart from. Some have moved to different locations/cities. Some I have drifted from because it has been so long since we have met. [That's why the post is title light years - time and distance both]

Some time of course the distances aren't necessarily physical. People grow apart with change in outlook (growth).

Lots of people come into our lives and then aren't part of our lives anymore but everyone leaves a mark.

[This post in not about just one person. The "I miss" happens thanks to school friends, college friends, ex-colleagues, teachers. I miss (some of) my teachers a lot]

Sore throat :(

Nice to be considered...

Thanks BD for the pouch. Thanks GM for the earrings. (Also thanks AG for multiple gifts from 'exotic' places).

I don't like accepting gifts, but this stuff was "small enough" and also if I created a scene I would get jhaped royally in front of everyone hehe.


Whatever said and done, it's nice to be considered.

:)

Thank you.

(Next time though please don't get me anything - I seriously don't like accepting stuff).

O Mahiya - yeh dil mein tu...

Song from Dus Kahaniyan.

Totally kicks ass.

Love the whole 'O mahiya yeh dil mein tu' bit.


P.S. - I love having nicks just like that when songs / lines from songs are not famous (yet). People start asking me what's up, what's wrong with me, who I am talking about, etc etc etc. It's totally funny at times and I write such nicks on purpose.

Another Oil Spill :@....

The :@ creates an emoticon - angry face.

I can't understand why nothing substantial is getting done to stop oil spills. I mean everyone knows that these cause lots of damage to the environment, so why is it that we can build in more safety to see that oil spills don't happen the way they are happening right now. Sure you can stop a disaster from happening. Ships will break, they will sink, but I am sure a few more measures can be added to try and prevent so much damage.

I mean what are shipping companies not bothered about how much oil actually gets wasted? This is one of the reason, I keep praying that oil prices keep increasing. Oil should be so dear that any leakage or loss would be unbearably expensive and therefore systems / technologies, would come into place to prevent wastage.

Which one...

The other day, my mom asked me which of my cousins was my favourite cousin (it was not a random question).

I realize that while it wasn't hard to list my cousins out in terms of preference, it was hard admitting the preferences because on certain things you are suppose to be non bias and if you do have a bias, it must not show.

Anyway mom didn't judge obviously because she believes you can have a list / levels of liking, but I still hated naming names (she wouldn't let me go till I told her my order).

I know I hate doing this stuff - why can't we just have like v/s dislike? I mean I can rank movies, I can rank TV shows, I can rank songs, I can rank subjects (and say it all out loud) but ranking people in some order and then stating it is just wrong.
My issue isn't with having judgments and notions about people, it's about partiality.

I don't know the whole experience was icky (distasteful)

To Tarana

Well honestly I don't know what is wrong with this woman - no one confides in my so much - hehe maybe I am just available online at odd times when she is bursting to say something to someone ... anyone

:)

And if she isn't confiding and making up stories - well they really are stories. Total masala filled - those types that would be super hit with the Indian masses. Of course some of it sounds Hollywoodish too - Julia Roberts, Richard Gere (not pretty woman).

I have never seen any woman burn so many matches, in the style she did, 'just like that'. I am sure at some point in her life she will start a major fire somewhere.

I miss my favourite techie (hehe I never had to worry about giving instructions in English very fast and also didn't have to worry about doing too many tests).

Here's to Tarana (enjoying new found freedom in Canada).

Ill :(...

That's ill and not 3 or something.

I get a fever at least 3 - 4 times a year - sometimes due to exertion / exhaustion and also because I can't adapt to changes in weather very well. So if it is very hot and suddenly starts getting cold, I am sure to come down with something.

Yesterday was different though and it was freaky. Don't know what happened but I felt like hell. Why it was scary was because yesterday felt like the days, some 8 years ago when I was VERY ill.

I travel by train and climbing up/down stairs to get to the platform/out of the station is an everyday thing. Yesterday I was huffing and puffing. While you could look at me and say I look like a person who would huff and puff after a few flight of stairs, I usually don't. My breath doesn't catch that badly. Feeling as sick as I felt with I had malaria so many years ago was very scary.

Made me realize though that being mentally 'psyched out' is worse than being physically afflicted.

Thankfully I am feeling much better today.

No More...

I have already written a post about alcohol and drinking it before but am not going to provide a link because you aren't missing out on much.

What 'no more' is about, is my 'social drinking'. Sure it is as good as non existent, seeing as I am rarely social, but still 1 drink once in every 3 months is not cool.

I have decided not to take alcohol again.

I am not trying to fit in. Jeez if I were ever doing that I wouldn't be the way I am. The whole idea of taking the drink is to make the people throwing the party, feel a little happy and more over to stop people from nagging me to take a drink. So I usually end up taking one mild drink throughout the evening. But it is not worth it.

Before I agree to going to a party next time, I am going to make it clear that I will not drink and that people around me must not force me to.