Wednesday, 24 January 2018

BC... Abhi Kya Karein Iss Emotion Ke Saath?

As is evident from the title, my Hindi sucks... but i'm sometimes stuck with this feeling and then I end up just brushing it aside and moving on. Moving on with my day. Moving on with life. Moving on with other emotions that engage.

What do I do about things that can't be changed. Or emotions that I just can't act upon. Emotions that linger with no purpose...

My friend Arvind passed away really suddenly on Dec 1st 2017. He was fit, healthy, newly married and most of all - a universally loved guy. It still baffles me how someone,, like him at age 31 would have to leave us. So much happiness this soul had to spread. He was a good guy - and I'm not just saying that because he isn't with us anymore.

Initially, I didn't really process this. I wasn't overcome by grief. Instead, I felt the need to either be a support and empathize with people around me OR just move on without. stopping.. to... think.

Only two weeks later, at his remembrance celebration, was I overcome by grief. In many ways, it still lingers. It's more a deep sense of sadness now. Grief numbed by time. And the need to move on. It creeps up on me in random moments like an old friend one bumps into when walking on the street... Sometimes, you stop to chat, sometimes it's awkward and exchange a word or two... and sometimes you pretend not to notice and continue walking.

But, atleast I have the choice of being able to function. Of being able to walk on. Of being able to carry my cross. My heart always goes out to his dearest ones on whose shoulders this weight must rest far more heavily.

I fear this crushing force sometimes. But it is important to recognize the inevitable. In fact, I hope I have a heavier cross to bear rather than the people around me.

We all move on. At our own pace. It's surely a good thing. Moving on is good. But yet they also say it's good to let the emotion soak in you - only so that you can move on properly. For his dearest friends, there must be moments when they ask themselves why they must move on. Everyday to ask yourself "What would Arvind feel like today?"
"What would Arvind have said to me in this situation?"
"How would Arvind have woken up this morning?"
"Would he have liked coffee or tea today?"
How to let this pain go. How to fill this empty space. How to forget the memories. I guess time will obviously ensure all of the above. But it's a funny tug-of-war... subconsciously there's a need to move on and let go while simultaneously, subconsciously there's also a need to hang on and always remember.

I hope and pray that the pain eases for all those it burdens. I hope and pray his joy and warmth soothes and comforts those upon whom he had showered. I hope and pray we can all smile and laugh and spread happiness in his afterglow.

Thursday, 3 March 2016

Two months and 14 hours of being married...

January 2nd 2016 will always be one of the most special days in my life. And so will January 3rd, 2016.  On January 2nd, in one of the most beautiful ceremonies (honestly) I got married to one of the most wonderful persons I've come to know and on January 3rd, we had a celebration that was overwhelming in terms of the amount of love we felt and experienced from close friends and family. In so many ways she rescued me and healed me. She has a unique wonderful intelligence that isn't about logic or strategy or math but instead stems from an amazing depth of genuine love, nurturing, warmth, beauty and empathy.

We are truly blessed and lucky to have found one another and to have so many wonderful, loving, nurturing close friends. We are blessed to have such amazing families (that make us smile with love and warmth when we even think of them). The list of things we have to be thankful for is long and overwhelming. In fact, through this period, if there's one emotion that we've been overcome with other than love, it is gratitude. I'm not sure what we did to deserve to be so fortunate, but we are. And when one has been so lucky, it's difficult to ignore the desire to share... and to give back. To spread happiness. To make the world a better place.

But making a difference isn't easy. It's infectious but to create an institution or movement that genuinely isn't just vanity is not going to be easy. Sheerly to even keep the desire alive amidst the day-to-day continuum of career, life, socialising isn't sustainable. Everything is finite.The need to give back in a meaningful manner burns within. We have  to have found each other for a larger purpose.

It's 7:19 am on the clock. It's been a couple of hours since I've been awake. I woke up obsessing about some work stuff and had to 're-orient' my thoughts to the important things in life.

The wife beckons. It's time to slink back into bed and hold her and let her know she is cherished.

I'm lucky. Seriously lucky. You should meet her. Even you'll agree.

Sunday, 13 September 2015

...Magic...

There's a feeling of disbelief that comes over me sometimes when i think about her... About the fact that she actually could love me! She loves me!!!

We met (funnily enough) through parents but from that moment, we've really got along... It's been almost 9 months since and now in a few months she's going to become my wife!

She's warm, she's loving, she's fun, she's honest, she's a 'good' person, she's gorgeous, she's talented, she's funny, she's unique, she's sunshine, she's adorable, she's committed, she's got strong values and yet somehow she's fallen for me!

Some of my insecurities and wounds have somehow effortlessly been healed by her and I'd like to believe that I've also helped her heal from some of the baggage that she was carrying... It's like we were inflicted with those wounds only so we could find and then heal each other... It's strange how much has changed for me personally now that she's a part of my life. It feels blessed and a lot more complete. There's reason to celebrate. There's someone to share the happy moments with. There's someone to look to in the not-so-happy times.

Suddenly, there's magic.

I miss her some days. I pine for her on some days. I have imaginary conversations with her in my head... And all this even though we speak almost all the time... There hasn't been a single day (except the early few) where we haven't been in touch since we first met. There's so much positivity in my life that she has brought in like sunshine... I know there will be challenges that we will face, but she makes it worthwhile... and with her I know i'm stronger. I've gone from having 'nothing to lose' to a whole different wonderful place...

I just wanted to drop in a short line to say "Thank you!"... Thank you for the love. Thank you for the warmth. Thank you for the care. Thank you for the magic.

Thank you for her.

:)


Tuesday, 18 November 2014

An unworthy homage to an unconditional friend



Saraswati Lollipop, my cat, passed away this morning. It was completely unexpected, accidental and suddenly it feels strange to even imagine a place called home without her.

She was the most curious and affectionate cat I'd come across - with an insane need to investigate anything that looked 'investigate-able'. She wouldn't let me out of her sight from the moment I'd enter home till the moment I'd leave... waiting patiently by my side in bed to following me into the loo to purring softly every time I carried her to getting excited and getting excessively playful every time we played together. It's difficult to know I wont be seeing her dashing ahead of me playfully in sheer excitement and bumping into something as she lost her balance as I walk around the house... 



She was special to me. She loved me. Unconditionally. She was a street cat whom a friend rescued and nursed to good health. She had been with me for only a couple of years. We used to play a strange game - every morning I would crumple one or two flyers from the newspaper and throw them on the ground around the house. Inevitably she would end up pushing these paper balls around and entertaining herself. She also took great pains in keeping Solomon (my other cat) on his toes by constantly 'blading' him to play. Off late, she seemed to get her 'kicks' from moth-hunting. 



You may have or may not have known her but she was something :)

No matter how badly I want or how how much I regret anything I cant change that she's gone.

So while I write this largely to share my love for her (and wash away some of the regret I feel) I also wanted to remind you, my dear friend, that we all have people and friends whom we should love unconditionally. And as definite as there is life, so is it's end. But in the in-between, take a moment, take many, as often as you can, to show these special friends that you love them. Unconditionally. 

And you should know, loving unconditionally is a very difficult thing. And there may be logistical and physical constraints from sharing this love. It's okay. It's honestly the thought that counts. And love has a way... of finding it's way.

Funnily, two or three nights ago, I had a dream (!!!) where she fought off a large tiger to save me as I ran away! I woke that morning and the days to come feeling so warm and protected by her - as silly as that sounds.



Saraswati - thank you for everything. Rest in peace. You are missed already.



Monday, 8 September 2014

Chasing Rainbows...

A couple of days back a friend asked me why I had so few things I was passionate about... That seemed like a strange thing for anyone to ask ME... well, atleast to me. At the time...

(well, actually, that's not exactly what she said... she actually called me "lacking in content"!!!)

And then it got me thinking...  listen to any song n you'll figure that love, heartbreak, girls/boys etc are huge inspiration n all but as I thought about it I realised that I'd very few 'activities' that I was into that I was actually genuinely involved in and passionate about anymore... 

I am easily one of the most intense, passionate and involved people I know. So, then why this predicament? Why even the need to ponder upon what may seem like a silly flake-y question? Because... There, could be some truth in the statement. In the process of life's priorities (read paying the bills and generally attending to the near and dear ones), romance, heartbreak, intoxication and rediscovering some level of self-worth I may have lost some of that magic. I may have set it aside temporarily. So, what're the things I enjoy doing... the things I like doing for myself. Not just to be sounding intelligent in some kinda conversation... The little things. And the big things.

Here's an effort to recollect. To remember. To reawaken.

(Gosh, I love lists)

  • Movies... I still love them... I guess in many ways this still remains to be one of my biggest passions...
  • Sports... Playing sports such as basketball, football and squash. I've had this pastime taken away from me recently over the last six months or so due to health (jaundice and then a torn knee ligament which is being really stubborn about healing!) but I hope to get playing fit soon. I really enjoy my playtime... there's something to be said about the amazing ability it has to make me feel. No matter what mood I'm in, a good game leaves me charged. I guess you could also put working out and staying fit in this category. This is a big category!
  • Food... I totally still got this :-) 
  • Mind Games... I loved puzzles and mind tests. I still do. I must pursue this more.
  • Music... I really love listening to good music. i sorta decided somewhere along the way to not spend too much energies into sourcing new and different music but I now feel like I must... I really need to. It's one of those things that i've fooled myself into since I'm never really sure on what I'm missing out on... Maybe it's time to invest in an ipod.
  • Paragliding... I loved doing my first level course. I must do my second sometime soon. I also need to go skydiving!
  • Friends and Family... Spending quality time with them. Helping them. Understanding them. Interacting with them. I totally still got this but I probably need to interact with them more meaningfully socially... I wonder why 90% of hanging out with friends involves alcohol (which I still love even though we've temporarily parted ways)... or movies or dinner... What are the different fun things that people can do together and speak about.
  • Life Goals... and achieving them. I wonder what happened to some of these. I guess sometimes its important to focus on some things and set some things aside so that others can be achieved. But its important for me to re-fraternize with some of these... like the restaurant or the school (well, you may not know what I'm talking about... but I do!).
  • Health... well, I'm not doing too badly here now... But there's always room for improvement. And I've got to take good care of myself consistently... No taking anything for granted.
  • Traveling with friends and family... while I've been doing this a fair bit. I guess there's always room for more... But this has been happening quite a bit actually...
  • Making a Difference... I know this is sorta covered under life goals but I guess I want to just reiterate
  • Challenges... I like challenges of various kinds. I just like the idea of having to prepare and train myself for them. It's how I approach some of my tasks and stuff...
  • This blog - see! I'm writing for me again!

So that's about it for now. I may add to this list. But for now, what can I say... It's good to be back. 

And Chasing Rainbows...

Sunday, 15 December 2013

The Wedding Speech (or what should've been)

I was at a close friend's wedding recently and after it was over a bunch of met up in Goa for two days and nights of absolute fun...

On the last night, while we all chilled at Zanzibar, a bunch of people who were really 'really' close (the inner 'inner' circle - that doesn't include me) made small speeches wishing the couple and what it's mean to them etc...

Here's mine (I sent them an email) - 

Ever so rarely you meet someone with whom you wanna share most of the things that life has to offer. Ever so rarely you meet someone that you're also willing to suffer through the annoying and difficult parts of their personality and the attachments that they come along with - ever so rarely these things even become fun. I remember how much I used to find stretch marks terribly unattractive until I fell in love with a girl who had a few... and then I actually missed em! Love has a way of obliterating things that would've ordinarily mattered. And it's wonderful to see it in the two of you. I even remember enviously walking out of XYZ's cabin in office several months ago when I saw how happy he was and wondering when/if I would ever have such emotion...

The funny thing about marriage though is that it needs more than just love. It is possible there will be times when it will feel so difficult to love each other. You guys will need to learn to forgive (sometimes, its possible it won't be easy... and will take time), to communicate (and that includes listening!) and to be insanely patient and strong for each other. I'm definitely not one to take any relationship advice from :) but always place the most importance on the bond that now binds you guys - in times of love, difficulty, illness, sorrow and come what may.

I see such a wonderful happiness in the two if you - you guys make 1+1= Infiniti. It has such a positive effect on the people around you as well. It makes me think it's not such a bad thing to be vulnerable.


From the bottom of my heart (which isn't too deep)- I wish you guys the best and all the things you guys wish for yourselves. Here's to awesomeness.


*skulls whiskey* 

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Sometimes, the universe needs to make a choice for you...

I'm tired of choices. Of making em... or not.

The old adages... they seem to all make sense. And I don't care.

Go on, make me an offer I can't refuse.

Thursday, 20 June 2013

As there is a void... there is an answer.

Too tired, distracted and un-motivated to write... listless, if you will.

But life, has a way of changing on you. You start off as a child... dreaming. And then somewhere along the way someone says "stop dreaming..." and still you don't. But you realize you aren't necessarily living your dream. A little later... you realize you aren't even chasing em.

And then, on some days, they don't matter.

But you never stop dreaming.

There must be a reason. Hain na?

Monday, 1 April 2013

A Prayer

Dear God/Universe,

Thank you for everything you've given me. It's really great and I do value everything a lot. Family, friends, love, warmth, wealth, intelligence, goodness and so much more...

I'm having a few problems and I really need your help on these a little bit. I know you're probably watching me and helping out as it is, but I'm just raising these anyways...

- I need to learn and enjoy moderation - especially when it comes to my drinking. I drink way too much and often don't know my limits. I used to like the madness. I don't know why I did. I want to stop being that way. I cant understand why I needed everything to be crazy... Life is not a movie and I need to understand that its not necessary to be dramatic. I need a little calm.

- I'd like to be a better influence to the world and people around me - there are things about me that're very selfish. I wish I could lose them as much as possible. I'd really like to be able to make the people around me happier.

- The Emptiness needs to go...

Thanks again!

Tuesday, 19 March 2013

David's 10 Maxims for Life

Yesterday, I had the pleasure and honour of listening to one of my colleagues share some of his life lessons and speak about 'How to be a Good Agent'. And while it seemed as though he was talking about work mostly, to me it felt entirely like he was actually talking about life. These were some great and valuable insights into how to approach life and I really wanted to share them with you... I even made notes!

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1. Its Nothing more than a Little Hard Work...

No Matter how hopeless or difficult a situation may seem, no matter how daunting and intimidating a task at hand may be, no matter how depressed or low something has made you... the truth really is that all it takes to get back up, to find that solution, to dig yourself out - is a little hard work. Break it down, bit by bit, step by step... keep at it. And soon you'll be at mile by mile...


2. The Key to Success is Just Showing Up...

Sometimes you win half the battle by just showing up. You have to get off your ass and get into that room. Its half the battle won already.


3. Celebrate your Accomplishments. But Always, Strive for Excellence (and then more!).

It's really important to be able to look back and be happy with what you have achieved. And it's equally important to be able to look forward with humility and strive to be the best you can be.


4. Don't Worry about what They are doing. Focus on what YOU are doing.

Yes, the world is probably a fiercely competitive place. But why allow someone else to dictate your standards of efficiency/effectiveness/satisfaction/life? Do things in the manner and approach that make you happy!


5. If you want something, you have to take immediate and deliberate steps to achieve it.

Often when faced with a daunting task, we procrastinate or don't know where to begin. It's one of those classic cases where we suddenly wake up one day and realize time has passed us by and we didn't do anything about it. It's important to act. And it's important to act in a deliberate manner (which is not to be confused with being restless and impatient). 


6. Respect Everyone.

It's one of the hallmarks of a good human being.


7. There's a fine line between Confidence and 'Cockiness'.

It's called humility. Let it soak into your being. Funnily, humility is a quality that most genuinely happy possess.


8. Don't just be there in Success. Be there in Failure as well.

Most people remembers the ones who were there for them when they're down and out. If you really want to make a difference in someone's life, make sure you're there for them when they're down.


9. It's Better to Have It and Not Need It... Than to Need it and Not Have It.

There's no harm in being over-prepared. Don't overburden yourself but try to avoid winging it. Chances are, you'll get caught out. You never can be entirely sure of what kind of situation you're stepping into. 


10. Hard Work Drives Everything.

If you don't put in the heart, you will never come out with the muscle or the wisdom.


Bonus Maxim 11. Information is only Good if you Use it.

Never stop listening. Keep your ears open and hear what people are saying. There is a world out there as well.

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A successful person is not the person who wakes up in the morning with the most money, women or the largest house... A successful person is someone who wakes up in the morning and looks forward to their day (and going into work!)

The Bitter-Sweet Emptiness of the Adultery that Never was

He dreamt of her, laughing through the sunshine of the day,
But woke up next to someone else...
He may have whispered sweet nothings as they slept,
Which were never heard...

The Emptiness, it has it's Place...
And what an Irony that is...

They'd laughed like mad children,
At the way that they'd know what each was thinking,
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
But now the sounds that're heard are of intoxicated voices
Flush with lies and temporary meaning.

The heart wants, what it cannot have.

So i'm sorta reviving an old post (that I didn't post since I didn't wanna seem defeatist). And it's not really how i feel at this point. But it was/has been how i felt a few days ago...

I used to feel like less of a man, the morning after. Which is the exact opposite of how I should've felt. I guess it doesn't matter and I know it'll change.... when it does. There was a need to drift along in intoxicated spirits and cheer ... and there was a need to 'get on with it' and put life in place with sobriety (it a pattern!).

I know it's gonna be great again. There might be a little emptiness today, but it's a lot less than what i felt a few days ago. And it shall pass. Bit by bit. Mile by mile.

I do feel better already. Bring on life!

Sunday, 27 January 2013

The Upside of Endings and Goodbyes...

Life comes with it's share of farewells and adieus. Choicelessly.

I can't say I know a single person who hasn't felt tragic pain and loss in these circumstances. Some of us deal with it better than others.

I dont take well to farewells. In fact, it seems pointless that everything must come to an end - if that's what's gonna happen, then why even begin? Why struggle? Why celebrate?

Well, honestly I don't know. It sometimes feels like we just need to be pre-occupied. Like we're not supposed to ask about why we're going on a journey but go along anyway. Yet strangely, life is like that... as surely as it starts, it will end. And so must everything.

But I realized something about endings - that they challenge you and force you to evolve and find new meaning. To somehow find a way out of the pain you feel to experience something new that will eventually carve a new meaning in your life.

And one day, you will say bye to that too. Deja Vu!

Yet, there is always endless beauty in each of these. Its great to have moments to cherish.


Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Texting the Universe

I've so many things to be thankful for... family, friends, career, fair amount of wealth, comfort, intelligence (I'd like to think in abundance!), a nurturing atmosphere, charm, luck and so so much more.

I hate to crib. I really do... so please do think of this as more of a confession...

There's a tiny emptiness inside of me. It sorta seems to grow inside of me on some days and on others it wanes. On its bad days, it has a way of sapping the juice of life... on others, it kinda sugars into the milk...

Or am i exaggerating? I dont know.

But, I'd like it to go. Disappear altogether.

I just wanted you to know...

And once again, thank you so so much.

Sunday, 30 December 2012

2013: Resolutions

I sit here looking at the almost blank screen, while wondering what I should write about and it seems like an apt time to make some resolutions.

The weird part about resolutions is that one always end up breaking them. But i'm gonna try anyways. So, here goes...


  • Consciously do one good deed everyday - however small or big... and this could be anything from sending a sweet text to an old friend to helping someone with change...but the idea is to consciously program myself to help and do good deeds so that it floats into my subconscious eventually
  • Get even more healthy - I want to lose some more weight, increase my stamina, build better body resilience, cut down on the amount of alcohol I drink, develop better food habits and try to avoid weekend binging.
  • Moderation - I've always been someone who tries things in extremes - I'd like to get a sense of moderation in my life...
  • Listen - I sometimes get carried away with my own thoughts that i forget to listen. I need to find a way of capturing both given my inability to multi-task...
  • Patience - I would like to be more patient. Especially with the people I love dearly...
  • Save - I need to begin to save a certain amount of money every month... however small or big, I just want to get into the habit of having a contingency plan for a rainy day.

Basically, 2013, I'd like to be a better man. 

Show me how.

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

If...

If I was richer... 
I'd travel a whole lot more.

If I was wiser...
I'd save a little bit more.

If I was better looking...
An actor I'd be.

If I could sing...
I'd waste my time seducing women...

If I hadn't gotten Polio...
An athlete I'd have become? Or maybe not.

If I wasn't as intelligent...
I would've been unbearably annoying!

If I was smarter...
I'd have made more money.

If I hadn't been so uncool as a kid...
I wouldn't have done the crazy things I did as an adult!

If I had more guts...
I'd actually find a cause worth fighting for... and fight for it.

If I had more guts...
A politician/activist I'd become.

If I was stronger...
I'd never be lonely.

If I had more passion...
An out-of-work stage actor I'd be...

If I had less ambition...
A stoned, out-of-work stage actor I'd be...

If I had less insecurity...
I'd feel a lot younger.

.....

If I wasn't me...
I wouldn't be.

.....


Wednesday, 7 November 2012

When is it time to say goodbye...

Max's (my cousin's German Shepherd) hind legs and sometimes even his front legs are giving away. He is hardly able to walk even with a harness support and needs to be carried most of the time. In fact, at times he doesn't even seem to control his body...

As I sat there besides him, just stroking him to sleep, I began to cry. Max was a special dog to me... the first few times I was around him I had to be watchful cos he was known to be 'dangerous' and protective of his environment. He'd watch me silently from a corner in the room, his dark wolf-like face never breaking it's icy observance of my every move... And he'd do all this while Oscar (the other German Shepherd) jumped about happily to be petted and played with... Max was the friend who took time to commit, who's loyalty was rock solid, who took time be won-over... and it was a special feeling when we did eventually become friends... It wasn't easy. It was never taken for granted - he wouldn't let you. If you didn't visit for a while, he too would ignore you for a bit when you visited... Everytime he'd purr like a baby, I'd get really happy to see this beast turn into a puppy with me...

But today, he lay before me, unable to walk... breathing heavily. Max might actually need to be put to sleep if he doesn't improve. But I could tell, he still loved the petting that I was giving him. He kept licking me gently.

I don't know when it is time to say goodbye - to various things in life. People, relationships, work environments, places... I hate them. I can't seem to understand the point of building a bond, when you have to also let it go... and I don't know how some people do it so easily.

I'm not sure where one crosses the line between being a support to someone by holding on TO being a burden and refusing to see the inevitable. I don't know when one crosses the line between being a believer and a fighter TO a fool and a romantic.

Life's taught me that the right time to let go is when you really believe that it is in the best interest of the people concerned. Inherently, I'm a believer and a fighter. I won't give up. I won't let go of hope. But now I often ask myself, what's better for the other person...

Max, please don't give up. There's so much more life left in you...

Friday, 2 November 2012

A lil post mid-way EVAL: Bucketlist '12


I've retained the original post in almost its entirety but have also added my evaluation of each wish with an underscore and a Verdict...

to start of with...




So, you kinda get caught up in the minutes, hours, nights, days, weeks, months and soon time has flashed by... You've spent a whole load of time doing several things but when you look back you somehow often find yourself saying, "hmmmmm, why didn't I ever do *that thing* when I wanted to?"

And one more often than rarely, doesn't seem to have an answer... So here's to putting down a list of objectives and thoughts for the year...

(Universe, you better be listening :)))))

Things that I wanna make sure I do/happen/work towards this year -

  • a skydiving course - not just a single tandem jump but to actually do a decent course that actually teaches me a bit about it. I've always been fascinated by how it must feel... I remember jumping off the highest diving board at a few pools (which sometimes were almost 4 stories high) even when I was a kid... the acceleration... the rush! 
    • well the skydiving course won't happen as yet but I will in all probability go for a paragliding course... In fact I was supposed to go for one with dad in august but unfortunately due to bad weather the entire schedule got canceled... but hey, atleast i'm halfway there... Progress
  • baby steps towards building something or involving myself in something that'll make a difference -  it's been one of my life goals to find a way to make a genuine difference. I know it gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to influence change in a positive way... In many ways it feels like one of the reasons one is put on this planet. 
    • so far, nothing. I hate the fact that I haven't. I need to. Fail!
  • sorting out if this is the career I want for myself... I'm doing fairly well for myself. But i don't feel like i'm doing enough or getting the opportunity to. I expected/expect more from myself. i need to rethink things and really figure... This is my year of choice. 
    • so far this seems like a genuine step in the right direction, more than anything since it simply seems like there is potential. Progress
  • to get a flat stomach - I always had this. Somehow a few years back a few inches found their grip. They have got to go. Otherwise i'm still fairly fit... 
    • I've lost 8 kilos in 4.5 months... and that's just overall weight. I've probably lost a lot more fat which has been compensated by muscle gain. I love that I've been able to get back into shape. I'd like to lose a few more kilos and get those washboard abs. However, today, even I'd do me! Achievement... but still more to go.
  • travel with my parents - I wanna take my parents somewhere or send them on an international vacation if I can't go... would be super if they agreed to go visit my sis in the US... 
    • well we went on a couple of vacations but the US etc seems a little bit out of my financial reach at the moment... Baby steps
  • to spend more time with my parents and with my sister... 
    • I've spent so much more time this year with my folks that it's been an absolute pleasure. i could still spend more time and patience with my sister though... Progress
  • to move into a beautiful, slightly bigger apartment... and to collect art and beautiful things... to make my environment filled with lotsa things one can just look at and admire... to create and allow myself to soak in and appreciate an environment of beauty... 
    • well done! *Pat on back*!
  • to make some real money... not sure how. But I really need to figure this out... i need to figure out some alternative business plans as well... some passion projects maybe... 
    • work in progress
  • I think I'd like to be in a steady, loving, sharing, involved, respectful, genuine relationship... I'm not really desperate for it and very happy to wait till it happens... and for sure don't need it to happen within a timeline... But I think I'm ready - and that's sorta relatively new. I'd also like to be continue to be totally happy in the absence of one... 
    • phew. tough one. I think i met her n we had a good thing goin but we both messed it up. It seems like it's done but i do still love her. Flaws galore. Indestructible bonds. *makes grunting indistinct frustrated sounds*
  • save... I've never actually kept aside money for anything... I kinda just used it as I pleased. While i've never been terrrrrribly broke, I think the time has come for me to learn to put aside some money on a regular basis... What I choose to use it for is fairly flexible though... 
    • somewhat... by sending money home... Progress

Not too bad. 
We've come a long way baby...

Thursday, 25 October 2012

Nobody Gets It All Right...

There are things in life, we regret but we still probably would wanna go through them again - cos we learnt valuable lessons... n there are those that we wish we could change - even if we did learn from them...

This is about a bit of both...

So, if I could change things about my life, what would I change... and what would I go through anyway...


  • Polio - while I never really had to deal with the effects of having been affected by Polio by myself (my upbringing kinda conditioned me to such an extent that it was a non-issue in my own head), it has occasionally made me wonder if I would've been a supreme athlete. The truth is, its impossible to know, maybe I worked hard to compensate. But, it has been a gift of sorts... has given me a lot of confidence and self belief that there is no such thing as a handicap - credit for this almost entirely goes to my folks for bringing me up the way they did.
    • Verdict - Go through anyway! (Sorry Michael Jordan, we can be team-mates in another life...)
  • Infidelity - I've been intensely romantically involved with 3 women, and for various reasons been unfaithful to each of them in various degrees... and various shades of stupidity. I really loved/love each one of them deeply. I wish I could turn back the pain I've caused them. 
    • Verdict - Rewind. Erase. Make it up to em. Wasn't worth it. Change.
  • Impatience - at various times, I've been terribly impatient with the people I love dearly. From teaching my darling sister Mathematics to having the patience to listen to well-meaning advice from mum... I kinda didn't try hard enough.
    • Verdict - Should've. Could've. Change.
  • Career Choice - so I entered the 'movie business' cos I loved watching movies and sorta had been trained by coincidence in business skills. But eventually, I fell out with the 'business' of filmmaking... or well, atleast it lost some of it's magic. It still does inspire and is gratifying at times, atleast more than I imagine other jobs would be. Also now I've a great set of colleagues going - it helps! But I always dreamt, i'd make more money than I am, quicker than I am. Maybe, I should've followed my skill with science or payed with numbers a little more... Stock broker maybe? But it isn't all about the money - definitely not.
    • Verdict - Jury Hung.
  • Creepy Puberty-ish Stuff - as a kid i've done some random creepy stuff that i wish i never did.
    • Verdict - Erase.
  • Being "out-there" - No explanations.
    • Verdict - Some regrets. Some Cherished.
And yet, one can be happy anyway!

Friday, 21 September 2012

Happy stuff = Important stuff

I just watched 'Barfi!' and i absolutely loved it. Movies like that make me very very jealous and sometimes even a little dejected (not today though) - cos those are the reason I got into this line of work... and yet I have very little to do with them.

But I digress.

It made me think about how very often we end up complicating life and eventually making a mess out of it by occupying ourselves with things that really wont give us happiness or fulfillment or growth in any (worthwhile) manner. And its often these silly complications that leave us bitter and miserable. Not necessarily always... but often.

Hence, I figured it'd be  nice to put down a bunch of things that possibly make me happy (or Barfi!) - 

Unconditional Love 
it's awesome. Can't be replaced. Don't ever take it for granted.

Great Friends 
n i don't mean it in the narrow sense of how one classifies 'friends' but more as people who contribute to your life...

Make a Difference. Contribute. 
if you can't make it a better place, you're part of the problem.

Experience Life 
people talk about traveling while often forgetting to enjoy the simple pleasures and beauty in their everyday life. A cup of coffee in the morning. A smile. Graffiti. The sky. The smell of shampoo. Appreciate. Love. Face fear. Fall. Rise. Leap. Make mistakes. And then some more.

Evolve 
Absorb. Reflect. Wrestle. Flow. Grow. Strive. Fly. Stretch.

Stay Loyal. Stay Strong 
it's important to believe in something.


No one gets it all right. But, lots of people are happy anyway.

I gotta keep telling myself... Happy Stuff = Important Stuff.

Sunday, 15 July 2012

In the End.

Max can't get up... but he lies down playfully and whines everytime i take a break from petting him. Max is my cousin's German Shepard. A really magnificent dog who looks almost like a wolf with the heart of a really eccentric loyal human... when he first sees someone he doesn't trust them at all: watching silently from a distance or sometimes even attacking... yet eventually with time (it takes a few days atleast) he starts to warm up to you... and it's strange cos it feels like you were courting a girl and she's suddenly given in... the kinda affection you tend to value more...


So Max is growing old now and has a spinal cord problem that makes him find it painful to walk... it's heartbreaking to see a magnificent, strong beast struggle to simply take a few strides... and that's when sometimes it dawns on you that life changes... it choicelessly moves in a singular direction. always. every moment.

Max will probably get the best treatment, love, care and affection... and recover as well. I really do believe he will.

This post wasn't meant to be about Max. Instead, the point of this post was to essentially point out how every new thing choicelessly moves towards its end in every moment. How every end is as destined as every beginning.

Our close ones will someday pass on. We will too. Relationships we love... will end. Close friends that matter today, may not tomorrow. Endeavors we spend hours upon, will cease to have even a presence... such is the essence of life. It moves on.

Yet, we celebrate most beginnings... and the ends leave us empty. I hate endings. I find them impossible to accept or come to terms with. Nothing seems to matter after...

What then is the point of anything, if it is to definitely, choicelessly, undoubtedly, infinitely, come to a halting, complete obliteration at some point? This single question, leaves me with a haunting loneliness... one of knowing, that I am my only constant.

Alone with change .

And the certain inevitable.

In the end, it's over.


aside - i know i started out wanting to write posts that captured moments of happiness and ones that I wanted to remember to serve as inspiration... but i guess eventually writing about sad emotions has also had its mild healing touch... and so I guess I will give myself the luxury of continuing to do so... I hope you will too :)