Postcards from Mexico & Russia

When i told you about my Turkish Summer, i had also mentioned that i never thought i would visit Istanbul. Likewise, there were some places i was pretty sure i wouldn’t ever travel to. Like Mexico & Russia. As it turned out, i did go there! (Now I am thinking i’'ll never go to London :P)

Not enough time or energy for full posts but  here are some snaps as teasers….. maybe the upcoming long weekend will see some travel posts!

Mexico

Mariachi Musicians plying their trade! (Mexico City)

Guadalajara

 

Russia

Around the Kremlin

 

St.Petersburg

   

Must say, Europe is a beautiful place when the sun is out!

Thank you, Sachin…

And so, finally the day has come when Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has retired. BCCI, for all its faults, did a lovely lovely job giving the great man a fitting farewell. Big photo memories by Star Sports, personalised digital snaps – they made it all very personal for the fan.

But, like with all things in the life of SRT, there are ample people who found reasons to crib about – he is hype, Dravid was match winner, VVS did not get due respect and so on…. Initially, i just wanted tell these guys “That’s how it  is, Live with it!” but then i thought a humble “Get well soon” would be better. SRT would approve. That’s about as nice i can be to people not respecting the joy, the privilege we have had because of these great cricketers!

Thankfully, the world is full of people far better at articulating things and putting it across to the whiners,in a nice and civil manner. And one of them is Shankar Khasnis , CEO, Feedback Consulting and a cricket aficionado. Reproduced below is a post by him – read on. Over the next few weeks, i plan to share/post a lot of SRT related posts, please bear with me

Shankar sir’s post :

The last 2-3 weeks that I have been traveling and meeting folks from all over the topic of discussion has been SRT . I hate comparisons between cricketers (if we are not driving home an intellectual point) but had to lump it because there were many who did just that. I possible could not explain to folks that I had a huge appetite for cricket and can appreciate more than one player in a single breath ! Meaningless comparison leads to disrespect of both comparables (if that is the case )! Last evening , I gave up explaining and came up with this standard template of my responses

1.Rahul is better than Sachin
Do you wish to establish Rahul’s greatness by comparing him with Sachin or for that matter anyone else. He deserves independent attention. Don’t devalue his greatness

2.Rahul & Laxman did not get their due
If there are any outstanding dues they must directly write to Mr. N. Srinivasan, Mr. Anil Kimble, Mr Arshad Ayub , Mr Rajiv Shukla, Mr. Kalanidhi Maran, Mr. Manoj Badale etc. They will get a response and the dues will be settled by wire transfer!

3.Rahul drives around in a Santro and Sachin drives a BMW
The day you saw Rahul, his BMW had gone to the garage for a service and the day you saw Sachin in a BMW his Nano was sent for its routine maintenance

4.Rahul is a better articulator than Sachin Which is why he was in a hurry to go and sit in the commentary box when we felt he was good for a return home series

5.Laxman won more matches in India
India stopped winning after he retired. I think we knew that right at the toss !

6.Vishwanathan Anand is a far greater sports personality than Sachin and deserves a Bharat Ratna
I did not know Vishy had started playing cricket ? Why does he always play against Norway, Russia etc. Sachin did not get to play them . So sad

7.Rahul is great because he was less talented than Sachin and yet made it this good.
Agree, Sachin never went to the nets. He only went there to get photographed for ad’s .

8.Sachin never got along with Laxman & Rahul
Exactly. That is the reason he said Rahul Dravid is irreplaceable when Rahul retired ! Laxman’s tears on the day of Sachin’s retirement were tears of joy – I heard him say good riddance to bad rubbish!!

9.Sachin will get his son to somehow play for India
Do you have partial amnesia ? Remember you forgot to get Rahul and Laxman into this point of yours . Actually you can bring in Samit and Sarvajit into this - Apple to Apple !

10. Sachin does not deserve Bharat Ratna
Please take it back and give it to Manmohan Singh for his constructive construction and deconstruction of the modern Indian economy

No offence meant to Rahul, Lax or Sachin .Lets all be happy that as cricket lovers god has sent us so many brilliant payers to satiate our appetite. There is so much one can like in every great player from around the world.

Think that settles the issue.

And finally, Thank you Sachin!

Piece Of Mind.......: London is a bad habit....

Piece Of Mind.......: London is a bad habit....: "London is a bad habit,one hates  to lose"...I came across this quote by  William Sansom just I was exiting The Shard in London,a...

Thank You Niku! (and people like him…)

I am worried.

A couple of days back, i was driving down the Eastern Express Highway, normal route. Know you all know how i react to a biker coming in sharply in front of my car, so when this uncle came in front of me near the Pestom Sagar flyover, i was about bark in the same manner – but for one thing, i didn't. The uncle was wearing a skull cap.

Secularism, classical definition be damned, has a interesting definition in India. Not wearing a skull cap gifted to you, for example, is a sign that i hate Muslims.

Propagated by secularists in the Indian political landscape, who claim to save India this way (no no, they have no personal ambitions). The majority Hindu population is supposed to bend over backwards to accommodate minorities, and one minority in particular, the others are not too important as vote banks. Even if they are wrong. And hence i did not bark at the guy.

So, i am secular now, you may note. I might attend an iftaar party or two, wear a skull cap if required. These are things, which will make me politically acceptable in my social circle and society at large. I may still tell my family members not to marry from this community or that, but thats fine, i have done all the token symbolism of being secular.

Its seems people are wiling to accept me based on my symbolic projections but not for i am actually being out there. And these people accepting me are not farmers, cobblers, drivers and others who are not too educated, these are business consultants. These are people expected to form judgments based on facts (and not on on other people’s judgements).

Lets just ignore policy, governance and issues like that. No one care about that, it is immaterial some states actually go out to provide for all irrespective of reigion, caste, creed etc. Look at Karnataka results. Secularism (and caste) are the most important things!

If this small sample is anything to go by, I think i have reasons to be worried about our country.

Work in progress blog post topics……

Mauritius travel

Weddings are fun, marriage is more fun!

Honeymoons are overhyped.

Secularism…..

Moving on……..

Twitter as a sample and universe….

Cricket…..part 1, part 2, part 3..

Sachin and Friends (this will be fun, i am going to trace all my friends throughout SRTs international career. The people with whom i shared the joy!)

Lets see by when i update these! in 2013, i have hardly posted anything. I tell you, marriage changes you life, you hardly think of anything else!

Mazaaa Nahi aa raha hai…

The 7 year itch : The inclination to become unfaithful after seven years of marriage Source

Now now, don't worry. Its not about the marriage. That's been hardly 7 weeks now and if you don't count the vacation,  hardly 7 days of a married mans life has been lived.

This is about something else. Sometime in August 2006, i joined a firm engaged in market research and consulting. Till then, my career was just drifting. Even this move could have backfired. I was hired as a, what it was then called, Temp. (Now of course we have a fancy sounding term for people hired in that manner – Research Associate). I was to work  on 1 project, roughly for 3 months and depending on my performance, i might be confirmed. The friend who recommended me, thought  i was perfect for the job. The guy who interviewed me was thinking short term – i could do the job at hand. For me, it was a nothing to lose situation. Worst case, i update my resume in 3 months!

In any event, it worked out well. I took to research like fish to water. Long travels, meeting people, gathering info, setting it out, learning tricks of the trade, giving “inputs”, team work so and so forth. Loved every part of it. Loved the way i grew into roles. From a researcher to anchor and project manager. Loved the interactions with clients, vendors,other stakeholders. Loved the chance to understand how businessmen think. How having money and/or power to impact things affects the way you look at the same scenario – you got to see those VCs or Management types rip apart your report. Loved the money i got. Loved the chance to see places i probably wouldn't have gone otherwise (Rural UP/ Uttarakhand/ Istanbul etc.) And the people i met and friends i made. It was good first 6 years.

And yet, now everything has changed. Everyday is Monday. Hate work related travel, even if it a couple of days. Hate having to go out and meet people. Hate client requests. Hate the futility of the entire effort in many cases. Hate the very idea of going out and meeting people and seeking information. For the past year or so, most work has been mechanically done. The phrase i used other day keeps coming back to my mind…cannot exactly pinpoint the reason though…….

Seeking a solution to the situation would have been easier if i knew what exactly the problem or possible solution is! Plus its no longer 2006 or 2010 where i had nothing to lose. Moving on as an experiment of on an impulse will not be the best course of action. and move on where? to what? Liabilities,responsibilities have to be factored in for decision making. Add to it the nawabi lifestyle.

Its going to be an interesting next few months – as i come to terms with the new and the old! Though one part is fun, doosre main mazaa nahi aa raha!

Île Maurice...... & a new amateur photographer!

The view from the room, by day and by evening below….

These giant water lily flowers are the only thing wife wanted to see in Mauritius!

I have always been good at sunset snaps…..

Thanks to the wife for the camera gift!

Listen, don't watch. Listen……

Rediscovering Mumbai……

Once you accept your newly found committed status (and that takes time), things start becoming clear. In moments of solitude, like waiting at traffic signals, you get visions or thoughts about how life is going to be soon, what activities you might be doing, whom you will be meeting, how you will be behaving or reacting to situations. Its scary at times and fun at times. Discussing the same with friends, though scarier or funnier, is pretty instructive. Recommended. 

One of the things that i see happening, atleast over the next year or so, is a lot of trips to a lot of locations as outings – shopping, sight seeing, family trip etc etc. In the last few years, i have practically been out of touch with Mumbai in a way. Unlike in Delhi (where i discovered Hauz Khas village last week) or Bangalore or some other city, i do not go out seeking to discover things about the city, cos its my city, i know all about it. Or i thought i did. But if you look at it, the city must have changed. And there are places i haven't been to in ages (Juhu Beach for eg.) but i am pretty sure to going soon. There are things that i havnt done, like standing outside SRK or Amitabh Bacchans house (and i am unlikely to still do that, but you, it wont be just my decision any longer!).

Now, due to the wedding and a wife who has never been to Mumbai, i am going to be seeing all of Mumbai again.All in all, same, familiar places, some memories from the childhood are going to be refreshed. And along the way i might rediscover Mumbai! I intend to keep updating as i rediscover places and things about Mumbai that i had lost touch with over many years in this label. Lets see…..

Coming first up soon – Gandhi Market, Matunga!

A discussion on marriages….

Sherlock Holmes: Annihilation!

Dr. John Watson: Rebirth.

Sherlock Holmes: Restriction!

Dr. John Watson: Structure.

Sherlock Holmes: Answering to a woman!

Dr. John Watson: Being in a relationship. Having a home, the possibility of a family. Who wants to die alone?

Sherlock Holmes: Right, so you'll get married tomorrow, settle down with Mary and I'll... die alone.

Interesting how thinking changes with time. 5 years back i might have agreed with Holmes. Now i am tending to agree with Dr.Watson. Age, i guess.

(I think i need a new label named marriage. I see it will be topic for many posts in the foreseeable future)

The problem with first impressions…..

…. is that they tend to stick! or so we have learned in school.

You all know my dad right? No no, not SCT, he is the biological one. I am talking about the one who signed all the leaves notes for me in engineering, Clinton. (Yes, that same dude who is right now sitting somewhere in the USA and is most unclear as to he will be attending my wedding or not). Well, for years, he thought of me (and probably still does) as a perennial late latif.

Last week, RR had come in from Bangalore and i went to meet her at Chembur. (and believe it or not, i lost my way there!). After our coffee, Panini, pasta and gupshup, i said i’ll drop her home. Despite years of knowing her, it was the first time she had seen me drive. As i entered a main road, slight error in judgement, a bus came too close and she went “you are a very bad driver”. Imagine! didnt matter that the bus guy just kept on coming despite blinker, indicators and horn! And now she will live with that impression all her life! Just like Clinton, who was once kept waiting for 30 mins at BARC because i misjudged the time it will take me to travel from Airoli where i had just shifted to.

Now, anyone who know me well, will agree i am a safe and decent driver who manages to reach everywhere more or less on time! But just illustrates how wrong first impressions can be!

Which brings me to the most important first impressions of my life – marriage. For all practical purposes, me and my fiancée decided to get married to each other based on very little information (assuming some broad criteria are fulfilled) on both sides. A 40-45 minutes conversation, most of which we don't remember,(except for the criminal record query i had) and we said OK to our parents. (Typical arranged marriage?? like in the good old times? hmmmm.) First impressions (from my end, dunno about her)– talkative, aware of the world around her, understands responsibility, family. thats all.

As the illustrations with CC and RR showed, i could have been horribly wrong. Only time will tell how things work out, because people with a courtship period of 1000 years have known to realise they got it wrong later. Its a risk either ways.

In the name of art....

hypothetical question, would you allow nude potraits of your parents, wife, gf, kids to be put up on show? In the name of art? I wouldn't, they mean something to me. So do the gods. Go ahead call me a right wing bigot or whatever.

to be updated....

Twitter gyaan...

RT @SexCigarsBooze: Life is hard for those willing to do only what is easy.

2012: Life impacting year…

KS keeps saying that if you can’t remember what you did for the last New Year’s eve, you have had a good year.

Well i remember the last many years, and considering they have been better than many years before, that theory can be contested. Also,since last 2 New years were welcomed at G-Adlabs, it wasn't difficult  to remember.

And so, like the last few years, this one was also over in a jiffy. Albeit, unlike the last few, life changing events took place this year.

First and foremost, after a lot of thought, deliberation, balancing self respect (or ego if you please) with pragmatic decision,  i re-joined Feedback and completed a year. Peace of mind has been exchanged with petrol money. and other expenses. Though, as much as i earn, it never seems enough. But my car is happy, gets a lot of attention! Driving down to office must be the best part of the day on almost all days. Life is a challenge every day, some of it needless, frustrating as well.  There is chaos, confusion, insecurity and low self esteem to deal with. As someone said, i was nicely relaxing in a sauna bath, now i am bathing in a gutter. But at the end of the day, there is a sense of accomplishment (however small). Exactly what was being sought. And the habits picked up during the stay in Frost & Sullivan, when implemented here, help find a work life balance (or something like that). How i manage 2013 with this same setup will very well decide where my life goes.

As mentioned earlier, my faith in the Indian cricket team is being tested severely. But not so much that it can be called life changing -that would need death or destruction of  the world! To most people this will seem stupid, but the ODI retirement of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is one such thing. Because the ODI retirement points at the fact that the day when he will not step on the field to play is not far off. For someone who started following cricket in early 90s, he has been like the Queen. Always been there. A habit, as Harsha Bhogle said. For all his exploits in the Test Cricket, Sachin is an ODI great, nah, greatest of the greats! While he has been playing ODI on and off for some time, i really wasn't prepared for him to retire one day. To add to it, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman also retired this year. Will the next set of players deliver even half of what these stalwarts did? 2013 will tell.

And finally, i am now committed, engaged, whatever you call it. One fine day, i was single, next day i had a fiancée. Even with my normal decision making  speed, this was a surprise. Maybe her decision making speed added up. Maybe its all destined. Fact is, as the year is about to end, a new chapter in my life begins. 2013 promises to be interesting.

Happy New Year everyone!

A stupid theory on rape, and reactions….

I had planned to write a post regarding the recent rape case in Delhi, thought it better wait for the head to be calm before i do so. Then this outrageous post showed up on Facebook.

Below are some reactions from friends. They have that skill penning thoughts in a civil manner despite the boiling blood, which i dont.

Subu Narayanan

I don't agree with this Manoj Dhokle at all.. rape is not done by impulse to be a reaction to provocative clothes.. If you Rachit see a beautiful girl in short clothes, will you rape her? Knowing you, even suggesting this is preposterous... A decent man has several opportunities to stop himself..stopping the thought from becoming actionable, stopping the action before being executed, stopping the action when the girl protests, stopping when the girl struggles, stopping when you see the anguish - fight - struggle - resignation in the girls eyes... we should stop blaming the victim.. our society has degraded to such an extent, it's deplorable.. I don't know what is the way to fundamentally change our mindset..

Bharati Peri

aap jaise mard jab tak is samaj mein hain tab tak yeh jurm hothe rahenge.....you guys dont want to acknowledge that rape is crime- nothing can justify that act....you will understand it only when one of your women folks would get raped- irrespective of she is wearing a saree, salwar, pants or skirts- a rapist is a criminal- he doesn't care about anything- if he has an opportunity he will rape no matter what!!!! On one hand we are raising our sons and daughters to be equal and on the other- we make such sexist remarks!!!! Rape is a crime and is not justified under any circumstances.....it's like a robbers justifying their act of robbing you because you are rich!!! Looks like you guys would rather drape your mothers, sisters and daughters in a burkha to protect her instead of changing your attitudes!!!

Pehnao apni aurton ko burkha aur daalo unke pairon mein bediyaan- as if a woman is just an object that you can control any which way you please....what is the so called sanskruti you guys are talking about?? Since so many years men have forcibly defined and created a profile of "an ideal woman' who wears a saree (which btw is more revealing than salwar, shirt and pants), who gets up early in the morning, worships the tulsi, cooks for the entire family. never answers back, always is dependent on men and never does anything because SHE thinks is right. Looks like you men are scared of the educated independent woman who has just started to accomplish her life after so many years of struggle. Sanskruti should be voluntary not be forced upon the women folk, just because a woman refuses to fit your profile of a 'Traditional Woman' because she wnats to thing on her own and take her own decisions- you guys think you have the right to call her names, criticize her and even rape her!!!! Rape is the unfair and criminal act of a man against her will- under no circumstance it can be justified.....lets teach our sons to respect women no matter what- instead of raising them with such low grade mentality which makes them believe that if a woman is dressed different from their traditional outlook they have a right to rape her........each of you should be ashamed for supporting such low grade thoughts.....

Keep the faith...??

Between the Indian Test team and Fiat Auto, i have a good week of my faith in them being tested.

My love of cricket and the Indian team is known. I have been there with them,followed them supported them through thick and thin since 1991 (earliest memories). Through world cups, whitewashes, series wins, trashings, stupid coaches, match fixing accusations, politics, IPL and what not.

But the current scenario, the Ind-Eng test series which we are trailing 2-1 has really put up some question marks on how keenly I'll be following these guys. It's not just the favt that we have lost these tests,or wr have been completely outplayed in our own backyard(some one likened the losses to a north Indian failing a hindi test set by a madrasi in chennai), but thr way the team, the administration,BCCI are reacting to it. Populist. Denial. Arrogance are some words that come to mind. Read the related blog post by @sidvee . Beautifully expresses the emotions of people like me.
I  will still follow cricket,no doubt. But i am not sure if i can bear to watch this set, this generation of players who seem to give up without even pretending to put up a fight. I dont know, j am upset today, we might win at Nagpur and all will be well. Or maybe not. But for the first time i am not sure if the faith i have put in these guys is worth it.

The Punto,of course, is a different story. When i bought it, i was going against the opinions of a lot of people.
"mileage kam hai"
"spare parts nahi milenge"
"service issues hain"
"they will shut shop and go"
And a lot more. But i had the belief that it wont be all that an issue. Plus pyaar aise hi hota hai. So i went ahead and got it. My faith in the Fiat and Tata brands because of experince also helped. I even said - " i am born in Fiat and bought up in a Tata. Dont tell me about how good or bad they are,i know very well." Sounds cool, but i knew people will pounce me at the first hint of any problem.

Well, last monday, the gear lever decided it wont move. After nearly 22 months of near hassle free service, good mileage, prompt after sales and everything, this happened. I am glad it stalled in my parking lot and not the Karjat ghati where i had driven it to over the weekend. So, with the gear stuck, panic struck.
"expense"
"will have to travel without car!"
worse - "public taane maaregi"

Called Fiat India breakdown call center. She probably did not mean it, but her voice and manner had a instant calm down effect. We will tow your car to service dealer, no cost. Within 30 mins that was done. Round 2 of panic - dealer says spares may take time, go to Wasan. Towing wala says that will cost 3k plus octroi. Wasan says spare will take time. Both wonder how i managed to get the shifter cable broken - it never happens! Finally Bhatti guya took it and saidmight take upto 15 days to get the part.
Then starts the fun. Right from " mhanun bol le lo gheu nakos" to " fiat chi service bekar aahe" "these cars are never good" and  "i had told you Tata backup is not good" all reactions panned out. Some of the more sympathetic ones wondered how the shifter broke considering i m a careful driver. I spent a better part of Tue,Wed,Thu and Friday fending off all this things.

And on Saturday,the dealer called. The parts are here. Car is serviced. And she will be back with me on monday. At hardly any cost!

Lets say one has failed me, as of now. The other did not, as of now. But moral of the story is : Keep the faith!

Bon Jovi said
"Faith: you know you're gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Now you know is not too late
Oh you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith"

Hazaaron khwashien aisi……

(Must have started this post about 2 years back. Wanted to list out 50 things to do before i die. But this really is a wish list…in no particular order……lets see how many are fulfilled…..) 

Wish…..

1. i could dance properly

2. also sing

3. to have a good handwriting

4. be in the cockpit of a plane of at least one flight

5. actually, own a plane someday

6. A fit body. chest out, stomach in. not sculpted, but fit

7. Dinner date with Katrina kaif. 

8. bungee jumping - though i chickened out when i had the chance at Pattaya...

9. Watch a test match live at all the best venues (MCG, Lords etc.)

10. a meeting with Federer

11. visit brazil

12. London of course.

13. own a SUV

14. and a few looong sedans. 

15. want to drive cross country, especially leh laddhak area

16. drive in Australia

17. actually, stay there for some time

18. own a mansion on Princes' Island

19. own a yatch too

20. run a marathon

21. deep sea diving

22. develop a taste for wine

23. have a butler

24. whack some people and they shouldn’t know 

25. Be someone from the past - what would have happened had i been the position Hitler was?

26. be someone from a fictional character - Micheal Corloene 

27. Make friends with foreigners. friends, not acquaintances

28. improve my voice, diction, presentation skills

29. home in matunga

30. a test century to my name

31. killing kasab was on the list, but GOI seems to have taken care of that

32. learn swimming

33. watch all the good movies ever made

34. and plays

35. do away with clients

36. always travel business class or above

37. a harley or a triumph bike

38. visit our neighbouring countries once

39. earn loads of money

40. play golf

41. Fly out to someplace on whim - feel like having a Thai massage, let’s go to Bangkok!

42. never have to worry how much money has come in

43. never have to worry about how much money has gone out

44. A trip to north east India (can u believe i have never been to east of India. the only time i flew east, i landed at Bangkok!)

45. Be able to draw. Not engineering drawing, creative.

46. understand all religions in the world, starting with Hinduism

47. Switch career. become a cricket journalist

48. trip to both the poles

49. Donate half my fortune to charity when i die. 

50. sue McDonalds, Dominoes , and others for making me fat

51. Become a bowler. i just can’t think as a bowler

52. never have to clean my house

53. own a Vanquish

54. be James bond for a day, all those gadgets

55. Walk around central park London, whenever i wish!

56. have a pet tiger

57. Sit on the edge of a cliff and drink. Check my luck and balance getting up then!

58. hot water shower always, whatever location, whatever season

59. have a say in the politics of our country

60. Clean up the system.

61. run 8-10 mms a day (heehaw)

62. jump down a skyscraper like in movies and open a parachute

63. bathe in the ganga (it takes balls - mostly dirty and cold)

64. write a book - thriller

65. poetry as well

66. a full member TA meet once a month, spouse and all

67. take out crime esp. rape 

68. participate in a F1 race as a driver

69. and also as pit crew member

70. Have my own gym. hate public gyms

Poetry……. Jab Tak Hain Jaan…… (Gulzar)

"Teri aankhon ki namkeen mastiyaan
teri hansi ki beparwaah gustakhiyaan
teri zulfon ki lehrati angdaiyaan
nahi bhoolunga main
jab tak hai jaan, jab tak hai jaan

tera haath se haath chhodna
tera saayon se rukh modna
tera palat ke phir na dekhna
nahin maaf karunga main,
jab tak hai jaan, jab tak hai jaan..

baarishon mein bedhadak tere naachne se
baat baat pe bewajah tere roothne se,
chhoti chhoti teri bachkani badmashiyon se,
mohabbat karunga main
Jab tak hai jaan, jab tak hai jaan..

Tere jhoothe kasme vaadon se,
tere jalte sulagte khwabon se,
teri beraham duaon se,
nafrat karunga main,
Jab tak hai jaan, jab tak hai jaan.."

Random: London, Bangalore, Istanbul...

That was a good London Olympics 2012. Now now, lets not dwell on what could have been..... :P

Though i got to admit, i found the visuals of Indian fans cheering on the athletes and dancing and celebrating all medals a bit irritating..... But then i just open the Thailand folder snaps before going on a drive and all is well.....

But that doesnt mean i did not have a blast for my 30th birthday.... Just that i did not go as per the plan i had made one evening many years back, to welcome it on the London Eye (maybe alone, maybe with someone).... Khair, TGIF in Bangalore with one of your closest buddies aint a bad way too! And considering the birthday went on to be something like a extended weekend party with CC, MP, MK, RR and ST involved - i'd say it all helped to soften the '30 complete' blow!

As i said earlier, whoever set out the close by 11 rule in Bangalore must have been a momma's boy......bought up on a 'do what you want to, be home by 11' instruction....otherwise a place that has some really cool places (like Khaja Chowk,Toit, most of Indiranagar actually, Kormangala is going to be checked out on next trip) to be out with friends and family, becomes like a ghost town by 9.30. By 11 it is a ghost town.... Now there are some benefits of it - empty roads where i drove MP's car, and the nice chilled discussions you can have with friends. (btw, is it just me or everyone starts hating places with loud music with age?). But still, except for 4th night, i was home by 11.30 max...... On 4th, i was home by 12.30!!

Spent most of my birthday wondering what Bangaloreans would make of Istanbul. Families are out there at 1.30, at parks, restaurants, market places on weekdays!!!! Plus thier airports are quite close to the city on both sides, unlike Bangalore which doesnt have its own airport and uses the one at Devanhalli village! Seriously, insomniacs would go, and do go to sleep on the way to that place! Most locals in Bangalore have an exxagerrated sense of distance - Brookfields 8km away was described as if its on other end of the world. By that logic, the airport is definitely at Hyderabad.

Bangalore definitely has better roads, atleast the main ones. And i love apartments that i saw there, ample space, balconies, and all quite breezy if you stay at the right place....

Happy 30th to me!!

Last year i started looking for a Casio G-Shock and ended up in Bangkok! So this year, i got myself a Casio Edifice WR 100m !! :)