June 16th , 200……..

How many people plan their day in a meticulous manner? Is it really that important to do it in every aspect of life?
The workings of an individual depend on the environment. At times it can be called exposure and sometimes experience. But what actually matters is the individual’s preparation for the task and its effective execution.
Ergonomics is a vital science. Over the years I have seen numerous examples when things have not been proper and reasons can be attributed partly to this.

There have been so many people that I have met in the past two years …. all so vivid and with their own set of idiosyncrasies. Cannot possibly fathom what goes on behind the façade, but over time I can at the least know what they expect out of me.
Some of them who are seemingly close, expect a bit more. I always have my doubts if they realize my quandaries. But one thing makes me happy that every individual has her/his own set of hesitations. May be it’s this uncertainty that makes life interesting.
Its from these people, who make my life so interesting that I have learnt a lot.

Two years ago, on the same day, I had embarked on a completely different journey. I started working. It was not a big achievement, but then it was not something that can be eschewed. Back then, I thought I had planned out things and knew how would the coming months fare. I can now say that nothing I had planned worked the way I wanted. :-)
Some brought in abundant happiness in my life then and some seemed to cause intolerable pain. A year flew past, and I realized that there were many changes that had happened. It took me quite a while to come to terms with reality. Apparently the transient nature of life has evened out the ebbs and tides.

Now, there is a stark difference in me that I like. Planning has a completely new perspective and over time priorities have altered. To re-discover oneself might sound like cliché to some, but I have enjoyed it so far.

Rishton ki dagar hai mushkil...

Its very hot nowadays in Hyd, but then its Hyd. I still love this place. Iss shahar main rishton ko kayyam rakhna, kabhi kabhi mushkil lagta hai....
Sister's enagagement was followed by all the fanfare and fun that's so usual at these occasions. But, it did get me thinking into those myriad nuances involved in a marriage.

Listening to Shubha Mudgal, had to quote this....

"rishta jo jisme dooriyaan ho, saans aaye jaye,
tera bhi apna bhi geet ho, woh bhi koi geet gaye,
khud ko mitana na chahe, tujhko badalna na chahe,
jaisa bhi hai tu tujhko vaise hi jo apnaye...."

I find this stanza so very apt. So very important, that I wonder if I'll find someone who respects such a belief..... and moreover .... is mine.

"piyu bole, piya bole... kya yeh bole jaanu naa...
jiya dole, hole hole... kyun yeh dole jaanu naa... "

Just as the summer breeze plays a truant with my hair, it fills me with a mischief I cannot express. The odd summer showers remind me of the freedom I had as a child in Doon. They were the days when I did not even understand the importance of these things. I grew up unaware of the simplicity of the nature that made such a profound impression. Some expressions are best left unsaid, its just an experience, the moment.

Life is not the breaths we take, its the number of moments that take our breath away......

Closet

Coming back home after a while, I had to arrange my clothes back into my closet. Living out of a suitcase is something I detest. I enjoy simple luxuries and this is one such. For the first time I realised how very intimate is one's closet. There are clothes one would never want to leave because they are sooo comfy or have proven to be lucky. And also some for which I have always said... Yes! I will reduce and fit into them. Never happened though :-( . Still I am not the sorts to loose hope ;-) . On the other hand there are clothes that I absolutely hate and keep them for some reason I cannot fathom.
Among the ones that remain my favorite there are some which have great sentimental value. Its because someone gave it or suggested or thought that it looks fabulous on me.
Offlate picking up clothes for all and deciding what would suit them... I realised that the clothes reflect so much of the individual's personality. And yesterday while deciding combis for Dad, I proved it yet again that I can make a double knot tie. Was mightily pleased with myself for having done it after a gap of eight years.
I have always worn them as per my mood and convenience. Its only when one loves to wear someting that one carry with that required panache.

Potpourri

Elder men have occupied my fancy and interest for some time now. There is definitely something about the manner in which they carry or the positions they are in that makes them so to say ”much desired for”. Watched Rock for the nth time and couldn’t help admiring the Sean Connery’s persona. I have always maintained that Bond is just one and that’s him. In retrospect I realize that I have had this fascination for elder men for a long time now. It goes back to the days when as a child I had my hearts set on Amitabh Bachan and I can see that this adoration has only increased with time.

Over the weekend I was in Mumbai. Had a truly wonderful time there. The sunset at Chowpati , the sizzler sundae in New Yorkers, the IIT campus and the late night rather all night chatters, had a helluva time. The place seems to have a life of its own. The local trains and the ever busy people accompanied by the sultry weather, all in all it makes for a refreshing change from my schedule. Moreover it was nice to meet those people with whom I cannot define my relationship or the reason that binds us together.
As always was thrilled to meet the one person who never fails to impress me and definitely makes into the list I mentioned above. He is among the very few ‘elder’ men whom I get to meet. The other person who equally was the reason for my visit is a long time friend. This time we both did have time to ponder as to what actually keeps us together. We were both pretty much at loss to determine that. Nevertheless we were together. Its an irony, that not all good relationships require one to be caring, loving and nice, because am none to her and she is perfectly aware of all this. Yet we are bonded. All in all we never miss on the fun and never once an opportunity to put one down. Its as though we are ready with our swords drawn and ready for attack. I would say this is a classic case of opposites attract.

There have been so many instances in the past few weeks since the last post, when I wanted to post something. But all the while it was when I was traveling or just about to crash or times when I had no means to capture those expressions. I hope I have been able to capture most of those ruminations.

Quake

At work today, I was bored of redesigning some more reports. Strolled over to my colleague’s desk and were extolling the merits of being an integral part of this project. I thought that the table vibrated because of my colleague’s joke, but then saw people moving out. Thought it was one of those routine fire drills that no one takes too seriously and deduced that our fire alarm was not working. Well, it turned out to be an earth quake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale. As the epi-center was Koyna, many of us hardly realized it.

Have read innumerable forwards that keep telling one to be happy, live your life to the fullest or live every moment and all, one hardly realizes the intended meaning… till the time comes when circumstances in life suddenly jolt us back to reality. This life is short and has an end. We tend to forget that while bothering about the day to day needs, running after the next high rung position or acquiring some more wealth for our comfort. The bigger picture is lost. What is the point depriving oneself of all those simple things that make one happy and saying that I’ll enjoy them later?
With a history of having experienced two major quakes and a flood in a place like Hyd (which was mostly unlikely), I think its time I stop procrastinating and taking up things that really matter to me without further ado ... b'coz anything can happen just anywhere
:-)
Retro speak: I think I have the inherent ability to make my presence felt. ;-) I know what all of you have gotta say, about this statement.

People

The people around me are many... one need not comment upon this, but the the myriad personality types is what intrigues me the most. I have come across some of the best and worst in this short span that I have been on this planet.
To start with some of the worst... these are people who validate the saying "Empty pitcher makes more noise" time and again. These people are typical nosey, do not do any work, but keep "supervising" the others. I might sound very harsh, but I hate the lot who expect everything doing nothing. Such elements have kept me at my harshest best all through the last few weeks. Couldn't help mesmerised at the cheap tricks they resort to :-) .

But, on the other hand I have soo many others who make my life worth by their mere presence. Many a times now, I cannot help but being smug at the number of such people. They have been with me through all my ups and downs and are ready to help me whenever I need them. Each of them are highly talented individuals and I continue to remain in awe of all of them . It so happened that two of them decided to shine with their brilliance at the same time.
One of them has put up a superb article in his blog. I must admit that at no point while I was reading, felt that this was just a post. It had the lucidity of expression coupled with facts and observations that made the article what it is. Hoping he will not mind me adding the link to the same....
http://sarvamekam.blogspot.com/2005/03/advertising-adversity_03.html
I am sure whoever visits this will not be wasting their time. :-)

My acquaintance with this spirited lady has made me take a number of things in a much different perspective. I love her exuberance and her spontaneity. This characteristic is reflected in all her actions and more so in her literary works. One such lovely example is here....

" baat kucch khaas hai, warna dil kyun udaas hai...

kyun aankon mein jalan, dil mein ek kashish hai pyaas hai
kyun nahi kahin chain kyun chubhta hua sa yeh ehsaas hai
kyun yaad aatey hai woh saare pal kyun dil ko aaj bhi teri talab teri talash hai
kyun nahi milta pyar ka sabab kyun iss dil ko khushi se aitraaz hai
nahi hai inn sab sawaloon ke koi jawab bus itna saa abhaas hai.. ki baat wakai kucch khaas hai. "

Agar kisi ek mukhde ka koi itna sundar antara likh sakta hai, to woh zarror meri yeh dost Archana hi ho sakti hai.

Thanks for allowing me to make this piece a part of my blog.