The Crescent Moon, Nail and Nandan

Reading the Tintin comics from the public library and hence the title is an influence. :) Nandan turned out 3 last week. In the space of last 3 months, he pointed out three patterns that left me puzzled. Here are they:

1) We have a fan in the living room. It has has that light bulb built into it and the switches are those hanging knobs. One day, Nandan was playing around with a stick and was jumping up to hit one of those hanging knobs. On one stroke, he did hit and the knob went swinging in a pendulum motion. This guy took a moment of observation to sink it in and then said "Appa, that is a see saw" and made that to and fro motion. The only place he has observed a to and fro motion.

2) On a sunny morning, Nandan had just got up. The sunlight came through the patio glass door in rays and you could see the small particles in the air lighten up and make those random zig-zag motion. He was lazily observing with his sleepy eyes and then his eyes brightened up. He said "Appa, they are moving like fish in water".

3) One of those evening joy rides with the family in the car when you do not have a destination and simply drive around the farms to catch some animals and show them to Nandan. And the sky was stunning with dusk colors and a beautiful crescent moon (three days after new moon). Nandan caught the moon in all its beauty and said "Moon looks like a cut finger nail".

And the one to beat it all happened way before. This took me away completely. It was 28 July 2011. Nandan was 1 year and 6 months old. Just giving out one or two syllable words. Our favorite was how he told umbrella as 'am-bum-ba'. That day, we (my father-in-law, Ramya, Nandan and me) had gone to Dakshin Tirupathi temple (a very beautiful and isolated temple standing on a cliff overlooking large lands of farm and a beautiful river snaking below) near Hosur and on the way, gone to a shop. Now that shop had one of those trendy small fire extinguisher hanging from the wall. While my wife was shopping, I was trying to distract this guy and carrying him around. I thought the bright red extinguisher will be a good one to keep him mused for awhile and was showing it to him standing close to it. All of a sudden, Nandan started repeating 'am-bum-ba' pointing to the extinguisher. Now, I thought he had somehow taken a fancy for that word and was going gaga over it. And I was happy that I was able to keep him occupied (he he). Then, when he did not stop, I took a closer look at where he was pointing. Turned out that he was not pointing at the fire extinguisher but to an analog dial gauge (measuring the pressure) in it. And then it dawned to me. He had seen that little markings of pressure units in a semi-circle (with that perpendicular needle pointing half way) in the gauge. The semi-circle and the needle formed an umbrella pattern to him. To this day, I was amazed he could see that pattern. 

Satyamoorthy Park

That was a friendship which I had never had. Not till that time.

Growing up in Egmore in a colony, friends were mostly my age from similar social strata, seeing the same films, playing gully cricket together. I was in my college then - year 1997. Sunday evenings were kept for only one thing: Cricket battles at Satyamoorthy Park. This park was opposite to a big well maintained cricket ground (WUS) where district matches used to happen. We used to perch on walls and watch in awe on all those professionals playing cricket in whites. Occasionally jump into the ground to throw that odd ball that came towards you and feel proud of it! In contrast, our park was infested with kids and adults of all ages sharing that small park with only one intention: Cricket. As many as 10 matches, if you can call them matches, will happen at the same time. You will need to be used to that landscape and flurry of people to really know where your game is happening. We regulars were quite accustomed to the chaos. That 2 hours of adrenaline pumping ecstasy if we win and the ego hurting pain if we lose will carry us through the regular week. Satya, Deva, Shaun, Stal, Praveen, Om, Gundu to name a few in our mid 20s were that gang - the 'Galige gang'.

And then we met Ashok and gang - the 'Local gang'

It was pure hatred at first. What started as a friendly match between our teams became an intense all-rules-bent-to-win games. And the big difference was the age factor and the social background. Ashok, Bafa, Stephen, Unny, Mani were all in their mid and late 30s. They were in the, if I might, lower middle class belt of Chennai. They were into odd jobs like a bus driver, hardware shop owner, security guard, flower shop owner. Some of them were married. So, here we were playing against people who played cricket in a way we did not understand. It was not the game for them. It was always about winning. And Captain Ashok did beat us most of the times by hook or crook. An example: Umpires are always from the batting team. So, when a batsmen hits a ball high and you bring your eyes from the ball to the leg umpire, he would also be watching the ball and the fielder below it. And then after a good 2 seconds (where he judges the probability, I guess) will bring up his right hand parallel to the ground - NO BALL! And then there will be a big fight where Ashok's gang will always have the last word. You see...we were kids before them. Some of us even start talking in English (oh my god!) in anger and will be returned with the choicest cuss words in Tamil. Only Unny (he was their Dravid!) and Mani will bring the house in order. This is just for one ball! Imagine the game then. And brought up as we were, we never got into a fist fight (we would have all been overthrown in 10 sec). And so there begin a period where we started losing constantly and it started reflecting in our daily lives. And to top it all, they were all bet matches. And our already meager pockets were being emptied at a faster rate! See how we felt...Miserable days those were!

As with all battles and wars, our rivalry ended with the most obvious and simple thing: the common enemy. Raj and his hep gang! These were the guys who were in their colleges with wads of cash and bikes. The guys who come in whites and nikes to Satyamoorthy Park (I played all my games with Slippers and Sandals with loose bermudas!) The guys who went to summer camps for Cricket practice. In short, the 'Peter gang'.

One day, there was less attendance from both our gang and Ashok gang. So, reluctantly by us and readily by Ashok (as we sponsored the money for the bet), we joined as a team and played against Raj. For once, it was good to win the game and also to see the lost look on Rajesh on all the wierd umpiring calls. They left in a huff and said they will come back the next week to challenge us. And thus started the most beautiful and hitherto unknown friendships. Satya and me, especially, became real close to Ashok and gang. The common denominator was drinks, you see. There was a pitch roller (yup!) in the park and the area behind is the bar. I still remember a game (first innings) where I was batting and Raj was bowling. He had started the run up and I moved away from the stumps and called 'wait'. Ashok was the umpire then and he immediately put his hand to stop the bowler. The whole fielding team was puzzled and so was Ashok. I walked slowly to the pitch roller; put a hand behind; took a swig (of Old Cask) and then returned to the wicket. You should have seen the look on Raj then. Ashok gave the loudest hoot ('proud of you, son') and I was named 'Chiyaan' the same day by him!

Behind those rough and tough looks of Ashok and gang, there were some sad and hard stories. Satya and me heard those once in the middle of WUS ground (yup right!) on a clear night. Ashok had arranged a party (after bribing that security guard) right in the middle of the pitch where the district guys used to play. We jumped walls into the ground and walked with our heads high (and chest thumping!). There was rum; there was beef; and there were some amazing accounts of people whom I played with all the while but never realized that there was so much underlying emotions in them. Stephen, who was the most serious person and who never laughs in the games, talked only in English (!!) about a girl he lost. Bafa (alias Shanmugam) talked about how getting on life itself was so hard. Ashok said that we young guys were always talking about girls and that is a very bad thing  which we will soon realize (Nostradamus!). As Deva and Gundu came to pick us in their bicycles, both Sathya and me were blabbering something about life and philosophy!

That friendship lasted a few years. After we got into jobs, we could not give it the same attention. And such friendships don't last on mobiles or mails. I mean...I cannot call up Ashok and talk to him for even a minute. We will run out of conversations. Our relationships started and ended with Satyamoorthy Park. I don't even have a photo of them.

When Chennai 28 movie happened, Satya and me (being the emotional stupid guys we were/are) left the theater in tears. Coming to think of it now, those were tears worth shedding.

Inspiration!

Met an amazing and interesting person in the gym in the hotel here in Richardson. Helped her a week before for  carrying her water bottle pack. She thanked me and we had a small talk going on in no time with her running on the treadmill and me cycling (carefully not showing the strain on my face..he he). I was telling her that I had been hitting the gym for 2 months now and still could not run on the treadmill. She took a look at me and asked me to guess her weight. Hmm...I stammered and stuttered and said am poor in Math! (why hurt a lady!). She said that she was 140 pounds and told me that she could run a mile now. And then she suddenly went digging into her phone and out popped a photo. She said that it was her six years ago. And my...it was someone who was thrice her size! She said her weight then was 260 pounds! To cut a short story shorter, she gave me tips on how to change small things in the way I eat; taught me to use the weight machine for developing muscles (as they burn fat even two hours after you exercise) and most important of all, told me that I would need to be patient in reducing weight. It takes time to lose. Just keep going is all she said. I was just stumped by her.Truly an inspiration! And in all this melee, forgot to ask her name!

Hike to Spring Creek Natural Area

Did the bike hike to Spring Creek Natural Area today in 7 Celsius and the sun shining! Nice trail with lots of winding paths up and down the creek dotted with bridges over the creek. Lot of bikers too.  The path along the DART train path is particularly good. Did an hour and half of biking today. 

Appa

I remember asking my Appa (dad), when I was 12 years old, as to what money he had in his bank account. He told an amount which was not what I had imagined. It was so low that I remember feeling depressed that whole day.

When I was 15 years old, I went to my first movie with friends alone. Till then, it was always with family.

When I was 16 years old, he told me the importance of having a driving license for a (motor) bike (without gear). He taught me to drive his TVS Champ (50 cc). I got my license soon and he gave his Champ, his Champ. I used to be the only one with license in my 11th grade and happily drive around.

Coming to think of it, Appa never asked me to stay indoors and study all the time. In fact, I do not recollect him asking me to study even one day. I studied as I pleased and played as I pleased.

Appa's appa (Grandpa) was a farmer turned Military personnel. He retired a Subedar. Appa made his transition from his carefree life in the village to a struggling lawyer to the city.

When I left my TAFE job to pursue something else (with no other job), Appa did not talk to me for 10 days. That is the only time, I remember him that way. Then, Infy happened.

Everyday morning, I used to have a driver (Muthu anna) who dropped me in our old Ambassador car to my office. Muthun will then go back to pick Appa and drop him in court. When going to my office, I used to stop at 'her' place to pick her up. This used to delay my Appa's schedule. One day, when she called my home to reach me, Appa picked up. He told her "No problem in what is happening. I am quite happy about it. But can you send the car earlier?" I was furious then on hearing this from her. But now...I cannot stop laughing at this.

My father did not teach me 'money'. He taught me 'Freedom' and living a content life.

This is the single most important lesson I will pass to Nandan and the WIP kid. :)

Bicycle Trek

My first Trek happened today on my Genesis V2100. Went around Prairie Creek Park, Richardson - a total of 6 miles. Only minor mishap was the chain coming out. Treated myself to Chipotle Chicken Tacos. :)

Weird Dream

It is 6 PM on a Tuesday. Just got up from a weird dream. Am one of the side kicks to some superhero (who has a lightning rod to strike and no other power). The superhero has to take on some villain for which he has no clue and asks us, the side kicks. Me breaking my head to find it. And I woke up!

Made up my mind to forsake this Work From Home option I took today and go to office tomorrow. 

Slap Gate

Mr.Harvinder Singh - You have showed us what it takes. You are the 'idea' we have been searching all these days. The slap is not on a human by a man. It is on the corrupt establishment by India. The slap is a metaphor to wake up. We do not need Guy Fawkes mask anymore. Yours will do. 


Not when Sachin scores; not when the national anthem plays; not when I saw the diversity of this country. But when you slapped...that day, I felt I was an Indian. That completes me. It was as if the whole of India's anger moved to your fingers when you made contact. We are born in Mahatma's land. But Gandhi's enemies - the British were gentlemen. The ones we face are not. 

தன்மான தமிழன்

கூடங்குளம்'னா குத்த வச்சு  எதிர்ப்பு தெரிவிக்கிறான் ....முல்லை பெரியாறு'னா முட்டி பார்க்கிறான்...அங்கிட்டு சில்லறை வணிகத்துல 51% அந்நிய முதலீடுனு  செய்தியா வருது....அப்போ மட்டும் செவி மூடி வாய் மூடி அமைதியாய் இருக்கிறான் மானமுள்ள தமிழன். அநேகமா சானல் மாத்தி சீரியல் பார்ப்பான்.  

எது பிரச்சனையோ எத அலசி பார்த்து முடிவு எடுக்கனுமோ, அத விட்டுடுறான்....எவனோ சீண்டி விட்டு வேடிக்கை பாக்குறதுலே, வெளுத்து வாங்குறான். 

உருப்புடும். 

Golconda Fort to the Immortals

It was a Sunday to remember in Hyderabad.  

Having got up late in the beautiful campus, took a quick bath and got out.  One thing in Hyderabad that strikes you (particularly if you are from Chennai) is that autos charge reasonably. And the share auto system really helps new comers like me. Having hopped on one such, I reached Gachibowli flyover where Naadas picked me up. Immediately, we hit a Café. Now, in Hyd, Cafes are equivalent to the Chennai tea shops. People occupy seats with just a Chai for a long time and laze around talking and doing more talking. And you get those yummy butter biscuits to munch! We refreshed ourselves (you will find me coming back to food and refreshment today a lot of times!) We planned to go over to Golconda Fort and spend half an hour there. As we drove through Tolichowk, I noticed that there were a lot of shops with the name ‘Tawakkal’.  In Bangalore, have seen the same with ‘LSV’ named shops. 

When we reached the Fort, we were in for a surprise. It was a huge and magnificent one arising majestically on a hill. It looked glorious and something which we cannot cover in half an hour! No way! Found hordes of students from a school lining up. And in the front, four students were carrying a big anda (vessel) with Biriyani in it! In for a treat, I guess. Half the crowd will not climb up the hill for sure. My stomach started grumbling as I had not taken my breakfast yet.  Naadas and me took a quick tour for some time and then decided to come back to the Fort again on a weekday morning leisurely. 

Naadas dropped me at Bhaskara Ponduri’s home in Toli Chowk. Bhaskara had invited me for lunch and I should say that me skipping breakfast was a good thought in hindsight. Had Egg Biriyani with Chicken Curry and Fish curry. My…my…mouth watering! And rounded off with dessert. Thanks to his wife! Well…I forgot to introduce his cute kids – Nandhini and Avinash. All of us caught up on the climax of the Telugu movie Arya – 2 (nice one!). Well, bid them goodbye and Bhaskara came to drop me. As is the custom in Hyd (me learning fast), we hit a Café ..tea…biscuits…he he…. 

We then hit Inorbit mall in Hi-Tech City. Mall is quite big and built on top of a small hill (actually Hyd has a lot of rocky terrain. Me just getting it incorrect as hills, I guess…Well, coming from a coastal plains city like Chennai where even St.Thomas Mount is looked upon as a hill, this is no surprise, I guess). Our dear chairman Jagan had recommended a certain ‘Dialogue in the Darkness’ in this mall. I initially thought it was a pub. Oh dear…how wrong was I! It was not to dull my senses but rather to awaken something else so totally different that I could well have been blind. Yeah…you got it right. We were led through different situations (for almost an hour) as though you were blind (complete with a blind man stick and assisted by a blind person through the maze). The place is totally dark that shutting and opening your eyes gives the same result. And the gentleman who guided us (Jagadeesh) was such a nice one. Imagine being in the dark and looking out for that one voice which guides you. Atheist, any one? Ha ha….An eye opener really! Left an impression on me. 

Bhaskar dropped me back in campus around 7 pm. Just enough time to take a quick bath and get ready to a ….wedding! Well, the little time I spent in Hyderabad does not warrant attending a wedding. But…then ‘ovovuru friendum theva machan’ (har ek friend zaroori hota hai) (every other friend is important). My dear friend and thambi Kishore Temburu’s college friend happened to be a Choudhury and by God…having his wedding on that day (Bless his soul!). Now, I have got to tell a truth . Am a proud ‘osi soru’ (free food) lover. Countless instances in Chennai where I have gone to friend’s friend’s friend’s wedding who happens to be a Muslim/Christian (for the delicious Biriyani!) or one who offers a free drink. Putting that theory to practice again (with just a negligible persuasion from thambi), went to a lavish wedding with some great vegetarian food buffet thrown in. Munch…munch…! By then, it was 9 pm. 

Naadas called. Both of us rounded off with a movie (Immortals) at Talkie Town, Miapur. You won’t believe me. It was a 70mm air conditioned theatre with good sound systems in place and good seats. The ticket price was just INR 55 for Balcony! Well…the theater reminded me of Devi in Chennai (not the girl..the theater). About the movie…not worth talking except for a couple of CGIs. We drove through the freezing cold to catch another Chai before I hit the beds by midnight!

Everyday Gods...

Imagine.

Travelling to office by bus in the morning. Bus breaks down. You walk some distance to hail a cab/auto. Late to office. Missed a meeting. Boss was looking for you. Tensions build up.

Reverse.

A week prior, the same bus you traveled is in the workshop. A mechanic talks to his sweetie on phone and misses to put in a nut properly.

Forward.

Someone doing something at someplace affects you. Period. Chaos Theory. Butterfly effect. Blah Blah. Yes, we do understand that. But hey...you are still looking at what is affecting you. Think further. You are affecting someone else too!

You might be doing the most mundane and boring job in this whole world. Nobody even comes and thanks you for the job you are doing. But remember...you working effectively could save someone 'a walk' next time. Perhaps more.

Happy New Year 2011!

(Thanks to dear Sara for this photo)

Anbu Thalaivaaa...

It was 5:30 AM. A group of 1000 people were huddled in an enclosure waiting with bated breath. In front of the crowd, a select group of people were waiting with bags and bags of flowers. And then...White light hit the crowd and the letter R appeared. Then, everything happened all at once. R freezed; Flowers hit the light; the crowd went berserk and a thousand voices hit a high pitch all in unison.

The scene, as I witnessed, is Endhiran release in Hosur on Oct 1, 2010. The scene, as I did not witness, is Endhiran release all over the world screens.

Now, this is not a hyped or forced group of people for a political party or religious gathering. This group is not formed to get something in return. This group does not get some name or fame for being what it is. Then, why? Why this adulation? Why this love to one man whom most of us would not even meet once in life? How come, generation after generation, for 30 years, has showered this selfless admiration to Thalaivar?

Some history and perspective here.

When Thalaivar came into Tamil Cinema (in 1975), it was just another entry. More a side role. Slowly, he grew and grew. He had his style to rely on. His mannerisms were unique. He had fans. In the 80s, he started giving hit after hit. His action and style were again the talking points. 90s saw him give Thalapathi, Annamalai and Baasha. This took him to a level from where he never looked back. Again, style played the prime role.

All alone, people started seeing a man who rose from nothing and became a star. People saw a man who, whenever he talked, talked from the heart. This was a never before. Thalaivar had an opinion on things. He did not play the suave game of appeasing powerful people. This off screen behaviour took him to heights where no actor has still not been. Directors started moulding his off screen behaviour into roles.

To me, he as a man, still dumbfounds me. I mean, my nose would have been somewhere up in the Himalayas if I had that power and money. Thalaivar still keeps his foot grounded (occasionally in Himalayas too). And believe me, he is not acting it. He cannot do it day in and day out. His true colors are thus. This, I believe, is where the common man connects with him.

Everyday, the everyday-man sees Rajni in the mirror. Everyday, Rajni is the mirror.

You know, everyone in this world, likes super-heroes. The ones that fly, do things. Its like identifying with someone whom you want to be but can never be. Thalaivar is like a super-hero to people. But the big difference is Thalaivar is real and they can very well be him.

When all of us walk out of his first day first show movie, we never discuss the movie. That is a mute point. We walk like Thalaivar. We talk like Thalaivar.

We are Thalaivar.

Cemetery of Gods

When you turn through every page in recorded and rumoured history, one or the other religion has been a pest. If you dig into it deeper, you will end up with a simple fact. You will find that, in that religion, there were more clowns than just men at that point of time. There is no religion without a blot or a bloodied history.

If there was a God(s) in each religion, believe me, He would have committed suicide multiple times and long been dead. When I go up, I would most likely make up my mind to find a cemetery of sorts for the Gods.

Leader

At times, a leader should be 'possessed' and take the crowd with him. If he stops and starts hearing opinions and options, there will be no action. Depending on whether the leader is good or bad, the crowd exalts or suffers. These two states are better than no-state. If the crowd suffers, then the next leader is born out of the suffering. No better learning in this world than suffering.

Thus, civilizations and nations evolve.

Next time you want to make a decision, remember this. Why do you worry about laying a wrong path when there is no path before in the first place?

Nandan and me in the village

It was a fun filled Diwali what with me staying in Elangadu for 10 days. Its a small village in Tanjavore, Tamil Nadu. With Nandan around, it was almost a fairy tale filled with goats (alive, of course), hens, cows in a picturesque canvas.

Mornings and evenings went with Nandan and me wandering through the dust and cow dung filled lanes of the village and the occasional trips to the riverside walk (which in India still means a 'restroom' for villagers). Nandan's routine usually is this: He will make me rest him on the parapet wall of the house and do a 'dikki dance' (shake his dikki with a rhythm :). Then, he will make me pluck a small piece of the banana leaf from the cluster of trees in front of the house. Whenever we step out of the house, from nowhere, will appear that brown goat (which I call as his 'friend' goat). Nandan will feed the goat properly leaning from my shoulder (all the while giving a peculiar grunt specially reserved for goats) and at the end will look at me in my eyes. Meaning: Go get some more leaves. :) Too bad that he does not know that his father was dreaming how good a biriyani that goat will make. he he....Everything's eventual, I guess.

Next, I take him to a Tractor (blazing red Mahindra). He will immediately want to perch on top of the hood and diagnose the air filter. Guess, some of my MIT and TAFE DNA got into him too. Next stop will be the panchayat school (till 5th std). Since I was there for 10 days, we got to see the school filled with kids. I make my trip to the school during the lunch time when the kids shout at the top of the voices and play around in the class. Nandan will give a bemused look at me. Meaning: what species inside? Next to the school is a shelter where a lot of cows will rest. I will be doing a small talk with a grandpa there while Nandan will be looking at one cow after the other and again giving some inane sounds.

In the evenings, I take him to the riverside. Its more of a stream and very less water seeps through it at this time of the year. But beyond the stream, acres and acres of agri lands stretch till the horizon dotted with those giant man-like electric transformers (I strongly believe that one day those will walk). Its a lovely sight filled with the birds chirping. Nandan cannot keep his head in one direction and keeps jumping here and there. Hard to hold him. By the time I return home, one puppy would visit the house barking ten times its size. Again, a puzzled look from junior.

When Ramya makes an appearance, everything is forgotten and he jumps to her as if I did not exist. My heart will just sink that one bit there till he suddenly will remember something and turn to my side and give a smile. That smile...is enough and makes my day all day!

Protectionism

The German chancellor has come up with something that is fast turning out to be the voice heard across Europe. Too fast at polarizing, guys. Alas! the world is at some crossroads which I wish did not happen during my lifetime. At one end, in the last 30 years or so, the world (read developed countries) opened up to globalization as it gave the cost savings they needed. Developing countries provided the resources, natural and human. Economies of the developed countries soared and led to the false sense of security. Slowly and steadily, their citizens kept losing their next door companies and jobs. Internal simmerings have started now which is leading to the current protectionist behaviour. Alas, you do not have a rewind button, guys. You just cannot U-turn back now.

Humor at office

After a marathon 3 hour meeting, my boss and me came out of our client office. It was a hot afternoon and we were hurrying to get back to our office which was like 15 kms away. Surprise awaited us at the parking lot where a cab had parked in front of my boss' car in a way that we could not take it out. Checking with the security yielded nothing. As per them, the cabbie could be anywhere. I walked to the cab and looked in and lo, found a trip sheet with the cab name. I turned and gave a victory smile to my boss. Called up my friend who quickly googled the cab's main help desk. I called them up; gave the cab number and waited. The phone rings. Neither mine nor my boss'. But someone just behind us who happened to be the cabbie looking the other way all the time!

So much for technology. I could as well be blind.

It's hard it comes down to this

Its hard not to
come down to this.

Everything's Eventual
in life - King said

How I wish somethings
were not?

Yeah. Wish, I can. Walking
down my friend.

How can I fit you
in that one word?

As I walk with you
My mind races back

Two teams together
not talking to each other

You walked upto me
and asked Why Saro?

It happened then -
Friends for Life.

There were times when
I turned to just one person

When everyone left
Genuine reason or not

When things were dark
When friends deserted

I was humbled - and looked
around for hope

You were there -
None else was

You alone healed
Knowingly or not.

What could have been a burning wound
is now just a scar.

It's been quite a ride after that.
And as always

It's hard it comes down
to this

How can I walk you
down my friend?

How can I walk
myself down?

Moving on..

Two years back, if I found myself alone at house, either of the below two things would have already happened. One - there would have been my gang of friends at my place dancing to loud music or debating the latest film topic. Two - I would have settled for a favorite movie of mine with my ever friendly beer or scotch. My friends would have had to bear out with my late-night-not-so-friendly calls. In short, the very idea of being alone would have excited me. This is not a I-lost-freedom-due-to-wife syndrom but rather Get-your-bachelorhood-when-wife-is-out effect!

Now, two years into the marriage and with my 7 month old 8 kilos weighing lump of myself into my life, I see things changing. I no longer crave for that high with that beer and scotch. The liking is still there. No doubt. But when I find my house empty, it leaves a craving for that furless ball kicking on my face or laughing with his toothless gums; those piercing eyes looking straight inside my mind and rearranging my priorities.

I guess am moving on. As I did from my childhood toys and bicycle. As I did from my favorite adoloscent hauntings and Chennai. The liking is still there but there is no craving. The good memories are still there but nothing urging to go back.

Which makes me think - Is life just a journey and not a destination?

Business Model

20 years back, an average working Indian would have had 10 Rupees in his pocket/dhoti and felt safe/secure for that day. His spendings for that day would not exceed that even if he turned a bit lavish.

Now, an average working Indian would carry 500 Rupees in his pocket/jeans and feel safe/secure for that day. His spendings for that day would not exceed 300 Rupees (considering inflation, etc.).

Now, a business model to loot that extra 200 Rupees is what I need to work on. Hmm..I believe this is the basis for a super market or an online market.