The Week Without My Wallet

To Tarun, the caretaker of my wallet and hopefully of my secrets

Song : Chakkar Ghumyo -- Aamir , Keys Wallet Phone - The Lancashire Hotpots

I never thought that this would happen to me. Never for a whole damn week. In some drunken stupor, I left my wallet in a friends car and was able to get it back only after a week. It was quite an interesting 7 days, here are some snippets :

1. At Work
So we have an access controlled office, which means that until you flash your ID card on the small black boxes; the doors will not open. Hence unless you have an access card, you are for all practical purposes stuck. You are at the mercy of your colleagues and the kindness of the guards. So sometimes when I would enter office, I would evaluate in the elevator if someone was going to get off at my floor and would let me in. At other times, I would follow colleagues (even if it meant taking the longer route) because I was immobile if left alone. Occasionally I would make puppy faces at the guards and hoped that they would for once budge from their line of duty, and let me through.  Of course, there were backups such as temporary access cards (or stealing your colleagues'), which I did get issued on some days but not on all days (those were days when I was hopeful wallet would return or I was being over-confident that I didn't need one).

2. Plastic Money
Apologies if this sounds like if I am quoting from a textbook but the beauty of electronic money (debit and credit cards) is that you have money anywhere and everywhere you go. The world is your oyster because money can pretty much buy anything. A week without it is difficult. It puts you in a position where you have to ask your family for money, usually an amount that they consider too much and you consider too less. And this asking (or stealing) has to take place at the beginning of the day - else if you plan to have that Friday lunch/dinner outside; being broke can seriously limit your options (read happiness). Plastic money, not Red Bull gives you wings.

3. Commute
So I take the train to work and like any regular commuter I have a metro card, which is safely stashed in some pocket of my wallet. Thankfully, my mom also has a card - so when borrowing money I also borrowed the card from her. But since I had no safe pocket to keep it in, there were days when I forgot the borrowed card at home - which meant buying tickets at the train station. Now imagine a situation where this young handsome guy enters the train station (like a boss!), checks his pockets for the card - doesn't find it, opens his bag to take out money for the ticket and finds one shining 500 rupee note - the actual cost of the ticket being 5% of that. So not only is there no card, but no wallet that will have change to buy a ticket. Thankfully, this did not happen because I borrowed change from a colleague (insert puppy face). But imagine if it did - I bet you would be tweeting #fml :P

4. Identity Crisis
Last weekend a good friend of mine and I decided to visit a library. We are cool that way - we go to libraries, make noise, disturb other people and wait for the librarian to spank us (that's what she said!). So we are all dressed up and looking good and are getting our security check done at the library and the guard demands ID cards - any ID cards. That's when dark clouds gathered over my head and I could hear thunder, storm and what not. Despite pleading and begging, I was shown the door. Yes, I became the nameless, faceless idiot in the crowd.

5. Pathos of parting and waiting
So a natural follow up question would be why I waited for a week to get my wallet back. I didn't. There were times when caretaker of wallet was busy for perfectly legitimate reasons; and given that I am a corporate monkey I had my own limitations. At times, I would hope that the plans of the wallet changing hands and eventually reaching me would succeed; at other times I would make plans of the wallet changing hands and reaching me. People were not doing a particularly good job at keeping me happy, some were joking about the million dollar loan that could be on my name, while others were just saying "tu toh gaya" (you are gone!). In the end, I had become a pathos of parting and waiting - desperate and dying to see my wallet.


I have my wallet with me now. Thank you Tarun for keeping it safe. As much as I would want to claim that this was a socialist experiment, it was nothing but a product of too much drinking and being damn cool and showing off my wallet to pay the toll at Gurgaon. 


Unfortunately the following will help only when we are sober :

Image : http://i1.cpcache.com/product/596251935/keys_phone_wallet_framed_tile.jpg?height=460&width=460&qv=90

Andaaz Apna Apna

I never thought I would do these things.


1. Tattoo

Yes - I got a tattoo. Don't worry it's not permanent. I never thought I'd get Shin Chan tattooed, but impulse took the better of me. And I think it's somewhat fitting. If Shin Chan was real, he too would have to apologise to the gender forum at some point. I think I'll get a permanent tattoo if and when I complete writing a book. We'll worry about the design then!

2. Flash Mob

When it comes to dancing I have two left feet. Ask any of my friends and they will swear that Rohan can't dance. But I never let that come in the way. Even so, never thought I'd be a part of a flash mob. We danced to Gangnam style and that was pretty cool. I danced horribly but I felt really awesome anyway!


3. Stand-Up Comedy

In a certain email to Vasudha, I had once remarked that stand-up comedy is very tough and that you never know if they audience will laugh or not. And I now speak with confidence and first hand experience that it is tough as hell. I still can't believe I did stand-up comedy, even if it was for 5 mins. Debating is fine,  humour is difficult. Most of my jokes were from this video (2:44 onward):

And that's is just the top 3 things. I loved stand up and I will try very hard to better it. I like 2013.

You should also try something new, unfamiliar. Surprise yourself. 

To Roan - so crazy and mental.

Song : 
Hookah Bar -- Khiladi 786
Love You -- Free Design 

What lies beyond..

So the reason why this is the second post of the year, despite the fact that half the year has already gone, is because the final year of graduation sucks. Thinking about the future sucks.


Deep down, I am scared this might be the end of the Blog. There are symptoms like single digit posts. I'd hate to see that. Imagine not being able to write. I hope it never happens :(


Yet, there are things that words can't say as much as "other" things. Lists, Post Its, Flowcharts, Highlighters, White Boards, Organizers! Language, just beautifully packed.


As I stand at the crossroads of my life (Don't you just love the drama), here is an insight into my position. Feel free to give me advice by commenting here, I will politely "try" (read : ignore) and incorporate it.


Here goes : http://debategraph.org/whatliesbeyond
(Copy the Link and paste it in the next tab of your browser)


Post Dedication : To Mom. For standing by me, always. Thank you.


Songs (Click to Listen!) : Balloon -- Lou Reed  and Somebody That I Used To Know -- Walk off the Earth


FYI, I am happy. I hope the recruiters never see this! :P


Also, Blog needs renovation. Suggestions? I am thinking Yellow.

Step-ember.

September is the only month in the whole year in which I don't blog. Even in 2009, the post was actually written in October. I have no reason or explanation for this. I think its the mid-year crisis (even though its the end of the third quarter). This coupled with my mid-blogger life crisis, explains the fewer and fewer words I use in my posts (Have a close look at the previous posts, they all have pictures and they all have lines written by someone else). Vasudha must be having a terrible time, because she reads these posts in her mail and no pictures are displayed out there. Sorry!


So coming back to September. A careful study of the last two years (which only I can do), shows that it has always been a crazy month. In 2009, I got intoxicated for the first time. In 2010, I attended a couple of parties (one of which I absolutely regret). In 2011, I had no alcohol (which is a good thing), and people stopped inviting me to their parties or after work chilling sessions or once a week lunch. I guess I had more to do with this, than them. So this year has been crazy too, just in a very very different way.


Another very interesting thing about September is that it has my birthday. When I was young, my birthday used to mean a lot to me and I would be thoroughly disappointed because no one else I knew was born during this time. Now, thanks to Facebook I know too many. So my young kid side of the brain, no longer feels special. Another reason to dislike this month, it failed my unreasonable paradoxical (Because I wanted other people to be born during this month and when too many were born I felt bad) expectation.


Yet another terrible thing is the weather. Its starts to change. And Homo Sapiens are inadequate to deal with this change. We have to rely on things like clothes. Had we not invented clothes, we would have developed a fur and then women won't have to get themselves waxed (in some cases, men too). 


September is also the ninth month of the year. Thats 3*3. I hate 3. Therefore, it's a numerological defect.


Since you've read so much, I will now write something of real meaning.


"Living is easy with eyes closed.." (Strawberry Fields Forever, The Beatles)


I am unsure if ignorance is bliss. To have not known something, would it have made us happier? Lets say Idea X gave me some amount of happiness and Idea Y gave me some more amount of happiness. Without the knowledge of Y, I was happy; but now that I know Y, I have to struggle to achieve it.  And is that unhappiness worth the additional happiness? The most beautiful thing about whatever I have said till now is that there is no Math in the whole wide world, that can help solve it. So you'll have to think of your own everyday examples.


There are two very important things that come out of the above. One is that I assumed that everyone is happy (with Idea X), the larger question being how do we decide if we are happy? And the second being what made people think Y would give more happiness? I don't think people generally have answers to either. I don't think its possible to weigh how much effort will yield how much happiness and how much happiness is worth with respect to effort invested. If I don't know which one will make me better off, why should I take the risk? The fact that Y will give you more happiness, will always be an experience of the other. 


Samajh nahi aaya na?


I was using a shit phone till Class 12. I never knew the joy of texting because it was really annoying to type on that phone. Yet, I had no desire to text or to get a better phone. Then I scored a 100 in Math and there had to be a gift. So I bought a Smartphone (Not knowing anything about its smart features). Now, when I have to buy another phone, it has to be smart. I cannot go back to where I was. The fact that a better phone would make me happy was not mine, for I never had a better phone. The fact that Democracy is awesome, can only be said by a democratic state. But will you eventually be happy? Maybe not. Because that idea will change who you are and not the other way around.


You would now say, that this is normal progress. One goes from the inferior to the superior. From worse to better. But what was worse about early man? And what is superior? An LV Bag? Or Food to those who are dying? Look at our lives right now and compare it to what it was when were naked hunters. I think our level of happiness is still the same. But our level of stress has increased. Change from one set of ideas to another set of ideas, can only be justified if it leads to an increase in happiness.  And if there has been no increase in happiness since naked early man time, then we are fucked up.


I have just one last thing to say.


Would it have been better had I not told you this? Had you not known this?


To September. Always a few days too less.


Song : Lag Jaa Gale --- Lata Mangeshkar

The Best Day of My Life.

Janamasthmi is the best day of the year.


I love it. I like it more than any birthday. Even my own. In fact its the only birthday I celebrate!


I don't do anything special today. But I just feel special. Like you feel love.


And not just that, but feel powerful too. Mentally. Like a stronger person.


It just makes me happy. Very Happy.


Nothing makes me this expressively happy.


Happy Birthday! :D


This is dedicated to Paarthsaarthi.


Song : Ud Jayega -- Kumar Gandharva.


And then at midnight, when the dark is at its peak,
He was born, to guide us into dawn.
Like the virtues will one day overcome the vices,
And the good will transcend into the new world,
But only to end again and start again,
And yet He will always be there.
Immortal and Invincible.
Like the energy in us, in you and in me.
A reflection of Himself and Everyone Else.


Hare Krishna.

Fools and Kings.

Joker.
Debater.
Good For Nothing.
Mentally Sick.
Singer.
Storyteller.
Cartoon.


I will miss you, Sir. Each time we receive knowledge, we incur a debt. And the only way to pay back this debt is to spread the knowledge. I hope I am able to spread the lessons you taught me. Not Just of Economics. I will miss you.


Song : 500 Miles--Peter, Paul and Mary.


Every end has a beginning. Meet Jibber Jabber. (Click to See!) This one is to all my teachers.

Who Stole The Ink?

"Through my Lens."

"Here is the best portrait that, later, I was able to make of him."

"Eleven Rotten Eggs."

"A constant unfolding of the Self."

Song : 5 Years Time--Noah and The Whale.

To Gary. Coz I too suck at saying Thank You.

It can't be Rocket Science.

Exam time is here. Following is a list of messages. Will keep you updated with more. I like being wished. I like wishing people :)

13 April 03:57 AM

What things look like they oft are not.
What we decide to do with our course of facing challenges, we must be sure of them. Don't let the leaf of doubt sway in the wind of your knowledge. It is important to be certain. It is important to be accommodating. It is important to be awesome.
All the best. Sleep Well :)
PS: It can't be Rocket science. It just can't be.


12 April 2010, 03:28 AM:

It's not Rocket Science. And I'll try my best to nail it. It can't be that hard. It just can't. else it won't ever make sense. Else life would be a constant fight against failure and not aiming towards success. They'll make it hard for us to score and we'll make it harder for them to take away what we've earned. Thanks for your wishes. They mean the world to me. Good Night.

08 April 11:56 PM

Listen the two of you. Mera naam roshan karke aana kal. Logic and Accounts aren't Rocket Science. Give it your best.
Alles Gute! :D

08 April 12:33 AM

Teri Balance Sheet match hi nahi hogi abh. Saale wish toh kar de.

07 April 12:36 AM

Let's hope for the best.
Let's study the hardest.
Let us be the Best version of ourselves.
We can do this. And we will.
We are what we are and we'll be what we'll be :)
Cheers :)

07 April 12:35 AM

That 70% isn't far away. Even if it is, don't make it go away further. Just give this your best shot and be the best version of yourself, and everything will come easy. Just excel it. Yes You Can.

Blowing Wind :)

To Charla, for making people happy. :)

"Oye! Dhyaan se! Don't fall off." Niharika stared at Rohan as he stood leaning from the train compartment door. The wind blew through his hair making it look like a comet's tail. The wind pierced it's way through his eyes forcing them to close. After some time he turned to Niharika and said, "Wanna try?"

"Pagal hain. I don't wanna do this,"

"Come on. Please"

"Okay," she said. Her eyes had that tinge of excitement, which probably everyone has when they do something 'awesome' for the first time.

"Great! Now hold these two bars and look outside" instructed Rohan.
And Niharika did accordingly. And the wind blew through her hair. And it pierced her eyes. But she kept looking outside. The wind has it's own magic.
Rohan then took over and started looking outside. And then he yelled.

"Fuck You!"

"Dude why did you do that," asked Niki(typing Niharika again again is slighting irritating)

"Man, I like standing here. It's like the wind is strong, but you can cut right through it and stay unaffected. Duniya bhi aisi kamini cheez hain. It fucks you, but you hardly come out unaffected. The world changes you. You fit yourself in the world. But here you can just be you, and still win. I like it. Oh and I love the way the wind blows into my hair. It's so cool."

Both of them smiled. Rohan was now just standing at the door.
Niki asked,"So tell me one thing, is changing yourself the only way to face the world?"

"Certainly not. You can change the world. But changing yourself is just easier and the benefit is immediate"

"True." replied Niki.

"Dooooood(Dude) look at that!!" Rohan said pointing at a random field.

"What?" asked Niki

"It's a scare-crow! In an actual field! Have you ever seen one?"

"No, but okay." she said smilingly.

At that point Devna came.

"Tell me you've come to brush your teeth" said Rohan.

"No, what are you guys upto?"

"Aye haye. We just saw a scare-crow. Isn't that awesome? Have you ever seen one?" said an excited Rohan.

Devna made a weird expression and said "Of course I have. Maybe you should camp in the country side more."

Everyone started laughing.

"Acha I have to take a piss, so bye!" And Devna left.

"Dooooood, look outside. What the fuck is this? Trees. Fields. No animals. And more trees. What is this? Kaun rehta hain yahan? And do these people vote?" asked Rohan.

"Hmm...True."

"Man, you know what would be super awesome, that if we were dictators with supernatural powers. And then we could destroy these pseudo-hills with like some great flashing red light coming from our palm." said Rohan.

"No yaar. People would get killed" said Niki.

"Gee. You are an altruist. So how about we come to these tree areas once in a year, show off our flashing power to the people and go back?"

"Yah that's nice. You are truly a power hungry slut. You know what I think about this?"

"Nahi. Batao."

"I think this is very romantic."

"It is."

And they smiled, still looking outside, hoping that one day they would stand here with the person they love.

"You wanna go back?" said Rohan.

"Yeah. Let's go back." said Niki.

And they walked back inside. And the wind continued to blow.

Oh I forgot.

Yes I know, I should be writing a story / work of fiction, but let's just say someone else is doing a better job. Ok , this week has been awesomely nice....Here's an account ( Not in chronological order, but in order of thoughts)

Coldplay Album. There is no artist in the world that I love more than you guys. Coldplay launched a new album/collection of songs on 15th May, which was free to download for all it's fans. And the songs are all live concert recordings, so if you listen to 'em on full volume, the kind of feeling you get, oh my good--it's heaven. It's like you are there cheering and the fact that you are a part of the whole thing makes it so orgasmic. God I love them. And they also made a Recession busting and Fan thanking move by deciding to give each one of the audience at their concerts a free CD of these songs. Kya yaar, inse better koi hoo sakta hain. Oh...The album is called Left right left right left. Download it from here---- http://lrlrl.coldplay.com/leftright.html And if you REALLY wish to get the feel of it. Listen to Viva La Vida full volume. I couldn't feel my heart after the first time. Below: Album cover




KT : Today, I went to The Attic, to hear out Mr. Kishore Thukral on his true calling, The Spiti Valley. The pictures were so beautiful and it seemed like he knew everything. Each stone, each lake and each feeling of Spiti was in his heart. How I know KT is different, but the fact that I heard out an author so intelligent, so wise and so inspiring for the third time, it's fantastic. But there is a more important thing that I learnt. I won't be writing the book most of you came to know about. Listening to KT made me realise, that there is so much I can explore, look, feel and be, I don't want a book right now. I have the feelings fresh in me, but I don't want to translate them. I want to read Shaky Dude, I want to Travel, I want St. Stephen's. Pata nahi. :|
Oh, for all that it's worth, I saw the Devil today, and yes I do HATE her. Below: Spiti



Red shorts: My Mom did not like them, which means that her generation doesn't like them, which implies that I did the right "fashion" thing. ^_^ They are in, and I like them. Deal with it. Below: A glimpse for those who wouldn't ever see me wearing 'em.

Connaught Place : God. I had gone to meet ONE of my friends and I ended up meeting the entire clan. First I met Vasudha, then Garima, then Abhinav and Anu. I also saw Rajesh Mishra, Director IMS. I mean Ek teer aur itne saare nishaane. LOL. :) . I even showed Vasudha the terrace of one of CP's buildings, though it was less appreciated. Below: CP. Duh.




There might have been much happier and better things, but i just don't remember 'em. Next week Gautam is going to come, which is nice. My result is going to come, which could be nice. And I have to study, which is definitely not nice.


Oh I forgot.
Dedication : To KT.
Song : Viva La Vida by Coldplay. LRLRL Version. :)