Friday 8 August 2008

It has been raining in Delhi


Hi,

It has been the rainiest Jun-July-Aug for Delhi in recent years. I don't recall when did we get as much rain as this year, more importantly - for three consecutive months. Anyone who knows me well, would also know my love for rains. They completely drive me up the wall...

Well, it started in the year 2003 - when I drove dad's car in a water pool and got stuck! Back then we used to get knee-high water pools everytime it rained. One morning, it was raining hard and I decided to take dad's car. On my return, I was welcomed by water pools and I didn't want to enter it. But then, as it is said "vinash kale, viprit bhuddhi"...I saw a Maruti Van going steady through this pool. I had driven through such pools earlier as well, everytime driving in the first gear with the acceperator touching the floor.

With my past experince and the confidence of seeing another car managing its way steadily - I decided to venture in this pool! But that was a BIG mistake, as it tunred out within minutes...

Being slightly immature (that's what I would call it for lack of experience) and in hurry - I didn't wait to see how the Maruti Van manages the entire struggle. The fact that she was going steady, but was still just half way through - should have rung some alarm bells - telling me to see how she manages to get out safely. Since I didn't wait - I entered right after her...soon I was met with terror.

Being in a Maruti Esteen, I was going faster than the Van through the pool and soon I was about to catch up with her. It was right then, the Van decided enough is enough and broke down...right in the middle of the pool....errr, the road! With me just behind her - seeing that she had come to a halt almost abruptly - I braked...and that was the end of my journey inside my car through the pool.

My house was just a few hundred meters from that spot where I was getting soaked in rain - trying to push a very heavy car all by myself. But those few hundred meters seemed longer than any distance I have travelled so far. The damage to the car was way beyond I could anticipate...the engine got jammed as somehow water entered some God-for-saken pipe...whew! This cost my dad loads...and I didn't drive his car for many months to come.

Since then rains and I have had a love-hate relationship...

But seriously, guys tell me - what is it that you like about the rains that you would want it to rain more than necessary. By 'necessary' I mean - the amount of rains that our agriculture requires, or our health requires...but anything more than that is just trouble to me. The roads go from bad to worse, the traffic becomes pain in the a** from pain in the neck and there is just too much of muck all over.

Well - that is just me...I am sure one amongst rare to feel so about one of the better liked phenomenon - Rains! There still could be a healthy divide on how many like / dislike other seasons like summer, winter - but for rains - I feel most would like to love rains. Please tell me why???

That's it from me...do leave your comments and feedback. Thanks...take care, keep smiling and drive very carefully when it rains.

Wednesday 6 August 2008

My latest purchase - writer's block!

Hi,

I come back to writing after a really long break...in last 30 days, I could manage just one post. Well - after all I am one of the few who bought Calvin's invention - the Writer's Block!!! Anyhow, now I am back and first would like to fill in with what has been happening in my life...

Last month has not just seen me buy the block, but also some hectic schedules along with some real fun times. It has been an exciting month for more than one reason...

It is sort of difficult to start here...what should I set the ball rolling...hmmm...let me just start...

Okay - after ages...and I actually mean ages did I read two novels in a month (by that I mean, from start to finish). Yes - that used to be regular when I was in college, but in recent years - I manage to complete one (or two at the max) in a year. But July saw me finish two...the good part is that I am on with my third now.

I first took up "Deception Point' by Dan Brown. This was a fast paced political drama - very enthralling. I would probably not rate it better than The Da Vinci Code - but it was good enough for me to burn the midnight oil for three consecutive nights and finish the novel. It was yet another 'unputdownable' from this author (first being TDVC).

My second novel of the month was Chetan Bhagat's 'The 3 mistakes of my life'. "Wow" is all that I can say for this story...truth and fiction have been blended beautifully by Bhagat in this story. I am tempted to call this one yet another 'unputdownable' that I got my hands on. I don't think comparng Dan Brown and Chetan Bhagat makes any sense - both are in different leagues and are leaders in their respective leagues.

Now, in August - I have recently (last night that is) started reading yet another bestseller from Dan Brown - Angels & Demons. It certainly promises to keep me up for couple of more nights - that's all that I can say about what I think of this novel.

Well then - reading novels apart, there were other exciting things that I was a part of. One of them being my trying out food at Varq - before its official launch. Wells thanks a ton S&S...Food at Varq was not just delectable - but it was food's presentation that completely awed me. It is an Indian cuisine restaurant - but completely the only one of its kind - AMAZING!

One of the most special occasion for the month of July was coming together of Tina and my dear friends - Arif and Shriya as husband & wife. They got married on 17th, 18th and 18th of July. If you are thinking what does this mean...well that is the exciting part. On the 17th - these two got married legally, in court that is. Then on the morning of 18th - they got married with Hindu rituals and later in the day - had a Nikah as well. Yeah - got married thrice within 24 hours!!! Well - I wish both of them the best and all the happiness they deserve...it has been long over-due.

With all this excitement - consider this that I work in an environment where each moment could bring in something to excite, trouble, push me down or pull me up...that is the brilliance of working on your own and owning a start-up! Guys - do visit Grehom - tell me what you think of it, give me suggestions on what you think can / should improve...your inputs shall be greatly appreciated!

All right then - that is all for now. Will try and be more regular with my posts this month. Take care and keep smiling...