Way to go

There are three sportsmen I admire bordering on worship. And none of them are new additions to my list of favourites, it's since 1989-1990 that I am amazed by these superb athletes and following them closely on a regular basis. One each from my three favourite sports, they are the incomparable, adjective-exhausting Vivian Richards, artistic Marco van Basten and charismatic Andre Agassi.

Well, I could go on with unwavered enthusiasm about each of these greats, but let's keep it for some other time. I thought of writing this as an introduction to this speech by Andre Agassi after his last match at the US Open last year. My dream was to see him in the US Open 2006 since it was his last hurrah and I could have been in New York. But, as fate would have had it, I was in India during that time. This is what he had to say to all his fans wearing his professional gear for the last time. Quite impressive and inspiring. Times changed and so did his form, appearance and image - but in each of those 21 years he was there, the loudest cheer in any part of the world would always come for Andre. When a fan would say, "We love you Andre!" he would respond, "I love you too, man!"

Watch it here..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7lO23K8wi0

Irritatingly Yours

Sometimes we offer to do more than what is normal - solely for the sake of friendship. The difference between doing something out of sincerity and doing someone a favour is simple - you do not feel that you have done a good thing, and the other person does not stay thankful to you, in the former case. A favour, however, gives a sense of superiority to the doer, and a state of subdued presence for the one who benefits. What, then, is the differentiator? On the surface, it seems it is what you are doing. But actually it is who you are doing it for. You can risk your life, happiness, career, money and any other thing for a true friend - without thinking twice. On the other hand, you might hesitate to even ask a minor adjustment from someone who is not. Examples abound in scores and let's not get into that. But the irony is that we do not get many real friends in life and usually distribute our relations with varying degrees of genuineness and selflessness.

Well, the seemingly heavy start is by no means indicative of why I started this post. One of my very good friends came over this weekend to attend a function and we met up after almost a year. We were in the same group in college all through. I really admire her intelligence and unwavering love for coffee, chocolates and reading. But the best part about her is that - ever since I know her - I have always come up stupid remarks to all her questions, comments or observations and she has withstood them all for all these years. I just love that look of hopelessness and frustration everytime this happens. :D

We met for lunch yesterday and I was to come to office (office starts at 2 pm for me these days) after that. After a very good meal and even better time - regularly interrupted by calls from office for the both of us - I realised I was running very late as usual. She did not have much to do for the afternoon and was thinking of something interesting to do. So I offered her the best I could in that scorching Hyderabad afternoon - she could come with me to my office (around 15 km), wait at the cafeteria alone for about 30 minutes till I settle in, chat with me for some more time before I see her off to an auto again for her to travel the return journey to her relatives'. I vouch I could show such genuineness only to people like her. Already irritated and put off further by this rather unpleasant proposition, she did what she should not have done, given she knows me for all these years. She tried to reason.

- 'I don't want to go so far in this heat', she said.

- 'Don't worry, I would drop you midway on my way to office. You come back after that,' I said with unchanged earnestness.

That look! I could do anything for that look on her face. With unadulterated sincerity :D

P.S. - Nidhi, if you are reading this, don't get mad. You know I like you so much. :)

Beyond boundaries

This isn't going to be one on cricket after the one on tennis. Boundaries here, refer to the ones drawn on the basis of geography, language, culture, literature and music. Octave 2007 was being celebrated in Hyderabad, (the name is derived from the eight constituent states from the North East that participated in this fair) and yesterday was the last day. My earliest travels - thanks to my father's transfers - were all in the North-East: Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur. From what little I can recall, there are two things that stand out in these states -

• The raw, stark and pristine beauty of nature.
• The naively simple, straight-forward people who are happy with what little they have.

Anyways, so off we went to Shilparamam Cultural Complex. I was initially disappointed as there were only a few stalls set up from these states and the rest were the usual fare you get there. I thought it would be another disappointing visit since all my earlier trips for other events ended without satisfaction. But it was different this time - as we could hear the strains of some soothing music from a distance. As we approached the dais and the words became clear, I could make out that the language was Assamese and the singer was singing like the legendary Bhupen Hazarika. I do not understand Assamese, but could roughly make out what was being said because of its similarity with Bengali and a few words I knew before.

My initial observation turned accurate when the singer said that Bhupen Hazarika was his uncle. Mayukh Hazarika indeed has a good voice - he is in that class when the voice alone tells that you are listening to a pro. He and his wife Laili sang quite a number of songs. I was waiting eagerly for 'Bistirno Du-pare' - the 'Ganga' song that is most synonymous with Bhupen Hazarika for all Bengalis. Mayukh sang it, in Assamese and Hindi, and it was indeed the song of the night. Gives me goosebumps, everytime the Mukhda reaches the crescendo - the first time, without music. He did full justice to the unparalleled rendition by his uncle and brought the entire audience to a spontaneous applause. I had my time's worth with that song alone.

I could only get a skimmed understanding of what was being sung, and many others there hardly understood anything more than what the singers translated - but the rendition and accompaniment was so soothing and the tunes so lively and simple that it never became a deterrent. It is said music has no language - it was beautifully exemplified before me yesterday.

Watch out Roger

I went for my first tennis lesson with exactly the above in mind. I had always had a great fascination for the game and always wanted to learn it. But, tennis was never a game for the masses and I had to contend with watching the game closely over the last 17 years. So when on the way for my first shot, I was excited to say the least. For those who know me, my interest and enthusiasm for this would be evident from the fact that the classes are from 7:30 am for an hour, six days a week. Given the deadly combination of my sleeplessness and laziness - both certified as exceptional by all and sundry - accepting such a timing was in itself a stupendous effort from my side.

Anyways, with my Wilson in hand and a my gear on, I walked to the courts this Sunday morning. (Fortunately the place is just a 3 minute walk from where I live, and it'd give me an extra 30 precious minutes to sleep.) I learned the technical details of playing the forehand. I have an inner feeling that this would last for sometime and deepen my interest in the game.

After an hour, I was told that I did quite well for my first shots at the yellow ball. However, before you visualise me hitting ripping cross-court forehands from the baseline like one Andre Agassi, let me tell you that the title of this post is quite literal - with balls flying higher and further with each subsequent shot. One of them could have easily knocked him down - wherever he was lifting his latest trophy that day. :D

Perceptions Of A Dormant Mind

Perceptions are hard to overcome. Our minds are often tuned to a certain thought or belief which we keep carrying on without realising. Sometimes - due to certain events - we come to know that what we believed had no basis, just that the mind started housing it for some unknown reason. Though we may actually rectify and go ahead with reason and thoughts, sometimes the mind is so programmed to what it had stored that it refuses to budge. I have never been able to understand the thought process behind this whenever it happens to me. And more often than not I lose my way midway - like I am losing it in writing this down.

Let me not get into the philosophy of it all and just give a few examples. One of my friends read my blog and remarked on a line in my profile - "I really like the quote you chose, 'Yesterday, today was tomorrow'. This is really one of the most concise and powerful quotes I have come across." I was indeed a bit flattered by the compliment till he asked me this question - "Whose is it, by the way?" I told him it was mine, I thought of it while in college. He did not believe at first, and kept on insisting that I divulge the name of the real author. When I persisted with my answer and he found honesty in my voice, the admiration in his did not last a moment longer. He said, 'But, somehow, it sounds a bit incomplete,' and went away. Perception - ordinary people cannot write original quotable quotes.

Some years back, a family was visiting us and my mother - in her usual enthusiasm and attention to detail - charted out what to treat them to a week in advance. And in the final, much-modified menu, was something that we all loved - fish chops. There was one more fish item, a curry. When the guests arrived, they refused the fish curry but they had already had the chops. We were told they get nauseatic if they had fish - while mentioning on the same breath that the 'chicken' chops were too good. :)

Let me wind up with something from my stable. When I was very young, there was programme on TV titled 'Hello Zindagi' and Jagjit Singh used to sing the title song for it. Somehow, I did not like the concept of pitting the words Hello and Zindagi against each other. The singer bore the brunt and I did not like any songs that was sung by the legend. This - thankfully - changed when I was in college and I became an avid Jagjit Singh listener.

After this, I normally try to reason out things and not get driven by pre-set notions. But as is the case, mostly our perceptions are formed and stay in the subconscious terrains of our mind.

P.S. - If I were to vote, I'd vote this post as the worst till date, but I am publishing it anyways because I decided not to have a quality check in this blog. If you read my blog, you need to accept my ordinariness and not form any perceptions which are unfounded. :D

7 Sure Signs

I know I am in -

1) Calcutta when I -

• feel happy for no special reason the moment I land.
• overhear a banter or a 'special comment' within an hour of reaching. Hear someone voicing out his support for Bengal and it's heritage - with all examples in past and future tenses.
• start sneezing and have itching eyes, whatever time of the year it is.
• have more sweets in the first few hours than what I had the month before. And by the time I return I have more than what I will have in six months to come.
• go to any random Phuckawala with full confidence that I will return fully satisfied.
• surely get back at least one 25 p coin the first day I go out.
• sweat and acquire that special sooty look on my already-repelling face.

2) Hyderabad when I -

• am making the stupidest comments and cracking poorest jokes imaginable all through the day, only to be replied with some highly competitive ones.
• wonder at the end of every working day what I really did all day in office. My checklist stays unaltered but the calendar keeps moving.
• look the other way when my companions are eating Paanipuri.
• am watching movies at an average rate of 4-5 a month.
• hear the loudest possible songs whenever I step in an auto - the female voice shrieking louder and coarser than you can imagine, the male voice trying to sound cool and putting on a funny accent.
• feel my life is easy - somewhat in tune with my laidback attitude.
• regularly overhear megastar Chiranjeevi is the best of them all, and that all hit Tamil movies are remakes of original Telugu movies, and all Telugu remakes of Tamil movies are better than the original.

3) Chennai when I -

• myself start speaking broken irregular English trying to talk to people when I am out - when I know both of us know we can have a better conversation in Hindi.
• forget the existence of winterwear and feel de-hydrated as long as there is daylight.
• regularly overhear superstar Rajnikanth is the best of them all, and that all hit Telugu movies are remakes of original Tamil movies, and all Tamil remakes of Telugu movies are better than the original.
• meet people from other states who are eye-opening followers of 'eat to live and not live to eat'.
• feel like hitting the driver unconscious and running him over with his own auto whenever I hear the answer to the question 'how much?'
• am made to hear everything Tamil is the best, from the language to the heritage, films to music, actors to singers, food habits (I have actually read in newspaper that idli and curd rice are best foods for breakfast and lunch, respectively and that there is no cuisine in India that is as varied as one that comes out of a Tamil kitchen!!). This reminds me of the actual caption in 'The Hindu' under the photograph of a newly wed Salman Rushdie and Padma Lakshmi. It read something like - 'Newly weds - renowned author Salman Rushdie and supermodel and actress Padma Lakshmi - after their wedding.... Padma Lakshmi grew up as a child in Delhi with her grandparents (so and so) who are now settled in Chennai.' This is what I call drive home a point!!
• forget everything I wrote above when I go to the beach and lose myself to the grandeur of the sea.

4) New York when I -

• sit up all night/sleep on alternate days - and hence, spend the maximum possible time online, on the phone and listening to/researching on music.
• am looking up maps and information regularly - and mostly for that one restaurant with rave reviews. (I missed quite a few, will surely make it next time.)
• am ready to go to Times Square as many times imaginable, the later it is, the better it gets.
• actually like my job.
• and people around me are at their courteous best, and smiling more than ever. Thank you-s when nothing is done, sorry when you have not done anything wrong. :)
• get bored and enjoy to the hilt on the same day.
• am in my best form of generosity - spending and tipping with no second thoughts.

These are what all that came to my mind at the moment of writing. Am sure I missed out on many more points that actually matter more to me than what I wrote.

Body blow - blowing out of proportions

Back in India, I did an assessment of what all tasks I need to be doing. To my surprise, the list turned out to be quite a long one. But topping the list of personal, official and miscellaneous to-dos in big bold letters is something that starts and ends with myself. Well, it is my ever-expanding girth that I am talking of here. All those midnight digs at the tempting ice cream buckets have left an impression on my being. Not to mention the well-researched plans for the weekends, always ending in lavish, multi-course meals. The aftertaste is gone, the after-state remains. The second thing that anyone I met here said, after the usual hi, was 'You have put on so much weight' or the more friendly 'Have you been eating all through your stay?'

So I put across this plan to get back in shape by the end of March. I'd keep the details of the plan to myself for proprietary reasons. But to assure the legions of fans of my magical appetite, cutting down on food has never been in my scheme of things. The eating will continue in the same spirit, would just try to incorporate some healthy habits and exercise in my static routine.

P.S. - The snap is of a typical Friday evening dessert ration, that would be over by the next Wednesday. :)

Adieu

Am leaving for Hyderabad tonight, will be starting in 10 minutes, and happy about it. New York was good, especially during the last one month. Will take over from India.

New! Orkut Video

Orkut is riding the highest wave these days, higher than ever. Have to admit, it's a great site to be in touch with your friends. Even though I joined it in its infancy (yes, long back in 2004), I started using it only since last June. And I have to admit, I am fully hooked into it since. I have never been in regular touch with so many of my friends - and rediscovered long lost ones, too. In the communities' discussion boards, I found a lot to learn and share, especially in the few music communities that I am a part of. A few days back, they added the favourite video section - and I have already added some of my favourite video links from youtube. This now conclusively proves the old-fashioned tastes that I am laughed at for by my friends. If my friends are around, there's always a state of apprehension that I'd start off with one of 'my' songs and bore them to death. I have put up a sample in the videos page for all to concur. :)

All, however, is not good with my aggressive orkut usage. If I were to single out one thing that's not so good, it's the fact that I have wasted so much of my time on this. I know, and can sometimes feel, that my friends get fed up of my nagging presence. I could have done so many productive things if not logged in to orkut for most part of the day - at least I could have started this blog earlier.

Broad Grins on Broadway

The wait was finally over. Yesterday, I finally went for a musical at the Winter Garden theater on Broadway. The wait was long and bred a lot of excitement, research and tentativeness. After a cursory search at the summaries, we had closed in on The Phantom of the Opera and Mamma Mia. Each had rave reviews and has been running for quite sometime now, 18 and 5 years, respectively. Finally we went for Mamma Mia - a musical interspersed with songs of ABBA. Given my idea of English music, it felt great that I had heard 2 of the songs before and could vaguely recall a few more. The music was refreshing, the stage and lights out of this world and choreography superlative. It was not much about acting, and was even overtly dramatic at times, but that's how it went throughout, what it was all about. All in all - complete entertainment, amazingly refreshing. Am a bit heady with about a combined 5 hours of sleep in the last 3 days. Otherwise, this post surely deserves more space.