Happy New Year, folks!

Off to Pune to welcome the New Year. Time to uncork the bubbly and party! Wish you all a very, very happy and prosperous New Year!!

The year that was

Things sometimes have to get worse before they can get better. I can say the same about 2005. I thought 2004 was the worst year I've ever had, and started 2005 with a lot of hope. And yes, things did get worse before they got better. The monster inside got too big to handle and its was quite a tussle before it could be tamed. But tame it I did, and things just got so much better after that. Better heart, better mind, better outlook, better attitude, better house, better job, better everything... Touch wood! Looking forward to an even better 2006.

Far away, so close

I am listening to one of the best U2 songs ever - Stay (far away, so close). Bono rocks. He was so much better before he became Saint Bono.

I hope I die before I get old

I saw an old man this morning, frail and bent with age, struggling with every step he had to take and shuddered at the thought of being in his place. How long before I get there? 30 years? 40? Sometimes I think that youth is wasted on the young - most of us are stuck with 9-11 jobs that leave little time for anything else. And we seem to forget that we are wasting away our best years in our office cubicles. By 'best' I mean 'physically most able'. The mind may stay young, but the body wont! So wake up folks, get out of your offices at least once in a while to do things that you can do only when you are young. Youth wont last forever. Carpe diem, baby!

The Whiskey Robber

The Whiskey Robber of Hungary, who robbed as many as 29 banks, handed roses to the bank tellers, sent wine to the police chief, inspired a cabaret theatre show, a hit rap number,and was pursued by the Mound of Asshead, is a result for our hunger for Robin Hoods. Even if he didn't rob the rich to give to the poor. And good looks do help, I guess.

A random thought

Time may not be able to erase everything, but it does wipe most of it away.

Hot buttered apple tea

I've walked past Tea Centre at Churchgate so many times, but got a pleasant surprise and great tea when I finally went in yesterday. The selection of teas is just amazing. And the place is quiet,cozy and charming. Just the place to spend hours at with a good book and yummy tea.

The tooth fairy comes calling...

It was the moment I had been dreading - the dentist tapped my tooth and said "It'll have to go!". I felt like my legs had turned into jelly and fought an impulse to run. Now I have an appointment for extracting my wisdom tooth on Friday. God help me!

Of Human Bondage

If you are a book lover, you'd know that pang that one feels upon finishing a good book. And if it is a particularly effective one, its almost a physical pain to put it down. Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham was an exception, I felt so good when I finished it, and putting it down was like saying goodbye to a dear friend you know you're going to meet again very soon. An old friend told me that this was the one book that 'calmed him down'. No wonder.

Old men need to earn their living

These days, I try not to visit The Doors.com. The ads for the remixes put me in a real bad mood. Snoop Dogg on the official website of The Doors? Disgusting! And now Bob Dylan becomes a DJ. But I guess that's better than starring in a Victoria's Secret commercial.

Bangalore

I was in Bangalore yesterday, on my quarterly pilgrimage to Infosys, Wipro etc. Got off the plane to really beautiful weather, open sky and a cool breeze. Bangalore has its own charm, for all its recent troubles - where else can you find roads lined with trees covered in lavender blossoms, and a pub named "The legends of rock" ? Bangalore makes me feel warm inside. If only something could be done about the traffic...

A great day for freedom

Now life devalues day by day
As friends and neighbors turn away
And there's a change that, even with regret, cannot be undone...

Been reading Somerset Maugham's "Of Human Bondage". Floyd goes well with reading.

Working women

After analysing my workout schedule and giving me tips to improve it, fitness expert at my office gym asked me if I sat at the reception. Fortunately for him, I am usually in a good mood while I am working out, so I grimaced and replied that I was into equity research. The guy came pretty close to getting his head bitten off. I mean, C'mon, women are not just secretaries and receptionists anymore. I hope he is one of a dying species that believes so.

Music

I simply cant get along without music everyday. At work, at home, at a party, at a restaurant...I NEED music. And I fail to understand how music is just something to fill spare time for some people.

8 December

Come December 8, it will be 25 years since a crazed fan killed everybody's favourite Beatle. But December 8 also happens to be the birthday of someone who has contributed equally, if not more to music - Jim Morrison. Don't get me wrong, I like Lennon, but I happen to love Morrison. Jim was Dionysus to Lennon's Apollo, dark against light. The light dazzled and burned, while the darkness brought peace and madness.

I might have thrown away my old posters because I don't want to spoil my new wall, but Morrison will always be inside my head. On December 8, while the world is missing John, I'll light a candle for Jim.

Hindi movies

Watched not one but two Hindi movies over the weekend, much to the surprise of the people I know. The first was the utterly stupid Mr. ya Miss. The only thing that cracked me up was the sight of Parvati. Should have given it a miss. Apaharan, was on the other hand, was worth the effort - tightly scripted, fast paced and hard hitting. Ajay Devgan is fabulous. Worth a watch.