sTyLeGuY's R.A.N.D.O.M Thoughts

NIP-2

2006-06-25T03:22:00.000+05:30

The (un)Stability of the Stock Market
The form (!) of Indian Cricket team

The beliefs about someone
The perceptions about something

Neither the agony
Nor the ecstasy

N I P. NIP this time, is not as NIP used to be. NIP holds the most profound statement, the most original thought, the most complicated phenomena, the most basic premise.

`Nothing is Permanent’. Enn Eye Pee .

I have just witnessed how a sudden change of events can result in a total change of life’s dimensions. I’ve navigated from emptiness to overload and from ennui to exhilaration. And the transformation has been rewarding indeed.

I’ve always been the one bugging people for not `being in touch’. I was on the receiving end this time.

I haven’t been a `regular’ blogger in the truest sense, but it felt good to see some concerns being raised over my `non-active’ mode.

My orkut scrapbook invariably had a few scraps every day quoting … “Where are you ? Haven’t heard from you…. Reply back “ And I could not oblige on time.

Priorities altered, schedules varied and perceptions changed. Too much for a change !!

And now, as my two-year roller-coaster MBA ride awaits me… life looks promising… promising to get even busier. ( C’mon, who am I kidding ?? Or am I ? )

However pragmatic we might believe ourselves to be, we always fail to accept changes the way they occur. We think of `reason’ , `rationale’ and `validation’ behind everything that happens to be against our expectations, against our wishes, against our preparedness.

“I object” !!

“Mujhe change chaahiye” !!

NIP :)

2006-05-06T14:23:00.000+05:30

I was thinking about what to write on my blog….then I thought some more…and then I thought some more….but still couldn’t get to a decision. Then I remembered NIP (concept borrowed shamelessly from a fellow blogger). NIP, well…. is NIP…a random collection of thoughts...some randomly chosen words...i.e. Nothing In Particular.

So how have I been over the past month or so ? Relaxed, Cool, Jobless, Romantic, Impatient, Inebriated, Exhilarated, Nostalgic, Funny, Creative, Wistful. Of Course, all of these adjectives did not apply to me together, at any point in time, neither did these states of mind exist continuously. But for sure, in a not-so-long period, I’ve been through various, and widely varying phases of existence.

A meet with a lively bunch of school buddies after 7 years; Mom’s repeated attempts at over-fooding me, which sometimes bordered on irritation (luv u mom :-) ); Countless hours of purposeless window-shopping @ malls with dear ones; Re-reading my favorite books for the n’th time; The uncertainty that comes along with MBA Entrance examinations; The sense of having achieved something, alongwith qualms for what couldn’t be; The pleasure of doing nothing at all the whole day, and knowing that I could have a similar luxury (!) tomorrow; Actually doing nothing at all, but still managing to refuse a visit to uncles/aunts/relatives place on the pretext of being busy. ;) YES, I’ve experienced all of this, and MORE.

Thoughts wander….to bizarre horizons. The brain and the heart entangle in a clash….and then disentangle. Confusions abound….amidst a pronounced clarity of thought. Promises to self, and to others…some meant to be kept, some broken the moment they were pledged. Thinking aloud, and conversations with my conscience. Life keeps me satiated, and leaves me asking for more…

Sounds of Love

2006-04-22T23:40:00.000+05:30

Well, I know I’m not doing justice to my blog…but now on…I’ll try to put up atleast 1 post a week….and further increase the activity…with time. :-)

For now…what I’ve got is a poem….(yes, I can do poetry …a li’l bit)….a poem about love. Had written it long time back…never actually felt like posting it on mah blog. But now, I guess is the time for this one.

So here it is….for all its worth…

If you wish to know how love sounds,
Listen to my heart, listen to its beat.
All the day and all the night,
It says you’re cute, It says you’re sweet.

Description of your beauty would be a pursuit,
Like writing the Bible on a grain of wheat.
Even if the oceans were made my inkwells,
Even if the sky could be used as a sheet.

The birds sing when you enter a garden,
The breeze welcomes and the flowers greet.
Hypnotized by the fragrance of your body,
To form a rainbow the colors meet.

A true pearl may loose its shine,
You’re so pure and you’re so neat
A poet may fall short of words,
You’re so beautiful from head to feet.

I’m proud of you, as the moon, of its luster,
I’m proud of you, as the sun, of its heat.
And I wonder if you look at the sky,
The angels of heaven may offer a treat.

I’ve always had only one desire,
I’ve always had a single wish,
Till the end of this world, or as long as we live,
Together we walk in the love street

A little flowery....you would say....yes, maybe....but it works !! I've got testimonies. ;-)

50 questions !!??!!

2006-04-12T00:54:00.000+05:30

Ahem....it looks like I'm finally arriving on the blogosphere. ;-) I've been tagged (for the first time ever) by Sameera…..and so I've had to answer 50 questions about ME.....

Please read at your own risk.

1. Were you named after anyone?
No. But I’m sure many will be named after me, as a testimony of my great deeds ! (Positive thinking....eh ?)

2. Do you wish on stars?
No. I believe in my self.

3. When did you last cry?
Last week. I saw `Shaadi Se Pehle’. :- ( (It's supposed to be a comedy)

4. Do you like your handwriting?
For sure, I love it. :-) But dunno why all my teachers & friends have kept saying that it sucks big time !!

5. What is your favourite meat?
Am an EGGitarian. No meats.

6. What is your most embarrassing CD on your shelf?
1001 tried, tested and executable steps to gain knowledge of writing succinct, uncomplicated and unfussy English language. (with visual learning aids).

7. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you?
YES….if I (another person) were a guy.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSS….if I (another person) were a gal. :D

8. Are you a daredevil ?
Well…that depends on what the bait is...hehe.

9. How do you release anger?
I write.

10. Where is your second home?
The flat where I used to stay in Pune until Feb. (currently @ home sweet home). But Pune......Rocks !!

11. Do you trust others easily?
I have a knack of judging people very quickly. And never has my sense of trust /distrust failed me….ever.

12. What was your favourite toy(s) as a child?
Eh.. No favourites... As long as I could escape studies...I loved playing anything... !

13. What class in school/college do you think is totally useless?
To my memory, the only classes that have served some purpose in school/college were the ones which sported a god-looking female teacher. ;-)

14. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Oh.. Is it supposed to mean I shouldn't ?

15. Have you ever been in a mosh pit?
Oooops….Who told you about my XLRI Interview ??

16. What do you look for in a girl?
Guts…Wits…and….errr…sTyLe. Though, DISLAIMERS might apply in some exceptional cases.

17. Would you bungee jump?
Yes, I’d love to.

18. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
No. Never. Time is Money fellas ! And I ain’t got enough of either.

19. What's your favourite ice cream?
Depends on who’s paying !!

20. What are your favourite colours?
Blue…all shades….forever.

21. What are your least favourite things?
My textbooks.

22. How many people do you have a crush on right now?
Three and a half.

23. Who do you miss most right now?
Priyanka Chopra. Baby, when are you coming to see me ?

24. What are you listening to right now?
Music.

25. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?
Sky Blue.

26. What is the weather like right now?
Hot , not scorching though !

27. Last person you talked to on the phone?
George Bush…..silly bugger !

28. The "first" thing you notice about the opposite sex?
Their dressing-sense.

29. Do you like the person who sent you this?
I love the way she writes. Yet to know more about her, as a person. :-)

30. How are you today?
Fair, Tall (ok 5’9’’ = not-so-tall) , Handsome….ahem.

31. Favourite non alcoholic drink?
Bournvita Milk @ home (yeah..I still drink Bournvita)

32. Favourite alcoholic drink?
Bacardi White Rum, with chilled Fruity...(Yup ! Try that.)

33. Natural hair colour?
Brownish-Black.

34. Eye colour?
Black.

35. Wear contacts?
No. Hate artificiality.

36. Siblings?
None.

37. Favourite month?
August. Attend a lot of birthday parties in this month…including mine.

38. Favourite food?
Everything home-made. And I Luv Pizzas.

39. Favourite day of the year?
Hmmm... will have to think on this one.. oh.. has to be SunDAY ….without doubt !

40. Have you ever been too shy to ask someone out?
I’m quite choosy when it comes to asking girls out ,& might be considered shy sometimes, for that reason.

41. Scary movies or happy endings?
I like surprises ! Anything unpredictable would do. (No Bollywood love-stories…puhleeez).

42. Summer or winter? Spring or Summer!
Winter. BE COOL.

43. Holi or Diwali?
Holi with friends and Diwali with my family.

44. Do you like your name?
Yes. I do. But dunno why I have a fascination with the name Sameer…..maybe I’ll give that name to my son. (Nooooo, I’m not yet married….and plan to remain sane for another 4-5 years.) :-)

45. What book/magazine are you reading?
Lord Of The Rings…The trilogy (3-in-1 edition). And I’m wondering whether the movies were actually based on this book !!

46. What's on your mouse pad?
MOUSE !! What else ?

47. What did you watch on TV last night?
MTV Immies Music Awards. Loved Cyrus Broacha’s funny, witty comments !! Though he overdoes it sometimes, these days.

48. Favourite Smell ?
HOT chocolate !

And I know everyone loves the smell of wet mud after the first rain of the season, and so do I.

49. Have you ever regretted breaking up with someone?
No. Coz I've always strived for happy endings.

50. Most tiresome thing you’ve ever experienced/done?
CENSORED !

Ok……if you are still reading, you are a helluva gutsy being…for sure. And now, as the ritual goes…

I tag…

Leo Sumit
Nithya

Lifeline of Mumbai–Part 3

2006-03-30T23:54:00.000+05:30

(The readers are advised to also go through the previous 2 posts in this series, to get the best of the latent humor. This post should also make a good, comprehensible read though.)

I had finished all my work in Mumbai, and was enjoying the weekend with S. Went to Juhu Beach, Gateway of India and saw the Elephanta Caves. Also managed to see an eyeful of the BIG B, in person, at his residence. At the end of day, S had to go to Dadar, and I had to come back to A’s flat in Malad.

S : Hope you enjoyed the day.
Me : You bet I did.
S : So, do you like Mumbai ?
Me : Yeah, I seem to like the most of Mumbai. The weather, too, is bearable. But I’m still trying to come to terms with traveling in the Mumbai local trains.
S : Well, local trains are Mumbai’s lifeline, and you just can’t do without them.
Me : Indeed, but tell me, do you travel in local trains often ?
S : Yes, I use local trains to go to office & come back.
Me : Daily ?? Isn’t it difficult to go through the torture, daily.
S : (mockingly) Well, we ladies have a separate compartment for us in the local trains, and you know what, we are much more civilized, than you guys.
Me : (bamboozled) Yeah, whatever. But isn’t it troublesome to buy tickets daily, standing in those lonnnnnng queues ??
S : Dear, there is something by the name of a `Monthly Pass’, which saves the daily travelers the trouble of buying a ticket.
Me : OK. But, be it a Ticket or a Pass, I’ve never ever seen a TC actually checking for them. And anyways, its so crowded out here, that it is just not possible to check for tickets/passes from every passenger, in every local train, on every station, on every day, `at all times’. (me feeling proud for having given a good argument) :-)
S : Yeah, you’re right. But they do have random checks. And if you understand `RANDOM’, you should understand that any without-ticket wallah suffers the risk of getting caught, `at all times’.
Me : `Random’ ..…huh !
S : Anyways, I’m getting late. My hostel warden doesn’t allow entry after 9. I’d better leave.
Me : OK. Tell me, Where do I get a train to Malad ?
S : You’ll have to go to platform 5 for Malad train. And the ticket counter is at the end of this platform. “Get the ticket, and then go.”
Me : OK. I’ll get the ticket. Bye.
S : Bye. (looking somewhat suspicious, leaves)

(I go straight to platform 5, and wait for the right train. The train arrives, I board the train.20 minutes later, I reach Malad station. I get down, and look for the way out of the station.)

A calls on my cellphone : Where are you ? When are you coming ?
Me : I’ve reached Malad station. Will be there in another 10 minutes.
A: OK. Come soon. Dinner’s ready.
Me : Ya, coming…. Bye.

(I’m looking around for my way out, and just then, I saw the EXIT gate. I proceed in that direction. Am about to reach the EXIT gate; bump into a gal who seemed to be in hell of a hurry; my cellphone falls down from my hand. She sped past me, no sorry-vorry. I bend down to pick my cellphone up; I pick it up; I stand upright and find a gentleman wearing a black coat & a badge staring at my face.)

“Chalo, Ticket dikhaaoo”.

Lifeline of Mumbai-Part 2

2006-03-26T01:24:00.000+05:30

I was staying at A’s place. After a tiring day in Mumbai, I returned to A’s flat in late evening. He had just come back from work, and was waiting for me.

A : So, how was the day ?
Me : Hmmm… fine. Am done with almost all the work I had in Mumbai.
A : OK. So where all did you go today ?
Me : Shall we have dinner first ? I’m starving.
A: Yeah OK. But don’t you wanna have a shower first, you look awful.
Me : (frowns) OK. (I go to take a shower)
(10 minutes later)
A: Are you ready for dinner ?
Me : If I don’t get food immediately, my system’s going to crash.
A: OK, come into the kitchen.
(A serves dinner, and I start gobbling)
(5 minutes later)
A: So, tell me, did you enjoy the day ?
Me : (continues eating, no response)
A: Looks like you really are hungry. OK. Have your food, then we’ll talk.
(some time later)
Me : Now, I feel like I’m alive.
A: Hahahaha. Boss… yehi hai Mumbaiyaa life.
Me : (nod) Do you travel by local train to reach your office ?
A: No, I travel by Bus. But why do you ask that ?
Me : Just like that. Actually I traveled in Mumbai locals today, and it has been quite an experience.
A: Why? What happened ?
Me : (Narrated to him `Incident 1’ – [Previous post]).
A : (Laughing) Boss, hota hai, hota hai. Sabke saath hota hai.
Me: You mean, you too, had such experiences !
A : Yeah, everyone has, some time or the other. (appeared to be hiding something. I bet, something verrrry humiliating..)
Me: OK. And you know what, I traveled without ticket from Dadar to Sion & back.
A : What ? Why ?
Me : Arre, it was just a 5 minute journey, and why would I spend 10 minutes in the queue, trying to get a 4 Rs. ticket ? Anyways, what’s the big deal ?
A : Abe Idiot, if the TC had caught you without ticket, he would have fined you Rs. 500. That’s the big deal.
Me : (no answer)
A: You know what, you are an Idiot, an absolute idiot. Without ticket !!
Me: (still clueless) I’m tired. I’m going to sleep.

To be concluded…..

Lifeline of Mumbai–Part 1

2006-03-24T00:17:00.000+05:30

No doubt they are called the lifeline of Mumbai. I would say, they are also the timeline of Mumbai office-goers, students & businessmen. There are soooo manyyyy of them, and they travel thousands of kilometres every day. They work almost 20 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They are fast, frequent, punctual & extremely economical. They have reservations for women (albeit not 33%), for Senior citizens, for milkmen & fish-sellers, and indeed they have a first class.

If you still haven’t guessed, the description & the adjectives are all for the Mumbai Local Trains. For someone who is a Mumbai localite, or has stayed there for some time, it might seem pretty normal & taken-for-granted. But for a newbie like me, traveling in a local train in Mumbai is an altogether different, sometimes complicated & definitely unforgettable experience. The journey, the rush, the train routes, the split second timings & the ultimate result (convenience & time-saving), all of these are simply unbelievable.

I had to go to Mumbai on many occasions in the last 2 months, and I had some very interesting experiences while traveling in Mumbai Local Trains. Some of them are narrated below :

Characters

Me – Me
A & S – My friends who are Mumbai localites
& a surprise entry in the end….

Incident 1 :

One of my first journeys in the local trains.

I got into one already overfull compartment. (All other compartments were ALSO overfull, so didn’t actually have a choice.)

The moment I get hold of the pillar & place a foot on the train, it starts.

30 seconds later : I’m still trying to get my second foot (which is still hanging in air) on a firm base.

45 seconds later : Both my feet are ON the train floor, but I’ve lost hold of the pillar !(which is the very end of the compartment, and I suffer the risk of falling down ).

60 seconds later : The train has caught speed (felt like 60 kph +), and I’ve managed to get hold of a latch, overhead (ya.. with both my feet on terra firma, now..)

90 seconds later : A fellow passenger asks me my destination & I say “Churchgate”. He frowns, and says – “Abe, to yahaan kyo khadaa hai, ander jaa na.” I religiously obey him, and start trying to find a way inside.

2 minutes later : I’m still struggling to get inside, but have made a considerable breakthrough. Am almost halfway !

2.5 minutes later : A station is arriving in 30 seconds and some people are rushing towards the gate (from where I entered). And I … alas ….am in their way.

3 minutes later : The station has come. Some 8-10 people get down. Another 20 hop in. (No matter how many are already stuffed inside a compartment, there’s always space for innumerable people, somehow !). I have been ruthlessly pushed aside, inside, forward and backward & have completely lost control over the movement of my own body ! But, as a result, I have reached the other end of the compartment, & near the second gate from where I have to get down in another 2 minutes or so. Exactly where I am supposed to be !!

Such meticulous passengers & acute logistics management, to be found only & exclusively @ Mumbai Local Trains.…

To be continued……

Eventful !!!

2006-03-23T00:15:00.000+05:30

Haven’t been on the blogosphere for quite some time, and for those who might be interested in knowing what I’ve been up to, this is what transpired in the past 3 months. Pretty eventful, I must say !

1) Travelled approximately 10,000 kilometers in the month of Feb & Mar, resonating between Pune & Indore & Mumbai & Nagpur (8 overnight journeys, 12 journeys by bus, Add to them the extensive local traveling on my bike & travel on mumbai local trains !!)

2) Had a choked & Voiceless throat for 3 days continuously.

3) 4 of my close friends announced that they are getting married, very soon !!

4) Got no calls from the IIM’s this year, despite a 98.96 %ile in CAT.

5) Drove my bike for 250 Kms to attend a friend’s marriage at a suburb.

6) Experienced the `magic’ of traveling in Mumbai’s local trains.

7) Haven’t had a single drop of liquor since December 31. (Now, that’s some achievement !)

8) Watched movies as bad as Teesri Aankh, Jigyaasa and Taxi No 9-2-11 (also some forgettable English flicks on CD’s) on some uneventful days, when I had nothing better to do.

9) Spent the first half of the `Holi’ Day traveling in the train, and the second half, sleeping.

10) Learnt how-&-what-to-talk-to-uncles-&-aunties-to-pass-the-time-on-trains.

F & F

2005-12-04T15:31:00.000+05:30

F & F …… Full & Final ? Free & Fast ? Fun & Food ? Nope, for me.... F & F means.... Friends & Family. These are the two most important building blocks of my life. They have helped me in different capacities, at different times, in different ways. They have acted as my critics, my saviors and as my life support system. They have given me courage in the bad times and have been with me in all my happy moments. I thank the almighty for blessing me with a family that I can be friends with, and with friends who are like a family to me.

My childhood/adolescence has been a mixed bag for me. Though I always had the inherent desire for recognition and accomplishment, I was not much active in my early school days. Later on, after getting encouragement from my buddies, I tried a hand at playing basketball and chess, skating, and participating in various literary activities & competitions. With ample opportunities to hone my talents at school, & later; I have developed to become a versatile, intellectual human being. (ahem... if I may so say !)

My parents have always instilled in me values, which have shown me the way of life. They have helped me get the best out of every accomplishment and also out of every disappointment. Having savored success many a times, and also having overcome the failures I have had, today, I feel proud and contented.

And my F & F have been with me, all through this journey.

I am a person who wants to live the life to its fullest. I’ve never been a bookworm, and I’ve never been a recluse. Neither have I been an extremely happy-go-lucky kinda guy. I’ve always tried to keep a healthy balance amongst my studies, extra-curricular activities, friend circles and other facets of life. And I think of it as an achievement to have been able to get the best from all walks of life, of course with help from my F & F.

Being a Leo, I’ve always been very ambitious and straightforward in life. I do not support mediocrity, and if I take up something, I strive hard to excel. I always put in my best efforts to be the very best in every endeavor I take upon. And sure enough, my F & F always back me up.

They have helped me be, what I am today.

Thanks a lot…F & F. Thanks a lot for everything.

A new era

2005-11-24T14:53:00.000+05:30

CAT is finally over. And thus starts a new era of uncertainty and hopes. The questions like “Will I be able to do well at CAT ?” and “What’s the pattern going to be like, this time ?” have been replaced by “What will be my final score ?” and “Will I be able to clear the cut-offs?” What the heck ?

I express my sincere UN-gratitude towards various MBA coaching Institutions (I need not name them), for utterly confusing, perplexing and mystifying the student community by their UN-mighty take at predicting the likely cut-offs. These people, who sit in their AC cabins to attempt and extrapolate CAT after the actual exam time, leave nothing to chance. Yes, the CAT papers now being available to take-home, there’s no longer the need for the faculty to actually get registered and appear for the CAT. So, I said, they leave nothing to chance…. Who am I kidding ? Such is the variation amongst their solutions and predicted cut-offs that going by the most optimistic cue, I am SURE to get 3-4 calls from the IIM’s, whereas the most conservative estimate could even disallow me a call from the top CAT-allied colleges !! I almost went absolutely crazy !!

But, I have now decided to put an end to all this crap and get geared up for the other exams to come. I guess that would restore some sanity into me. So, here’s hoping that all the guesstimates bring something good in the end of it all. And for now, I am just going to chillax… of course until the actual scores are out, and then…..another era starts…..

Tommorrow comes CAT

2005-11-19T22:49:00.000+05:30

I'm cool, I'm relaxed, I'm prepared, and I'm all geared up. Tommorrow comes the CAT, and indeed a fateful day for me. Don't have much to say (or write rather), but my feelings now are aptly summed up in this poem by Mr. nonedone.

You're Mine

by Nonedone

She looms under the horizon,
It's just about sunrise,
How'd I get myself into this position?
I'm a prisoner of my own device.

But what's done is done,
Egos and hopes battered,
She had me on the run,
And I almost forgot what mattered.

But now it's time to claw back,
To recover potential unfullfilled,
To rise up among the pack,
of hungry pigs all about to be killed.

This time you better run,
This time you better hide,
This Sunday, all will be won!
And this Sunday, you'll be mine, feline!"

Adios fellas.....and beware feline.

9 days since Diwali, 9 to go b4 CAT

2005-11-10T23:21:00.000+05:30

The festive season is finally over. Had enough of Diwali sweets, n get-togethers n other stuff. But I somehow seem to have lost that festive craze, which I used to have a few years ago. Now Diwali seems more like a routine chore, which like other things, will soon be over n gone. I actually don’t enjoy Diwali anymore.

Gone are the days when I used to go mad burning crackers and fighting with my cousins over petty issues. Gone are the days when I used to wait for the Diwali vacations and that wait seemed to be like eternity.Gone are the days when Diwali meant a lot of sweets and gifts and goodies to me.

Now its just another festival, just another day, just another…..Diwali.

I am sure many more share the same feelings. What once used to be a bundle of joys and happiness, suddenly becomes `just another thing’. Why do we start seeking material pleasures and accomplishments rather than those moments of true, unblemished and thoroughly deserved happiness ? Why does `Diwali’ suddenly become `just another festival’ ?

Is it because that there are other means of seeking enjoyment and worldly pleasures (Read Multiplexes, Theme Parks, Clubs etc), which have substituted the traditional ways of seeking happiness and togetherness ? Or is it just that one matures over time and such festivities seem like unnecessary clatter ?

Whatever the reason may be, I have realized that festive occasions like Diwali don’t lure me any more. I have one or the other thing on my mind always, which forbids me from enjoying the true spirit of such occasions. For now, it’s the CAT, which is due after another 9 days. It is like a `do or die’ situation for me. Though there are other exams to come up and even if I crack them, I know its not going to be the same if I don’t do well at CAT.

Expectations……my own, my parents’, my friends’, my ex-colleagues’, a lot of expectations. And I gotta fulfill them all. I am confident enough of my abilities and I am extremely positive that I will do well. But still one question haunts me….. Why does it happen to us that we stop enjoying the good things in life ?
Any answers……….

Believe in yourself

2005-10-30T23:56:00.000+05:30

There are times when I feel sad, low or just generally dissatisfied with whatever is going on. Those are the times when I write some words to liven me up, and make me feel more optimistic about everything around. This poem remains my all-time favourite for such moments….reading it makes me feel much better…..instantly.

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Believe in yourself,
To the depth of your being,
Nourish the talents,
Your spirit is freeing

Know in your heart,
When the going gets slow.
That your faith in yourself,
Will continue to grow.

Don’t forfeit ambitions,
When others may doubt.
It’s your life to live,
So live it throughout.

Learn from your errors,
Don’t dwell in the past.
Never withdraw,
From the world that is vast.

Believe in yourself,
Find the best of you.
Let the spirits prevail,
Steer a course that’s true.

And if you believe,
The world believes in you.

Now is the time

2005-10-25T01:34:00.000+05:30

I’ve gotta make it. Now is the time. I just can’t afford to miss this time. CAT is just round the corner, less than a month to go. And there are other tests in December and January.

I am still not in my best form, got 3 more Mock-Cats to go before D-Day. I’ve left my job in pune and come back to my hometown just to make sure there’s no shortcoming this time. But I often ask myself, “Am I doing justice to my self, my purpose, my dreams ? “. Its quite a bizarre feeling that I have.....

Salaam-Namaste....Pune

2005-10-25T01:17:00.000+05:30

So, here I am, in Pune, all on my own, out to venture a much faster, much more vibrant life. And am I delighted ?

Hmmmm….. pune is a great city to live, study, work, have fun and maybe even settle down. So, having put up at a decent 2BHK flat alongwith a friend’s bro and 4 other guys, who were all pursuing their MBA, I started my marketing diploma classes, which used to be in evenings 6:30 – 9:00. The profs were fine, the batch of 60 (with only 5 gals) had a fine mix of work ex guys, and freshers. Classes continued for a while, and I was getting used to Pune, or rather falling in love with this city. A few days later I realized that I had a lot of spare time, and being in d second week of july, I knew my prep….re-prep rather, for CAT, won’t start until it was mid October. So, I decided….. to take up a job….. at a BPO….. just for fun, at the same time, making some money to help me meet my expenses.

This, irrespective of the fact that I was on the brink of completing the professional course of CS, and was expecting results in a month, after which I would be a qualified professional. Anyways, I was never much interested in that field of work, somehow....

Pune rocks, man !!

On-the-job, Rock-n-roll, IIM-B

2005-10-25T01:16:00.000+05:30

Nonetheless, I went to the venue for interviews for the best BPO in Pune, and guess what… I got selected. And landed up a job in the back-office version, unlike the calling job which I was afraid I would have to go for (I guess bcoz of my strong analytical skills, my commerce background, and my un-neutral voice accent !). I was offered a pay packet which was good enough to satisfy all the needs & wants of a bachelor staying out of his hometown (and would still allow me to save enough for the upcoming exams/forms/coaching expenses)…… whoooooa… what else could I ask for !!

So, …..bang….. I joined work the very next day and started with training. Well.. the campus (Cybercity – Magarpatta city, Hadapsar, Pune) absolutely rocked.The infrastructure, the facilities….. everything was so awesome…mind-boggling. I felt like I was working in US/ UK. I was utterly delighted just to be at the campus, forget working there and getting paid well. I later gathered that these awesome facilities are one of the many measures that BPO’s and IT service organizations are employing, for employee retention.

So things started rolling…. My job continued and I came out with flying colours. Even got the best employee award !! And then….. CAT arrived. I was much better prepared this time…. To bell the CAT (I know that’s clichéd, but ….found no better words). And voila, CAT had a new avataar.. differential marking this time. But I managed to do a decent job. Some more time passed on.. and my job continued…. And CAT scores were out .. I had scored a good overall %ile score…. with pretty much balanced scores in all 3 sections. And then I got a GD/PI call from IIM-B ! I just couldn’t believe my ears when a friend called up and told me the news. I went absolutely crazy !! And this was d one and only call I had got this time, having applied only for 3 major MBA entrance exams (CAT, FMS & XAT). I had to make it.. I started preparing for GDPI, and when it actually happened, I was very much satisfied with my performance. So, I was now a hopeful contender of a seat at IIM Bangalore !

But, as the fate would have had it, I didn’t make it finally, for reasons known only to the respected panelists…... morons.

A decision to take

2005-10-25T01:09:00.000+05:30

Some more time passed, and I gathered that it had been more than an year in pune, and I had just completed 1 year on-the-job. And again, that fateful period had arrived, to re-prepare for CAT and other MBA entrance tests. Now, I had to take a decision. And I finally took it, on a fateful day in September. Yes…. I was going to resign from d job and then planned to come back to my hometown, for dedicated, committed and focused attempt…. my last attempt……. at the CAT .

So, here I am, at my home, in my room, in front of my comp, with study material, newspapers and business mags strewn all around.

I’ve gotta make it. Now is the time. But I often ask myself, “Am I doing justice to my self, my purpose, my dreams ? “ Its quite a bizarre feeling that I have, still.

Miles to go before I sleep

2005-10-18T23:25:00.000+05:30

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep...

The words of Robert Frost (poem - Stopping by woods on a snowy evening).

These beautiful, immortal words really explain the whole purpose of life. Whenever I read this poem, its a different kind of a feeling.

I want to keep going, I have many promises to keep and many duties to fulfill, I have to walk many miles before I finally sleep in God's cradle, from where I came. Till then, I want to just keep walking.......Keep Walking Ahead In Life.......

The origin of styleguy

2005-10-15T01:13:00.000+05:30

I am not a styleguy. I mean…… I am kinda good-lookin, but a styleguy…no. I don’t remember who gave me that name first… some friend of mine, & then suddenly everyone was calling me styleguy. I liked it, and so it continued. Now I seem to like it, a lot. I also had it as my e-mail id for some time, but then some intelligent, knowledgeable dude told me… “It looks so rash n unprofessional..”. Hmmm..I gave it a thought….. for almost 2 months, and then changed my email id to a more professional, sophisticated one. But friends still call me styleguy, and I still seem to like it, and so it still continues, and I still think …. “Am I really so stylish ?”

But it continues.

And so will the writings on this blogspot, no matter what i write or if I laugh at it months later... but the random ramblings shall continue. :-)