On the things I cant live without -> For even though I wasnt on the original list; but my love for Obelix (go figure .. her name starts with Z and ends with 'N' and has A/R/E in between) will keep me swallow my attitude
1. My family; who is my biggest anchor and base in life and w/0 whom I am a lost soul
2. Markets; I love them for the pace and the humbling experience it has on one because the saying "you can never beat the markets" is as much applicable to me as it is to Warren Buffet to Steven A Cohen ... err ok another eg is imagine SRK saying that yes he is not the best.
3. Beer; I love the draught and have a blog on it as well; nothing is more tempting than the Q "you fancy a beer?" at 7:30 post the entire hullaboo of the markets
4. Partying; 7 yrs ago I was a man with 2 left shoes; I still am but at least I dont care at all now; from being at a bar in HK called Al's Diner I have been on the pole dance almost every twice a month (fully clothed) to being in a an all night and no holds barred drinking session that is called mini-golf in HK ie you decide on 8 "holes" to go to and there you have to down at least 2 drinks each at each hole; f do in one gulp its a hole in one (kapeesch)
5. My laptop; right from emailing to chatting to dowloading music to orkuting to blogging; I am actually empty w/o the machine
6. Music; I have a good home theater at home but no cable connection; my system works as a music concerto with a full bass and surround sound and there's nothng better than listening to Bach/Metallica/U2/S&G. When I travel I have to be on the iPod else I'd die
7. Speed; I love bikes and I love cars and I love driving; when I go back home I easily do some 400kms at a decent speed in a matter of 3/4 days and I can do more.
8. Food; I love to eat and live to eat; anything which cna be labeled as a delight is more thna readily absorbed; after having lived abroad for just over a yr; my love for anything Indian is at all time high and I actually have eaten more desi food in HK than in my entire stay in Bombay (honest). eggs; anything mom cooked, steaks are all time favorite
9. A reclusive irritant; I love irritating people esp those who hate being irritated; my one liners are the most hated and the most loved depending which side you are at.
10. Traveling; might be as basic as a hike to random driving sessions to theme parks; to bike rides across islands to dirt biking to just being on the beach to sea sports to bungee jumping to sky walking whatever you get the picture
That's it? Unfortunately I have lost my reading habit; I used ot finish a book say about 800/900 pages in a week easily; but have lost it now; hope I regain it at some time.
Cheers!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A Tale of 2 Cities ... Part 1
I love Bombay; Bombay has taught me far more than any other city
There are 3 stages to Bombay
Stage 1 when you are in complete awe of the city ... its glitz, it aura, its pace, its madness, it efficiecny
Stage 2 when you come face to face with abject poverty; people who would work for a few Rs a day and kill for that amt as well (a friend told me "supari" is as cheap as Rs45/person!!)
Stage 3 when you just Thank God above for making you who you are and live on and come to terms with the above to factors and thats what makes Bonbay THE city to live in India
I have seen Bombay thru 3 major calamaties; 2 blasts and 1 monsoon problemWhen blasts happened; the first one was not that bad; it was just 2 blasts; the 2nd one was the series of blasts across Bombay's lifeline ie the local channel; now no one knows this not even my family;
I was supposed to be on the train in the SAME compartment that blew up in Dadar; somehow I met a friend in ton and got delayed; I have carried ppl when they were drenched in blood
During the flooding I have had some 15 ppl staying at a friend's place because no one had anywhere else to go; and then town side was cut from supplies like food and drinkable water; but you know what? People moved and they moved like it was another day and thats what Bombay is all about; Attitude!
I have read columnist write about the insolence and the indifference of a Mumbaikar; I show BOTH my middle fingers to them and raise them as high as the sky because when it mattered these socialites flew off and came back when all was well; I have seen it; have come back home to see my house in a bloody mess my music system rotten out; my TV refusing to work all because the skies above pored way more than needed; but you know what I didnt complain because my neighbours and I took it all and a bottle of vodka to clean it up
Thats Bombay; Fun in Calamity!
And I love her for it
It seriously have been the best of times and the worst of times (how the tale starts in A Tale of 2 Cities) and I have lived Bombay thru both (best and worst) 3 times over and I know I am what I am because Bombay has taught me one thing which I will relish all my life ... resiliance.
I could have written about all the partying I have done; about drinking on my rooftop with a childhood friend till we could not climb down; to all hte pickups I have had and have missed; to all the friends' babies I have held in my hand and felt at peace to all the bustling and moving ppl to the problems one faces during Ganesh Chaturthi; but hey who wants to talk about all that when only 3 events have made me what I am today!
Bombay is one city that I can go back to anytime; I have had a chat with my boss and he knows if he needs someone in India it is ME
I more readily got to Bombay than Delhi (where my family is - and ppl who know me know I love my faimily); but its just that Bombay is what has taught me about life and living it to the fullest; about being tull till 3am and being at work at 7am because it has to be done; about how to manage water during monsoons, abt singing arbit old Hindi songs in the local just because you have heard your dad and mom sing them, to calling friends at 4 am and tell them you love them and expect them to feed you (and they will!)
That's Bombay
Living EVERY moment and making it seem so casual about it.
Next up HK!
There are 3 stages to Bombay
Stage 1 when you are in complete awe of the city ... its glitz, it aura, its pace, its madness, it efficiecny
Stage 2 when you come face to face with abject poverty; people who would work for a few Rs a day and kill for that amt as well (a friend told me "supari" is as cheap as Rs45/person!!)
Stage 3 when you just Thank God above for making you who you are and live on and come to terms with the above to factors and thats what makes Bonbay THE city to live in India
I have seen Bombay thru 3 major calamaties; 2 blasts and 1 monsoon problemWhen blasts happened; the first one was not that bad; it was just 2 blasts; the 2nd one was the series of blasts across Bombay's lifeline ie the local channel; now no one knows this not even my family;
I was supposed to be on the train in the SAME compartment that blew up in Dadar; somehow I met a friend in ton and got delayed; I have carried ppl when they were drenched in blood
During the flooding I have had some 15 ppl staying at a friend's place because no one had anywhere else to go; and then town side was cut from supplies like food and drinkable water; but you know what? People moved and they moved like it was another day and thats what Bombay is all about; Attitude!
I have read columnist write about the insolence and the indifference of a Mumbaikar; I show BOTH my middle fingers to them and raise them as high as the sky because when it mattered these socialites flew off and came back when all was well; I have seen it; have come back home to see my house in a bloody mess my music system rotten out; my TV refusing to work all because the skies above pored way more than needed; but you know what I didnt complain because my neighbours and I took it all and a bottle of vodka to clean it up
Thats Bombay; Fun in Calamity!
And I love her for it
It seriously have been the best of times and the worst of times (how the tale starts in A Tale of 2 Cities) and I have lived Bombay thru both (best and worst) 3 times over and I know I am what I am because Bombay has taught me one thing which I will relish all my life ... resiliance.
I could have written about all the partying I have done; about drinking on my rooftop with a childhood friend till we could not climb down; to all hte pickups I have had and have missed; to all the friends' babies I have held in my hand and felt at peace to all the bustling and moving ppl to the problems one faces during Ganesh Chaturthi; but hey who wants to talk about all that when only 3 events have made me what I am today!
Bombay is one city that I can go back to anytime; I have had a chat with my boss and he knows if he needs someone in India it is ME
I more readily got to Bombay than Delhi (where my family is - and ppl who know me know I love my faimily); but its just that Bombay is what has taught me about life and living it to the fullest; about being tull till 3am and being at work at 7am because it has to be done; about how to manage water during monsoons, abt singing arbit old Hindi songs in the local just because you have heard your dad and mom sing them, to calling friends at 4 am and tell them you love them and expect them to feed you (and they will!)
That's Bombay
Living EVERY moment and making it seem so casual about it.
Next up HK!
Friday, July 13, 2007
The falling $&*^#@! USD
My salary is in USD terms and USD has fallen 15% against the Re
The biggest Fword up (thanks Bullshee) is that my targets are in Euros, so even when we do well we always fall back a bit!
And yeah of course property prices going up means my liabilities go up and the rate of interest is not helping me either
Another bl**dy reason to head back to India
Markets I tell you ... makes me think all this @ 3am on a Sunday when I have just returned froma binge.
I need to get a life now.
Aila.
That will be a hard one; maybe I shuld stop drinking and start behaving more humanly ... or maybe I should just sleep.
The biggest Fword up (thanks Bullshee) is that my targets are in Euros, so even when we do well we always fall back a bit!
And yeah of course property prices going up means my liabilities go up and the rate of interest is not helping me either
Another bl**dy reason to head back to India
Markets I tell you ... makes me think all this @ 3am on a Sunday when I have just returned froma binge.
I need to get a life now.
Aila.
That will be a hard one; maybe I shuld stop drinking and start behaving more humanly ... or maybe I should just sleep.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Bambai nu trip
I love Bombay more than Delhi; I know Delhi is a way better off place ot live in but there is one big thing that Bombay has which Delhi doesnt and thats ATTITUDE
Bombay "is in your face live it like the way you want to as long as you dont step on my shoes and enjoy" attitude which Delhi cant get till now.
So when my boss asked me 10 days back if I would like to go to Bombay on a 4/5 day trip my reply was faster and more sure than had the Q been if I want beer ..
I have loads of friends in Bombay; most of them from the industry, campus and my previous-job and some from my earlier gym
We all converged on Friday and Saturday nights where we partied on both occassions from 7pm and until 1am (Nutty/ZK please note and Zeeks lemme know where and when for the challenge)
It was a great time; after a long time I caught up with old friends and met some of my batchmates from college
Oh yeah and I still own Toto's ... I went there after a yr and those guys remembered me! All of them; I got my favorite seat (well we were 12 of us); the DJ played all my favorite music (One. Yellow, Hysteria, Metallica, Pantera, Dire Straits you name it);
Oh yeah the first thing I did was of course had Chinese (Indian Chinese); I had greasy noodles; really greasy; vada paos and cutting was my usual breakfast (even at the hotel); though I missed out on going to Haji Ali for kebaabs
I also did hte matrmonial thing which Cool Kalra can expand on later; hte madum I had met was quite surprised at my capacity to party; but I htink Goenka and Jess were more surprised that I had got someone to Toto's who didnt drink (well things happen!); to be frank I tried real hard to hook her up with my brother and Cool (I mean biwi nahin to bhabhi sahi; kyun Cool?); on second thought writing all this is spoiling my chances but well dekhte hain
And yeah I did the Bandstand thing as well;
So it was an action packed time; the only thing I wanted to really do but couldnt was stay back in India; I miss it so much. Kya yaar I really feel fukked when I come back; apna des apna des hota hai yaar; kuchch bhi kahin bhi kar lo; but dekhte hain bhagwaan ne chaha to ek aadh saal mein to pukka aa jayenge.
Inshallah
Bombay "is in your face live it like the way you want to as long as you dont step on my shoes and enjoy" attitude which Delhi cant get till now.
So when my boss asked me 10 days back if I would like to go to Bombay on a 4/5 day trip my reply was faster and more sure than had the Q been if I want beer ..
I have loads of friends in Bombay; most of them from the industry, campus and my previous-job and some from my earlier gym
We all converged on Friday and Saturday nights where we partied on both occassions from 7pm and until 1am (Nutty/ZK please note and Zeeks lemme know where and when for the challenge)
It was a great time; after a long time I caught up with old friends and met some of my batchmates from college
Oh yeah and I still own Toto's ... I went there after a yr and those guys remembered me! All of them; I got my favorite seat (well we were 12 of us); the DJ played all my favorite music (One. Yellow, Hysteria, Metallica, Pantera, Dire Straits you name it);
Oh yeah the first thing I did was of course had Chinese (Indian Chinese); I had greasy noodles; really greasy; vada paos and cutting was my usual breakfast (even at the hotel); though I missed out on going to Haji Ali for kebaabs
I also did hte matrmonial thing which Cool Kalra can expand on later; hte madum I had met was quite surprised at my capacity to party; but I htink Goenka and Jess were more surprised that I had got someone to Toto's who didnt drink (well things happen!); to be frank I tried real hard to hook her up with my brother and Cool (I mean biwi nahin to bhabhi sahi; kyun Cool?); on second thought writing all this is spoiling my chances but well dekhte hain
And yeah I did the Bandstand thing as well;
So it was an action packed time; the only thing I wanted to really do but couldnt was stay back in India; I miss it so much. Kya yaar I really feel fukked when I come back; apna des apna des hota hai yaar; kuchch bhi kahin bhi kar lo; but dekhte hain bhagwaan ne chaha to ek aadh saal mein to pukka aa jayenge.
Inshallah
Sunday, July 1, 2007
If lost please call +852 6299 ****
.... so reads the screen on my Blackberry
When my colleagues (who have lived in HK far more than me) would see this screen, they would just shake their head at the faith I maintain in HK populace ie taxi drivers etc; the usual comment would be .. "this message would get your phone back in Tokyo, but not in HK"
Ah well today I beg to disagree; I had just returned with my parents after a decent dinner, so a movie and sleep were the only thing on the mind; so when I get into my flat I am like, oh sh*t; I rush down to the guard room hoping they maintin a log of all taxis (unfortunatley not); but at the same time keep calling the Blackberry (which after 4 rings, the guy managed to switch it off)
But then when I have given up all hopes (and have reported to the police about the loss; in HK you have to report everything that can be linked to you, as lost if you have lost it; else if misused they take you responsible!); the taxi driver calls and returns my phone.
What though I really feared was telling my boss that I needed another replacement .. in the past I have dropped my BBERY in a pool; used it as an ashtray among other things.
Well I was totally surprised and gave him a handsome tip and cmae back up.
Then I sat to think how many times such miracles have happened ie when one has totally given up hope and well things turn out fine. and thus started the arbit thought flow
I was having drinks with a colleague and she said something very deep; she said we all crib (and yes we do), but she just gets up with a feeling that she is so lucky being where she is, doing what she wants and living how she feels like (she can kick my ass on the trading floor, but always gives me a sweet smile, which eases it down) so its not like she is a romatic; but yeah what she says is true.
So henceforth I am being positive; this mobile almost lost has regained my faith in humanity; well sufficiently paid, but so what? Look at the bright side right?
Of course I will still retain the attitude, but yeah will look at the bright side more often. Like am I above avergae in built? Well, not really just well fed; and ZK you are fat not well fed; you are overtly fed. Chaits kuchch sikha usse yaar.
Anyways, I am back in Bombay for 4/5 days; so Cool and Chaits drinks are on!!
Obelix I see you in November for sure.
By the way parents are here so have been watching all the brilliant soft movies of yester years; check them out Golmaal/Chupke Chupke/Jaane bhi do ..../Buddha Mar Gaya/and more.
and guess what is playing on Tuesday night?
When my colleagues (who have lived in HK far more than me) would see this screen, they would just shake their head at the faith I maintain in HK populace ie taxi drivers etc; the usual comment would be .. "this message would get your phone back in Tokyo, but not in HK"
Ah well today I beg to disagree; I had just returned with my parents after a decent dinner, so a movie and sleep were the only thing on the mind; so when I get into my flat I am like, oh sh*t; I rush down to the guard room hoping they maintin a log of all taxis (unfortunatley not); but at the same time keep calling the Blackberry (which after 4 rings, the guy managed to switch it off)
But then when I have given up all hopes (and have reported to the police about the loss; in HK you have to report everything that can be linked to you, as lost if you have lost it; else if misused they take you responsible!); the taxi driver calls and returns my phone.
What though I really feared was telling my boss that I needed another replacement .. in the past I have dropped my BBERY in a pool; used it as an ashtray among other things.
Well I was totally surprised and gave him a handsome tip and cmae back up.
Then I sat to think how many times such miracles have happened ie when one has totally given up hope and well things turn out fine. and thus started the arbit thought flow
I was having drinks with a colleague and she said something very deep; she said we all crib (and yes we do), but she just gets up with a feeling that she is so lucky being where she is, doing what she wants and living how she feels like (she can kick my ass on the trading floor, but always gives me a sweet smile, which eases it down) so its not like she is a romatic; but yeah what she says is true.
So henceforth I am being positive; this mobile almost lost has regained my faith in humanity; well sufficiently paid, but so what? Look at the bright side right?
Of course I will still retain the attitude, but yeah will look at the bright side more often. Like am I above avergae in built? Well, not really just well fed; and ZK you are fat not well fed; you are overtly fed. Chaits kuchch sikha usse yaar.
Anyways, I am back in Bombay for 4/5 days; so Cool and Chaits drinks are on!!
Obelix I see you in November for sure.
By the way parents are here so have been watching all the brilliant soft movies of yester years; check them out Golmaal/Chupke Chupke/Jaane bhi do ..../Buddha Mar Gaya/and more.
and guess what is playing on Tuesday night?
SHOLAY!!!
At my house; so if you read this and are from HK; more than welcome!
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