2013 - What a Year!

2013, what a phenomenal year. I can’t thank GOD enough for this wonderful year. A lot of good and bad things happened this year but definitely, if I recollect what happened this year, it is clear that the good has outnumbered the bad and the ugly.

The year started off on a rough patch and the myth about what happens on the 1st January drifts through the year is so freaking incorrect. This year had a shaky start, but as each month progressed, life was getting better.

Two of my best friends got married. Samantha weds Ozzy and Delwyn weds Upasna were events I experienced what I only read in fairy tales. The parties and the food was exquisite not to forget the location - Goa and the other Dehradun. Managed to even cross out rafting in the Ganges from my bucket list as I invaded the role of an explorer with some of the most awesome people I’ve met. Mad stuff.

My Enfield continues to be my girlfriend and I’ve no regrets about the petrol hikes coz it just doesn’t matter. Like in a Enfield documentary it is said, Once you ride and Enfield, you’re f** for life. You can never ride any other ‘so called’ bike. Oh yeah! I so agree on this one. By the way, I can only ride an old school Enfield. Vintage is the new in, oh wait, it always was.

From a career perspective, it was been a bright year too. Our lunch group is now bigger; the more the merrier and I couldn't agree more. Managed to be loyal to my company for three years in a row and somehow this strangely feels good. I must thank GOD for helping me encounter some of the most creative people here. Photography, glass painting, caricature, animation, writing, audio production etc. you name it, guys out here can are simply the best at what they do. Again awesome!

Relationships. Well, I was never good at them. But you learn best to stand tall only when you fall. Each relationship has taught me to be a better person, to know my priorities, and to be more responsible. It was like an uphill climb for a limbless man, but sometimes all that starts bad may just end up well. My life may just get well, or has it already?

Finally the highlight was Christmas. After receiving some unexpectedly splendid gifts from my secret Santa, who no more is secret, I couldn’t ask for more. Also, got to hang out with my niece and this should continue as we begin 2014. Perfection! So, 2013, thanks for being a great year and making me a better person – each day, each month. 2014, you have a lot of pressure man! Don’t disappoint me…

We March...

Into the light and out of the ruins,
Filth fades; pain wrekced to ashes.

Away from blinding shade, we march-we march for life,
With scars from out past, memories forgotten.

Our hopes shaken; our sins forgiven.
Oh LORD! We thank you for the path our feet tread.

A spotless forthcoming, a future mankind desired,
The birth of dawn; the dust forgotten.

Let's move; let's build,
Leave the past behind; that's where it belongs.

Move, stand, fight - break the shackles,
Begin the leap into the future; march-march-march into the light.

I'm is the 'Grey' is the...

Grey - a decent color, a clever shade, and also something that is deep – grey builds character kinda bakwaas. But, grey is definitely not a good friend if it is summer or a hot day in India (We have glimpses of summer in winter.). Water is a kryptonite for grey and so is sweat. Grey confidently exposes areas where you sweat the most. So, if you aren’t at a gym, there is no point stressing on the fact that you are a hard working individual - kyonki paseena toh fan kay neechay baitheyney see bhi aata hai.

Although grey is my favorite color, here are top three reasons why you shouldn't wear grey.

1. Summer - Sweat - Trouble: The caption sums it all up. You wear grey, the sun its out, you sweat- Kaboom! The grey tee/shirt is soaked to the core. All fine till now, wait, the whole World can see the sweat spots. Shoulders, back, you name it - they can see, it all.

2. Dark Skinned: Ok, not being racist, but dude or woman, avoid grey if you are dark. Just avoid it. There is not point decking yourself up with a lighter shade of what you look like.
Tip: This point can be ignored if grey is your favourite color. Well, I will be; grey is my favourite and I’m dark skinned.

3. Its Already Faded: Whether you like it or not, accept it or not, agree or not, grey is just faded black. So no matter how new a product you buy, you always knew it would look awesome if it were black. So, just buy black naa, why grey?

Ok, this is the end of this post. But the way, never knew wearing a grey shirt can push you to write a blog post. One of those days where I’m able to write on anything. Cool naa?

Coming Soon: Why Wear Grey?

Life

Oh Life...you so simple, yet so complicated,
Oh Life...you so gently, yet so harsh.

The mistakes I made; the roads I trod,
Some flash before my eyes; I struggle to erase the rest.

Oh Life...you so simple, yet so complicated,
Oh Life...you so gently, yet so harsh.

The time gone by; the time yet to come,
I'm a fool; I fail to learn from my mistakes.

Life hold me close; I've begun to fall apart,
Life be my support; I've begun to lose faith.

Oh Life...you so simple, yet so complicated,
Oh Life...you so gently, yet so harsh.

You taught me how to live; I never pushed myself hard enough,
I wish I could mend my ways; I wish I pursued you better.

Now I'm addicted to evil; my decisions mended by my darker side,
Still inside me I wait; I wait for change; I want to see the light.

Oh Life...you so simple, yet so complicated,
Oh Life...you so gently, yet so harsh.

Danke...

Walking side by side,
Smiling faces, tears had to bid adieu…

“You’re so cute “, she said,
And so are you – I replied in my head…

I thank the MAN above,
For the times we had, for the man you shaped me to be…

The alliance far from completion; yet a lot to learn,
An incomplete aid, enormous values to respect…

People meddling their opinion; conscience glaring at me,
All that mattered is You, and that you understood…

I don’t know if you would believe, but you mattered and still do,
So for all the times, and for a better me, I – Thank You…

Negativity

Disclaimer: All the below mentioned words are strictly negative. Any resemblance to living is purely fictional...NOT.

• Waaathah
• Chal nikal
• Ghanta
• Haaaaaaath
• Tera baap
• Bhuugh
• Haan...barabar haah...
• Shaadi mai aaya hai kya?
• Andhaa

Rains

I love the rains. Yes, it's quite a bold statement for a Mumbaikar, but I can't stop loving the rains; even the ones that pour out when you just about to move out. Not that I'm an enemy of a bright sunny day, but you got to accept the rains do bring a smile on our faces. Ironically, winter claims the podium for my favorite season, but rains run quite close to the competition. While winters can give me a pleasant cozy sleep and may even force to go that extra minute or two to rattle in bed, the monsoon succeeds in seducing me to jump-start for long walks as the rain droplets crash my feet. Not to forget, some awesome instrumentals and acoustics songs pampering my ears.

This year the rains are good too. Although mother nature hasn't been gracious to the norther part of India, and I hope she forgives us humans for ruining her over the years, I wish and hope rains ease out in north India and the people reach back home safely. Coming back to central India - Mumbai that is, rains have been good and I'm loving every moment of Mama Nature being kind and showering us with rains. many a times, rains force to stay indoors, but this gives me a time-void to go back in my past and weigh the mistakes I've made and dragged others along and gives me the opportunity to ensure the journey left can be covered better.

Rains, so this was for you. Thank you GOD for showering us with good rains. Hoping everyone is loving the rains. For those driving to work and back home, let's not blame monsoons for the mess we create. For others, try walking in the rains, nothing beats shunning yourself under the umbrella, drowning yourself in some good music and walking.

Disclaimer: Despite walking in ankle deep water, rain on me!

The Pursuit

Justice denied; the lies jab to prevail,
Justice achieved; a SAVIORS care.

A day locked with fury; the unchanging ways of the dejection pursued.
Anger, hatred, disappointment flooded, but mercy prevailing.

No resurrection for the darker side,
No incarnation to the dying side.

Candles burnt at both ends; bridges torn in frustration,
Surrender to HIM; the ways so unchanged; the I in the decision I make.

Heading ahead into the unknown and the mysterious eclipse,
Not knowing what is right; but ABBA I hold YOUR gracious hands.

HIS voice prefaced, HIS grace unleashed,
All the negatives from the closet, buried in the past, choked to chase the life ahead.

Counting the failures, leveling them with desires fulfilled,
Trying hard not to look; failure chasing and the pursuit continues.

Oh FATHER! Increase my trust in thee, these feet walk the unwanted path,
My faith trembles with an ambiance of a thicker grey, yet with YOU I stand.

Awaiting the day of resurrection, the day the desires reject to reincarnate,
The day we are made worth, the day we are cleansed, the day we are made one.

What do you mean?

This happened a few weeks back and I always wanted to say this. So, here it is, loud and clear....hopefully!

It’s a bright Monday morning. I’m early to work and perilously hungry, but something goes terribly wrong…

Calvin: Arey, ek Misal Pav dena.
Raju, man with the dirty plastic glove: Sirhh, abhi tak ‘Pav’ aaya nahi. Thodayeh time maieh ayega. (Yes, South Indian bugga.)

*Beeeeep* I swipe out to go back to my work station. Suddenly I see a man approaching the canteen with a gazillion pavs. I change my destination and follow the man with the pav back to the canteen.

Raju, man with the dirty glove: Arey Pav aaya.
Calvin: (*Screming thought-cloud*) Raaaaaaacissssstttt