Akshay’s blog

The other day we celebrated my dear little nephew's, Aniket Majumdar (Ronny to family..), first birthday.

It is clear that just a year into existence, Ronny has all the ingredients to turn into quite a force as he gets older. Among his achievements at this tender age -

He has mastered the pelvic thrust - Govinda would be proud !...

He has all the makings of an intrepid explorer - He has started walking and has learnt that there are new places to see around every corner.

He dotes on his big sister and wants to do everything she does.. and he's learnt to lose his temper when he doesnt get to mimic her ever action !

Anyway, as far as this li'l kiddo is concerned..three words from Bob Sinclair capture what he's about - 'World, Hold On'..

Happy Birthday Ronny !!

This has been a long time coming..

I'm way behind on a lot i might have wanted to chirp about, but life has been.. well... life - i guess..There have been lows, there have been highs..

I lost my grandfather to a cerebral hemorrhage on the the 10th of December last year - and kinda hit a wall about how i wanted to express myself on this space. There was so much i wanted to say about the man - but i just wasn't sure if anything i said would do justice to the role he played in making me who i am today.. and at the same time i was scared of trivializing (is that even a word..? well, it is now.) anything i said about him.

It was only much later that it dawned on the dense matter between my ears that - me, writing about him in any form, would in no way take away or glorify who he was or what he did.. Achan's legacy lives on through his daughters and his family - the merry band of grandkids included... I figure now that i'll just keep it simple - Achan's leaving us shook me - but to this day, i couldn't be more proud of who he was and what he had done with his life.

There is a lot i've learnt from him and more i wish i could have learnt - but knowing achan, he may have moved on - but i'll bet he's still watching over me and guiding this miguided missile of a grandchild as best he possibly can even now.

Okay - now that ( ^ ) took some doing.. where was i now - ah yes, life .. Life pretty much has been what its known to be, lows and highs.
Lets see me list some of them -
Family:
Since December last year, i've had the chance to spend time with my kid brothers, Akhil and Ashwin.. Meeting Ashwin has not been as much of an event as meeting Akhil was.. Akhil, being based out of Canada - is not someone i get to see very often. Ashwin, studying at VIT is someone i have spent more time with, more often.
Work:
I've been part of a serious change at the workplace which has resulted in me relocating to Mumbai - again. Since relocating, due to complications with housing - i've been in a hotel for over a month and a half now.. hopefully that changes soon enough. Also as a spin off from the 'serious change' at work, my dear dear friend Nikhil Palsule will be leaving for a plum overseas assignment with Ishaan and Surya.. Check their pics out in the photo section.. I'll miss the goof.. but this is something that will hold him in good stead from a career point of view for many years to come.
The NBA:
My Los Angeles Lakers finished the regular season as the Number 1 seed in an ultra-competitive western conference.. Kobe Bryant won his first league MVP award.. In the playoffs, the Lake show shocked most by getting all the way to the NBA Finals - where we had the rebirth of the age-old rivalry Lakers & Celtics ! The Lakers then got smashed by the Celts to give them title number 17..
The IPL:
I went to three T20 games at stadiums (Chepauk, The Wankhede and the D.Y.Patil Stadium) ! My first glimpse of LIVE cricket action ! Awesome. Was at the final as well.. to see the Chennai SuperKings lose the trophy at the very last ball of the match.

I'm drawing blanks now.. but you get the idea.. highs and lows.

This rambling post was largely to announce to those who come by here - that i am indeed alive and kicking.. i've been dormant for a while.. but i expect to change that now.

Be Safe.

I will admit that i'm quite geeky when it comes to technology.. but the other day i saw something that made me do a double take..

you've all heard of remote locking in cars.. have you ever heard of remote locking on bikes ?.. heck have you heard of remote ignition on bikes.. ? If you answered yes to all of those questions.. then obviously this isn't news to you.. but if you are where i'm coming from.. it sounds pretty cool doesn't it ? :-)

anyway, i snapped up a quick vid of this bike..and i'm telling you.. if they've gone this far with tech.. it wont be long before we remotely 'drive' our vehicles around town !.. our own personal 'Bat'-mobiles !

I'm sure most of you know of Microsoft's major game launch last month.. Halo 3.. This is a game that actually out grossed (in sales earnings) the opening weekend earning of major Hollywood movies.. USD 170 million in the opening weekend in the US alone !! And then USD 300 million in the first week sales worldwide..

Much hype.. a sense of anticipation that was compounded by the conclusion of its 'pre'-quel (Halo 2) and some slick marketing saw it become more an event that the game launch that it actually was..

People took to the streets 24 hours before the game launch.. just to get into the queue for the game !!.. the game also saw a new illness come to fore.. many employees missed work because of a strange new illness dubbed 'Halo Flu'.. symptoms included, drowsiness at the work place, fatigue - all largely due to lack of sleep..

yours truly has also obtained his copy of the game.. and i can honestly say that this is a game that has lived up to the hype.. it is worth every penny you pay for it.. (how much you pay for it depends on whether your XBOX 360 is modded or not..and thats largely illegal in most parts of the world..).. a fantastic story where you play as the 'Master Chief' (..a faceless space marine who has made a habit of saving the world..).. killer graphics and really involving gameplay.. I'd give it a 9.5 outta 10.. and that 0.5 is just coz i'm stingy  :-)

Now, onto the point of my post..since the launch of Halo 3, most male gamers have had much trauma trying to make the people around them share the intensity of the emotion which they bring every time they play the game.. and there is one individual who has actually gone on and you-tubed his problems thanks to the game...

naaaahh.. actually he's put together this brilliant piece of work, which is loosely based on an Akon song.. where he totally spoofs the issues most 'intense' Halo 3 gamers have faced.. this is a must watch video..so check it out !

Greetings World !

So i'm back in the land of the living.. back to blogging and relatively well connected to the world wide web..

As i've said before, i'm now based outta chennai and can now claim to be 'almost' settled in to my 'new' surroundings.. Swag and i have taken up a flat on rent in the Kilpauk Garden area of Chennai..about 2.9km from where my folks are at (which in turn is another 2.9km closer to both our workplaces, considering we've stayed with my folks thus far..).

We're still in the process of setting up the house, but we've got the hall, kitchen and dining areas' up and running.. If ever any of y'all are in the neighbourhood over the next two weeks.. come on over.. we could always use manual labour to help around the house :-)

So let me see now... since the last time i posted here.. which was in August sometime (so much for my 4 posts a month :-p).. i've been relocating..which i've told you guys about..i've been jumping between Mumbai and Chennai (on work..ostensibly!) and i've attended the second module of my Compass Navigators program in Khandala..

This module, as was the one before, was again at North Point in Khandala.. and this one was as much fun as the earlier one (albeit without the physical exertion).. The second module was more a test of our mental fitness :-) with the trainers throwing concepts from Coaching and Transactional Analysis at us..

Without cutting into too much detail.. it was without a doubt, the most interesting classroom sessions we've had..from a learning standpoint. Coaching methodology, previously unknown terms like 'Ego States'.. have now become a regular part of  most of our thinking and day to day activity..
As a matter of fact.. these days its practically impossible to conduct a normal conversation without invoking the cardinal lines of coaching.."What do you think you need to do..?".. and "Why do you think thats happening.. ?".. i'm beginning to think that this module may have created a bunch of coach-aholic monsters.. us navigators have ended up using these lines with each other now.. the results are usually quick and particularly violent. the less said the better. :-)

Outside the classroom, we had more than our share of entertainment.. and again.. without too much detail.. our learnings from those interactions were fairly straight forward:
- We discovered that Penicillin comes in two colours - Red & White
- A horse killer a day does NOT keep the doctor away
- Rather, 2 horse killers a day are as good as an invite to keep said doctor as permanent resident wherever you may be
- Washbasins are tremendously undervalued

..and on a more serious note.. - People still do find inspiration and direction from the simplest of places. I'm hoping that one stays true for a long long time to come..

Oh Yeah.. and BIG BIG BIG news people.. the phrase BIG things coming in small packages worked itself again.. my dear dear friend... Nikhil Palsule, is now a father !! Surya and Nikhil had a baby boy - Ishaan on the 6th of September.

I was in Mumbai that week.. and wild horses wouldnt have kept me away from Pune and seeing junior and his folks..
While i'm not one to pinpoint a baby's looks at such an early stage...lets just say that the fact that he looks like his mum.. is working strongly in his favour :-).

Here's wishing li'l Ishaan all the joy, happiness and good fortune that life has to offer !

..and heres wishing the new parents, Surya and Nikhil , all the strength and the patience they will need as they change diapers at 3.a.m. (Couldn't help it.. had to slide that in there !).. honestly, i want to see how Nikhil 'the sunset sleeper' Palsule does on daddy duty.(Just Kidding bro.. I know you'll pull it off with the usual efficiency and panache that is you..)

Hmmm.. other things.. other things.. nothing much else comes to mind now.. just had to get all of that up here for starters.. this will become more regular folks.. stay tuned.. And yeah.. before i switch off.. WGR - Heb een super vakantie!

Later Folks !

'Sup y'all...

 

Its been a long while. I've been kickin' it back here in Chennai for more than a month now.. in the words of a famous philosopher PinkyPachimus - its all good.. :-)

Works been keeping me busy.. but i've managed to touch base with old friends, make new ones.. and catch the odd movie every once in a while..

Movies -  One movie that goes on everyone’s 'must watch list' is Michael Bay's Transformers...

Simply put.. the movie ROCKS.. Without giving too much away.. the movie actually catches people off guard with the humour it brings.. the special effects are stunning... and just a tip  - in the second half of the movie.. make sure you know your autobots from your decepticons.. in some close quarters combat sequences, i've known people to scratch their heads wondering who was fighting who.. The movie is right up there with Die Hard 4.0..which was a fab popcorn action flick.. No more to say without giving stuff away.. so go watch it.. Oh Yeah. and boys.. Megan Fox.. remember that name. :-)

Other than the movies, I've been getting my dose of basketball.. ball happens every Saturday and we've got a good bunch that shows up.. Full court scrimmages are the norm now.. so i can feel my stamina being tested every time i get onto the court.. but considering i'm playing with younger, faster and sometimes stronger kids.. i'm doing pretty okay ! (Cant say the same for 'Partha' though.. he plays like a girl..@ Pach - Yeah.. thats me calling your ass out..)

On the home front.. all i'm doing is just sitting tight and waiting for my wife to join me in September. Swag was here for a bit on 'work'..so we did paint the city purple while we could.. once she gets in for good.. and once i have access to my regular laptop, my appearances here will also improve..

Friends -  The usual bunch.. with one very very pleasant addition.. Apart from the mad bunch of X-Pach, FarahRhea, RheaFarah, Paapa, Dadz, Glen and then some.. My 'quite often distant' kid brother a certain Mr.Jaishankar made his first appearance in my life after i got into Chennai.. Pach, Him, a common friend named Josh and self hooked up last night for a second round of Transformers (it IS that good..) and dinner.. and boy it was fabulous to see him..

J, calling you out bro... i dont want your sorry ass going into hiding again..ya hear ? the 266th Squadron is half all back.. raymond is in town.. the joint is here too, we need biggles back. Its been a while since we were all together in the same place.. i see no reason why we cant relive what i always believed were the glory days.. the basketball, air pistols, the top of salzburg square, home video.. we're all still mad enough bro.. :-)

...Just got quite nostalgic without realising it.. those were some kick-ass times..

Getting back to reality now.. as i often say.. other wise.. alls in the well :-)

Will add some pics to this and the library as soon as i upload them.. yes folks, there are more..

so till next time then..be safe folks.

 

'sup y'all.

after spending the better part of an hour battling the pre-historic keyboard on our computer at home here in chennai... i've finally uploaded the last photographs i took in mumbai.. as well as some of the first ones i've taken after getting into this city..check them out and let me know what you guys think..

am gonna pick some of my fav ones and add them to this post..but if you want ot see them all check the gallery out.

till next time.

 

 

Aloha once again..

Just a quick line to all who dont know.. I am now in Chennai ! Landed here last night and started work today..Net speed at home is not the greatest.. so uploads of the last Mumbai photographs probably will not happen until the weekend ahead.

Chennai.. it will take a bit of getting used to.. the weather, the traffic and the mosquitos !!..(even more of a threat since i seem to be quite the mosquito magnet !!).. but i guess i will come around.. :-)

Swag's not here yet.. she should hopefully join me on a more permanent basis by September. Till then tis upto me to do some spadework and find the both of us reasonable living space to use after she gets here...

Nothing much else to report folks.. Chennai is wet, hot and humid at the same time right now.. but heck, its still home : )

Later.

 

'sup all.

Inevitable..

I will leave mumbai soon enough..

but that doesn't mean that the fun should stop while i'm here now should it !!?

Over the last couple of days I've been meeting with old friends (dayal singh.. apologies mate.. i hope you're doing okay ?), new friends, catching up on movies and wining & dining with colleagues.. so yeah i'm having fun. :-)

and while i've been at it.. my trusty N95 has been with me, capturing most of these moments.. some absolutely random.. and some which i will cherish for a long long time (FMA - Vaaary Nice yes ?)

So.. there are pics to review, should you have the time/inclination.. i have, as usual, let my imagination fly with what i've labeled each.. so enjoy.

On a side note.. one of the movies i watched on the weekend was Die Hard 4.0. Those of you who know me, know that my definition of a good movie is something where a sense of 'paisa vasool' can be had at the end...

Simply from that point of view.. If you haven't seen Die Hard 4.0.. you absolutely should !!

Mr.Willis doesnt try and act like he's still 28.. but still pulls off vintage McClane moments.. and the mix of humour and special effects are really neat.

There is another movie i cant wait to see... 'Transformers'. I've been a childhood fan of this sci-fi ultra-cool-robot-turned-vehicle series (even owned one of them Hasbro toys..) and going from the reviews its getting overseas...i simply cant wait..

Oh yeah, add to the anticipation the fact that my dad is gloating over having seen it in Abu Dhabi already.. AND my cuz in Dubai disowning me for not having seen it yet (Ashwin, its not released this side of the pond yet, cut me some slack !!).. like i said.. I can't wait.

In any case, believe this might be the first BIG flick i end up watching in Chennai.. oh well.. Que Sera Sera.

Later folks. Be Safe.

Aloha all..

After my much needed vent session earlier on the blog.. i've more or less come to terms with the fact that the mumbai chapter of my existence has come to pause at the moment.. unless my life becomes extremely dramatic over the span of the next week.

As most of you will recall, i was expected to leave Mumbai by the 8th of this month.. well that isnt happening.. i will be here at least for another week..

..and much as you would have expected me to be the last person in the world complaining about staying on in this city longer.. it was kinda disappointing to find that out. I guess the build-up and the anticipation had painted a different picture in my head.. and when that went away.. well, lets just say its taking some time getting used to.

Anyway, i should at least know when i'm to be outta here (hopefully) by sometime mid-next week. so i'm making the most of this time by meeting old friends and getting farewells out of the way. (I'm still counting on these meetings being farewells.. next week should clear that up !!)..

Last night i met two of my oldest and dearest friends.. a certain Mr.Ankur Dayal and a certain Mr. Hari Krishnan. These guys worked with me in my previous organization and we've shared some really crazy fun times together.. Actually every time we meet its almost like we simply pick up right where we left off the last time we met !

 

They are both right now battling the demons of their personal lives.. and that was the theme of the evening.. with each engaging in a hilarious show of one-upmanship to show how the women (or lack of..) in their lives are shaping up !!

Regardless of their antics, these guys folks, are probably as solid and dependable..(there is a part of me that choked when i thought of Hari and Dependable in the same sentence..just kidding Mr.Krishnan !!) as they come. Both career men at the moment -

One is in the financial services sector (did well enough at his work last time round to merit an all-expense paid vacation to Greece !)...

One is in the business of Ports and Infrastructure engagement (rumour has it that this particular bloke moves around in a chartered jet..!)

- studs at work..you get the picture right..?

What they lack is sensible women companionship.. and trust me ladies.. its not for want of effort on their part.. (one has had a history of making plays too late - sending chocolates after the ship has sailed.. poor guy !.. and one..well.. one doesnt have much history period).

If there are any pretty single women out there who might want to get to know  them.. catch me here or on orkut and i'd love to introduce you to either or both of the most 'straight from the heart', mad and dear people i know.

Ankur, Hari - take a bow boys, the worlds your stage now !