Its done. All over

Its all over. Fuck. Double fuck. I'll probably never write another exam in my life. An end of an era. An end of a life lived at NITIE. With the smartest, funnest people I've known. I'm speechless. Words escape me.

We blasted bombs in front of the Dean. Pissed off people. Took pictures inside the exam hall. Applauded the the first guy to leave the exam hall. Beat the daylights out of the guy who came out last. These memories will last forever.





This is end of life at NITIE as I know it.

As the clock ticks

As time flies, I have a few things to say today.

1. Happy Birthday Rajinikanth. The man who rose from being nothing to almost Divine heights. Despite what people have to say, he is certainly an idol. (Not to mention,his younger daughter is very pretty)

2. Telangana : What the hell is happening ? One man doesn't eat and holds a whole Govt to a ransom. Obviously I'm against the splitting of the state, but the violence and bringing the state to a standstill is just uncalled for.
The people in Telangana face a lot of misery, I agree, but the focus should be to bring development to one's own constituency. So the onus I believe lies on the MPs & MLAs of the Telangana region. Making a state for the profit of one party(one man) is stupidity in my opinion. We are not even as big and unmanageable like UP.
Anyway, not like one random blogger is going to make a difference in this world ? Or is he ?

3. We had the last farewell party last night given to us by our ISEM juniors. It was awesomely awesome as I expected. But the card that they made will probably be the toast of the night. This is what I looked in the card. Amazing design guys !

Just another day

Woke up late
Did some crunches
Missed class
Washed clothes
Had a steaming hot bath
Had lunch
Read the Ian Rankin book that I picked up at the Bandra festival
Uploaded photos on Facebook
Looked at other people's photos
Debated about Telangana
Convinced people that it wasn't needed
Played catch with myself in the room
Watched a Telugu movie with a friend
Read some interesting articles

Now I'm wondering what to write about, and so, I'm implementing my formula for Amateur Writer's Block. It says - WRITE ABOUT MUNDANE EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES. Someone will find romance in them.

But I'm also afraid, that if I keep writing about my everyday activities, people will get real bore because most of the stuff is bound to repeat itself. Also they will start thinking that I do not have anything to do at all.

Speaking of something to do, I have exams in a week, 2 tests on Monday. But we all know what I'll do about that. NOTHING.

PS: I leave this place in a fortnight. Not the greatest feeling in the world. Leaving one home for another.

Unpredictability is Fun

Someone just asked me," What will I be ten years from now ? ". Its cool to imagine, what you will be, where you will be, who you will be with and.

But what is this life, if you knew everything right. Its worth the suspense, Unpredictability is fun.

Like that famous song, "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, Que sera sera".

As Copenhagen kicks off

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference kicks off today, most of the world's populace has its eye fixed on Copenhagen.

This is a time for action,for emission cuts to be promised and in the future delivered. We don't need "token goodwill gestures". We can especially understand the plight of the nations closest to the polar ice caps. They will be the first hit. If the entire world doesn't curb their emissions now, we are all doomed.

Just because there is no "Enemy at the Gates" doesn't mean there is no "Clear and Present Danger".

There are some wise guys west of our nation who believe its China & India that need to really hold back on the polluting levels. Sources say China builds a one coal fired plant every week, and we are not far behind. But this is a question I always ask in all our heated debates in class, " What about what they did ?", and the US has the nerve not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Let me at 'em, let me at 'em.

Even at Copenhagen, I'm very sure, they will lobby for their profits, but thats how the cookie crumbles I suppose.
Due to a highly Consumerism driven society, we are consuming at a rate like never before without adequately replenishing nature. Our greed will be our downfall. If we don't do something soon, some species will one day dig out our fossils and study us, like we do the dinosaurs.

Watch this space for more updates as when the news comes along.

Contemporary Bollywood Music & 239 FM

A few years ago, I would not have been quite into Bollywood music. But now thanks a radio station next door, and excessive dependence on the radio on my phone during the tiresome commutes in Bombay, I can brag about a decent amount of knowledge about Contemporary Bollywood Music.

A host of new music directors and changing musical sensibilities have given a fresh new face to the tunes on the air these days. The old ones will not bow that easily too.
Ilayaraja is truly a man blessed by Goddess Saraswathi herself. A.R.Rehman, Oscars and Awards are no measure of his genius. With a lot of free time, I have also found the time to refresh the songs of the 80s which I believe are the true melodies of life, Tamil Music of the 80s and Hindi music of the late 70s, early 80s.

This is a photo of the Radio Station - 239 F(or)M(usic) with RJ Ambu - (click on the pic to see a better resolution or ping me)

My mail to IMPACT 16, my junior committee members

After a truly psychedelic and memorable party, this was a mail that I had sent to them.
________________________________________________________________________________
There are people, and then there are people. For all my lifetime that will follow, there will be a special bunch of 8( ie. Impact 15) and another special bunch of 12 (ie. you guys) that will forever remain stamped in the pages of my life.

I have been frustrated with you all many a time, but you have proved to me that you are a force to reckon with. The energy, the dedication with which you guys work is phenomenal.

Today's party will probably be the last times I will spend with most of you, I'm not much of the sentimental types, but I'd still give all you buggers a super huge hug from my side. It was wonderful for all you guys to come up with the quiz and gifts for all of us.

We will all move on in life, go to various parts of the world, but with us will remain our anecdotes, our memories and our friendships.

May you all go to happy places in life and high places if you choose to do so, happy places obviously are more important. And remember, let the fire within never die.

PS: I like Akshata's status message. It reads - TONIGHT WAS STRAIGHT OUT OF OUR DREAMS.
It really was.

Its Winter again

I love the rains. Undeniably. But season wise, Winter will have to be the winner.

The chill in the air that makes you wanna stay tucked under the blanket for the extra half hour. The nightly walks with the windcheater on. The pleasure of having something warm to gulp. All Winter's delights.

I remember those drives to MGIT on Puppy's bike " Darth Vader". I remember the early morning walks to school before anyone got there and spoilt the silence. The problem with all us imaginative types is that, we have been spoilt rotten. Spoilt rotten by the poems of the British,the movies in New York & the books based in Europe.

This is my second Winter in Bombay and I'm not disappointed at all, it might not be as frigid as I have in other places, but its pleasant and chill enough to make me happy. I got to sit in a seaside cinema, watch theatre, walk by the Arabian Sea, even gulp down some piping hot chai on a early winter morning sitting in a lab while doing an assignment.
Travelling in winter is also a lot of fun, amidst layers of clothing. Atleast it justifies my love for jackets. I will probably get to travel this winter too. So I'm looking forward to that.

Looking to attend the Kutcheri season in Madras, The Annual Reunion in School & New Year's with old friends in Hyderabad, some amazing conversations with Paati in Mysore and roaming around in the AC buses of Bangalore.
There are people who are always associating winter with gray loneliness and misery. But for me, Winter will always be a cosy blanket, more sleep, hot chai, warm rasam rice and Hyderabad all lit up for Christmas and the New year.

Seasons Greetings to all of you !

From Stingy to Splurgy

Well the title quite rightly sums up my spending attitude in the last one month.

Ever since revelation dawned upon me that these might be last few days of "freedom",I have decided to make the most of them.
Eating out at Tam restaurants to Italian Pizzerias.
Visits to the multiplex and theatre.
More frequent use of the rickshaw without thinking too much.

And today, I got me a 1 Terrabyte External HDD. So now, I'll never be lonely. Anyway a few days from now, I'll have my own money to splurge/invest.

The King of all Weekends

Day 1 :
Woke up late as usual. Then went to pick Ma at the airport. Was super excited that she was visiting. Brought her to campus, called my friends over, started intros. Then took her on the Campus tour. Although she didn't complain, she came back and was damn tired.
Guilty as charged ! You can't take a 51 yr old on a mini trek without warning.
Took her to HN in the evening. And then called it a day.

Day 2 :
I hardly slept. Amidst meetings and assignments, I woke up at 330 am, and the both of us left for Dadar. Here it is in Timeline :
5 am -> Sealink
5.15 am -> Siddhivinayak Temple
5.30 am - 6 -> Aarti there
6.30 am -> Mahalaxmi Temple
7.15 am -> Marine Drive & Churchgate
7.30 am -> Fast Local to Andheri
8.30 am -> Chole Bhatura breakfast in the mess
Then we came back to my room and dozed off for a while. We were invited for lunch with some family friends in Santacruz. It was a walk down memory lane, as both familes recollected their stories young parents with little children and how we had all grown up. Awesome lunch followed.
Saturday was done.

Day 3 :
Even before I was awake, Ma had come back from the girls' hostel where she was put up, and started cleaning my room. Mothers will be mothers. Then I gave her a taste of mess food which she liked, like everyone does the first time.
Then we went to HN, where she and a friend of mine went and bought my sister one of those bags that the girls keep carrying around everyday, while I went and got my father a Tshirt.

Then evening came. I went for the Graffiti on T shirts thing that the juniors had planned to kick off the Farewell party, an hour later with my T shirt almost run out of real estate. I headed.
Then came the most difficult part of the day. Picked up her stuff and went to leave Ma at the airport. I had a whale of a time and I'm hoping she did too.

The fun hadn't ended though, came back to have an awesomely awesome farewell party. Tears (not mine), Crazy dancing (definitely me), Videos and lots of other things will remain etched in my memory for a long time to come.

PS: I'm going home soon.

Been here, seen that

In my last one and a half years here in Bombay, I have been through the 26/11 terror attacks, Swine Flu, a near miss cyclone, a couple of horrible movies and the traffic that we hear so much about.

Experiences always educate you. Fear, Courage, Doubt, Trust, Stupidity , Shrewdness. All with fine lines between each other.
I have made great friends, I have also earned my share of criticism.
I have been tactful, I have also been very childish.
I have seen people come together to pray. I have seen people wait together to beat up someone.
I have embraced chaos during trying times. I have experienced serenity in the peace.
I have always tried to be encouraging. I make it a point to be straightforward.
I practise, thus I preach.

Like a friend of mine once told me, " It will always be good eventually. Always. "
Its all about living it up.

Love thy Neighbour

Great news. My neighbour has converted his L'Oreal pre placement interview. So now we will heading to Pune together. Always good to have a known face in an unknown land.

Watched three good new releases -
1. State of Play
2. The Great Raid
3. 500 days of Summer
Now Summer is one movie that most of us will relate to.

Otherwise life is pretty much mundane. Eating out everyday, sleeping for 14 hrs a day. Not doing anything physical. Blogging(now there's something useful).

The weather here is getting super. The mist is really thick in the campus these days and my weird sleep timings help me take full pleasure of the early mornings.
Am I looking forward to moving to Pune ?
Dunno. I have to though. Obviously the purpose of life is to move forward. But there will be a part of me, that will be left behind here. No sadness though.

A Seaside Cinema

After waking up at 3pm, one would think his day most of his day was wasted. But not for me, my day was just getting started.

So after having some biscuits, I caught a bus and made off to Bandra Reclamation to watch two documentaries on Climate Change that were being screened at an open air cinema next to the Arabian Sea. Since I wanted to save some money, I travelled by bus till the destination, resulting in a ten minute delay. So by the time I got there, the first documentary HOME had already started.

The Setting

The Screen on the Reclamation Promenade was chilly and beneath the stars, behind the screen was the Reclamation highway, to the audience's right was the sea and behind us was the spectacular Bandra-Worli Sealink.

The Movies



Home - A movie which shows some scintillating landscapes and scenes. The powerful narrative talks about we have raped our planet. Hats off to Yann Arthus Bertrand.



The Age of Stupid - One movie I thought will never be publicly screened in India. Jumped at the chance. A brilliant movie made by Franny Armstrong. Pete Posthlewaite plays the Archivist in 2050 who asks the all important question - " Why didn't we stop Climate Change when we had the chance ? ". It strings together 6 different stories including India's very own Jeh Wadia's GoAir.

If you get a chance to watch either movie, make sure you grab the oppurtunity.

Thanks to the Celebrate Bandra Festival for giving me this superb experience.

Designer Mug

Designed by yours Truly

Close Shave

It happened at around 7 pm this evening. 2 friends and I were travelling by the famed auto rickshaw on the Western Express Highway.

Out of nowhere, on the flyover that leads to Bandra, the front tyre breaks off leaving the metallic wheel to bounce and this sent the auto cartwheeling upwards. It seemed suspended like that for 2 seconds before it came back down, and the auto driver somehow managed to steer it to the side of the road. Luckily for all of us, there were no speeding vehicles behind us.

Now for the good news, none of us got hurt. I was sitting in front of the meter, so got a whack on the jaw, but nothing else. Close Shave for sure.

Disappointed

Its been a disappointing evening. First the book fair at Bandra turned out to be a damp squib. Looked for some very rare stuff, but couldn't find anything.But the rockbottom prices were amazing though. Picked up something by Ian Rankin, just because I had gone that far

The second disappointment was the Leonids. Waited for the Meteor shower till around 3AM, but despite a sparkling clear sky couldn't see anything move. Spotted a few new constellations though.

It gets harder

I know I'm getting old, but this in insane. I have been finding it increasing difficult to study for an exam. So I face an uphill task now. I have a mid term tomorrow. So you can probably understand my state of mind now.

I will be writing what will hopefully be the last exams of my life, so thats gonna be something I will be looking forward to see the end of. Funnily, most of my creative surges and urges come during those late hours spending mugging from books during the exams. So in a very weird way, they are not too bad for me also.

I think I might even miss the tension of the exams, not that I ever had too much tension, but nevertheless, the blithe of being a student will certainly be missed.

The weather here in Bombay is super by the way, cloudy and pleasant. The mist suspended over the pond makes me smile everytime I look at it. NITIE will be surely be missed. But I have a new city to look forward to, and miles to go before I sleep...

At long last

Yes ! This is a shout out to all those horror movie lovers. Finally a movie called "Paranormal Activity" has just made me sit up and take notice. Thanks to Anirudh for suggesting, so now I'm going to suggest this to you.

Caveat : Do not watch it alone.

Screw IMdb. Screw what the reviews have to say. Watch it and you won't be disappointed.

What else did I do today ? Same old sunday routine. Wake up late. Disappointing Lunch. Two movies in a row. Laundry in between. I have actually discovered that doing my own laundry saves me around Rs.300 a month and whats more my clothes smell better. Went out for dinner with the Mad Scientist. Then it was HORROR MOVIE TIME.

Now its back to same old weekdays, not like they make a difference at NITIE, but nevertheless, they are weekdays. I have "some" classes to attend atleast.

PS: The fan is still possessed. Now I believe it is all the more true after watching PA

Sunday Morning 03:17 hrs

So it is done I guess. Have 35 days left in Bombay, after which I will leave for Home, and when I return for my winter project, it will be with L'Oreal in Pune.

And thats where life is taking me for the next few years. So I plan to soak up as much of this amazing city as I can in the time I have left. Someone told me today that the texture of my writing is changing, that it feels older. I am getting older, not a good sign.

Do I just write or am I what you would call a "writer" ? Many years ago, people would relate to what I wrote, and tell me about how they were going through the same damn thing, and we would laugh about it. Good times.

Now I've become so thoroughly psychotic and weird, that hardly anyone I know would relate to me, but still I manage to hang on to a few friends that I have and fewer readers that are kind enough to visit my humble blog. By the way, for all those of you who feel like total screw ups and colossal failures in life, there is something I'd like to say. I recently read that " a man who has friends cannot be a failure ". I totally concur, obviously if he has even one single friend, he atleast has kindness in him and that will be his light at the end of the tunnel. Everything happens for a reason, that kindness also will help in some way or the other. You'll see. Anyway, I just wanted to say this, not that I'm feeling like a screw up or anything, for anyone who knows me and my narcisstic ways, you will know I don't operate like that.

I'm always conflicted, whether to believe if our path has been pre-written or whether it is a matter of choice and consequence. Cause and Effect as Men of Science would say. But I have no regrets, all the choices I've made, every mistake I've made have lead to the path I'm on right now. I'm sure everyone of you must think the same. Yes, now I have you dear reader, you relate to me now. And let me cast a little spell on you, everytime you think of pre written paths, cause and effect or no regrets, I , Aditya Narayanan will immediately come to your mind.

My fan has been possessed by some demonic spirit and is creaking way too much. I cleaned it a few days ago, cause and effect you think ?!

No, thats just me wondering how I'm ever going to fall asleep.

Anger Management

There seems to be a lot of anger inside of me these days.
I'm angry with those people who are raping this planet, who are just taking and taking and taking without considering what it would mean for their children and grandchildren.
I'm angry that there are hardly any classes these days, my mind needs to be distracted.
I'm angry when weekends come, because its just a whole lot more time to sit and brood.
I'm angry that immaturity exists.
I'm enraged with the month of October, nothing good ever happens to me in this month.
I'm angry that Hypocrisy is becoming a way of life for the generations of today, too much Machiavellianess in them.
I'm angry that single screen theatres are slowly dying out.
I'm angry that I haven't found a Helix in Bombay, I miss those sunday afternoon conversastions.
The only good thing thus far has been my rediscovery of the radio, the best 200 rupees I've spent in the last few months.

Whatever happened to all the optimism !

"Aladin - You Maybe" is playing on the radio

Just Another day in Paradise

Is paradise a physical place or a place in your head ?

I realised amidst the crisp clear of the lake, as an army of bright lights that were flashing past on JVLR as I was sitting on the pavement, that it definitely is a place in my head.

I have also realised that you are respected when you window shop for deep philosophical books even if you are wearing shorts and slippers at Crossword.

I realised that lack of facial hair makes me look like I'm 16. Thankfully, the receding hairline will counter act that soon.

I realised that having a radio station next door is too much fun. Dedications are cool too. Corny but cool.

I have realised for the umpteenth time that movies of the yesteryear are so much more meaningful than the ones they make these days.

Too many realisations for one evening. I realise its time to shut up.

And I'm back...

Woke up.
Had breakfast.
Hopped off to Project Management Class.
Wrote a test.
Screwed the test.
Tried to sneak out of class after giving attendance.
Got caught.
Sat for the next 80 minutes regretting it.
Came back to the room.
Spent some time with a close friend.
Met an injured friend.
Changed into formal clothing.
Went to meet another friend.
Slipped on the stairs near the mess.
Hurt my bottom, shoulder and my left thumb.
Went to get some work done anyway.
Came back.
Slept.
Had dinner.
Went for a meeting.
Sat listening intently.
Got bored.
Came back.
Got shouted at for having bad manners.
Made the people who shouted at me smile anyway.
Got on gtalk.
Had a long "feel good" conversation.
Complained about lack of inspiration.
Realised that blogging makes me feel happy.
Felt hungry.
Ate yummy "digestive" biscuits.
Watched part of a movie.
Blogged.
Happy.
Now 5am : Sleepy.
PS: I'm back

Flawed

I'm not perfect, although I think I am. Let me write this from the point of a realist rather than the idealist that I am.

There are certain qualities about me that some people like, some people hate, I obviously do not have any problem with them. But sometimes when I behave in what has come to be known as "typical adi" over the years, I wonder if it is a good thing or a bad thing.

I can be pigheaded and arrogant and say I'm perfect the way I am and not give a hoot about what people which in most cases is the way to go. But what if there are somethings that really need to be fine tuned. What do you think should I do ? For now I'll go with the flow since I'm at peace with myself.
Here's some more food for thought - Is going with the flow a good policy to follow ?

Is this really March ?

An assignment done, A meeting over, quite some work done.

My wing is almost empty now, the light in the corridor hardly ever works. It adds to the mood in a way. The lights in my room are switched off most of the time.

Arvind loaned me his speakers for the night. Floyd, Metallica, Coldplay are playing at just the right Loud volume. I'm considering including Indipop from the 90s and Ilayaraja in the playlist.

An unusual cool breeze is sweeping across the pond to reach my room, the leaves outside rustle and make a harmony of their own. The moon is peeking through the gap between the leaves. At the distance I can see the Hiranandani skyline beyond Powai Lake. A conversation on Gtalk makes me think and smile.

Not many nights can be spent better than this.

The Midnight's Road

I have often felt midnights. Many at home, and a few on my travels across the country. Now midnights are routine at NITIE. And when things become routine, that is when their beauty is lost.

Notice how I said "felt" midnights in the first line. Yes you actually do more than see things, you feel or experience them. I try to soak in everything and make an experience out of them so that they remain etched in my memory forever. Also I am blessed/cursed with a good memory. Midnights in Hyderabad used to be brilliant, since I stayed a predominantly residential area, you would never hear any noise (except this one prick IT professional who would keep honking to wake his watchman around 1am every night), the roads glistened in the orange haze of the streetlights and there was always a pleasant smell in the air owing to the trees around methinks.

It is the same almost everywhere in India. Midnights or late nights or mornings before the sunrise are truly the best times to actually discover any place in. Bombay after 1am, a brightly lit metropolis with very few cars on the road, the occasional policeman keeping vigil, the chai waala on his cycle and lots of unknown faces tucked under their blankets would sum it up.

NITIE or atleast the area between the hostels always has activity upto 2-3 am atleast, so I think those times have become too routine for me to experience anything serene, but sunrise is usually awesome. 6am and everyone will be asleep, the sun will throw its reflection on the waters of the scanty NITIE pond and air is moist and chilly. The Tea stall outside the Outer Gate is open early and always happy to see a NITIEan up that early. So here's hoping to soak in a few more of those early mornings in NITIE or Hyderabad or wherever life takes me henceforth.

Football, Cafes and a Movie

It started with a small mention of Mumbai FC to Ambujesh. This led to a series of events that has become the most memorable that I will have in a long time.

Two football players - Ambu and Me and Two Basketball players - Chetan and Anirudh left for Cooperage by the 25(bus) after getting done with classes. After a drowsy bus ride, we arrived at the ground 20 minutes into the game between Mumbai FC and Mahindra United. Got decent seats on flimsy stands that seemed like they would crash anytime. But the game was fun in its own way considering it was the first LIVE football match that I watching.

Although it ended in a draw, the game was pretty exciting, Mahindra United hitting the framework with some excellent play from Steven Dias on the right wing. Mumbai FC had a disappointing day although Abel Hammond showed sparks of brilliance time and again.It was fun yelling, clapping and discussing football with strangers.

Then we trotted along to grab a bite at the illustrious Leopold Cafe. After filling our tummies there, we went and sat on Marine Drive and just soaked in the sea breeze. Then it was off for dinner at Sundance.

Anirudh had to get back to college, so we put him on a bus and headed for watching Dev D. Its been long since I reviewed a movie, so here I break the trend. Dev D is old wine served in a spanking, stylised, good looking bottle. Kudos to Anurag Kashyap and his team for serving us with a visually stunning and bold movie. He has ushered in the Bold New Face of Indian Cinema.

From tomorrow its back to work, we are organizing B Cube, an event for MBA aspirants on Sunday. So if you want some gyaan about the various verticals of management, GD/PIs or you just want to win some prizes at the business quiz, come down to NITIE campus.

PS:Things I forgot to mention (which Ani's comment reminded me) - The many cute girls that we saw throughout the day, the tear-jerkingly spicy Hakka Babycorn at Leopold, Ambu's friend Karthik who joined us after work and Anirudh's encounter of the different kind ;) I also ran into a guy from school Prithviraj during the movie

Time has flown by

A good friend sent me a mail which made me smile. So thought, it was a good thing to start my 2009 posts with. So here I am.

A year has flown by since this -
http://adityagn.blogspot.com/2008/01/holiday-to-remember.html

We will hardly remember things we did exactly a year from today, but I think my blog will be a brilliant reminder of where I have been and in a way its a sort of reflection of where I am going.

I'm glad I started this, like the way I'm glad about 99% of the things that have happened to me in my life. Forgive the optimism :)

So January 2009 I have been doing a few events, playing football, quizzing, watching loads of movies, still travelling a wee bit and trying to grasp managerial concepts along the way. But to all those who have made this journey memorable thus far I say, Cheers !