Wayanad - A dream journey!

I’m a big fan of being organized, so when it to our Wayanad trip; I kept telling Sil (the silly girl) the do’s and don’t’s . sure did annoy her. Since she respects me a lot (at least I’d like to think she does) she patiently listened to me.. Told her that I’ll not drive in the night, I’ll not drive if am sleepy, I’ll not drive if am this and I’ll not drive if am that.. lol, basically threw my weight around since I was the only driver, Sil said she’ll come by 6:30-7 in the morning, since I wanted to get out of the city before the peak hour traffic that starts by 8. Asked Sil to wake me up by 6 and she did, she also told me she’ll be slightly late and she will call me when she is leaving home. I took another 5 minute nap, got up, had a nice shower and got ready by 7-7:15. No sign of our madam,

I wondered if she went off to sleep as she had just finished her shift at 4:30 in the morning. Patiently waited and our lady calls by 7:45, says she’ll be there in a bit. I was all set, I was looking at the mirror and I figured that I’d look better with a nice shave, so I called Harish (My beautician) Harish was at his parlor, so I carried my baggage to the parlor had a nice shave and waited for Sil to call, she called and she reached the place (Thankfully).

Sil introduced me to Barath, her friend, we exchanged pleasantries and I got behind the steering wheel and also soon as I drove the first 10 mtrs, I could feel the relief on Barath’s face. He said, ”Sil this is how you should drive”. I smiled and we started to move towards Ulsoor, we were supposed to pick up some girl. So Sil and the other girl started talking on the phone. Sil saying “get ready!” “we’re almost there” “where are you?” and she was telling me to go to the temple at Ulsoor. And I went and parked the car..

Sil asks the girl again “Where are you?”
the girl “in front of the temple”
Sil “come on, we’re just outside the temple and I don’t see you”
The girl “I’m standing right outside the temple”
I intervene “Which temple is she at”
Sil “which temple”
The girl “Subramanya Swamy temple”
I smile “This is perumal temple, we will have to go further ahead”

The girl asked us to come near the bata showroom and we went. I stopped and I adjusted the rear to see if I could see anyone approaching and I could see one stylish girl coming. I told the 2 of them in the car, there she is and I open the hood, started keeping all our luggages in order.

She arrived, Sil introduced her as Sukanya, we all said hello.. kept her luggage and we set out for our trip!

Sukanya and Barath were initially (I repeat INITIALLY) quiet and I was getting bored, Barath was directing me so that we get out of the city asap, it was 8:30 something already. Barath asks, can we stop at MTR and have breakfast? I look at him and think “we’ve not started the trip only and you’re asking for a break!”

I told him, “oh sure! If it’s on the way” rather hesitantly.. thankfully the road was a lil crowded, so we didn’t want to stop anywhere until we reached the outskirts of the city.. Sil slowly said, “Manoj we need to fill fuel” I turn around and give a “can’t-you-do-this-last night” look.. “ I said ok and I said there is a Shell and we’ll stop there”

Reached Shell, filled gasoline, the girls went to the store at the fuel station, picked up snack and came, I asked Sil why didn’t they pick up water and Sil said “oh nooo, the water is manufactured in January!” I gave her a W-T-F look, and I asked “So?” she said noo.. it’s old. We’ll buy it somewhere else.. I asked, oh so you want me to stop again?!? We set out to drive again, we spotted Mc. Donalds’ sign boards indicating the distance, Barath proposed that we stop at MCD and the other to ladies too joined. So we stopped at MCD, they all walked in, I parked the car and followed them, as I walked in, I was told that there was a power cut and MCD did not have a back up! Sad but true! I walked in, washed my face, took a seat and the others went in to freshen up! A while later the guy at the MCD crew told us the power will get restored in 30 mins, I was like F-O-R-K! We walked out, clicked some pictures and back we were on the road..

while talkin something, I commented, since the car is new, the spare tyre is all there right.. Sil says “YES” and after 5 seconds.. “M-a-n-o-j… the stepney is punctured, I drove into a gutter and it tore off the tyre, I didn’t bother to repair it” “though I was irritated, we laughted it off and I started looking for a tyre repair shop” spotted one at a fuel station (Mind you this was our 3rd stop at a fuel station in a span of 90 mins”) I stopped, gave the tyre for repair and we started to wait. Barath was thirsty, he went off to get water and I told him to check the manufacturing date!? Lol..

End of Part - 1..

Appreciate More...!

Before I start, let me admit.. I'm writing this with a lot of agony; it may not really sound like it, but that's the truth. It's sheer agony that tempted me to discuss this "Gesture"

Let's say.. Thank you is not appreciation, it's an expression of Gratitude. So if you're going to say that you express appreciation because you say thank you, I'm sorry! You're disqualified.. :)

Do this... Walk up to some one who really has made your life better (however big or small); could be your mom, father, niece, a good friend and appreciate them, which means, you will tell them about one trait or characteristic of their you really like, tell them why you like it and tell them how amazing it is (For E.g., Hey Mom, I've been noticing your patience with all of us and now after so many years, I realize it's so tough to be so patient and positive, I'm trying to learn this from you, it's amazing)

Now, close your eyes and see how you feel and look at the other person's face..? Feel it? Start from home because that's the most neglected area.. not many of us appreciate our mom's cooking until we start missing it. so, that's a place you could start from. There is also a lil drawback to this gesture, people will think you're flattering them because you need a favor, it's only a temporary thing; with time people will know it's genuine..

Gone are the days when people will feel obligated or will make you feel obligated when you express appreciation. There are have been days when people would think twice before saying something nice about someone but now. It's the time to turn around and express heartfelt appreciation to people who have touched our life in one way or the other.

Appreciation is an excellent win-win situation, the giver and the getter feel brilliant. I felt it after I wrote one of my previous blogs.. "My Inspirations.." (it's quite popular now!) I felt so nice when I published the blog and felt the best everytime someone updated a nice comment!

There were only a few brilliant people I had mentioned about.. but I haven't discussed about a lot of beautiful people, so many of them who have made life so beautiful and memorable.. So many people who have inspired me in so many different ways, I thank them everyday for making my life so cool and enjoyable..! So many marvellous people and I love them all.. :)

For God's sake remember.. "What goes around comes around", so appreciate more.. You'll only feel better if not BEST!

Election 2009 - The Great Indian Drama.

Let me start with a Big Thank You to all of them who made my previous blog so popular and I really appreciate so many comments, made me feel really happy, I must say "Content".. Thanks to the ones who read it without leaving a trail... It was a heart felt blog, now am back with a "mind-feel" :P

It's the time we will see a lot of developments happen @ extreme speed! If you walk out of the house and travel around 4 kms, you should be able to see someone repairing the road or laying new ones! Yes, it's the time for
The Great Indian Elections.


The other day, I was at my sister's school and all of a sudden people started reparing the roads, dug it all out and blocked the traffic (it was a small lane, though) there was confusion for sometime (as always) and then work continued. I was wondering why they started working on that road all of a sudden and then dad uttered the word.. Elections and I ridiculed (as always) "ohhh no wonder"


Ok, let me try to be serious!! Elections is the time for us to voice out! Voice out our opinions, it's time to make a choice.. simple. I see newspapers, actors and the media, almost begging people to vote! Feel digusted! It's your freaking "responsibility" to vote. During elections, people are happy about getting a day off, they sit at home and galavant. And after it's over and some wrong guys comes to power, they'll see him doing all sorts of sh** and then complain about the political system. Whose mistake was it? YOURS! my friend, when you had a choice, you didn't. now SUFFER! simple and easy to understand. No one has to beg you to vote, it's your responsibility for God's sake!


I'm trying to think of 2 sane people who would make a difference with their presence... In

Politics I mean.. :) Since I call this a drama, these men are our heroes!


Dayanidhi Maran - Undoubtedly my favorite, he is smart, educated and he is action-packed (as in he does what he is supposed to do). I wish he stayed longer in his portfolio, we would have gone a long way, I don't mean Raja is bad, but Dayanidhi Maran is the best!
He brought in investments well in excess of $30b for the IT sector alone and set the ball rolling for making India a chip manufacturing hub! not a joke!


His "Vision 2010" is brilliant, realisitic and competitive.


I don't know if he'll contest from Chennai Central and if he will get a ticket from DMK, whatever happens, I wish this guy comes into politics again. There is a lot he can do for the country!!

I see his potential to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at a later stage may be after the time (I'm talking about his time in politics) of Dr.M. Karunanidhi (which will be in less than 5 year), and if only that happens, you can be rest assured that we'll see some great developments.


Dr. HT. Sangliana - A retired Director General of Police (I never liked Cops so much..) with 3 doctorates, I'm sure he is something! A very honest and progressive (I usually don't use these terms for a politician) politician, since I feel they are faaaaar from being honest and progressive, so here is a welcome change.

There is a lot he has done to Bangalore and Karnataka as a cop and a politician, It's a bad idea to write just 1 or 2. however, I admired when his courage to stood up for what is beneficial for the country, even after knowing that it would cost him his relationship with BJP ( which I never liked anyway).. It required a lot of guts to do what he did. Fantastic, I admit..

I would love it if he gets a ticket in Bangalore, if he doesn't he should contest out of Mangalore, may be!

Why Mangalore?

Simple strategy, after what happened there 2 months before, imagine a cop contesting, would that restore people confidence and boost their morale?

The answer is a yes!!


Simply said, this gentleman can deliver, wherever he is, it's only a matter of time.. again, he's an amazing option for The chief minister of Karnataka (quite honestly, The only good option). Strong, Honest, Progressive, EDUCATED (in bold and Caps) and yet Simple.. He's stupendous..

Some really nice news articles about Dr. Sangliana..
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/interview-indian-mp-ht-sangliana

http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/nov/22sang.htm

My Inspiration(s)..

We all have role models (at least most of us do..), the people who inspire us, the ones we want to follow and the ones we want to be. I'm thinking who inspires me the most and from childhood till now, there have been so many people.. I wouldn't do justice if I just wrote about one person. so am gonna think write about a few people who inspired me from time to time, I'll write about teachers, friends, relatives, actor and so on...

Class 4 - I joined a new school since we moved into a new home, nothing registered well until our exams, Quarterly exams ended, the day we were going to get our papers our principal, Mr. N. Vijayan was addressing all of us during our assembly, he first appreciated the ones who did well, then gave a pep talk for the ones who want to top in their classes and then he came to people like me. The BQ! (Bottom Quartile) lol.. He said the ones who have not passed need not take this as a disaster, remember.. "Failures are the stepping stones to success". I didn't really know that I was going to hear this dialogue twice a year for the next 5-6 years but yes, after 2 years, I'd say this dialogue even before he would. After years, I figured the impact it had created. It made us more optimistic, I don't know about other but it mattered at least to me!! so our first person is Mr. N. Vijayan.

Class 5 (I guess) - Back in the I think it was late 80's or early 90's, I was a very passive student (I mean, I was just the opposite of active). Computers were just getting added into our syllabus when a young guy in his early 20's joined school, computer sir!! The school bought a few computers (IBM) and there was separate room with a thermocol ceiling, A/C and so on.. This computer sir, Anand was calm, composed and tech savvy! I still remember the way he used to handle his computer, learning Keyboard shortcuts started with him and it's still continuing. I admired Anand because computers were so freakin new and he already knew how to use it and also trouble shoot! Awesome!! Deep down, I decided, when I grow up, I want to be like him and guess what Dell happened to me when I grew up and I was exactly what I wanted to be. So Anand was my 2nd inspiration... He's now a big brother to me!

Schooling ended at class 10, I was (hehe I'm still) hopeless when it came to Math, So I decided to do something that had nothing to do with Maths! and Hotel Management was a craze back then.. I went to this college, a guy (Andrew Kurien) pitched for this course and I was in complete awe! I came back with only one feeling "This is it, this is where I want to be" so I joined Hotel Management.

Days passed.. people would ask me, "so you are going to be a cook ah?!?"
I'd say... "It's called a Chef"
Then "Yedho Samaiyal Kaaran dhaaney" (Untimately you're a freaking cook right)
It would leave me fuming.. he he!

Andrew was our Vice Principal, a man of class, a well spoken and one hell of a practical man! He'd teach us everything about service, Food, beverage, Wine! You name it! and he'd have that class.. Something not many of them would notice, I'd see what exactly he does and copy it. He liked me for it. I learnt Event Management from him. He was amazing..

College ended, sat home for a few months, then worked at a few places I don't feel like naming... and then I joined Bay Leaf, the owner Arijith Purkoyostho. He was a leather business man who owned a delivery and take away outlet called "Wish a Dish" now he had just started "Bay Leaf". Arijith was a hardcore business man and a nice boss.. It's from him, I learnt how to oversee operations of an outlet, how to react and how not to.. Sometimes he'd walk in quietly, order his food, eat and leave. Next day, he'd call us for a meeting and tell what he did right and what we didn't do right. Extremely sharp observing skill... that's what I learnt from Ari and Vidhu, his better half.

While I was working at Bay Leaf, my sister introduced me to her friend (yes, yes, her BOY FRIEND! and then husband...) Vimal Kumar. Vimal was a Management Graduate, Smart, Talented, Well Read, Tactical, A Good listener and a amazing human being... For the next 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 years, I didn't need to look outside for an inspiration, I admired him as a Financial Planning Advisor at Aviva where he went to become a Sales Manager in just a year or so... and then at Dell as a Team Manager. His strategies were clear, his team loved him, some worshipped him... I still do. His role as a husband was the most challenging and he did a pretty good job... and his role as a dad, It's from him, I learnt how to nurture a baby, he would take care of Aishu better than my sister.. much much better! He'd cook better than anyone I know.. He was flawless (almost)

God took him away from us last year coz he felt he needed Vimal up there as he was such an amazing person, he left behind a lot of amazing memories and lessons which I will never forget..(My eyes are wet, never knew how much I loved him until he was gone)

A few freinds who have inspired me.. Ben, he's smart, quick, analytical and extremely dedicated to his work.. and now also to Dimple!

Hubs, my favorite seller. Hubert is more like a big brother to me. He's charming, well dressed, and is the best balance of mass and class. (only a few will know what am talkin about).

Dinesh, my favorite cousin. Dinesh is one of the most finest executioners, he is street smart, caring and an awesome friend.

Jagz, Jagdish.. A friend, brother and a book of new ideas.. I love his optimism (something we both have in common.. I guess!)

Everytime I ask Jagz how he is and I know his response,
God's been kind brother and he'd smile.
I'd be like WTF, you have so many problems and how could you say it..
and then he'd say Life would be so boring without problems, so it's nice to face difficulties, they make us better people. (to me it was oh-so-philosophical, but he's right..)

Dayal Chithappa, he is now more a friend than a relative but yet another fine administrator. He always liked to be in control. Very dedicated to what he does.. Movies!!

Shashi, I just realized that I've not written about a single lady, no!! no!! no!! don't call me a MCP yet.. there are so many people and here is one fine boss, Shashi was my boss at Dell, she was more a nightmare back then, she was brilliant, analytical, problem solving, attentive and patient (Most of the time).. I learnt "Effectiveness" from Shashi..

Another person, whose name I don't want to mention but was my biggest strength without whom, I'd not exist today. She was caring, patient, concerned, cute, adorable {no marks for guessing that I was (was??) in love with her.. hehe} and selfless (mostly), I learnt how to support one's family from her! She was marvellous..

My blog mates Divya & Rach, they tempt me to write something most of the time. (Rach made me write this one) they are such wonderful souls! we keep gossiping, sharing ideas, read each other's blogs, find faults (most of the time I'm the fault finder, ya am such a ***** he he)

Rajnikanth - Oh am a huge fan of him, I like his movie plots! After Annamalai, every movie had almost a similar screenplay. He is rich, then he loses everything and then he gets everything back. Sanwich Principle? hehe.. but his songs, dialogues, action blocs are awesome. You could only admire his presence on the silver screen and more importantly his simplicity. I thought it was all a publicity gimmick until I saw his wife recently, she uses an Ambassador (Car) too!

Movies - If I write even a 4 liner about each movie that inspired me, I'd end up writing a book! :)

Dad, I saved the best for last.. Dad worked with the railways for 33 years, got out of service now working with NGOs. He writes ( he's written 7 books) ! He sings (1 music album)! He serves (Tsunami relief, free ambulance service, environmental awareness campaigns, you name it! He Inspires!! Love him and respect all the others I've mentioned above!

Cheers! (I learnt to sign off with cheers from Shashi..)

So that's a long essay! but everyone I've written about deserve more than this... I swear!

Life's Tough..

Not many of them know this side of me, I usually don't whine, have always wanted to be like a duck, like how it doesn't show it's struggle under water, above! It looks calm and cool.

I've been quite successful in being the happy me! but guess what am bloody human, I have my downs, and I want to spit it out rather than bottling it up coz it's a mental condition unlike the duck's.

I went for this interview and I badly needed that job!! BADLY! I was told it will have question on business maths, probablity and... something else which I don't even want to remember. I "kinda" prepared! I have this thing about an interview day, I like to be uber-organized, so I was. I reached the venue exactly at the time I was told..

Interview started, a nice lady said something (I didn't pay attention) and gave me the question paper, had 90 mins to finish. I open the paper, I saw stars. It was looking like a class 12 math question paper, I went nuts! ( I scored 41% in maths in class 10 and went on to study hospitality management only because it did not have Mathematics), in the mean time another set of people joined in and the lady gave the same instructions and I could hear so clearly now, don't write on the question paper and I was like sh^&!

I finished in 95 mins, I wasn't even sure if I got even a single answer right but I did something... well actually a lot of things. I quietly asked the lady, "would you be really upset if I wrote on the question paper?" Response, "not at all". At last some relief! She was the perfect HR material!

Then lady asked me to wait at the lounge. I knew I wouldn't get thru!! I so knew, but I waited for the girl to inform me "officially" and she did.

I walked out smiling but I was fuming inside, angry about myself. I wish I studied maths when it was my time to study... back in the days! I never did, now I regret not doing that.. I really do! I always wanted to work for them, I don't know if I will. but I WANT TO!

Then I met a friend for coffee, she is one of those few people I love to confess everythin to.. had a nice chat with her, we spoke for 2 hours, about movies, her life, my life, she called me a chauvinist and I got oh-so-offended but then at the end I felt a lot better after spending time with her..Glad I have such friends...

I later said to myself the same dialogue I tell all my friends when they are going thru a rough patch in life.. "Tough times don't last, Tough people do"

Life's tough, not impossible; not for me!

Beat This!

Once you read this, imagine this happening!

Rakhi Sawant ranting about something on the 15th Feb, says she is totally against something that is on the newspaper, she entertains all of us as she always does.

Then our lead actor picks up the newspaper to see what is in store on the 15th Feb. Reads the headlines "Mutalik Goofs up real big" and there are so many strings of news that explain what happened in various parts of the city, let's take a sneak peek of a few of them..

News 1 - At Mangalore, there was this couple sitting at a pub, the sevaks barge into the pub and demand them to get married, the couple declines saying they cannot get married. The man gets bashed up and then the couple are forced to marry each other. Then the sevaks realize that the girl is the man's elder brother's girl friend.

News 2 - At Mumbai, there is a couple sitting at a posh restaurant, the sevaks get in as usual, the spot a couple and walk towards them, the sevaks realize that it is Saif and Kareena, the sevaks run for their autograph. then they realize that they are here for a different issue but they make some alterations, the let them go after some autographs and pictures.

News 3 - At another city, there is a couple that is exchanging sweet nothings in a car, the sevaks stop them, since they realize that these couple can't be anything close to brother and sister, they get them married, later another set of people come and pick up a fight with the sevaks, reason : this couple were having an extra marital affair and they got these guys together.

News 4 - The Sevaks along with Mr. Mutalik spot a muslim couple, over excited about getting a muslim couple married the hindu way, they just get it done in a matter of seconds before someone could come to support the muslim couple. Then the girl removes her burka, says "sorry papa, I didn't have any other way" and seeks his blessing!

Mutalik faints and wakes up with a MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder) the other personality is our dear Rakhi Sawant who we saw in the first scene!

Mockery of Democracy.

The Mangalore Pub attack has created huge chaos and as always attracted so much media attention. I wonder why there are so many people to say something about the attacks but we still wake up everyday and lead our lives, the difference between the men who attacked the women is.. they woke up one fine day, realized Pub culture is wrong all of a sudden and They did what they did and we all blog about it and get on with our lives. We are lacking ACTION. We're not heading in the right direction as citizens or as human beings. We need to get out of our seats and protest!

If someone does something bad to someone else and we don't react to it, it will be done to us next. It happened in Mangalore, no one except the media is bothered about it; it will happen in Bangalore one fine day. Guess what will happen the next day!

Mr. Yedi will bring in a new law, all pubs in Karnataka will be closed.

Times of India publish about this for the next 5 days will a lot of views of people.

Pubs will eventually open but with very lil support and extremely less occupancy!

That's where we are headed!