Up in the Air

710 pm EST, 28 October 2010. A little over an hour left before I touchdown at Newark's Liberty International Airport. I left the San Antonio International Airport at 330 CST, so you do the math on how long I have been on this flight or will be. I look out the window and it has just turned dark outside. The light from the wing of the aircraft has just started flickering. I remember the famous ending line from the movie Up in the Air starring the irresistible George Clooney. "The stars will wheel forth from their daytime hiding places; and one of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over."

I saw the movie a second time this week. The first time I saw it was when I was "up in the air" going from Philadelphia to Frankfurt on my way to India this summer. Nice coincidence, isn't it? I was instantly impressed by it. After all the movie won several oscars, did it not? I'm trying to think what it was about the movie that I liked. I guess there were several things. First of, Ryan Bingham, the protagonist (played by George Clooney), is on the road (or should I say up in the air!) all the time. He has a job firing people (that's the tough part of the movie) and he LOVES TRAVELLING. Ask my wife if that sounds like me.

Numbers mean a lot to him (just like me again, also see my 10/10/10 post). In fact his very GOAL in life is a number. His goal is to accumulate 10 million miles on American Airways and become only the 7th person in the world to do it on any airline. And like all good movies, he does achieve it at the end. The sweetest part is he even uses 1 million of the 10 to send his sister and brother in law on a world tour as it is something that they would have loved to do but don't have the money to. Now, my dear sister in Indiana, I know what you are thinking but as you always say, "pirkaalathula paakalam" (let's see later!).

George Clooney looks great and his acting is top notch. And there is this cute girl (there has to be a cute girl for me to like anything!!!) who plays not the heroine of the film, but Clooney's colleague and whom he mentors and this time for a change I liked the cute girl not because she is cute but there is a certain element of strength in her character. She is a confident career woman who has a failed relationship and a big work idea that blows right in her face but after just a brief emotional burst, she retains her composure and bounces right back into life. She moves on. It's a kind of strength I have grown to admire in people and this character in this movie just brought it home again for me.

And then there are several other things. The movie has all the right elements. Funny moments, sweet gestures, poignant points and outright emotional events. The perfect mix of tones a successful movie must have. But more so the elements I think I have always associated with in life, even some of the moments I have truly lived, so to say. Even as I watched this movie a first time, it brought back to me several memories and associations from my own life. When I watched it the second time this week, I was completely consumed by it and at the end I was awestruck. And now it is clear to me why I like this movie. Up in the Air is so much up my alley ,or should I say, in some ways, Ryan Bingham was so "ME".

The flight attendant just announced that all electronic devices must be shut off and I will do that now. But before I go, I have just one thing to share. I called Continental Airlines yesterday and they told me that this flight I am on today will be the 30th segment I have travelled on their airline this year. And when I land in Newark in a few minutes from now, I will qualify for the Silver Elite status of the their OnePass Miles program. I still have a few miles to go for 10 million. And I will start that journey with my connecting flight to Philadelphia an hour later. But rest assured, Ryan Bingham, here I come.

P.S. Up in the Air just joined my all time favorite English movies after Shall we Dance, Indecent Proposal and School of Rock!

10/10/10

My life is all about numbers. When I have a lot to do, I like to wake up at 345 am. When I have an important email to send I look at the clock at the bottom right of my computer and see what the time is. It's nothing specific but it has to be some interesting combination, like 1234 pm, maybe! It's not just about time. I seem to remember numbers very well, whether it is long account numbers or exit numbers on the highways (what is where?) So when it comes to dates that have interesting combinations, there is no doubt I try to make special meaning from them. Today is 10/10/10 and was certainly a nice Sunday. I learnt how to cook Rava Kesari, went to the temple after a long time, had a good Indian meal and had a good 2 hour afternoon nap. I would have certainly liked to accomplish something more today, but I am happy how the day went. I just remembered that on 09/09/09 I completed my PMP certification. Not a big accomplishment at all, but it was a personal milestone for me because I had 3 weeks to accomplish it between 2 terms of my MBA. And my MBA graduation itself happened exactly one month ago on 09/11/10, which was also my 10th wedding anniversary. Those who follow me on facebook know how much of a super special day that was. Come to think of it, 10 itself is a rather significant number in my life. After all, I was born on the 10th of June. Which is perhaps why 10/10/10 has been intruiging for me for quite a while. I have been thinking all week long that I should make good use of this day and want to make it special in every way. It was, I have to say. And as I sit here in my writing this, just before I go to bed, I am trying to think of one thing I want to leave the day with, like a goal or a message for myself. The first thing that occurs to me is, what can I do to make myself "10 Times Better" in every way. I have to be true and say I would Ten Times the pay, but I guess it is more than money. I want to be 10X better in relationships, I want to be 10X better at my work, I want to be a 10X better husband and a father, I want to be 10X better by health and...
I can go on and on and on but I promised myself I will finish and post this piece at 10 pm and I have only one minute left. If you are reading this, I hope 10/10/10 was as good to me as it was to you and I wish you that life is better 10 times in every way. Have a great day.