Good...

I saw Santa last week! Same day, may be a few hours off...

We don't have a chimney so I don't know how he got in, but he was there. I was awake. Waiting for him, in fact. My son is 11 and still believes in Santa. He'd left milk and cookies for him near the tree with a letter that stated what he would like this year for Christmas and what one calls a powerful close. "I will always believe in you", he said. I wanted to make sure Santa got the message and my son, what he wanted...

The letter must've been last minute, because what Santa brought for him was way off! "I'm not sure he's going to be happy with that", I said. "Forget the milk and the cookies, I know you get that all the time, but read that letter again, especially the close. You have got to do better than that", I urged...

"Hmm, he thought, "What if I gave him a gift card instead? So you can buy him the game he wants", he said. "That could work", I said, "what gift card are you thinking?", I asked. "Oh! It's either Target or Barnes & Noble, I got to stick to Red or Green, you see. Does that work?", he asked me back. "Target could work", I said, "though I have to check their stock to see if they're still carrying the item"...

"You know what, I'll thrown in an extra Barnes and Noble gift card, just for the trouble", he said. "It's no trouble at all Santa, but I would appreciate the extra card. He did get a Nook for his Birthday recently, so he can really use it to get some e-books. And I'd love for him to read books than play games anyway"...

Santa did have an extra B&N card on him but not one for Target, so we agreed that he would order it at Target.com. I asked him to sit down and have the milk and cookies while he did that, so he plopped himself on the couch, pulled out his mobile device (I don't know what they call those at the North Pole) and started his act...

A couple of minutes in, he asked me for my email address and told me he would have to send it to me and asked me if I could forward it to on the little fellow (something to do with not being able to send stuff electornically to children under 18, he mentioned). I agreed and gave him my email address. Ho! Ho! Ho! "That is probably the longest email address I have ever seen", he laughed, even as he hit "Submit"...

He said it usually took a few minutes for the order to be processed and for me to receive the email and I didn't want to let him go till I was sure that I had it in my inbox, so I asked him to sit and chat a while . I pulled out my iPhone, hit the email icon and gently stroked the screen with my thumb in a pull down motion, which is the equivalent of hitting refresh on a browser. It wasn't there yet, so we started talking...

"So how come you didn't bring ME anything?", I asked. "Hmm! That's a good question. Have you been Good this year?", he asked me back. "I can't say I'm perfect, but I try to be Good", I said. "I work hard, I care for my kin and I don't wilfully hurt anyone. Is that Good enough"?...

"Sure is", he said, "and I'm sure you believe in me too, you wouldn't have stayed up otherwise, would you? Well, let's see here. Maybe you never asked me for anything", he said. It made me think for a minute. "It's true Santa, I said, I really don't ask for much from life. But then, isn't just being Good good enough?", I said, even as I kept repeating the pull down motion with my thumb on my iPhone...

This time I think I made Santa think for a minute. "You certainly seem to have the right questions", he said. "But I think you also answered it yourself. You're Good because you want to be Good, not because you want something, right"? I looked hard at Santa, looked down at my phone again, saw the email from Santa drop into my inbox and then looked back at him. "You're right", I said...

I stayed awake a long time after Santa left that night. I've been thinking about what he said all this while. "Been Good" isn't good enough! Being Good is not a means to anything. Being Good is a choice we make, for ourselves...

The New Year is nigh! So like the merry old song says, "Be Good for Goodness' Sake"...

HAPPY 2013 TO ALL...

Seeking a Trend for the End of theYear...

It's that time of the year! 2.5 days to go...

I want to wind down, get some rest and spend some time thinking what I want the next year to be like. Not that I can control how it turns out, but at least sit down and think about what I want to do in 2013...

If this was 2009, I would have made a list of "10 things I want to do in 2010". Considering I still like 2 months of vacation like a school kid, that would amount to an even one milestone a month. Simple...

But I've grown up. I've realised that the longer the list gets, the smaller the chances of me getting anything done. So the last couple of years, I've really been trying to keep it to 2 or 3 things I want to do...

I've still got to account for what all I did in 2012, but one thing I did was read "Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson", cover to cover. Too early to say if I'm inspired, but to say I'm influenced is an understatement...

I was never an adept multi-tasker, but now, I only believe ten times more in doing only a few things but doing them extraordinarily well. In being minimalist, but pure...

No wonder then, that my goal for 2013 has been reduced to ONE! Sitting here the same time next year, I would be happy if I have done ONE THING, and done it well...

No points for guessing what the ONE THING is. I want to Write! Nothing would make me happier than if I can spend every spare moment of 2013, doing the one thing that stirs my soul. Write...

And I don't even want to wait for 2013! I want to Write every spare moment of the next 2 something days. I want to waste no time. I want to warm up. I want to get in the groove...

I'm not even seeking a trend for the end of the year. It's the only way I want to end this year...

Overheard...

In the back seat of a car with a 12, 11 and 10 year old (L to R)...

12: Hey Guys! I got Pokemon White 2 for Christmas.

10: I got an iPod touch and Pokemon White 2.

And the conversation lingers for a while on games, devices and everything under the Christmas tree, until...

12: I am a member on Youtube.

11: Oh! You are?

12: Yes, and I am now an ex-member of the White House.

10: What do you mean ex-member of the White House?

12: Yeah, if Mitt Romney had won, I would've still been a member of the White House, but Obama won, so now I'm an ex-member.

10: That doesn't even make any sense...

12: You know, it would have been so much better if Romney had won.

10: No, it wouldn't! It's actually better that Obama won.

12: No. If Romney had won, there wouldn't be so many homeless people in America.

10: If Romney had won, all the soldiers wouldn't be coming back home for another 5 years. Obama has promised to bring all of them back in the next 2 years.

12: But there's so many homeless people, think about them! Romney was going to give them money so they wouldn't be homeless anymore.

10: Ah! That's so stupid. He can't do that.

11: No 12, what 10 is trying to say is, think about all the soldiers who are far away from their families in places like Afghanistan fighting endless wars and living in dangerous conditions.

10: Yeah! Think about it, they can't even be with their families for Christmas. That sucks.

12: Yeah! But think of all the homeless people who can't even have Christmas because they don't have any money. Haven't you seen all the homeless people in Philadelphia?

10: Listen, no matter what there are always going to be homeless people. There's like a 500 million homeless people all over the USA and you can't prevent that.

11: 10 is right 12, there's always going to be homeless people no matter what. But 10, that's not right, there aren't even a 500 million people in the USA...

10. Yeah, whatever. But there are homeless people all over the world and there are going to be homeless people no matter what, because some people are lazy and stupid and just don't want to work.

12: But Romney would have taken care of that. It's true. He was going to give all the homeless people money so they won't be homeless anymore.

10: Thats not even possible. Even if he wanted to give away that kind of money, he would have to take that money from people us, like in taxes.

12: No. Romney went to the Olympics and all that and he has a lot of money. And he was only going to ask the rich for more taxes. He had a plan for that.

10: I think you are right about that, but that wouldn't solve the homeless problem. Besides I think the soldiers are more important. They're fighting for the country.

Car pulls up a traffic light...

12: No, the homeless are more important. Look at that guy right there, he is homeless and he is begging for money to buy food.

10: No. He probably wants to buy wine or some cheap liquor, whatever...

12: How do you know that?

11: I guess what 10 is trying to say is that all homeless people are not homeless because they lost their jobs, some of them are just lazy and they beg for money to do the wrong things.

12: No that's not true. When Obama was President a 100 people lost jobs while only 25 people got jobs. So that's why there are a lot of homeless people.

10: Listen 12, there are always going to be homeless people but Obama is better for the country right now.

12: No he's not. I myself heard him say that the richer you are the less tax you pay and the lower you earn the more you pay taxes. Did you hear that? The lesser you have the more tax you pay.

10: There's nothing wrong with that. More people want to be rich.

11: Hey, that's not right. But 12, I don't think you heard it right. How can you have less money and pay more taxes. That doesn't sound right.

12: It's true. I heard him say that myself. And that's why I think Romney is better.

10: No way. Obama's better. That's just the way it is. And look who won anyway?

11: (Thinking to himself), Yeah, whatever, I'm Switzerland...

Driver: OK guys, time to get off. Put away your devices and get ready. I'll be back to pick you up in an hour. Stay inside the glass doors and don't come out till you see me pull up...


I wasn't a big fan of this car pool thing as I only have a sedan and had to cram 3 boys in the back seat, but going by what I heard (Overheard), I can't wait to do this again.

Who knows, I may soon know everything I need to about the Fiscal Cliff...

Motion...

This piece is dedicated to Krishnan Nandakumar, Karthik Kumaraswamy, Manikandan Narayanan, Rajsekhar Sastry, Madhusudan Natarajan and Karthik Chandran Krishnamurthy. They all know why...


It was before gravity! It was before Isaac Newton even considered science as an interest and much much before he would be regarded "Sir". It was the when he was a goofy young lad who spent all day dreaming...

One fine sunny day, he rose nice and early. He was excited! He had all day to dream. He stretched his arms, looked out the window and set his thoughts in motion (pun unintended) even as he got out of bed...

"I'll go for a walk today", he told himself and stepped out into the sun. It was a beautiful day indeed. The air was clear, the birds were chirping, you get the picture, don't you? He started treading on the gravel path...

Soon, he was whistling a tune, wishing people around and enjoying himself. No matter what he did, his thoughts never left him. He was wandering alright, but his mind wandered farther than one could imagine...

He passed some fields and then some factories. He climbed some hills and crossed some streams. He looked into the deep blue sky and thought what he alone could think. He thought of things beyond...

Noon came and his shadow shortened. He was not done dreaming but his legs were tired. "I'll rest a while", he said to himself and looked around for a place. In a field beside, he set his sight on a mighty apple tree...

He picked the shade, cleared out the leaves and sat himself on the ground. He wiped his sweat and took a deep breath as he looked around. All was quiet, for it was lunchtime, so he continued to dream in peace...

He felt the pang of hunger himself. Had he known he'd walk this far, he would have packed a lunch. He looked around but found nothing. "I'm in a tough spot. What do I do now?", he continued to think...

And then it happened! Something fell, he felt it hit him and rolled out in front of him. He stopped thinking and started smiling, for he was now staring at a fine, juicy red apple...

He picked up the fruit and cleaned it on his shirt. He bit into it and felt the juice hit his throat. In his sweet relish, he started dreaming again. Even as he munched, his mind was not there, wandering far somewhere...

His apple done, he licked his fingers. He was sated and starting to feel rested. "I'll stay a little longer", he said to himself as he stretched out his legs and started to close his eyes. To dream would now be easier...

He rose with a start! "Was I dreaming?", he thought. He didn't feel well and when he pulled himself up, he could quickly tell what was wrong. He stomach rumbled, he felt it grumble. Lo! it was nature's call...

"Oh my God!", he thought. "Home's too far, but I can't wait that long, now I've got a problem to solve"! He did'nt have to look around, he knew where was. "Oh! There's no place to go", he thought...

And then he had an idea! He looked to check if he was seen and once he sure there was no one around, he took a quick peek behind the apple tree. The pressure was building. Clearly, there was no time to think...

In all these days, in all his dreams, he had never dreamt that it would come to this. Not a moment more to lose, he made himself brave, picked himself up and disappeared behind the mighty old apple tree...


I don't know what happened after so I'll stop here. But whatever it was, I suspect, it must have been a real inspiration to what we know and tell in science today as "Newton's Laws of Motion"...

Grow...

"Dad, look! ToysRUs is back again. And this time, they have BabiesRUs too", said my son. Not long ago, he had also been the first to notice that our friendly neigbourhood ToysRUs had been taken down. It had been, not a mere store, but a landmark, ever since we moved to the US when he was 5 years old...

Ever since he started with the choir last year, we have passed the store at least 4 times a week on the way from home to choir practice and back. So it would have been tough not to notice that the store was gone and was now back. Clearly, ToysRUs had grown, which is why they now had 2 signs in the place of one...

But my son has grown too! Which is why, even though he was the first to notice these events, I can't remember the last time we were in that store. It may have been for his 10th birthday, but I'm not sure. So, when he told me that the store was back, he was just saying it in passing...

There comes a time in every child's life when they outgrow generic toys and move up to specific interests. They start looking for specific stuff that is available only in specific stores which are in specific locations...

Our quest today was for the Green Ninja from LEGO's NinjaGo collection which was available at the LEGO store, located 45 minutes of us, in the King of Prussia Mall, in the adjacent state of Pennsylvania. The real beauty of this lies in the fact that this specific Green Ninja was not available in the LEGO store at the Crabtree Valley Mall, in Raleigh, North Carolina which we visited during the long Labor Day Weekend, where he bought the Ultra Sonic Rider from LEGO's NinjaGo collection, which he had researched on the internet over the last several weeks that we had known that we would be visiting cousins for the holidays...

Come to think of it, he has also been very specific when it comes to his personal needs. His customized sneakers are Reebok's Zigtech, his running shoes are Nike + and when it came time to wear canvas shoes for his tour with the choir, they had to be Adidas. Ditto on the body wash and hair gel brands he uses but if I go as far as mentioning those, he will probably give me his trademark stare and say, "Seriously Dad?"...

School starts tomorrow after the summer break and he starts 5th grade! Before going to bed, he has already laid out the specific t-shirt, shorts and shoes that he will wear for the first day of school. Soon, it will be time to decorate his locker and I am sure he will be very specific about the kinds of things he wants to do that...

And soon after, before we know it, he will turn 11! He has already told me what he wants for his Birthday. An X-Box 360 Console with 250 GB memory, Kinect Compatibility and the Halo Reach game to boot! And a Tron Action Figure if I can throw that in too...

Uncles, Aunts, Grandparents, Friends. Any takers? Just kidding...

Rhythm...

I was wrong about the slow song...

http://lakshminarayanb.blogspot.com/2012/06/lean.html

When you run more and when you run longer, the slow song is actually a boon. It sets the rythm.

It's always nice to start a run with a song that has a good steady beat, because that sets the pace. But when you have the music player on shuffle, it's going to throw you a slow number from time to time. You take it as you get it...

Esepcially when you hit the wall, the slow number can be annoying. You're already in deadbeat mode and your entire body is screaming for you to stop. And along comes this slow song. Hopefully, you are not running uphill at that point...

This is the point where rhythm kicks in. Every song, fast or slow, has a rhtyhm. It may not have heavy or even steady beats that you can pump your feet in line with, but if you listen carefully, even the slow song has a rhythm. And it is right then that you start moving your feet to that rhythm...

You choose the pace. You could take one step to every rhythmic count of the song or you could take two. Of course, if you have hit the wall at this point, more often than not, you are only going to take one. But that in itself can be fun...

Pick up the rhythm of the song and start pumping your feet to it. Keep doing it consciously for a little bit. Soon you will realise you are not just stepping to the beat, you are actually dancing on the road. It seems silly. But take it in, enjoy it. The fun has just begun...

It's good to hit the wall. Especially when you start pushing yourself to run greater distances, the wall is a chance to slow down, take a deep breath, recollect yourself and get ready for the distance ahead. To set the rhythm...

Because, when you hit the homestretch, you have a choice. If the music stays slow, the rhythm will guide you. Or if the music picks up pace, you can kick it up a notch too...

I love you Usain Bolt. I can't stop watching the replays of your 100, 200 and 4 x 100 relay at London 2012. I especially love the way you do the cross, kiss your finger and then threaten God before every single race...

But Life is a Marathon. And to Keep Running, You need Rhythm...

Games, Glory & Gold...

The Games are over! But one Gold Medal still remains to be given. Not the one that was stripped from the dope-infested shot-putter from Belarus, but one that is given for a numbers game played outside the arena, outside the host nation even. But the game itself, is all about the host nation, in this year's case, Great Britain.

Every 4 years, just before the Olympic Games is held, Economists, Statisticians and independent researchers the world over try to predict the number of medals and gold in particular, that the host nation will win. It never ceases to amaze people in these professions how the host nation always ends up winning more medals than they have in the recent past or sometimes, even more than they have ever won before at the games.

The game was on this time too. Participants included big consulting firms like Price Waterhouse Cooper's to academicians / students in reputed universities to independent candidates in lesser known nations. But no prizes for guessing which country wins the Gold Medal on this game, yet again. It doesn't do anything to affect their overall ranking, the United States will still stay at the top of the table.

The significance of this Gold Medal is no less than any other, for Emily Williams, researcher at the Tuck School of Business at the Dartmouth University in New Hampshire, USA. Emily predicted that Great Britain will win a total of 62 medals of which 25 would be Gold and in actual, the host nation closed the overall medal tally at the London 2012 Olympics with 65 medals overall of which 29 were Gold.

Having done this 2 times in a row (she had the closest prediction for China at Beijing in 2008 too), she joins the Elite Club of greats to have done this, like the magnificient Michael Phelps and the unstoppable Usain Bolt...

Congratulations Emily Williams! And Good luck for a Hat-trick in 2016 at Buenos Aires...

No Malice...

The northern sun was setting! The crowds still thronged what looked like Main Street. They seemed to be enjoying the shopping, the casual evening walk or the parties that would go late into the night. Ottawa in summer was a fun city...

I was the odd one! I always am. I had an early dinner and was walking back to my hotel. My laggard pace suggested I didn't have much to do that night. Time stood still for me. I was truly matching pace with the large group of senior citizens from the US that were on a tour of Ottawa. Their day was done, as was mine, and they crossed the street in pairs, some holding hands, others not, to get to the huge bus that was waiting to ferry them to their quarters for the night. They were probably headed to other exciting places the next day, but they were done for today. I walked down Main Street (or up, I can't really say), soaking in the sights, enjoying the nothingness...

I felt like coffee! I was assuredly several thousand (or at least a few hundred) miles away from my favorite South Indian Filter Coffee, so I settled for second best, Starbucks. I have to grant, Starbucks is my favorite American brand, not just coffee. Actually, it's not even the coffee. A lot of people say, it is overpriced, unprintable whatever. But I like Starbucks. I like their stores, the couches, the free wi-fi and the fact that I can lounge there forever having just bought one tall latte for a little over $3 (the $ goes even further in Canada)! I love their cups, especially when they turn a beautiful red during the holiday season. But what I love most is that cup in my right hand as I wade through the streets at my own sweet pace. A sip every now and then that matches the rhythm of my walk. The something that fills my nothing...

I saw the sign! I had walked only a few blocks and there it was, in a shopping mall, overlooking the street, but with the entrance inside the mall. I stepped inside through the huge revolving doors and got in the store. This time I was not alone. Many Canadians seemed to like a coffee at that time of the day or were they a multi-cultural mix of people from different parts of the world, all arrived on their bus tours! Whatever it was, I fell in line, a long one at that and moving slowly too. Nothingness filled the store...

I saw her when I was fifth in line! She was the only one at the register, which explains why the line was moving slowly, and she was doing her best being efficient in taking the orders, punching them in the computer, collecting the payment, providing the receipt while ensuring with her words that she had taken total care of that customer. Thanks to technology, she didn't have to shout out the orders to the back office, the 2 others who made and served the coffee, or else, got their orders from another computer (or so it seemed). I took one step forward as the one customer collected his receipt and moved over to pick up his drink. I now faced her fully and for one brief moment, our eyes met. The smile was fixed on her face so I was sure that was not meant for me especially, but just as she wrapped another order, our eyes met again, this time, just a moment longer. Something instantly crossed my mind...

I was next up! I moved up to the register and stood facing her, one foot and a half of table space between. "Hi, Good Evening, welcome to Starbucks, what can I get for you today?", she said. "One tall latte", I said and briefly looked over the glass containers that held the pastries. "Everything looks good, but I think I'll just have the coffee", I said, even as I faced her smile again. "Could you add an extra shot please", I added. "Extra shot? Sure", she said and, "one tall latte with an extra shot", she repeated as she punched it in the computer. That would be $3.43, she said, "would you like a receipt"? "Yes, thank you", I said (I was travelling on work and this was a billable expense). I slowly reached to the back of my trouser and into the right pocket for my wallet. I opened it and then considered whether I should pay by cash or card. The line was still building behind me, so I had to make my choice and I pulled out my credit card reluctantly. She received it, swiped it, pucnhed some keys and tore out the receipt, all in one swift motion and as she handed me back the receipt, she flashed that smile at me again. "Is there anything else you'd like", she said...

"YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL", I wanted to say! And that's all I wanted to say. Nothing more. Just that. But I didn't. "That would be all, thank you", I said, like those words were programmed in my head the day I first stepped into a Starbucks store. And before I knew it, I moved over, collected my coffee, left the store and was back on the street. With something, but nothing...

"Why didn't I say it?", I wondered to myself. She was beautiful. I was sure of that. Was I shy? Or afraid? Maybe closeted. Maybe conservative. I wanted to say it. I was too sure of that. Something stopped me...

On the walk back to the hotel and on several others with a Starbucks cup in my right hand, I have wondered about it again. And I always end up asking myself the same question. "Why didn't I say it"?

Someday soon, I will! Just like I see it. Just because I feel it and just because I want to. For nothing else. With No Malice...

Old McDonald...

Old McDonald turned a new leaf
E I E I O
He sold his farm and went to LA
E I E I O
With a Disney here and a movie there
Here some fun, there some fun, everywhere some fun fun

Old McDonald bought an iPod
E I E I O
And on his iPod he had some songs
E I E I O
With a Chipmunk here and a Gaga there
Here a tune, there a tune, everywhere a tune tune

Old McDonald got an iPad
E I E I O
And on his iPad he had some apps
E I E I O
With a FaceTime here and Angry Birds there
Here a swish, there a swoosh, everywhere a swish swoosh

Old McDonald went online
E I E I O
He logged into some cool websites
E I E I O
With a Facebook here and a Google there
Here a click, there a click, everywhere a click click

Old McDonald had a blog
E I E I O
And on his blog he made some posts
E I E I O
With some fiction here and a fairy tale there
Here a tale, there a tale, everywhere a tale tale

Old McDonald made some friends
E I E I O
He went to the bar and had some drinks
E I E I O
With a pint of beer and a glass of wine
Here a cheer, there a cheer everywhere a cheer cheer
 
Old McDonald went to sleep
E I E I O
And in his sleep he had a dream
E I E I O
With a quack quack here and a bow wow there
Here a chick, there a moo, everywhere a meow meow

Old McDonald missed his farm
E I E I O
And so he took a train back home
E I E I O
With a choo here and a choo choo there
Here a stop there a stop everywhere a stop stop

Old McDonald's back on the farm
E I E I O
He's happy just hearing those good old sounds
E I E I O
With a quack quack here and a bow wow there
Here a chick, there a moo, everywhere a meow meow

Old McDonald had a farm
E     I      E     I    Oooooo!

Krishtunes...

720 PM on 9 Aug 2012. Some call this day Janmashtami, some Krishna Jayanthi. Whatever you call it, it's the celebrated birthday of Lord Krishna, the playful, fun-loving God of the Hindus. And after offering my 2 minute prayer and simple prasadam to him, I decided to spend the evening listening to my favorite Krishna songs. Here I present my TOP 8 TUNES, each from a different genre, with their respective YouTube links. NOTE: For best effect, open the video links in a different window...


1. The first Krishna song I ever heard, perhaps even the first song I ever heard, my mother sang this to put me to sleep when I was her little Krishna...


Song: Kannan Varuvan Kadhai Solluvan
Genre: Film (Panchavarnakili)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-p0zdfAUXg


2. Growing up! My first memory of music was radio and the mornings always began with devotional songs. Few would not have heard this song if they grew up in the 80s and none would not love it. Vintage SPB...

Song: Ayarpadi Maligaiyil
Genre: Radio
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fwLynIgRCA


3. Mrs. Janaki, my Indian Music teacher at school made this song known to me. But due respect to Aruna Sairam, the lady who made it not popular, but viral...

Song: Maadu Meikkum Kanne
Genre: Folk
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAvNsc1HcWs


4. Talked about Mother and Teacher, now I have to talk about God. Or should I say Music Goddess. Why, I call this genre, M. S. Subalakshmi...

Song: Kurai Onrum Illai
Genre: MS Subalakshmi
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4eN1nrohkE


5. Due respect to Classic Carnatic Music which has produced so many wonderful Krishna songs. The toughest genre to pick a favorite, I left out Alay Payudhey and Enna Thavam Seidhanai with great difficulty...

Song: Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai
Genre: Classic Carnatic
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQJhj_RzM4o


6. Call this Fusion or Innovation. None can doubt that Hariharan and Lezz Lewis probably made this song more popular than it would have been with their brillian blend of tune and thought...

Song: Krishna Nee Begane Baro
Genre: Fusion (Colonial Cousins)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quy2RhefKT0


7. An interesting change, a rare treat. In the day and age where mega serials dominated Indian TV, this title song to a daily-daytime show was a fresh breath of air. Kudos Srinivas...

Song: Aadugiran Kannan
Genre: TV (Aadugiran Kannan)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwaw1uSOcqU


8. After Goddess Saraswati and MS Subalakshmi, there is only Bombay Jayashree. Give her a Krishna song written by Bharathiar and put in an Album and what you have is a heart-rending melody...

Song: Varuvai Varuvai Varuvai Kanna
Genre: Album (Atma)
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G48V7KkCX4


There are many many more magnificient Krishna songs. But on this solemn Janma Ashtami night (8th after the New Moon or Full Moon), these are the Eight that ruled my mind...

Hare Rama, Hare Krishna, Krishna, Krishna Hare Hare...

Lean...

I step on to the sidewalk. I amble the first few steps. I have to cross a traffic light, so I push the button. Once across, I look up at the trail ahead. I feel the wind in my face. I feel the urge. I start to jog...

I have a handicap. My neck, in it's normal state is not aligned with my spine. It's inclined forward by about 10 degrees. In a bad world it would cause me shoulder stress and tennis elbow pain. But this is the good part, where I put the incline to good use. I realize I have to cut through the wind. I lean...

A few steps in, I check my music player headset. It's firmly locked in place. I check the volume. It's just right. A new song has just begun. And this run has just begun... I got to thank the genius who invented the personal stereo system. My son prefers to say "innovated" and the world calls it a Walkman. It's a funny story. Sony wanted to reduce the size of its stereo music system and challenged its engineers to find an answer. Our man, the genius, looked at it long and hard. "The best way to make this smaller", he said, "is to remove the biggest part of the stereo". And boom! Gone were speakers and born was the Walkman. Genius. Just remembering the story takes me many steps into the trail...

The trail winds. And the wind is still in my face. But I'm all warmed up and the music comes into play. The rhythm of the song picks up pace and my feet start matching the pace without me even realizing it. I'm running harder. I'm enjoying it...

A good run has some pauses. Like when I come up to a small street with no traffic light. I've got to negotiate how I cross that street. I break the rhythm. It's time for caution. Once across, the music takes over. My feet fall into the rhythm again. I'm cruising...

Ive been running a while. Song after song has kept me moving along. I turn the corner. It's now the homestretch. The trail straightens. I can see far out to the end o the trail. And then it happens. The music stops. The song must change. The few seconds in between are telling. I hit the wall...

"Must keep at it", I tell myself, while I anxiously wait for the next song to start. It does, but it's slow. Not what I need right now. I need my feet to keep moving. I feel my gut wrench. There's a voice in my head screaming to stop. But there's something in me that denies that voice. I could fall dead, but I don't want to stop...

"How did my music player know that I'm hitting the wall?", I ask myself. That leads me to other thoughts. And others. Random thinking helps. At least I'm moving. This is the most difficult time in life... I look up again. I can see the end of the trail. I've got a little way to cover. The slow song stops. I can hear myself breathe. I can feel my footsteps are heavy. "The end of the world is near", I think. The only good thing is my feet are still moving...

The next song starts. It's got a rhythm to it. My feet start to match. I look up the trail. The end is really not far. I feel the suns rays on my face. But this time the wind is on my back. I feel the urge again. I lean...

The Ayengars! The Super Kings...

Loki Khan was perched on his favorite stool at the bar. He felt drunk with power. Now he felt the need to show it on someone. He heard the sound of laughter. He turned around to see a bunch of people having fun. "Mortals", he thought. He couldn't bear the sight or sound of them. He always thought of himself as a being from outer space, having descended on earth with a glorious destiny - to ACT (even if it meant OVER ACT!).

He heard the laughter again. He had to teach them a lesson. He walked up to the revellers, picked the weakest among them and started beating him up. The poor man cried for help but none would come near him. He would give them his mighty stare and they would step away. Having beaten his defenseless foe till his thirst for a fight was quenched, he let him go.

He strode out of the bar and stood under its gltizy sign. "KKR", it said in gold letters on an ominously blue background. He ripped open his shirt to show the world his six-pack abs. "I AM THE KING. I SHOULD BE THE KING", he screamed. He waited for the lightning to strike behind him so the world could take notice. There was no lightning. He waited some more but no one even noticed. So he pulled his shirt close with his hands and held it to cover himself (he had just ripped the buttons) and walked away to his car.

He started the engine and started racing down the road. He was still angry. He was always angry. But this time, he was remembering his conversation from earlier in the day with Man of Steel - Dhoni Stark and fearless leader of the Super Kings (not just superheros) from Madras. It was a normal conversation. Dhoni Stark was his usual, cool self. But for some reason, it seemed to Loki Khan that Dhoni Stark was threatening him. Loki Khan did not like to be threatened.

The Big War was near. Loki Khan was this close to claiming his rightful throne and he would let nothing come in the way of he and his pinnacle of glory. After all the glorious years of OVERACTING he had waited 5 long years to get even this close. He had cried hard for 4 years and only once came anywhere close to the crown. He had built an army alright. He had spent limitless amount of money to buy his commander GG (which he thought gave him limitless amount of power!). He had poisoned the minds of some homegrown Madrasis like Agent Balaji, who was slowly becoming very effective in hurling the weapons at the enemy.

He had waited long enough. This time, he would wait no more. His army had done well, thanks to his long stares. His alien coaches were steering the army well. And one particluar alien (that's what he thought!) with a funny hairstyle was proving to be the flesh in the thorn of every enemy that came in the way. His Army had won most of the battles this time. And once they had, he would parade the battlefield to claim the glory. He spared none. He showed his ire on everyone including men who were entrusted with the safekeeping of the battlefield. He had to show them He was King!

That's exactly what he had told Man of Steel - Dhoni Stark too. "I am the King. What have I to fear?", he asked Dhoni Stark. "The Ayengars", Dhoni Stark said, "we're sort of like a team. Earth's mightiest Super Kings, type thing". "I've seen them", Loki Khan, said, "you no longer have The Hulk Hayden but I have a six-pack. I am The King".

"It's true, we don't have The Hulk Hayden anymore, but everyone of The Ayengars has a Hulk within him. You never know which Hulk will fire when. I have a helicopter that I can bring out anytime and you there, you have pissed off more than a billion people with your OVERACTING and most importantly, you have pissed off a common man - the safekeeper of a sacred battlefield. You're missing the point Loki Khan, there's no throne, there's no version of this where you come out on top. Maybe your army comes and maybe they're too much for us, but we are the Ayengars and we were born to protect the turf of Madras". And he walked away, his usual cool self...

The parting words rang in Loki Khan's ears as he raced down the street. He came to his senses for a tiny moment. This was no night to get caught for drunken driving. He had to get keep his ACT together. The Big War was yonder. He vowed silently (there was no one to stare at!). He would gather his troops. He would lead them on to the battlefield. He would stand tall and stare at all. He would beat poor innocent subjects if he had to. There was only one thing that stood between him and the throne.

He thought about The Ayengars! The Super Kings. The chill that ran down his spine rendered him sober...

P.S. For best effect, watch Marvels - The Avengers this Saturday and watch Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League this Sunday. Then come back and read this Monday. Have a Great Memorial Day...

Surprise...

The alarm went off at 5.55 AM! Now, that's a Surprise for a Saturday...

We had a fully packed morning ahead of us. At 7 AM, we had to be at the park where my son had to run 3 miles and complete a round of exercises to earn his fitness stripe in his quest for a Black Belt. Right after, we had to drive into center city Philadelphia for his choir practice that starts at 8.45 AM and would go on until 12 noon. It would have been a Surprise if we got lunch before 1 PM...

I have been running with my son on these fitness tests everytime he is about to graduate from one belt to another. In the beginning, it was A Mile Run and that was not a challenge. As my son grew older (he started Karate when he was about 7) and as he moved from the beginners to the intermediate to the advanced levels, the fitness requirement went up to 2 miles. For a man who's sitting 12 hours a day in a high-back chair working and the rest of the time awake on a plushy couch watching TV, it's a Surprise I managed to wake up one fine morning and run 2 miles along with him...

I knew it was going to be a stretch the moment I heard the number 3! But I like to run with him, just to show him that I'm there for him and to motivate him to cover the distance. And all of us knew the morning was going to be as stretch given one thing after another. So we stayed in Friday evening and called it a day early enough so we could all wake up fresh and strong. Every single detail had been planned, I would wake up at 6 AM and make the coffee and tea. My wife would be up right behind me and she would pack the towels, the change clothes and the snacks he would need for after the run, before choir. And junior would be woken up at 630 AM, giving him enough time to wash, drink his milk and get ready to run out. Knowing my wife, it would have been a Surprise if she didn't plan it to this level of detail...

Everything went to plan until 7 AM. We were there at the park, greeted by all the other children, the instructors, chaperones et al. The Principal called for all the boys to fall in line and went through his routine of asking each student what his / her age was, what belt they were testing for and hence confirming the distance they needed to run. "Tay Jus", he said, "how are you sir"? "I'm well sir", he said. "You're testing for Black and how old are you sir"? "I'm 10 sir", came the reply, "so that's 3 miles, right"? "Hmm, let's see, testing for Black, 10 years old, no that's actually 4 miles sir, YOU'VE GOT TO RUN 4 MILES", he said! Surprise...

There was no fuss! Not even a reaction. Only the definitive nod of the head to indicate "Yes Sir". And then he moved to join his Karate mates who were now forming a semicircle to start doing some stretching exercises. Only, someone else was reacting. ME! I was frantically looking for my wife, who had quietly stayed in the back rows, doing what she does best, greeting other parents and wishing other children the best for their runs. I spotted her in a minute and ran to her. "He needs to run 4 miles, not 3" and I repeated what the Principal had said a few minutes ago. "My son is running 3 and I will ask him to run the 4th along with yours", said another friendly neighbourhood parent. It was NO Surprise that my wife did not panic. She has always been a huge believer in my son's determination. She looked at me and I said, "I'll run with him". I had no idea what I had just signed up for...

The run began! My son and his friend shot off the blocks. I was mad at him because I felt he needed to pace himself. Somewhere about the 400 metre mark there was a U-turn in the path and the runners had to run around one of the instructors and back on the paved raod. This was comforting because even though I knew I was never going to catch up with him, I knew I would meet him at least 2 times during this run (going by my previous history of running 2 miles) when he would make the U-turn and return while I was still running towards the U. I met him soon and I expressed myself. "You've got to run 4 miles, so pace yourself". He nodded but kept running like the wind. I was Surprised I just didn't break my run, go over to him and give him a piece of my mind...

The first 2 miles went like routine. The toughest part of the trail was at the very begnning, where the path was not paved but was mostly sand and clay, with deep tire marks from trucks that had rolled through. I knew that if I surived that part I would be better off with the rest of the path. When I hit that part for the third time, I started praying. "God, take me past this path, please!" God was kind and I did cross the path and approached the U-turn. I met my son again as he was returning on the path but this time I met him much earlier which indicated that the distance between him and me was growing. I realised there was no point telling him to slow down so this time I only shouted words of encouragement for him. I slowly got to the U-turn. When I saw him way ahead of me I felt a sudden rush of adrenaline and felt the need to catch up with him. After all, this was a big day for him and the only way to show him that I was there for him was to run alongside. I started taking longer strides. 5 seconds was all it took for me to realise my folly. One good thing the school does is assign a buddy for people who are running longer distances the first time and I noticed young TJ, who was much bigger and stronger than Tejas, running by his side. So I wisely gave up the need to catch up with him and fell back into my own pace...

Mile 3 ended and Mile 4 began! It was a Surprise I was still running. I got to the dirt track and prayed again. I got past the dirt track and on to the paved road and I barely crossed him on his return from the U. He was way ahead of me. "You can do it buddy", I shouted. I don't know if he even heard me. I could hear him grunting but I didn't see him stopping. My wife's assessment of his determination was spot on. At my own pace I made the U-turn and got back on what was the single longest straight stretch on the trail. When I hit that part of the trail, I realised I was alone. I kept chugging along. I looked for him. He was gone. I couldn't see him anymore. "Oh my God! Did he give up? Did he just stop and walk away towards the start line? No! That would mean he would need to come back next month and start all over! God, please no!". And then I saw him come around the curve. Past the straight stretch, we had to run around a lake and then came the home stretch on a grass path between a hill and the parking lot. A few morning walkers had hid him from my view for a brief while and I was so relieved to see him and his buddy come around the lake. I was not Surprised anymore...

I passed 2 ladies who were walking. "Your shoelaces are untied", shouted one to me. "I know, but I can't stop!", I said. "Be careful", she said. "I will", I said and kept moving. I wasn't really running, I was just moving. The next few steps seemed like eternity. My eyes never left him as I watched him run the loop around the lake. And I was praying. For him. He was more than a quarter of a mile ahead of me. And then it happened. Even as I hit the start of the loop around the lake, I saw him disappear behind the hill at the end of the loop. I knew he had done it! He was but a few paces away from the finish line. And I knew that if it was not for him, I would have left this race long ago. A little over a quarter of a mile left to conquer, I looked up into the sky. I thanked God for giving me Tejas. And I wasn't Surprised, when I heard myself saying. "God, let me finish this race"...

Tejas L Kaushik, albeit taken by Surprise, completed his 4 mile run in 45 minutes and 4 seconds, followed by 100 jumping jacks and 30 frog leaps, went on to a 3 hour session of choir practice and has carried on his day with elan and is just now having his dinner at 730 PM, after which he plans to work on a 499 piece Lego Model of a fighter plane. It's no surprise that my wife thinks he must retire early so he can wake up at 7 AM again to go to a Math Bee contest Sunday morning.

Oh! I measured his height after my 3 hour afternoon nap and I wasn't Surprised. He was Ten Feet Tall...

Friend...

I never dreamt this day would come!

His ship docked at the Jersey City harbor mid afternoon today. After a long ride on the NJ turnpike, I eased my car on to Port Jersey Boulevard a little past 5 PM. I was searching for #302 but couldn't find it. I tried calling him but he wouldn't pick up. I could see long lines of cranes and containers on either side of the road so I was sure I was in the right place. I tried calling him again, but there was no response. I let my car keep rolling down the track. "Waterfront Observation Deck", a road sign said. "What's the worst that can happen?", I thought. "I'll get a view of the water, so let me keep pulling forward"...

"No entry beyond this point", screamed another sign right ahead of me. I stopped the car and looked to the right. More cranes and more containers. Then I looked left. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. "This cannot be true", I thought. I made a quick U-turn and in front of me was the observation deck. And right below the deck on the right hand side corner of the road was a cul-de-sac. I pulled up into it, parked my car and jumped out. I looked out on the waterfront. I'd never seen this view before...

As wide as my eyes could take in, from my left to right were an isolated tree, the Goldman Sachs building (the tallest in Jersey City), the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, downtown Manhattan, the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges in intertwined fashion, the Staten Island Ferry and the island itself. I have never hid my love for New York city but this was a view I had never seen before. It was truly magestic! Just then the phone rang. He said he had just come out of his ship and was waiting for me on the street. I asked him to stay on the phone, turned back to the water and took one deep breath. I let the view soak in. Mother Nature was celebrating my reunion with an old friend...

I have known him since school, but since he chose to go a different school at some point, it was really college that brought us back together. The first cultural tour, mad Mardi-Gras nights, night-out study sessions and gut-wrenching stage performances are only some of the things we shared. Those 4 years at college and several later created a bond that would never be broken...

He started sailing soon after college. We'd write to each other letters on paper. He'd be back for breaks after gruelling journeys. And we'd go back to our revelry, enjoying each other's company. Slowly the journeys grew longer. I moved to a different city. We still stayed in touch somehow. And then suddenly we lost touch with each other. He was still sailing when I moved to the US and several attempts to reach him never bore fruit for four years...

He was never technology-friendly. He would have responded to at least one of my emails if he was. But fate and facebook always re-unite friends forever. On Jan 1, 2012, he found me on facebook and send me a friend request. God, was I thrilled to hear from him again? He was in India and I was in the US. But we stayed in touch until he set forth for his next journey. I realised he had stepped up several notches in technology, only when he emailed me from his ship a few days later to let me know he would soon be docking  in New Jersey...

Life has its ways! The first time he touched here was a school night for my son. And I couldn't go out to see him. So we only talked a couple of hours before he set sail again. He was going to Italy but would return soon. Alas! When he came back to New Jersey, I was holidaying in sunny California. What a shame we couldn't meet...

If there is one thing life has taught me in the last 3 years (even before I started using facebook!), it is that you never lose the relationships in which you have invested in. Those people you believed in and shared with always have a way of coming right back into your life in the most surprising of circumstances. I just got back from my holiday yesterday when my phone rang. "I'll be docking in Jersey City about 2 PM tomorrow. Can you come to see me?, he said. "You should not miss this chance, drop whatever you have and go see him", my wife said...

I stayed on the phone as I slowly rolled my wheels back through Port Jersey till I found him at the gates of Global Terminal Container Services. He smiled at me, cut the call, walked over to the car and joined me. I don't know how the next 3 hours passed. We did what we always did best. We drove around, we ate dinner, talked non-sense and laughed like hell till I dropped him back at the dock at about 9 PM and only because his ship leaves again at 5 AM and I had promised I would help my son with an essay tonight. I guess I don't have to describe how I felt or how I feel...

In all the things we did together in all these years, there is one thing that stands out for all to see. Everyone who knows us together knows this. Whenever it was, whatever we did and wherever we went, it was always he, who came and picked me up. From his simple silver plus during college to his shiny Santro later in life, it was always me riding the passenger seat, enjoying his driving and his company. To Besant Nagar beach, through Madras city and to every possible eatery that we could spend our money in, he drove me...

In my wildest of dreams, I never dreamt this day would come. When I would be the one to go pick him up and take him for a spin! Thank you da KARTHIK, for letting me return the favor...

Poetry in Motion...

Her name is Lucerne!

Just like all other Hollywood romances, ours began in Hollywood too. At the Hilton in Universal City (home of the famous Universal Studios), to be precise. At 345 pm on a cloudy Thursday afternoon to be even more precise. Just below the Sierra Ballroom in fact...

I usually don't do this in the first meeting, but within 30 minutes, I asked her to dance with me. It was still cloudy. The floor was open but filling up fast, so if we had to find our place on it, I had to move fast. Boy, was I delighted when she said, "Yes"...

The gentleman I am, I led her to the dance floor and first let her take her spot. After taking my own, I carefully took her in my arms. My left locked in hers and my right clasping her waist, I held her close to me and looked her in the eye. The music began...

We moved slowly at first. We made small strides and stayed in our space. We moved in tandem with the many others who had taken the floor with us. It was that time of the day the dance floor was full. Our moves were not only restricted but had to match the timing of the plethora of other dancers. We were told that soon, the crown would filter to only those who were in it long haul. We waited as we gently paced the floor...

The experts were right! The party hoppers soon left and only those remained who had sworn to dance all evening long. The floor that looked so tightly packed, opened up its expanse and beckoned us to be free. And just when we thought it couldn't get any better, the clouds vanished. The floor was bathed in sunshine...

We started to move. Our steps picked up pace and we even started to move across the floor. Sometimes, we would move just one right and left step, sometimes 2 and 2 and sometimes we went from end to end without breaking a sweat. Still, we were only getting in the mood...

I was dressed in blue and she was in white! I was leading her moves (like the man should do) and she jived to mine. My eyes were always roving the floor so I could lead her right. I never needed to look at her once. I knew I held her tight and I knew I'd never let her go...

Soon we were on song! The music just got better with every single number and we moved and jived along like we'd been together forever. We moved forward and sideways and left others behind. We were swaying with the wind and laughing in the sunshine...

Our hearts beat as one. Our feet moved in unison. Every minute I prayed that nothing would stop this run. And life conspired to create a magical ride. Even through nightfall and rainfall, we didn't lose our rythm...

We danced together for 5 long hours. We stopped only because we had to. If I had a choice, I would have asked her to dance all night. And I just know. She'd say, "Yes"...

She's not mine! But we share something special. And deep down in our hearts, we both know it. Because days like this are neither designed, nor dreamed of. They just happen...

The above is a metaphorical account of my blissful 5 hour drive through Interstate 5 (North) from the Universal Studios in Hollywood, Los Angeles to the city of Cupertino in the South San Francisco bay on the afternoon of Thursday 12 April 12 in a lovely white Buick Lucerne...

Talk...

You don't see each other
You don't speak a word
You write and you don't
But you say a lot...

You have your life to live
Yet you make some time
A picture here, a gesture there
Is all it takes to share...

You say what you feel
You feel it is right
But you know when you hurt
And you apologize...

You wait to hear
But never impose
And even a little Smile
Can cause a lot of cheer...

You know what you want
You'll wait for the time
A heart full of hope
And faith, that's so sure...

You talk...

Right...

I woke up at 3 AM. I was shaken awake by Thompson. He was (W)right! He said:
"Tendulkar is a closed book. He smiles and walks to the center of the pitch. His play suggests he is bending under the weight, but he'll never admit it. Nobody knows how he feels about the century. What does Tendulkar think about the quest? He cares enough to keep chasing it, but maybe the media and the ex-players and the manic fans are missing the point. Scoring the century doesn't define his career, but the chasing of it does, the willingness to risk failing for the chance of success."

The India-Bangladesh Asia Cup encounter started an hour later at 4 AM US EST. I havevbeen toggling between MS Outlook, MS Project, MS Excel and http://www.hitcric.info/ ever since. It is 626 AM now and He just clipped the ball over mid-wicket for his 8th boundary of the innings. Remember, 6 of the 8 have come front of the wicket on the off side (very few will know what that means). He's batting 87...

No one knows if He will get to THE mark! We've got to wait and see. But when I read Wright Thompson's article last night, I realized something. Whether He gets his 100th Hundred or not, He's not going to be batting for very long. And I am not going to get many Fridays when a match starts at 4 AM allowing me the luxury of sitting on my couch in silence and watch Him bat. That's what it has always been about for me. Just "watching him bat"...

I am fond of this couch. About a year ago (may be 15 days short!), I stayed awake a whole Friday night for a similar early AM start of the most important cricket match in the world. The World Cup Final. I was logged in to Facebook all along and saw my friends, relatives and countrymen bash India as they gave away a huge total to Sri Lanka. At lunch (which was breakfast time for us), I ate hot white pongal and settled back on this very same couch. "Just sit down and watch the game patiently", I said to my son and wife. "India will win today"...

"Oh My God", I screamed sometime later, "Oh. My. God."! Those were the only words that I ever uttered in the next 3.5 hours of watching India bat. But no, that was not MS Dhoni clobbering one over deep long on to bring about the much awaited World Cup win. It was Sachin Tendulkar's straight drive that stayed just to the right of the stumps at the bowler's end and made the umpire jump up in the air on its way to the boundary. Those are the only 2 shots I remember from that entire World cup final, one of which I will never forget...

He just drove through extracover to go from 90 to 94. A little while ago, Neo Sports displayed a comparison of Sachin and Virat playing the inside-out cover drive. Both of them have very similar styles, the foot movement, how they transfer the body weight and lean into the shot. But at the very end, just at the very end, there is only one bat whose full open face one could witness. Tony Greig once said, "Sachin has 3 straight drives, Straight, Straighter, Straightest"...

The Man's now on 99! Only one moment separates him from history. But Raina gets a single of the last ball of the over. Raina sure knows how to make the world wait! My son who was asleep on the couch to my right just woke up and my wife is sitting on the arm rest to my left. And Raina has just scored one boundary, one brace (2), one dot ball and finally a single to give Him the strike of the last 2 balls of the over. He lets 2 dot balls go. This time he asks us to wait Himself...

Just at this very moment, Hitcric loses its stream! Good old Cricinfo it is and it shows Sachin Tendulkar 100 of 138! Since it was Thompson whose (W)righteousness who woke me up this morning, I guess it is fair that I witness THE MOMENT on ESPN Cricinfo. Oh My God! The world has waited for this for over a year. But I think, HE waited for ME to wake up and watch him do it...

He's quickly moved on to 111. And Raina at the other end is plundering away, what with the innings into the last 5 overs. A lot will be said about the way he got here. "He just stuck around for this", they will cry. "Oh, how slowly he played", some will moan. "What is so great about getting it against Bangladesh?", the world at large will say. I will not say anything. For, there are a few, only a few out there in this small world, who are connected at this moment (Facebook or not!), their hearts swelling with pride...

With 3 overs to go, there is not much left in this innings. Raina has got his 50 and just got out. Well played indeed. And The Man himself just got out 114 of 147 balls. What can I say? Sitting on my couch, I join the standing ovation...

India will likely go on to win this game and send Bangladesh home (wait, they live here don't they? And I stole that from the commentator on ESPN Cricinfo!). India will go on to their next one against Pakistan, on Sunday, same time. And I will be up at 345 AM and ready with my cup of coffee, sitting on the couch. He may score his 101th! He may get his 162nd fifty. Or he may be out bowled first ball. No matter what, I will be awake. Just to watch him bat...

Oh BTW Virat. Well played today (66 of 82 balls). Loved your delectable leg glances off fast bowling early on and the energetic punches through the off side later on. And oh! Good Luck shouldering the billion people who will be sitting on you, watching the every move you make, coming soon! If you can do it for the next 20 something years, I may wake up one morning when I am 60, just to watch you bat...

Someone...

Steve Jobs is dead. Sachin Tendulkar is almost out. The world needs "Someone"...

Clearly, I am the problem (I always was and I always will be). I believe in iCons! I believe that when great people, who have changed the world, leave, they leave behind not just a legacy, but a hole. I believe that they leave behind big shoes to fill. And I believe that those shoes cannot be filled. Maybe because I feel that when one that great leaves, that he or she should be missed. That those around should feel the pain of not having them. Clearly, I am a sadist...

I walked past an Apple store today and saw some new stuff in there. I saw some snazzy displays. A screen in a cloud. What was that? Everything else looks the same. The minimalistic design. The men in blue t-shirts. The Genius Bar. The flocking crowds. And the aura that comes with an Apple store. But something was missing for me. "Someone"...

Rahul Dravid retired today. So many friends on Facebook said he was their favorite cricketer. One even said, Sachin should take the cue and retire himself and not wait for his 100th hundred. I'd waste time trying to convince those who think that's why he's still around. So I'll let it rest. But the day he decides to hang up his boots, rest assured, my fever for cricket will end. I'm telling you, I am the problem...

I try to think back to what people say. "iCons are missed, no doubt, but the legend never dies", they told me. "The trail continues to blaze. Only now, the torch is carried by someone else"...

I try to think back to my favorite stories. When Pele was gone, it took a Zico to be the next No. 10, not just anyone. A Federer followed a Sampras but only in a while. Jeff Immelt, is no doubt a worthy successor to Jack Welch, but he will never be the Businessman of the Century. Why, it took a Tendulkar to be the next Gavaskar, none more, none less...

The legend goes on, for sure. The trail will blaze. "Someone" will come. But don't get me wrong. Tim Cook can never fill Steve Jobs' shoes. And Virat Kohli will never be Sachin Tendulkar. Because, what it takes to change the world is not "Someone" random, but "Someone" special...

"Someone" truly INCREDIBLE...

Big Bang Theory...

You're travelling all Monday. You plan to work on the plane. But you watch Big Bang Theory.

Tuesday. You're in a different time zone. You wake up tired. You have a long day ahead of you. You get started in earnest. You knock a few things off your plate. You start to have a migraine. You get a coffee. It doesn't get any better. You pull through till lunch. You think you feel better. You get some more work done. You're feeling worse. You take off. You get some sleep.

You feel better. You try to think what next. You turn on the TV. Big Bang Theory's just starting. You fix yourself some dinner. You watch the 1st episode. You pick your computer. You check your calendar. You have tons of work to do. You have just watched the 2nd episode. You tell yourself you need to switch off the TV. You try to work. You can't concentrate. You watch episode 3.

You put away your computer. You make yourself some coffee. You've done episode 4. You make yourself more coffee. You're down episode 5. You pick your computer back up. Your coffee is kicking in. You start updating that project plan. Episode 6 is done. Big Bang Theory is over for the day.

You finally start concentrating on work. You still leave the TV on. But this time you're serious. You get the work done. You send out a few emails. You look at your calendar again. You plan your next day. You've dotted the I's and crossed the T's. You feel good. You put away your computer. You check the time. It's well past midnight. You decide to sleep.

You turn off the light. You pull the covers over yourself. Your coffee is still working. You decide to fall asleep after a few more minutes of TV. You pick up the remote. You start browsing channels. You do a full round. You see nothing interesting. You give yourself one last try. You stop a minute to watch that funny commercial. You linger one more minute. You hit Gold again.

Coming up Next, back to back episodes of "Big Bang Theory".

It all started with a Big Bang. It's likely to end in a Big Boom! Wish me luck for Wednesday...

One...

One Road with No Speed Limits
One Love with No Expectations
One Cause to Die For
One Moment to Live For

One Idea that can Change the World
One Thing I'll be Remembered For
One Shot at Greatness
Is all I ask from Life...

Views...

They said Manila offers a lot of great views. Here's a list of everything I viewed on my recent trip to Manila:

Crazy Stupid Love
Just Go With It
Harry Potter Deathly Hallows 2
Beyond Borders
Big Fish
Throw Mamma From the Train
He Said She Said
Scott Pilgrim vs Rest of the World
The Losers
Golden Eye
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
The Dilemma
Honey
The Tourist
The Last Song
Crazy Heart
Burlesque
Labor Pains
Ladybugs
Sunshine Cleaning
I Just Don't Know How She Does It

Needless to say, Manila was Great Fun! Maraming salamat po...