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.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Stunning Songs with Shocking Faces
Music lovers of yore have made many a collection before. Of their favorite actors, music directors or films of a certain genre or age. As a film music lover, I have many including my favorite film songs, my favorite Kamal songs and even mix of hindi and tamil songs. But of all my collections the one that is ever so special to me is this one - Stunning Songs with Shocking Faces!
I present here this collection that I have painstakingly put together with a lot of thought and perspiration. Before you read on, thanks to youtube for making so life interesting that I can present this to you in the form of my words and the actual song, with full video (without which, this collection would really have no meaning). And most important of all - DISCLAIMER - I mean no disrespect to any of the human beings who featured as heros in these songs but honesty being a virtue I treat above all, these guys had no place in the movies.
Most of these are Ilayaraja songs, trust middle class Madras in the 1980s to provide this crazy conundrum. But even as you read through this, do spend time to listen to these GEMS. Believe me, each of these songs is one that I have listened to all day long on repeat mode. IMPORTANT: When you get to the links, right click on them and open them in a new window.
1. I really have to start with this one becuase not only was it featured in the movie I least expected it to be in, Anbulla Rajanikant, but when I saw this song for the first time, I was really - SHOCKED! And hence the title of this collection. A fine tune indeed, with a subtle rythm and sublime violin bits. Start your journey with Vintage Ilayaraja.
Then Poove Poove Vaa, Anbulla Rajanikant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOq_dcN8j6Q
2. We call these heros one-film wonders and I simply cannot understand how directors were able to cast such characters in their films. May be the title of the film justified such a selection, after all it was titled Kokkarakko ("that's not even a word", my son would say). The song however is another soft and fine melody. Notice how there is a certain pace to the song but that pace is generated not by solid drum beats but a super-speed tabla. Wow indeed! Enjoy another nice one.
Geetham Sangeetham, Kokkarakko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDTSRf_m1DU
3. Trust a director like Bharathiraja to try new things, new subjects and of course new faces. Rumour has it that he met this man in a shop in Madurai and decided to cast him in his next film. Honestly, this hero did not do badly either. He did go on to get some hits, though not as much as the heroine, who is sheer talent incarnate. The film, Mann Vasanai, was a super hit, a landmark film of sorts and the song is a real stunner indeed. Starting with a magnificient violin bit and going on to be one of the most soothing songs I have ever heard in the tamil language, the effect of this song is so calming on the mind. Pay attention to the ghamakas of SPB and Janaki towards the end of the charanams. This song is a classic.
Pothi Vecha Malligai Mottu, Mann Vasanai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Vko5DAOlE
4. This film rocked the music world - Kathal Oviyam. And it does even today in the homes of die-hard Ilayaraja fans from Chennai to California. It was a typical melodrama of the 1980s and had that Nenjai Kasakki Puzhiyum quality about it. Honestly the hero was not too bad in the context. A blind man in an obscure village deep-down south should expect to bear that quality but just given that cinema is all that glitters and is glossy, he did fall short. I did not know which song to present from this one because each song in this film is a beauty but I present here my favorite one which bears a quality that I simply love. Lazy, non-chalant but supremely elegant. Easily, Ilayaraja at his best...
Nadiyil Aadum Poovanam, Kadhal Oviyam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiuSzCwgrT4&feature=PlayList&p=5B4FD3D91C5ECF83&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=2
5. I don't know much about this film - Pagalil Oru Iravu. About the hero, the lesser said the better. But this song is MAGIC. It has a magnetic quality about it. The soft strains of melody seep into your system and move you from within. Listen to this song with eyes closed and the music plugged into your ears and you will know exactly what I am talking about. Wah, Raja!
Ilamaienum Poongatru, Pagalil Oru Iravu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD9a3qyWUBY
6. Another Ilayaraja, Bharathiraja combination. But this film, Mudhal Mariyadhai, also had the larger than life Sivaji Ganesan in the most understated role of his life, yet one his best performances ever. Every song from this movie was a stunner but to retain the soul of this collection, I have to chose the one with the sorry face in it. This song is a rustic charmer and has in it the raw power of love, that can surely tear you heart out. So much power in fact that I have been sitting here at the Philadelphia airport, listening to this song over and over again for the last 3 hours. So much power indeed, that I did not even realise that I actually missed my flight which was due to leave at 705 PM, thinking it was late and had not arrived yet. Experience this power for yourself, even as I rebook myself on the 910 PM US Airways Express to Rochester, New York ...
Andha Nilavathaan, Mudhal Mariyadhai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Qv8-wRmEI
7. There has to be an exception for everything so I present here the only non-Ilayaraja song. Though not from my favorite composer, this one is sung by my favorite tamil film singer of current times - Karthik. The film is called Anbu and the first time I heard this song, I flipped. It is a sharp contrast to the other songs I have presented here, with a nice pace, music heavily orchestrated with modern instruments and a element of sheer cheer. But the problem is, I heard this song first (may be I did not know about youtube at that time). And then one fateful day, I saw this song. For the first and last time. This song is a double-whammy, both the hero and the heroine are horrendous. My sincere suggestion is to just listen to this song on Raaga.com or someplace but for the brave of heart who insist, here is the link. Please, at least close your eyes and let your ears be treated. Karthik rocks!
Aval Yaar Aval, Anbu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXw3QAdI3XY
It is 845 PM and my flight should be leaving here in another 25 minutes so I will go now and let you go too. I hope I inspired you to make some strange collections like this one and at the same time, I hope you enjoyed the songs I love and cherish so much.
If you have similar songs that you think you can add to this collection, please comment on this piece or email me at lakshminarayan.balasubramaniam@gmail.com
I present here this collection that I have painstakingly put together with a lot of thought and perspiration. Before you read on, thanks to youtube for making so life interesting that I can present this to you in the form of my words and the actual song, with full video (without which, this collection would really have no meaning). And most important of all - DISCLAIMER - I mean no disrespect to any of the human beings who featured as heros in these songs but honesty being a virtue I treat above all, these guys had no place in the movies.
Most of these are Ilayaraja songs, trust middle class Madras in the 1980s to provide this crazy conundrum. But even as you read through this, do spend time to listen to these GEMS. Believe me, each of these songs is one that I have listened to all day long on repeat mode. IMPORTANT: When you get to the links, right click on them and open them in a new window.
1. I really have to start with this one becuase not only was it featured in the movie I least expected it to be in, Anbulla Rajanikant, but when I saw this song for the first time, I was really - SHOCKED! And hence the title of this collection. A fine tune indeed, with a subtle rythm and sublime violin bits. Start your journey with Vintage Ilayaraja.
Then Poove Poove Vaa, Anbulla Rajanikant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOq_dcN8j6Q
2. We call these heros one-film wonders and I simply cannot understand how directors were able to cast such characters in their films. May be the title of the film justified such a selection, after all it was titled Kokkarakko ("that's not even a word", my son would say). The song however is another soft and fine melody. Notice how there is a certain pace to the song but that pace is generated not by solid drum beats but a super-speed tabla. Wow indeed! Enjoy another nice one.
Geetham Sangeetham, Kokkarakko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDTSRf_m1DU
3. Trust a director like Bharathiraja to try new things, new subjects and of course new faces. Rumour has it that he met this man in a shop in Madurai and decided to cast him in his next film. Honestly, this hero did not do badly either. He did go on to get some hits, though not as much as the heroine, who is sheer talent incarnate. The film, Mann Vasanai, was a super hit, a landmark film of sorts and the song is a real stunner indeed. Starting with a magnificient violin bit and going on to be one of the most soothing songs I have ever heard in the tamil language, the effect of this song is so calming on the mind. Pay attention to the ghamakas of SPB and Janaki towards the end of the charanams. This song is a classic.
Pothi Vecha Malligai Mottu, Mann Vasanai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Vko5DAOlE
4. This film rocked the music world - Kathal Oviyam. And it does even today in the homes of die-hard Ilayaraja fans from Chennai to California. It was a typical melodrama of the 1980s and had that Nenjai Kasakki Puzhiyum quality about it. Honestly the hero was not too bad in the context. A blind man in an obscure village deep-down south should expect to bear that quality but just given that cinema is all that glitters and is glossy, he did fall short. I did not know which song to present from this one because each song in this film is a beauty but I present here my favorite one which bears a quality that I simply love. Lazy, non-chalant but supremely elegant. Easily, Ilayaraja at his best...
Nadiyil Aadum Poovanam, Kadhal Oviyam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiuSzCwgrT4&feature=PlayList&p=5B4FD3D91C5ECF83&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=2
5. I don't know much about this film - Pagalil Oru Iravu. About the hero, the lesser said the better. But this song is MAGIC. It has a magnetic quality about it. The soft strains of melody seep into your system and move you from within. Listen to this song with eyes closed and the music plugged into your ears and you will know exactly what I am talking about. Wah, Raja!
Ilamaienum Poongatru, Pagalil Oru Iravu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD9a3qyWUBY
6. Another Ilayaraja, Bharathiraja combination. But this film, Mudhal Mariyadhai, also had the larger than life Sivaji Ganesan in the most understated role of his life, yet one his best performances ever. Every song from this movie was a stunner but to retain the soul of this collection, I have to chose the one with the sorry face in it. This song is a rustic charmer and has in it the raw power of love, that can surely tear you heart out. So much power in fact that I have been sitting here at the Philadelphia airport, listening to this song over and over again for the last 3 hours. So much power indeed, that I did not even realise that I actually missed my flight which was due to leave at 705 PM, thinking it was late and had not arrived yet. Experience this power for yourself, even as I rebook myself on the 910 PM US Airways Express to Rochester, New York ...
Andha Nilavathaan, Mudhal Mariyadhai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Qv8-wRmEI
7. There has to be an exception for everything so I present here the only non-Ilayaraja song. Though not from my favorite composer, this one is sung by my favorite tamil film singer of current times - Karthik. The film is called Anbu and the first time I heard this song, I flipped. It is a sharp contrast to the other songs I have presented here, with a nice pace, music heavily orchestrated with modern instruments and a element of sheer cheer. But the problem is, I heard this song first (may be I did not know about youtube at that time). And then one fateful day, I saw this song. For the first and last time. This song is a double-whammy, both the hero and the heroine are horrendous. My sincere suggestion is to just listen to this song on Raaga.com or someplace but for the brave of heart who insist, here is the link. Please, at least close your eyes and let your ears be treated. Karthik rocks!
Aval Yaar Aval, Anbu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXw3QAdI3XY
It is 845 PM and my flight should be leaving here in another 25 minutes so I will go now and let you go too. I hope I inspired you to make some strange collections like this one and at the same time, I hope you enjoyed the songs I love and cherish so much.
If you have similar songs that you think you can add to this collection, please comment on this piece or email me at lakshminarayan.balasubramaniam@gmail.com
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Birthday Vows!
10 June 10
God, this is the BEST birthday of my life. "This day is very special to me", I said. "This is the day I was born in this world and this day I am KING", I added. "No matter what happens, I will make sure I enjoy every minute of this day and no force of nature can stop me from doing that", I vowed.
These were tall statements indeed for somone who had woken up alone in a hotel, far away from home and was about to face the most empty day of his life at work. I had been invited by my client for a meeting here today and have been here for the last 2 days preparing for this. At the end of the 2 days of real hard work, I was told that I was really not needed for the meeting. What a wonderful thing to do to me. If they had told me I was not needed for this meeting, I would have done all the prep work and caught the last flight back home last night and at least woken up in my bed with my wonderful wife and sweet son. Not to be.\
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
Even when I made the vow, I was angry. Something told me last evening that things were not right, but I persisted. I just wanted to make it right. So I did everything I should do, I made an effort. After all that I didn't feel good going to bed and I didn't sleep right either. So no wonder that I woke up feeling miserable. Not just in my mind but my stomach was also in big trouble. And I had to visit the bathroom quite a few times before it was all well. What do you know, no one except my dutiful wife really called to wish me till I was almost ready to walk out the door to work.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
I did go to work, I showed up. I was made to sit on the sidelines, but that did not shake me up. I organized my thoughts on what all I could accomplish in the half day and set myself to work. Emails came and emails went and then came the email which announced to all my company's employees in the US who all were celebrating their birthday today. My name was the first in the list and some well wishers who noticed it emailed me and wished me. Life was turning sunny. Many, but my boss wished me a Happy Birthday. We all get so many emails in a day, but when you don't get the one email you are waiting for, that doesn't leave you anywhere.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
A one dollar breakfast was all I had had. Knott's strawberry cookies were worth that much in the vending machine in the break room at the office. So by the time it was noon, I was hungry. The meeting was still on, though I was not a part of it and there was food too. I walked out and inspected the spread. I rightfully assumed that though I was not part of the meeting, I was at least part of the lunch. That's how it had been in the last 2 days and my colleagues had even been kind to order vegetarian stuff the last 2 days. But not today. I did not see anything that looked vegetarian and when I asked our office manager if that was the case, she sincerely apologized and said that she forgotten to order any vegetarian food.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
Off I went to the Indian restaurant 5 minutes away. Palak Panneer, Channa Masala, Alu Gobi, Naan, Basmati Rice and Kheer later, I was feeling really good. The clouds had passed and the sun was out again. I walked out of the restaurant a sated man and walked in to the office 5 minutes later (give or take a few). The office manager was waiting for me and let me know that the client was looking for me. When I walked into the conference room, where everyone was sinking their teeth into their happy sandwiches, my client announced proudly in front of 10 others that she had some FEEDBACK for me. No mention of the all the great work we had done in the last 2 days, but just FEEDBACK.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.I wrapped up my work at half past one and started my drive to the airport. I hit the highway and stuck to the right most lane. My wife has told me not to drive fast and I ardently follow that instruction. As I was approaching an exit, a car coming in from the exit refused to yield and so I tried to move out to the next lane and right in my blind spot was a big van who quickly swerved to his left, skilfully avoided me and honked as he passed me at what seemed like a 100 miles an hour. I recovered fast from the jerk and stayed slow on the right most lane and soon reached the airport. It's only 20 minutes away anyway. But ah! I had forgotten to fill up the rental car with gas and the attendant was all smiles when he handed me a fuel charge of $13.99 added to the rental cost.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
"I hate small planes", said my neighbour at 5F. He was huge. 6 ft something and built well. He shouldn't have been flying this plane at all, but the plane ride was not so bad from the discomfort of having to sit next to him. It was the spots of bad weather where the flight was shaking like it was in a giant mixer that was scary. Imagine starting the day with a bad stomach, still indulging in an Indian buffet and then going through this ardor. I still landed safely, my stomach in shape and walked from terminal F to E to avail the airport shuttle. My phone was completely out of charge and I managed just the one call to my wife to let her know I should be home by 530 (it was 430 then). And like luck would have it, I found an electrical socket to charge my phone and what could be better, the shuttle made me wait for 45 minutes so I was able to fully charge my phone.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
I called my wife the moment I was in the shuttle and told her I should be home my 615 PM. My son was waiting to go to his music class and he wanted me to take him today. He is the apple of my eye, alright, and I assured my wife I would be on time to take him. We crossed Walt Whitman bridge, passed the crowded section of route 76 and hit I295 North at exit 26. All I could see was a mile of cars, bumper to bumper. What a sight it was. One of the most wonderful machines created ny man, lined up by the million. When we passed exit 30 and the traffic started clearing up, I started to breathe again and was waiting for exit 40 when we would get off and get home. But that was not to be. We took exit 36 to drop off another passenger.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
My shuttle is now pulling up into my apartment community and it is 630 PM. My son should have been in his class right now but is dutifully waiting for me to take him there. I will now transfer from the shuttle straight to my 2005 Blue Honda Accord and off we will be gone. And here is my wife at the parking lot with a cup of hot tea in her hand and a water bottle for me for the ride.
Believe me, Nothing can stop me from having a great day today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF.
God, this is the BEST birthday of my life. "This day is very special to me", I said. "This is the day I was born in this world and this day I am KING", I added. "No matter what happens, I will make sure I enjoy every minute of this day and no force of nature can stop me from doing that", I vowed.
These were tall statements indeed for somone who had woken up alone in a hotel, far away from home and was about to face the most empty day of his life at work. I had been invited by my client for a meeting here today and have been here for the last 2 days preparing for this. At the end of the 2 days of real hard work, I was told that I was really not needed for the meeting. What a wonderful thing to do to me. If they had told me I was not needed for this meeting, I would have done all the prep work and caught the last flight back home last night and at least woken up in my bed with my wonderful wife and sweet son. Not to be.\
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
Even when I made the vow, I was angry. Something told me last evening that things were not right, but I persisted. I just wanted to make it right. So I did everything I should do, I made an effort. After all that I didn't feel good going to bed and I didn't sleep right either. So no wonder that I woke up feeling miserable. Not just in my mind but my stomach was also in big trouble. And I had to visit the bathroom quite a few times before it was all well. What do you know, no one except my dutiful wife really called to wish me till I was almost ready to walk out the door to work.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
I did go to work, I showed up. I was made to sit on the sidelines, but that did not shake me up. I organized my thoughts on what all I could accomplish in the half day and set myself to work. Emails came and emails went and then came the email which announced to all my company's employees in the US who all were celebrating their birthday today. My name was the first in the list and some well wishers who noticed it emailed me and wished me. Life was turning sunny. Many, but my boss wished me a Happy Birthday. We all get so many emails in a day, but when you don't get the one email you are waiting for, that doesn't leave you anywhere.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
A one dollar breakfast was all I had had. Knott's strawberry cookies were worth that much in the vending machine in the break room at the office. So by the time it was noon, I was hungry. The meeting was still on, though I was not a part of it and there was food too. I walked out and inspected the spread. I rightfully assumed that though I was not part of the meeting, I was at least part of the lunch. That's how it had been in the last 2 days and my colleagues had even been kind to order vegetarian stuff the last 2 days. But not today. I did not see anything that looked vegetarian and when I asked our office manager if that was the case, she sincerely apologized and said that she forgotten to order any vegetarian food.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
Off I went to the Indian restaurant 5 minutes away. Palak Panneer, Channa Masala, Alu Gobi, Naan, Basmati Rice and Kheer later, I was feeling really good. The clouds had passed and the sun was out again. I walked out of the restaurant a sated man and walked in to the office 5 minutes later (give or take a few). The office manager was waiting for me and let me know that the client was looking for me. When I walked into the conference room, where everyone was sinking their teeth into their happy sandwiches, my client announced proudly in front of 10 others that she had some FEEDBACK for me. No mention of the all the great work we had done in the last 2 days, but just FEEDBACK.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.I wrapped up my work at half past one and started my drive to the airport. I hit the highway and stuck to the right most lane. My wife has told me not to drive fast and I ardently follow that instruction. As I was approaching an exit, a car coming in from the exit refused to yield and so I tried to move out to the next lane and right in my blind spot was a big van who quickly swerved to his left, skilfully avoided me and honked as he passed me at what seemed like a 100 miles an hour. I recovered fast from the jerk and stayed slow on the right most lane and soon reached the airport. It's only 20 minutes away anyway. But ah! I had forgotten to fill up the rental car with gas and the attendant was all smiles when he handed me a fuel charge of $13.99 added to the rental cost.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
"I hate small planes", said my neighbour at 5F. He was huge. 6 ft something and built well. He shouldn't have been flying this plane at all, but the plane ride was not so bad from the discomfort of having to sit next to him. It was the spots of bad weather where the flight was shaking like it was in a giant mixer that was scary. Imagine starting the day with a bad stomach, still indulging in an Indian buffet and then going through this ardor. I still landed safely, my stomach in shape and walked from terminal F to E to avail the airport shuttle. My phone was completely out of charge and I managed just the one call to my wife to let her know I should be home by 530 (it was 430 then). And like luck would have it, I found an electrical socket to charge my phone and what could be better, the shuttle made me wait for 45 minutes so I was able to fully charge my phone.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
I called my wife the moment I was in the shuttle and told her I should be home my 615 PM. My son was waiting to go to his music class and he wanted me to take him today. He is the apple of my eye, alright, and I assured my wife I would be on time to take him. We crossed Walt Whitman bridge, passed the crowded section of route 76 and hit I295 North at exit 26. All I could see was a mile of cars, bumper to bumper. What a sight it was. One of the most wonderful machines created ny man, lined up by the million. When we passed exit 30 and the traffic started clearing up, I started to breathe again and was waiting for exit 40 when we would get off and get home. But that was not to be. We took exit 36 to drop off another passenger.
Yet, I vowed to make this a special day.
My shuttle is now pulling up into my apartment community and it is 630 PM. My son should have been in his class right now but is dutifully waiting for me to take him there. I will now transfer from the shuttle straight to my 2005 Blue Honda Accord and off we will be gone. And here is my wife at the parking lot with a cup of hot tea in her hand and a water bottle for me for the ride.
Believe me, Nothing can stop me from having a great day today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MYSELF.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Everything I thought I'd be...
Everytime I do something like that, I smile. It brings back memories. It's everything I always wanted to be and everything I have almost never been. It's everything I have never wanted to do in life, but have always ended up doing. I like to think the smile is a sign of maturity, because whatever I did that made me smile, was sheer folly!
I've screwed up. Several times at that in the last couple of months, that smile has graced my lips. I'm sorry. I wish I could go back and change everything. I look ahead. I try and see if I will learn and correct myself. I only smile again. It's really not what I thought it'd be.
I try to think through this. I was so sure I would never be like this. May be I was naive. "Nothing can shake me", I believed. Youthful bravado, I presume. I swore that whatever may come my way, I will hold on to what I dearly believe. I do, hardly.
I don't want to give up, not yet. This is the way it was meant to be. I hope. All I have is what I believe. I have no doubt. What will be, will surely be. I only want to look ahead. Not behind and see why this happened to me. I want to try. I want to be what I really wanted to be.
I've screwed up. Several times at that in the last couple of months, that smile has graced my lips. I'm sorry. I wish I could go back and change everything. I look ahead. I try and see if I will learn and correct myself. I only smile again. It's really not what I thought it'd be.
I try to think through this. I was so sure I would never be like this. May be I was naive. "Nothing can shake me", I believed. Youthful bravado, I presume. I swore that whatever may come my way, I will hold on to what I dearly believe. I do, hardly.
I don't want to give up, not yet. This is the way it was meant to be. I hope. All I have is what I believe. I have no doubt. What will be, will surely be. I only want to look ahead. Not behind and see why this happened to me. I want to try. I want to be what I really wanted to be.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
When I'm sitting in the couch and singing this song, you know...
It's sitting in my head and refusing to leave me.
It happens sometimes. It's like chocolate cake. When it's there, it takes control of your life. You know you've eaten plenty today, but you can't resist some more. So even though you put it back in the fridge after 2 large helpings telling yourself, "This is it!", you just can't control yourself. You walk by the fridge a couple of times painfully swallowing the saliva that is flooding your mouth. And then by the third attempt, you say, "To hell with it, I'll go and burn it off tomorrow". So out it comes again from the fridge and you then take a healthy third helping and this time you eat it slowly so you can savor it to the very last lick. Yes, you have to lick that spoon till it is dry...
I'm sitting in my car, on my way to the doctor's office and I am listening to this song for the millionth time in the last few days. It happens sometimes. I get a new CD that has a bunch of different songs and then one in the middle hits me in the jugular. I like all the songs in the CD, but this one is special. So when I come back to this song a second time, I listen to it closely and then I play it again. A second time. And then a third and and then I don't quite leave. It's like nothing else matters. I'm so smitten by this song. The more I listen to it, the more it reaches deep in me. Soon, it's running in my blood. And of course, sitting in my head.
Ah! The chocolate cake. Why the elaborate explanation of chocolate cake? Because when I was in my car today on the way to the doctor's office, I realized I had listened to this song a millionth time and I actually removed the CD from the player and put on another one. And then it happened. I got that fateful phone call. Luckily, it didn't last long and I was free to return to my music again. But you know what I did. I removed the CD I had just inserted in the player and reverted to the one I had removed only a few minutes ago. "Loading", it said, but I couldn't wait. I was rubbing my index and middle fingers against my thumb waiting to reverse to track 16 the moment the player indicated it was ready to play the music.
And then it happened. The song started and it sent that same tingle into my heart as it did the first time I heard. This was it. This was the third slice of chocolate cake... The problem for me is, I don't stop at 3. I heard the same song tens of more times by the time I had finished my doctor's appointment, run to the grocery store, picked up my son from karate and come back home. And once I came home, I asked my son to play it on the computer. And then on youtube. We've since moved to other songs and American Idol on Fox 29, but there's this little genie in my head is singing this song to me. And I don't mind. Actually, I'm enjoying it...
It's happened all my life. It's different songs at different times. But they all have the same quality. They hit me right in the gut the first time I hear them. And then I listen to them ad nauseum. Somtimes all the way on a long drive and sometimes through the night. They inspire me and drive me. They become the moot point of my most creative work and the reflection of my deepest emotions. And it's happening now. It's chocolate cake...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLKvl6DzDCI
It happens sometimes. It's like chocolate cake. When it's there, it takes control of your life. You know you've eaten plenty today, but you can't resist some more. So even though you put it back in the fridge after 2 large helpings telling yourself, "This is it!", you just can't control yourself. You walk by the fridge a couple of times painfully swallowing the saliva that is flooding your mouth. And then by the third attempt, you say, "To hell with it, I'll go and burn it off tomorrow". So out it comes again from the fridge and you then take a healthy third helping and this time you eat it slowly so you can savor it to the very last lick. Yes, you have to lick that spoon till it is dry...
I'm sitting in my car, on my way to the doctor's office and I am listening to this song for the millionth time in the last few days. It happens sometimes. I get a new CD that has a bunch of different songs and then one in the middle hits me in the jugular. I like all the songs in the CD, but this one is special. So when I come back to this song a second time, I listen to it closely and then I play it again. A second time. And then a third and and then I don't quite leave. It's like nothing else matters. I'm so smitten by this song. The more I listen to it, the more it reaches deep in me. Soon, it's running in my blood. And of course, sitting in my head.
Ah! The chocolate cake. Why the elaborate explanation of chocolate cake? Because when I was in my car today on the way to the doctor's office, I realized I had listened to this song a millionth time and I actually removed the CD from the player and put on another one. And then it happened. I got that fateful phone call. Luckily, it didn't last long and I was free to return to my music again. But you know what I did. I removed the CD I had just inserted in the player and reverted to the one I had removed only a few minutes ago. "Loading", it said, but I couldn't wait. I was rubbing my index and middle fingers against my thumb waiting to reverse to track 16 the moment the player indicated it was ready to play the music.
And then it happened. The song started and it sent that same tingle into my heart as it did the first time I heard. This was it. This was the third slice of chocolate cake... The problem for me is, I don't stop at 3. I heard the same song tens of more times by the time I had finished my doctor's appointment, run to the grocery store, picked up my son from karate and come back home. And once I came home, I asked my son to play it on the computer. And then on youtube. We've since moved to other songs and American Idol on Fox 29, but there's this little genie in my head is singing this song to me. And I don't mind. Actually, I'm enjoying it...
It's happened all my life. It's different songs at different times. But they all have the same quality. They hit me right in the gut the first time I hear them. And then I listen to them ad nauseum. Somtimes all the way on a long drive and sometimes through the night. They inspire me and drive me. They become the moot point of my most creative work and the reflection of my deepest emotions. And it's happening now. It's chocolate cake...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLKvl6DzDCI
Sunday, February 21, 2010
50 Days!
It's been 50 days since I blogged. I wrote that long piece on New Year's day and then went into hibernation.
No doubt this winter has been pretty bad! Mt Laurel, which hardly gets one or 2 days of snow in a year, has had 3 blizzards and several more days of snow so far and one more storm is expected this coming week.
But these 50 days have actually been sleepless (kind of an oxymoron isn't it?). And I have been all over the place, literally. Not just travelling at a frenetic pace, but kicking and screaming, choking and struggling, barely surviving.
No one's fault I guess, all a result of my own creation. A series of events triggered by by own desire to grow, to move ahead and be different. So I guess I'm still in line with my theme for this year, to stretch and achieve more than I have ever dreamt of.
Sitting here on this sunny Sunday afternoon, after a wonderful home-cooked meal, I am trying hard to fight sleep. Nothing would be better than a nice afternoon nap to recharge my batteries.
But it's not to be. Soon I will be sitting in my car, heading to the Mt Laurel Library, to watch my son in the Lego League. I've gotta say, amidst these last 50 cold days, my son been truly been the sunshine of my life, in his every little deed.
I am no accountant for sure, but I've made it a point to count my blessings, no matter what. I started a list of little things to be thankful for and everyday something good happens to me, I've been making an entry.
I would truly love to sit here all day and write about all the wonderful things that have happened, but the car won't wait for me, nor will the library. I'm leaving now, but I will spring back. No matter what, there's no sleeping till I get what I want...
No doubt this winter has been pretty bad! Mt Laurel, which hardly gets one or 2 days of snow in a year, has had 3 blizzards and several more days of snow so far and one more storm is expected this coming week.
But these 50 days have actually been sleepless (kind of an oxymoron isn't it?). And I have been all over the place, literally. Not just travelling at a frenetic pace, but kicking and screaming, choking and struggling, barely surviving.
No one's fault I guess, all a result of my own creation. A series of events triggered by by own desire to grow, to move ahead and be different. So I guess I'm still in line with my theme for this year, to stretch and achieve more than I have ever dreamt of.
Sitting here on this sunny Sunday afternoon, after a wonderful home-cooked meal, I am trying hard to fight sleep. Nothing would be better than a nice afternoon nap to recharge my batteries.
But it's not to be. Soon I will be sitting in my car, heading to the Mt Laurel Library, to watch my son in the Lego League. I've gotta say, amidst these last 50 cold days, my son been truly been the sunshine of my life, in his every little deed.
I am no accountant for sure, but I've made it a point to count my blessings, no matter what. I started a list of little things to be thankful for and everyday something good happens to me, I've been making an entry.
I would truly love to sit here all day and write about all the wonderful things that have happened, but the car won't wait for me, nor will the library. I'm leaving now, but I will spring back. No matter what, there's no sleeping till I get what I want...
Friday, January 1, 2010
Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now...
Ever heard the song by Starship? It's nothing new but can't say it's nothing great. In fact, it's 10.17 AM on 1 Jan 2010, and I am sitting on my couch listening to this song and writing this. For I have just decided that this song will be my motto for this new year and you, dear reader, can certainly make it yours too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PP1HEFlkdY
You've got the drift and you've seen the song, now you want the story?
It was roughly the same time last night that we hit the New Jersey turnpike. My wife's sister is visiting and so is one of my dearest cousins, so we decided to spend a nice New Year's eve by watching Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakuel at a nearby theatre. The show began at 730 PM and ended at 9, not as great as the orignial (part 1), but a good "time pass" movie.
As we pulled out of the parking lot a little after 9, I asked the family (in the fully packed car), if they were in a hurry to get back home, or were they up for an aimless drive? No one said no, so before they realized, I was on Route 38, headed west towards the quaint city of Philadelphia. My wife was not very convinced about the idea, I could tell from the look on her face, but I comforted her by saying that we would not get out of the car, but just drive through the streets of center city, which is how the downtown area is called, just to get the New Year feel.
I was hardly 5 mins down that road (south and west, remember) and an idea bulb went off in my head. I turned to my wife who sat next to me and softly said, "should we go in the other direction? I mean, towards the other city?" The look on her face obviously worsened but she still said ok. I wasn't sure she was and I prodded her a little further. "But you will have to fill gas", was all she said and that is all I needed. I missed the first U turn but on the second, I was heading back East and North on Route 38. Exxon on Route 73 South ensured we had a full tank and all this had taken close to an hour. Like I said, we hit the New Jersey turnpike, just about 10 PM.
My son, curious as he always is, was asking me the question, "Appa, do you even know where you are going?". "We are just going for a long ride Kanna", I insisted. He was not convinced either and my cousin and my sister-in-law had to come into play to distract him. Word building was the name of the game. The 2 in the back seat with my son are in the US for the first time and were obviously curiously excited, not knowing where we were going, but waiting to see. The lady of the house, in the front passesger seat, had to slide the backrest further back and close her eyes, in order not to show her dissent. I was moving forward.
We had entered the turnpike at exit 4 and it was raining. There was a thick fog and the prediction was that there could be ice and snow. Every often she would open her eyes and inform me about the weather, like I could not see it for myself. After about 10 miles, when we were getting close to exit 5, she could take it no more and she said, "I think we should turn back and go home". Wise woman that she was, she knew that our home was exactly in between exits 4 and 5 and that was the best chance to keep me from turning that bulb in my head OFF. "Let us just go a little longer and if it gets bad, I will turn back I promise", I said. She knew and I knew, I was not turning back.
The words continued to get built, the music continued to waft in the confused ambience inside the car and I kept the steady pace of 55 to 60 miles per hour on a 65 speed limit road. It was raining after all and all I coud see were the tail lights in front of me. "Appa, I need to use the rest room", came the call and we had to pull up into a service area. I still did not like the look on my wife's face. "Ha! Starbucks", I said. "Chai latte?", I questioned and she nodded, not thoroughly convincing. If there was one thing that could brighten her up, it was that. Alas, Starbucks was closed and we had to settle for Tetley tea and hot chocolate from Roy Rogers.
Quickly back in the car, we rode on. The words continued to flow and the skepticism was still in the air. I did everything I could to make everyone comfortable. Soon we were cruising in the rain, playing, answering phone calls and secretly I was praying (to my lord Sai Baba) that All would be well and that my secret desire would be fulfilled.
The Newark airport at exit 13 A provided for a little distraction. Everyone was searching the air to see if there were any flights landing and then to the runway to see if there were any taking off. With the amount of fog in the air, the chance of anything happening seemed remote and all they saw was the huge tractor, truck kind of vehicle ardently spraying salt on the runways and on the highway. More likelihood of snow! If you are taking the New Jersey turnpike one way or the other, I recommend you watch out to the left while going North and to the right while going South, when you are in the region between exits 13 and 14 (or 14 and 13). The sight of flights taking off and landing at the Newark airport at exit 13 A is simply breathtaking. And it can be quite an experience when you are in a moving car. But the one who is driving has to be focused.
I was chugging along. "So are you going into the city?", she asked. "Why don't we park the car at Seacaucus and take the train?" It was a good idea, no doubt, but it was not part of my plan. One of the greatest things about New York city is when you are entering it by road, just before you hit the Lincoln Tunnel, when you curve right to enter the tunnel, on the left you will see a full size view of midtown Manhattan. What can be awe-inspring in the day is simply out of the world at night, lights et al. So soon, I was past exit 15X for Seacaucus and had taken exit 16E for the Lincoln Tunnel.
The heavy fog had prevented a previously breathtaking view of the city. Just after you pass the Newark airport area, there is a kind of elevation on the road, it's not really a bridge, but more like a mound, and when you climb it and start climbing down, you get the first glimpse of the city's skyline, quite a view it is. The fog simply offered nothing to us today and at that point we had missed that. But now we were close to tunnel and as I took that right curve, I asked the first-timers to pay attention and there it was, that wonderful view of midtown.
"So we are going into the city, aren't we?", my son asked and per a previous conversation we had had, I now owed him $5, because he bet that that is where I was going and I had just brushed him aside by saying we were going for a long drive.
As we were in the tunnel, I felt the need for another pit stop and my son agreed. Though my original intention was to just drive into the city, get on the west end highway, all along the Hudson river and get out of the city through the George Washington Bridge, that was not to be. The Port Authority Bus Station and the car parking on top of it are right outside the tunnel and I pulled up into the parking lot, remember we needed the pit stop. The good part about this parking lot is that it's right on top of the bus station cum subway complex, so it has rest rooms, cafes and the works.
All of us had eased ourselves and it was time to decide what to do next. But that was only for my wife because I knew exactly what I was doing. I gave her a hug, got hold of my child's arm and asked him to wear his gloves. There was only one way we were going. Out. We stepped out on to 8th avenue and it was 1140 PM. The mighty New York times building was right in front of us and as we tried to find its vertical end, we only found ourselves staring into the fog. But that was not the important thing now. Here we were 2 blocks away from Times Square, 20 minutes from midnight, when the legendary ball dropping would take place to announce the New Year.
"Let's just go to that Starbucks, get that chai latte and get back to the car", I sugggested, fully knowing that is not what I meant. So we moved towards 42nd street and realized that at the corner of 42nd and 8th, there was no moving forward. All we could see was a sea of humans. The police had cordoned off the streets and the sidewalks were overflowing. However, we noticed that everyone was looking in the direction of 7th and 43rd and we could see a building with a clock tower with a ball on top of it. "Is that the ball", people were asking. "No, I don't think so", someone else was saying. There was no way we were getting to Starbucks so I suggested that we get back to the car.
"No, let's just wait and see what happens", my wife said and that bulb in my brain started glowing like a thousand watts. No sooner had she said that (it was closer to 1155) and suddenly the floodgates were opened and the police allowed the people from the sidelwalk to step on the street. It was raining and I had my son on my shoulder, so I asked my family not to step out onto the street, but before I had realized, my wife, cathcing hold of her sister's hand, had surged forward and brought herself to a spot, from where we could see the REAL BALL! Did I have an option? My son, my cousin and I were there in less than a minute too.
All we heard was noise. And then it happened. The ball started falling slowly and the fireworks emerged. Streaks of color filled the sky and the glitzy signs in the Times Square area added to the fervor. The noise increased. And the countdown began, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ZERO. And the crowd went wild. HAPPY NEW YEAR! My wife was smiling and my son was loving it. As for my 2 guests who were visiting New York for the first time, you probably have to email them or check them out on Facebook, to see what they felt.
To me, this night was not about watching the ever famous ball dropping at New York's Times Square. It was about stretching my limits. On another day, I would have never undertaken this journey. Rain, fog and expectation of ice and snow were a perfect recipe to stay home, watch a movie and go to bed. And I would have been thoroughly satisfied with that. Last night, there was a desire, to ask for more from life and stretch myself a little harder to get it. Honestly, all I wanted was to show my guests, my dear sister-in-law and my dear cousin, the 2 breathtaking views of New York city that I have never ceased to be amazed with how many ever times I have seen them. I just wanted to make them feel excited about this New Year eve. When my wife wanted to turn back at exit 5, I decided I was sticking to the course and I guess I hit the jackpot.
And hence the theme and title of this story. Last night made me believe, that nothing is going to stop me this year and I am going to stretch myself to get what I want in life. And I wanted to share this with one and all, family and friends, just to let you know, Nothing's going to stop you now.
WISHING YOU, DEAR READER, A LIMITLESS NEW YEAR. GO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
Our wonderful journey ended at 245 AM, only after my wife got an extra hot cup of Chai latte from Casa Java and we witnessed a medium size aircraft touchdown at the Newark airport, literally metres away from eyesight...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PP1HEFlkdY
You've got the drift and you've seen the song, now you want the story?
It was roughly the same time last night that we hit the New Jersey turnpike. My wife's sister is visiting and so is one of my dearest cousins, so we decided to spend a nice New Year's eve by watching Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakuel at a nearby theatre. The show began at 730 PM and ended at 9, not as great as the orignial (part 1), but a good "time pass" movie.
As we pulled out of the parking lot a little after 9, I asked the family (in the fully packed car), if they were in a hurry to get back home, or were they up for an aimless drive? No one said no, so before they realized, I was on Route 38, headed west towards the quaint city of Philadelphia. My wife was not very convinced about the idea, I could tell from the look on her face, but I comforted her by saying that we would not get out of the car, but just drive through the streets of center city, which is how the downtown area is called, just to get the New Year feel.
I was hardly 5 mins down that road (south and west, remember) and an idea bulb went off in my head. I turned to my wife who sat next to me and softly said, "should we go in the other direction? I mean, towards the other city?" The look on her face obviously worsened but she still said ok. I wasn't sure she was and I prodded her a little further. "But you will have to fill gas", was all she said and that is all I needed. I missed the first U turn but on the second, I was heading back East and North on Route 38. Exxon on Route 73 South ensured we had a full tank and all this had taken close to an hour. Like I said, we hit the New Jersey turnpike, just about 10 PM.
My son, curious as he always is, was asking me the question, "Appa, do you even know where you are going?". "We are just going for a long ride Kanna", I insisted. He was not convinced either and my cousin and my sister-in-law had to come into play to distract him. Word building was the name of the game. The 2 in the back seat with my son are in the US for the first time and were obviously curiously excited, not knowing where we were going, but waiting to see. The lady of the house, in the front passesger seat, had to slide the backrest further back and close her eyes, in order not to show her dissent. I was moving forward.
We had entered the turnpike at exit 4 and it was raining. There was a thick fog and the prediction was that there could be ice and snow. Every often she would open her eyes and inform me about the weather, like I could not see it for myself. After about 10 miles, when we were getting close to exit 5, she could take it no more and she said, "I think we should turn back and go home". Wise woman that she was, she knew that our home was exactly in between exits 4 and 5 and that was the best chance to keep me from turning that bulb in my head OFF. "Let us just go a little longer and if it gets bad, I will turn back I promise", I said. She knew and I knew, I was not turning back.
The words continued to get built, the music continued to waft in the confused ambience inside the car and I kept the steady pace of 55 to 60 miles per hour on a 65 speed limit road. It was raining after all and all I coud see were the tail lights in front of me. "Appa, I need to use the rest room", came the call and we had to pull up into a service area. I still did not like the look on my wife's face. "Ha! Starbucks", I said. "Chai latte?", I questioned and she nodded, not thoroughly convincing. If there was one thing that could brighten her up, it was that. Alas, Starbucks was closed and we had to settle for Tetley tea and hot chocolate from Roy Rogers.
Quickly back in the car, we rode on. The words continued to flow and the skepticism was still in the air. I did everything I could to make everyone comfortable. Soon we were cruising in the rain, playing, answering phone calls and secretly I was praying (to my lord Sai Baba) that All would be well and that my secret desire would be fulfilled.
The Newark airport at exit 13 A provided for a little distraction. Everyone was searching the air to see if there were any flights landing and then to the runway to see if there were any taking off. With the amount of fog in the air, the chance of anything happening seemed remote and all they saw was the huge tractor, truck kind of vehicle ardently spraying salt on the runways and on the highway. More likelihood of snow! If you are taking the New Jersey turnpike one way or the other, I recommend you watch out to the left while going North and to the right while going South, when you are in the region between exits 13 and 14 (or 14 and 13). The sight of flights taking off and landing at the Newark airport at exit 13 A is simply breathtaking. And it can be quite an experience when you are in a moving car. But the one who is driving has to be focused.
I was chugging along. "So are you going into the city?", she asked. "Why don't we park the car at Seacaucus and take the train?" It was a good idea, no doubt, but it was not part of my plan. One of the greatest things about New York city is when you are entering it by road, just before you hit the Lincoln Tunnel, when you curve right to enter the tunnel, on the left you will see a full size view of midtown Manhattan. What can be awe-inspring in the day is simply out of the world at night, lights et al. So soon, I was past exit 15X for Seacaucus and had taken exit 16E for the Lincoln Tunnel.
The heavy fog had prevented a previously breathtaking view of the city. Just after you pass the Newark airport area, there is a kind of elevation on the road, it's not really a bridge, but more like a mound, and when you climb it and start climbing down, you get the first glimpse of the city's skyline, quite a view it is. The fog simply offered nothing to us today and at that point we had missed that. But now we were close to tunnel and as I took that right curve, I asked the first-timers to pay attention and there it was, that wonderful view of midtown.
"So we are going into the city, aren't we?", my son asked and per a previous conversation we had had, I now owed him $5, because he bet that that is where I was going and I had just brushed him aside by saying we were going for a long drive.
As we were in the tunnel, I felt the need for another pit stop and my son agreed. Though my original intention was to just drive into the city, get on the west end highway, all along the Hudson river and get out of the city through the George Washington Bridge, that was not to be. The Port Authority Bus Station and the car parking on top of it are right outside the tunnel and I pulled up into the parking lot, remember we needed the pit stop. The good part about this parking lot is that it's right on top of the bus station cum subway complex, so it has rest rooms, cafes and the works.
All of us had eased ourselves and it was time to decide what to do next. But that was only for my wife because I knew exactly what I was doing. I gave her a hug, got hold of my child's arm and asked him to wear his gloves. There was only one way we were going. Out. We stepped out on to 8th avenue and it was 1140 PM. The mighty New York times building was right in front of us and as we tried to find its vertical end, we only found ourselves staring into the fog. But that was not the important thing now. Here we were 2 blocks away from Times Square, 20 minutes from midnight, when the legendary ball dropping would take place to announce the New Year.
"Let's just go to that Starbucks, get that chai latte and get back to the car", I sugggested, fully knowing that is not what I meant. So we moved towards 42nd street and realized that at the corner of 42nd and 8th, there was no moving forward. All we could see was a sea of humans. The police had cordoned off the streets and the sidewalks were overflowing. However, we noticed that everyone was looking in the direction of 7th and 43rd and we could see a building with a clock tower with a ball on top of it. "Is that the ball", people were asking. "No, I don't think so", someone else was saying. There was no way we were getting to Starbucks so I suggested that we get back to the car.
"No, let's just wait and see what happens", my wife said and that bulb in my brain started glowing like a thousand watts. No sooner had she said that (it was closer to 1155) and suddenly the floodgates were opened and the police allowed the people from the sidelwalk to step on the street. It was raining and I had my son on my shoulder, so I asked my family not to step out onto the street, but before I had realized, my wife, cathcing hold of her sister's hand, had surged forward and brought herself to a spot, from where we could see the REAL BALL! Did I have an option? My son, my cousin and I were there in less than a minute too.
All we heard was noise. And then it happened. The ball started falling slowly and the fireworks emerged. Streaks of color filled the sky and the glitzy signs in the Times Square area added to the fervor. The noise increased. And the countdown began, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, ZERO. And the crowd went wild. HAPPY NEW YEAR! My wife was smiling and my son was loving it. As for my 2 guests who were visiting New York for the first time, you probably have to email them or check them out on Facebook, to see what they felt.
To me, this night was not about watching the ever famous ball dropping at New York's Times Square. It was about stretching my limits. On another day, I would have never undertaken this journey. Rain, fog and expectation of ice and snow were a perfect recipe to stay home, watch a movie and go to bed. And I would have been thoroughly satisfied with that. Last night, there was a desire, to ask for more from life and stretch myself a little harder to get it. Honestly, all I wanted was to show my guests, my dear sister-in-law and my dear cousin, the 2 breathtaking views of New York city that I have never ceased to be amazed with how many ever times I have seen them. I just wanted to make them feel excited about this New Year eve. When my wife wanted to turn back at exit 5, I decided I was sticking to the course and I guess I hit the jackpot.
And hence the theme and title of this story. Last night made me believe, that nothing is going to stop me this year and I am going to stretch myself to get what I want in life. And I wanted to share this with one and all, family and friends, just to let you know, Nothing's going to stop you now.
WISHING YOU, DEAR READER, A LIMITLESS NEW YEAR. GO GET WHAT YOU WANT.
Our wonderful journey ended at 245 AM, only after my wife got an extra hot cup of Chai latte from Casa Java and we witnessed a medium size aircraft touchdown at the Newark airport, literally metres away from eyesight...
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