Trou Aux Cerfs, Curepipe Mauritius

The past is always a good place to start. So lets start a few million years ago. Trou Aux Cerfs (Google translate advises me that it means The Hole of the Deer. The translation merits a paragraph or two in its own but we'll wait for that as I am still digesting that thought) is a volcanic crater that was formed millions of years ago and is currently classified dormant but can erupt anytime within the next 1000 years. It didn't show any signs of erupting when we were there. But in case that happens when you are there, do think of me and remember that I warned you.

I would have liked to have walked around it and taken in the view of the crater from different angles and feel awestruck but the taxi driver + guide advised me against as we were on a clock that was defined by him.

We walked in the direction opposite to the one that was being taken by most of the visitors who were quite loud. But then a few of them saw us walk in that direction and decided to spoil it for us.
Perhaps they were not all that impressed by the sight and actually neither was I. In the foreground of my mind, Sir David Attenborough shook his head disapprovingly. That made me sad.

The place was right but the time was wrong. Like most places, Trou Aux Cerfs is place best visited early in the morning. The 15 km walk would be well worth it. It surrounds something that has existed for millions of years and perhaps not changed much. Otherwise its just a hole in a hill with a lot of stagnant murky green water, surrounded by dense green forest.

Another lesson learned - The guide doesn't know what you wish to experience. His idea of sight seeing is limited to you taking a picture. Or perhaps that is the expectation of most people - crash a few million years into a few minutes and quickly capture the moment with your smartphone and post on facebook and Instagram. The place doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that it shows on your wall that you were there.

Next time, I will set the rules. Of course with the blessings of my better half.

Kindled

Saw a Kindle for the first time today. Amazing tool. Imagine all that you need / want to read in the course of your lifetime in something the size of one A4 notebook. Love the idea. It cannot support colours at this point of time so your reading list will not include comics. Thats a pity. But I guess being a late adopter of most things, I will wait till a new version is available - one which can support colours and better graphics.

Parul was not quite impressed, she likes the book shop experience and I totally understand that. There's something about walking through ailses and picking up a book just to read that back cover.

But what a Kindle can never beat is the sheer joy of owning a book; the pride of seeing it in your bookshelf, evidence of the kind of person you are; the satisfaction of balancing the spine as you cross halfway through a book; thumbing through the pages in haste to find out where the sentence takes you....

Guess the term page turner would soon find a substitute.

Ikea Lunch

I hate it.

But was surprising to see that the Ikea restaurant was absolutely full. Amongst the 4 of us, Parul was the only person who enjoyed her meal. Its meat balls and gravy rice for her always. She's a creature of habit.

If I ever meet Mr.Ingvar Kamprad, I intend to introduce him to Shaan Masala's. Yes I admit it, I am a fan. So what if its made in Pakistan! Something good has to come out of there. Zaheer Abbas was quite some time back. Ponting, Sachin, RD dont even come close when it comes to the cover drive.

No Cover Drives for me this week, everything that's outside the off stump will be left for the keeper. Unfortunately batting with the tail implies that one needs to take most of the strike. The years been like a rough wicket so far at work. There seems to be just too much of it and after a long time everything is pitched on good length and the wicket is seaming a little. Better call for a helmet for the short one and watch out for the yorker.

Absent Anshuman

Have a few ideas that I just have not been able to give words to. Had started writing a few posts but words eluded me.

Till a few years ago, "Time is on my side" was my song. I had this belief that I can at any point of time do anything. Made me feel really invincible.Isn't that a wonderful way to feel.

Somehow for the past few days I no longer feel that way. It's really push come to shove now and it definitely is the time to shove.

So I'll let you in on what I have been up to. No, I have not been busy writing the final few pages of my book. Though I am convinced I do have a few in me. And neither is it work that has kept me really busy for I still have more than ample to time to use constructively.

My life has been taken over by Facebook. Facebook Poker in particular. There are a few in my office and some friends who also play poker on Facebook and every time we meet we definitely spend time discussing our scores. How I lost 10K of my virtual money because I went 'all in' with a 'straight', only to be beaten by this gentleman from Turkey who had a 'flush' that I did not even know existed. Or how I lost with '4 K's' to a 'straight flush'.

Parul would initially get really pissed off with me and rightly so because I'll comeback from work and be at it till the time I decided to go to sleep. That's changed because even she likes playing Poker now.

It's strange, the fact that it can give you highs and lows despite the reality that you are not winning or losing real money. You do get to meet people from all over the world though and you do feel happy when you win. Those are the upsides.

There definitely is a story there. One that I will write after I have better digested this phenomenon. The one thing that is certain is that I wont be missing class any more.

The return of Shantaram

Have been struggling to come up with anything. Still am. Got a few ideas but have been quite drained to give them any shape. As always I stand between myself and what I really want to do.

Picked up Shantaram again. Am down 50 pages but have found quite a few gems that I had missed earlier. Hopefully it'll help me pick up other things too.

null, void

still nothing

Ninna's Dream

In her doggie dreams, Ninna wants to grow up to be like Papa.

PG W/O AK

Chapter 3 - A for Apple

Mr.A was thought that he was fair in his assessment of himself, not too smart and not too intelligent, just about average.

However he had the vague hope that he had the potential to cross the thin line that separated average from above average and like a man of average smarts, he had around him a thin envelope of the illusion of smartness.

At 10 (then only called A) he discovered his mothers collection of Readers Digest, painstakingly preserved since 1966. He attacked, like a jackal plunging head first into the remains of what was once something lower on the food chain. The only thing he did devour were small bits of that was once important. Quite like the Jackal.

Suddenly he made the transition to being quasi smart. He knew all kinds of vague bits of information. Though which did not reflect in his school grades but did made him a member of the school quiz team.

Grades apart he loved quizzing. He and his friend Shanghai Chan made a pretty decent duo. Though his real name was Shankar Channi, you have to admit Shanghai Chan is a lot more like out of a George Lucas Movie. A was the better quizzer of the two.

In his fantasy world he was as a Superman in Glasses. But though Superman always came out winner the best A and Chan managed was runners up.

The true Superman was Pranav Saikia, the Assamese boy from St.Raphael's High school, subsequently Delhi College of Applied Sciences and later on International Business Management School. From school to college to Business school Pranav won every quiz. The undisputed heavyweight champion of quizzing. Undisputed for 15 years.

A was now a Vice President with a Bank. Made good money but not enough. Pranav had retired and was running an Applied Bio Science Lab.

The Underground Quiz was a year long affair with the finals conducted live with contestants aboard the Underground Trains of the 4 global metros of Bangalore, Dubai, Shanghai and London. No prize money. Only individual glory.

Pranav and A were tied for the first spot. Shanghai Chan, now actually a land baron in Shanghai was 10 points behind.

Sachin Tendulkar, legendary Indian cricketer now turned Quiz Master spoke slowly, “Last question. All three contenders can pull this off. Remember 10 points for the right answer and minus 10 for the wrong. I will give you a set of clues you will have to tell me the connection. And the question for the championship is

Establish a relationship between - Apple computers, CIA, The British Royalty and Jennifer Lopez".

Orkut Fortune

At Orkut the horoscope conjurers or the flunkies who have a knack for sucking up and putting it succinctly do a very good job of getting me to the site at least once a day for the sole purpose of checking my fortune.

I wonder why its never negative. I guess that's why they call it fortune. In case one day it does end up negative, will they change the title to 'Today's Misfortune'?

Chapter 2 - A Day's work

Lou was angry and when he was angry he used to usually call his brother. This time around he knew that his brother was directly responsible for the incident that had made him angry. He knew that he needed to have his wits about him if he was to have any success with his brother. And he knew just the tone of voice to adopt for the occasion. But he knew he needed some leverage all the same.

He called his assistant and gave clear instructions, “Operation Delta is a go”.

Unfortunately his assistant Mr.A had just woken up so couldn’t grasp his instructions clearly. “Operation Delta….Sir could you be more specific”

“How more specific can I be? We did speak about this yesterday! Have you started using that powdery stuff that I specifically asked you to stay away from again?” Lou shouted.

“Sir, I am sorry but I don’t recall the details of Operation Delta. I did get your memo but I am afraid it was not very specific”, Mr. A replied nervously.

“The specifics are up to you. What do I pay you for? I am not into micro management. That’s not my style. If you want your employer to keep on breathing down your neck, monitoring everything that you do, why don’t you work for my brother instead?”, Lou was about to lose it completely.

“Actually sir, I did go him before I came to you but he did not want me. He did not quite like my qualifications. It was a bit of a let down, I did go to business school and pass with honors and besides everyone told me that experience counted more than the degree. But he just looked at my resume and said that he’d let me know. No questions asked, none of that, ‘tell me a bit about you stuff’. I found it quite strange. And frankly speaking, in fact now that you mentioned it, I am hoping that perhaps you can put in a word for me. I am looking at gaining some experience with the other side”, Mr. A babbled. His employer made him nervous and when he was nervous he let out exactly what was on his mind. He knew it was his shortcoming.

“Mr. A, do I come across as a benevolent and kind person to you? Don’t attempt answering that because I know I am not. The only reason why I am not firing you right now is because I can’t replace you at such short notice and I need Operation Delta executed immediately so will you get on with it”, Lou was breathing fire now.

“About Operation Delta sir…” Mr. A stuttered

“What about Operation Delta?” Lou shouted.

“The details sir” Mr. A could barely manage a whisper.

“When I call you take out Jay Metal” Lou spoke in a hushed tone.

“I am sorry sir, I did not quite get that. Could you be a bit louder? The reception here is very bad I’m afraid” Mr. A raised his voice in an attempt to be clear.

“You don’t need to shout A. I can hear you perfectly. Take out Jay Metal, I said” Lou said a bit louder.

“Take out sir? I am sorry, I don’t understand. Can you be more specific sir. Do you mean take him out for lunch?”, Mr. A was confused and could not hide it.

“WHEN I CALL YOU TAKE HIM OUT…MAKE HIM DISAPPEAR…TERMINATE HIM, SLAUGHTER HIM…SLAY HIM, MURDER HIM, TAKE HIS LIFE, KILL HIM…DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW”, Lou was beyond himself.

“Clearly Sir. My mission that is Operation Delta is to wait for your call and upon receiving your affirmation cause Jay Metal’s life to cease” Mr. A paraphrased.

“FINALLY…MOW GET STARTED, you have work to do and I have to call my brother”, Lou realised that he was still shouting and changed his tone mid way.

“Yes sir. On with it. And sir, just one more thing”, Mr. A was brimming with a sense of purpose.

“What is it A?” Lou inquired

“Sir, will you put in a word for me with your brother. I genuinely do want to gain some experience in that department.” Mr. A spoke politely, hoping not to offend his employer.

“A. Do this well and I’ll see what I can do”, Lou couldn’t believe what he had just heard but needed to get on with work and call his brother.

story of my life

The Bank of Eyngland

Despite the hooker’s best efforts, Andy just could not finish. Sex just wasn't how it used to be. He found it just too tough to climax.

There was loud pounding on the door.

"Andy, you're already 20 minutes late. These guys have already performed 2 more songs that they were supposed to. The crowd has come to listen to you and not to these sods. Just leave what ever you are up to and come out", it was Robbie his manager.

"You don't remind me remind me that I am late. This babe was terrible, your grandmother can probably give better head than this babe". Andy emerged from his room zipping up his leather pants.

"Robbie, promise me that you will never book me another tour in a place where drugs are illegal. Did you manage any? I can't perform without being stoned. The last time I did that I was singing in the church choir and that was bloody 35 years ago. Did you manage to score some stuff like you promised", Steve was very agitated.

"Andy, this place is not like back home. They put a guy in jail last week for possessing .5gms of Hashish and that Indian guy is still in jail, his poor wife has been running between the jail and the Indian High Commission for 10 days now. In fact I think that they should start a new race in the Olympics named after her. Now come on, pull yourself together, you can do it", Robbie was very firm. He could sense that Andy was about to throw one of his tantrums.

"I need it Robbie, I can't do it. What's happening to me? I can't ever screw any more"? Andy broke down.

“No Andy, no. Don’t do that, not now. You can do it. If anyone can, you can do it. You’re Andy Eyngland, you’ve got 17 platinum albums, 23 No. 1 hits. You don’t need to get stoned to perform”, Robbie rattled out his pep talk.

“But I do. You know it, I do. I can’t do with out it. My head is spinning, I am choking. It’s all my mothers fault. Anyway I always hated singing. God’s given you a gift Andy, when you sing God signs through you. I won’t be able to sing. They’ll boo me off the stage. I have money, I can probably live off my royalties alone…retire in the country, catch some fish. What will you do? What will you do without a job, Robbie?” Andy was hysterical.

“Andy you’re broke, if anyone needs to perform tonight, you do. I wanted to tell you but I thought I’ll wait till after the concert. You see that guy in the black suit in the corner. He’s with your accountancy firm and he told be just a little while ago.” Robbie said gravely.

“What do you mean I’m broke? They press calls me the Bank of Eyngland. I am richer than the Queen. How can I be broke?” Andy was flabbergasted.

“The court ruled in Marion’s favor. She’s wiped you out. You need to do this Andy”, Robbie said slowly.

“Bloody women. Never marry Robbie, never. They’ll kill everything inside you. Look at me, I’m finished but I am going to come back. Andy the Phoenix. Now on to work. We have a crowd to please.” Andy put on a brave face and walked ahead.

The opening bars of ‘Rising from the ashes’ Andy 1983 hit, could be heard.

“What a song to come back to”, said Robbie as he patted Andy on the shoulder.

“Indeed”, said Andy and ran towards the stage.

“What was that bit about Marion”, asked Jerry who happened to be listening to the conversation.

“Nothing, just a little lie that I fabricated to get him up on stage”, replied Robbie coolly. “The bit that I am bothered about is he’s not able to screw. Poor Andy”, Robbie continued.

The crowd ruptured as soon as Andy came on to the stage.

Andy started singing.

As you walked away
I thought I’d heard you say
That you couldn’t do without me

Just a misplaced illusion
That you created
But now I can clearly see

That you’re rotten
and you’re scheming
Lying
And deceiving
And now I’m truly free

As he uttered the words he fell. It was a part of his act. This is when he springs up and did the ‘Andy walk’, imagine John Wayne walking like Captain Jack Sparrow.

The band continued to play. Andy stayed down.

Something was wrong. Jimmy, the lead guitarist walked up to him. Andy was not moving. “Andy, you alright?” said Jimmy.
“Andy, Andy”….

Today - I thought I'd finally found something to write about. I remember being quite kicked about it. As I try to think back what it was, I just cannot remember. Maybe it was just a dream. And those I have not been able to remember for quite some time now.

Depressing!

A few days ago - I wake up at 5:30 to board the office bus at 7 in the morning. Its a boring near to abouts 2 hours long drive. Parul bought me an MP3 player and I put most of my music on it. Through the journey I keep on shuffling through the songs and can't find one that I want to listen to entirely. The only piece that made the list was the Raiders March (The Indiana Jones theme).

Need new music or just rediscover the old.

Talking about rediscovering music got quite taken in by Kashmir.

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Daffodils Rap

Wordsworth remixed.

Like the idea but don’t like the output.

Read it and then watch the rap rendition on http://www.golakes.co.uk/wordsworthrap/ and decide for yourself.

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:-
A poet could not but be gay
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

A lovely day

A song from the long gone past. I first heard of it in an advertisement for Old Spice shaving cream. Later on in life when I was working on the brand I was told by the owner of the company that that commercial was the only commercial for Old Spice made in India and the only commercial that did not feature Caramina Burana.

The inane movie that Parul is watching started with this song and I felt compelled to find the song.

Bill Withers - Lov...

Its a happy song. The lyrics ring true.

The ballad of Parul and Freddie

I would like to watch Australia lose just as much as I like the team. It's like watching a 'good' Goliath fall to a David. The match today has provided just the very opportunity and I have just about overcome my disgust at India's performance in the World Cup and broken my vow not to watch any of the matches.

I got back home to watch Bell and Pietersen thrash McGrath and company and I had the feeling that England is going to continue its good form against the Aussies. Bell fell and was quickly followed by Collingwood and in walked Freddie. Knowing that the two will play it safe for sometime I decided to do check my gmail and orkut accounts for the 10th time today.

I thought I'll lure Parul away by telling her that Freddie is on TV but she gave me the PC anyway. No new messages or comments so I thought I'll go back to the match.

'Aanoo please change the channel or put a movie, I don't want to watch the match", said Parul as soon as I entered the living room.

"But Parul, Andrew Flintoff is playing and soon they will be hitting huge sixes", I was confident that this will sustain her interest in the match.

"I don't want to watch this, I cannot see his face", she said leaving me in a fix.

I pittered pottered around, trying to buy time. Brad Hogg bowled, Flintoff stepped out and my hopes were revived for an instant. This is going out of the park I thought. It was a brilliant chinaman, Flintoff missed and Gilchrist was quick in stumping him.

"Yeah, la la”, she shouted in glee (I am sure that those who know Parul will know what I am talking about)"Aanoo now he is going to take off his helmet", I was flabbergasted but could only laugh at her reasons.

Flintoff obliged and a minute long monologue on how he's so cute and so sweet followed.

My interest in the match was withering even though Peitersen was still there. I put on a movie and in the first scene itself it was evident that the movie was terrible. Parul agreed to my request of watching the rest of the match as only 10 odd overs were left.

"Aanoo, Flintoff must be sitting somewhere, why are they not showing him', said Parul after a long period of silence.

The cameraman did not obilige.

Peitersen, Bopara, Nixon plodded along and Peitersen got out shortly after completing his 100. The Aussies managed to curtail the Pommies and the initial promise of England posting a big total was not fulfilled.

I stopped watching and here I am. I still have my hopes up and am rooting for England. I don't it will be problematic to watch the rest of the match. Afterall Freddie doesn't bowl or field wearing his helmet.

whatever

Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts

If you like stories, this one is incredible.

7.Lily, Rosemary a...

Pinballing on Youtube

Finally comprehended why youtube is the phenomenon it is. Spent a good 2 hours watching various versions of Pinball Wizard...The Who live at 4 concerts including woodstock; Of course the sequence from Tommy reproduced in the previous post and 7-8 versions sby amatuers.

Needless to say, I like my life.