Love - Life - Losses

It is Human nature that we do not treasure something or someone as long as we have that as ours. The value becomes ever so evident once we have lost it? We take it for granted that these loved ones and objects would be around for us for ever.

One recently learned lesson - the only constant thing about life is change. When you loose something that you have loved for so long, there comes this void and no matter what you try and what you do, this void remains. So make the most of your blessings, treasure the gifts you have and the people you love!

My Love Story!

I was born into the Gen X of the 80's. Heavily influenced by the romantic-comedies in HBO I grew up watching. All the romance, kissing, steamy-raunchy rated scenes proliferant in Hollywood movies, had a deep impact on me during my making years. I grew up believing that boys were to woo girls and the fairer gender were to succumb to their charm eventually. As if destined, I grew up into a teenager who looked upon all beautiful girls around as potential date and a few among them as the heroine of my very own 'Love Story'.

Things were warming up as early as high school. Working on my love letter writing skills, heading for the movies, taking girls out for dates - had to wait till college tough. All thanks to the newly found freedom of movement that residential college brought with it. Private coaching a few local high school students towards competitive exams was a good source of income in my college days - so money was never a problem. Looking back, I had a lot of fun and very little luck. The dates ended in movies and dinner - things never matured into anything more interesting or rewarding. Having a steady girl-friend was hard to come by leave aside getting into a relationship.

Four years of college just whisked by and there I was - hopelessly single, virgin to the extent of never having touched a girl romantically. Professional life was no different and this time I could not be so explicit with my romantic advances - it was no longer college! All the pretty hotties I knew were either taken or married. Soon I was 30 and the situation was very grim. The sands of time had run out from the 'fun' side into the 'get serious' side of the hour-glass. I had to give in to my parents' wish of getting me married. I was then in Canada on an assignment and my parents believed technology could bridge the gap of distance.

What followed was torture. Every week-end I was glued to my laptop, sifting through profiles and photos of prospective alliances, short-listed by my parents over the week. It was nerve-wrenching to say the least. Nothing seemed to work - most of the profiles were lame. This went in for 8-9 weeks. I could not take it anymore. On the verge of a mental breakdown, I backed out from the bride hunting marathon which clearly was not going anywhere. Having given up the responsibility of finding an alliance to my parents entirely, I started parting even harder as I had realized that soon my fate would be written off with an 'average', 'down-market' girl - profiles of whose were swarming across all the matrimony sites.

Later I was told, when my parents realized the hopelessness of looking at profiles over the matrimonial sites online, they decided to post an advertisement in the local newspaper's matrimonial section. Alliances poured in and this time a few of them caught the imagination of my parents. Horoscopes were tallied with the short-listed candidates and lines of communication were established. One Sunday, during a Skype call with my parents, I was enlightened about the movements that had happened over the weeks. Photos along with the profiles of three short-listed girls were emailed to me soon after. And this time I found one of them worth taking a look at. Emails went out and numbers exchanged between guardians - eventually passed on to me with a Skype video-conferencing set up between the prospect and me.

It was an awkward mix of nervousness and excitement. I knew this was the real deal, decision taken now would change the course of my entire life. The week went by in a flash and it was Saturday, the day I was to Skype Piali and I had no clue of what I was supposed to ask her or even talk about! The call came in and I took it. What followed was a conversation unprecedented in my entire life. We were an hour into the conversation and it seemed like minutes. I was very comfortable talking to her - on my preferences, hobbies, profession, short and long term goals - pretty much everything under the sun was talked that day! After the call, parents were given the 'go codes' - things were moving at a crazy pace. I took an unlimited India calling plan. We Skyped every week-end, talked over the phone for hours. It seemed as if I were a call center employee - with the microphone ever attached and I talking away to glory.

 It was during these days that I stumbled upon a discovery - Piali was an amazing singer! One day she sang to me over the phone and it seemed as if I had transcended to another dimension of eternal peace and poise. I was mesmerized, swept off my feet and hooked on to her singing. Everyday she used to sing to me over the phone before hanging up. But the song she sang to me the first day ever remains close to my heart! And after our marriage (this post is a tribute to our 1st marriage anniversary) I have convinced her into recording that song - 'Main Tainu Samjhawa Ki'. So here is a toast to my 'Love Story', our marriage and her song!

Original Song Link 

On Evolution

It was 13.5 billion years ago that chaos gave rise to the universe, 5 Billion years ago earth was born. 4 billion years back ours was literally a lonely planet without life! 6 million years back we lived on trees and looked much like Chimpanzees. 6 years before Christ, we believed Earth was flat. In mid 1500's man challenged the idea of Earth being center of the Universe. So less happened in so much time - few and far away grains of events in the hourglass of evolution. But winds of change ushered in with the Industrial revolution only a 100 years back - each day was pregnant with an invention that would change the way of life. 100 years of technology versus 13.5 years of evolution - so much in so less, imagine the road ahead!

Bengali Rasgullas in Toronto

I Looked for authentic, fresh, soft and fluffy Bengali Rasgullas in Toronto. But was very upset to only find the stale canned Rasgullas of Haldiram. 

Even the ones at the Indian sweets shop were extremely dry and tasteless. The fluffy, softness of Bengali Rasgullas were missing.

I am now open to share this Bengali treasure with folks in GTA. Price for 15 Rasgullas is 5 CAD

Indy Honda – Formula One race comes to Toronto

Was one of the rare week-ends when I was in town, but not one where I was lazing away my time. It was my week-end at Exhibition Place, Toronto - for the much coveted Indy Honda Formula One racing! My first ever experience on the tracks and it sure did turn out to be much more trilling than I expected it to be. My seats were in the 9/10 turn stands. But the sun was so strong and the thirst so high – that I could not resist myself from taking myself to the Hooters Beer Camp.
Pretty girls, friendly and forthcoming, serving chilled beer with a warm smile, an amazing view of the hot wheels scorching the tracks – a combination too much for the young at heart to deny! The noise, the energy, the crowd, the weather and the babes at Hooters – all perfect. The event stacked up to be a very successful one and for me a memorable day out among hot wheels and high heels!

Joy of Jiving to Jovi

July 21st 2010 shall remain ever etched in my memory! For it was Bon Jovi's concert at Rogers Center, Toronto – the venue could not have been better. I had got tickets to this event online a month back and was eagerly waiting for the day. After all, since my early college days I have grown up listening to Rock and Pop – especially Floyd, Scorpions, Bryan and Jovi.

On d-day, I reached the venue much in advance and lined up to take the actual ticket by exchanging the e-receipt. Lucky me, my ticket had got upgraded to one of the prestiged seats in the VIP Lounge of Roger’s center!! Folks who have not been to Roger’s VIP lounge - let me try to give you an idea of how it is. It has a vista similar to the player’s enclosure/media room of a cricket stadium, upgraded with comfortable sofas and cushions (much like the VIP lounges at a multiplex).

The concert stage was straight ahead of me and the huge screen made it look as if Jovi was jiving just an arm’s distance from me. The concert packed in a lot of energy and excitement, with a mix of new and popular songs. People were dancing, cheering and the entire atmosphere was electric with not a single seat unclaimed! Putting it all together, with my fancy run with luck, it remains one the most remarkable live concerts I have been to.

NYC Nostalgia

It was a trip I had wanted to make ever since my school days. The influx of cable TV had this demonstration effect upon me, that NYC was a place one should not miss visiting - the big apple of the ‘land of opportunities’!

It took many years between then and now. But I am glad that finally I have realized my childhood dream of setting foot upon NYC. Born in Kolkata, India and traveled across the length and breadth of my country. Junior schooling in Mumbai, high-school in Pune, dad’s frequent transfers – all put together gave me an opportunity to react to new places and people very well. Upon having reached New York, it took me no time to realize that the city was very electric and busy! No one has time for anyone, time is money, no free lunches in Wall Street – truly all these sayings were just invented for this city that’s always on the move!

I went to New York from Toronto by coach over night. I had taken two days leave to make my long week-end even longer! Put up at Asis’s, my friend and colleague from my previous company – Infosys. I am much indebted to him for his tolerance and patience in putting up with my erratic timings. I used to leave home in the morning and return late at night, so late that it used to be almost dawn! And Asis never uttered a word. Instead he was appreciative of the fact that I was making the most of my time.

My 5 day travel was split up in 2 phases– one part, the three day stay at Asis’s at night and city tour on the hop-in hop-off bus. The second part – Boston and Rhode Island two day conducted tour with GoTo buses. The hop-in hop-off buses are best way to experience a city one is traveling for the first time. Downtown, Wall Street Ground Zero, Trinity Church, Rockefeller Center (top of the Rock), Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Brooklyn, New Jersey, NYC Museum, Library, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Times Square, Central Park… – the list is long. Let me put it in simple words, I had been to all places worth going and did all that is worth doing!

Rhode Island and Boston trip was fabulous as well. Boston is a nice city, with the words most prestige Universities located within its precincts. Rode Island has a beautiful vista of the Ocean and offers a refreshing contrast to the rat-race of NYC.

Having conquered, New York, Boston and Rhode Island in five days, I sure did put my colleagues and friends in awe. This trip shall remain close to my heart for reasons more than one

Thumbs-up Tobermory

I believe in one simple concept: long week-ends are for traveling. The Victoria Day week-end gave me the opportunity to visit Tobermory - a picturesque getaway by the shores of Lake Huron. It was a five hour journey from Toronto, Greyhound to Owen Sound and from there a taxi (boy I wish I had my Canadian license). Along with me was my roomy and partner in all crazy travels, Abhishek. We reached there on Saturday and used up the day in soaking up the town. It’s a very calm and laid back place in contrast to the hustle bustle of busy Toronto city life – a difference we truly loved! We put up at Beth’s Bed and Breakfast InnIsFree - a very neat and cozy place with amazing wooden interiors and fabulous breakfast.

Sunday morning we started from the National Park Visitor Center on the Bruce Trail - a walk that shall remain close to my heart till I carry my bones to the grave. Along the trail was a breathtaking pebble beach with rocky shores that merge into the sea, amazing patterns carved out by the waves. A Siberian Husky, owned by one of the park rangers, playfully joined us on the shore. Among other crazy things, we did not miss out on scaling the 500 plus stairs of the watch tower for its scenic vista.

After the trail was conquered it was time for us to visit the Grotto on Cyprus Lake. The only challenge we faced was lack of wheels – it was 18kms from the visitor center and we did not have the time for a walk. “Alexander Supertramp’s” spirit overpowered me and I stuck out my thumb for a lift on highway 6. I remain ever indebted to that angel of a couple who obliged and gave us a lift to the Cyprus lake trail, where they themselves were headed to.

From there began our walk towards the Grotto - a cave carved out by the waves with a deep water filled tunnel that opens into the lake. It’s beautiful, it’s one of nature’s miracles and the water is icy cold! The climb down the rocks to the Grotto is no less of a challenge even for a linebacker! We stood there dazed, appreciating nature’s handiwork and the florescent blue waters. Time passed by and soon we realized that we were behind schedule – so many things to do, so less time.

Without wasting a minute we rock-climbed back to the trail and headed for Marr Lake - a beautiful pebble lake with rocky undulations and blue-green chilly waters. After a short ‘pit-stop’ there we hiked on towards the Horse Lake. Like the Marr, Horse Lake was rocky undulations under water and hot-bodied eye candies lunching on the shores. Here I rested and filled up my lungs with the fresh breeze that smelled of sweet water. With all the hot spots covered, we walked back towards the ‘head of trails’ to recon with the couple for a ride back to the town.

By the time we reached Tobermory, it was dusk – the ideal time to head for the port shore-line and capture the setting sun on Lake Huron. The day was very physically demanding and I am glad to have lived up to it. Dinner was at Crow’s Nest, a bar with great fish n chips and a live band playing to top all.

Day three began with a cruise of the two ship-wrecks and Flowerpot Island, on the ‘Blue Heron’. Flora and Fauna well preserved and maintained by the Fathom Five Marine Park at Flowerpot Island offered us an unscheduled rendezvous with a venomous snake! There were beautiful wild flowers and orchids on the island, gravel beach, water in different shades of blue and green. But the best of all were the two naturally formed flowerpots (small and large flowerpots). The ride on the ‘Blue Heron’ cruise brought out the sea-faring adventurer in me. It was past noon, when the cruise brought us back to main land and it was time for a quick take-away grub and a taxi ride back to Owen Sound to mark the end of an amazing week-end!

Word to all my friends, take out time for a trip to Tobermory – it’s a must do thing while you are in and around Toronto.

Money

In today’s world, it surprises me to find how money plays the role of the corner-stone in almost anything and everything. Most of us are driven my money - we change jobs to make that extra bit, some work two jobs to have more of it. Society benchmarks an individual’s success on the yardstick of the money that he/she has makes and saves. There are financial jargons aplenty to set the value of a company, even evaluate the economic dynamics of a nation!

Parents/students even consider education as an investment and their decisions in choosing a stream of study or specialization is heavily influenced by what is commonly known as ‘Return on Investment’. Effective advice/coaching are few and far away, but ones that sell false promises and gimmicks to sure success, are in every corner! Doctors have long forgotten the 'Hypocrites Oath' and are simply gold-diggers in modern world. Even in today’s sophisticated, moderated and so-called ‘peace-loving’ world, wars are waged to plunder riches and oil – still so barbaric! The 'hot babes' are no longer emotional fools to love the one who loves her most – they are busy landing rich and successful men! It does not matter how many they have had used and misused for their financial gains.

Let me give you a short example from my own life. I started my career with a decently paying job and settled in one of the costliest cities in India. I did well enough for myself, held my head high and yet did not deprive myself or my loved ones of the basic comforts and joys of life. Six years down the line when my salary has increased four fold, I have introspected to find that my happiness has not. I am that very happy a soul today as I was six years back. I am content with His blessings and have no major regrets in life! This only brought me to conclude – money and happiness are not related. Happiness comes from contentment not from ones Net Asset Value.

I could go on and on talking about the ills of money in the world that we live in. I do not wish to sound preachy either. But to cut the long story short and to conclude on a positive note, I humbly urge each and every one of us to introspect, to be responsible for once. Money is not the solution to all problems, it’s not the ticket to paradise! Let us not balloon up the role of money and add to its spoils. At the end of the day when our time is up, we will have to leave all this money behind, so why waste running after it all life?

My Prayer

The sun, the moon, the stars all look the same – no matter where I look up to them from. Then why do I see differences down here? Is it because I micro-evaluate the world? If so, I pray to Him to elevate me to a level where I can see all as one – all as part of Him.