2010- A look back

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning
- T. S. Eliot

With less than 12 hours left in 2010 to end, I think it's a perfect time to look back at the year that it was in terms of the promises I made to myself. Lets see how i faired


• Weight a minute - Ive accepted the fact that I will never get to double digits J . I’m trying to stay healthy as of now. You will read below as to what all steps have been taken on that front

• Baller - Been playing pretty well off late, Defended the Intra-Co title, learnt some new things, got some new shoes, some new jerseys J . Following NBA pretty closely, recently started writing about it too. So been a pretty gr8 year of Basketball for me.

• No more a spirited fellow – By the the time I finish this write up, I would have completed 50 days. 50 days without alcohol is a gr8 achievement. Atleast to me it is. I am just worried about the raising the BAR. I know im gonna go home and drink so im not sure if I would get back to this streak and beat my own record. 2011 looks like a dry year to me.

• Travelers’ Guide - Explored new places locally and Internationally. Have great experiences from both the place. Have some unfinished site seeing to do so might go back to Malaysia again. Leh/Ladakh is still pending on the list.

• $ - Need to pay off some mortgages, so I guess I will have to plan a long time work trip abroad. *Note to self*

• No Double doubles – Got into the MBA mode and wanted to get myself a double masters but then kinda fell off the track. I guess someone or something has to stoke the fire.

• Lighter Me – Paid some of the money for mortgage and feel good about it. Hope to get close in coming year.

• Shifting Circles – Life has been pretty good on social front. While I did made some new friends, I also moved myself away from the ‘Inner Circle’ for some. I guess that’s life.

End of 2010 in NBA

We can't really say its the end of first half of the season in NBA but this season has produced quite a lot of headlines already. And if we preview the first 27 odd games, the remainder of the season promises to be full of excitement and big hustle plays. Here are some major incidents that have occurred this season


Formation of the 'new' BIG 3 - Lebron a.k.a King James not only changed his jersey number but also 'took his talents' to south beach. 'The decision', as expected, didn't go down well with Cavaliers fans across the globe. While it looked obvious from the way he played final quarter of GAME 5 against the Celtics, Cavs fans, I guess were blinded by the powder he threw in the air for 7 years. Miami along-with LBJ signed Chris Bosh, making him the second most hated player in Toronto(after T-mac). They didn't had the kind of start they were looking for but have been playing like a TEAM off late. Lets see how they fair in the playoffs. 


My take on the BIG3 and Heat??? Not this year!!!


Silent Killers - While the teams in the EAST were shouting from the roof tops, their WEST rivals treated free agency as another day at work. 2 time defending champions LA LAKERS not only retained their core(Fisher,Odom and Brown) but also added defensive strength in Steve Blake and Matt Barnes. The most important thing that Lakers did was persuading Coach Phil Jackson for one more year(and you can already see his effect on shannon browns jumper from behind the arc). 


My take?? Another 3-peat!!!!!


The Big SHAMROCK - Shaq a.k.a Diesel a.k.a The BIG Cactus a.k.a. The BIG witness got rechristened to 'The BIG SHAMROCK'. Chasing Kobe err i mean chasing his 5th championship ring Shaquille O' Neal signed with Boston Celtics. A championship caliber team who in absence of injured Kendrick Perkins needed a Big guy and who better than the BIG SHAMROCK. Does that make Celtics a contender???


My take??? Another Lakers-Celtics Final???? Guess time will tell!!!!!!


Return of the Knicks - The New York Knicks of 90's were one of the strong contenders but through the years they kind of just fell off the track. All these years they were out of the championship hunt but what a comeback. Knicks hadn't seen an BIG guy ever since the departure of Patrick Ewing and needed a Center real bad(Sorry Lee you were a wrong fit). Signing Amare has boosted their chances BIGGG time. With Felton handling the ball and rookie Landry Fields coming in good Knicks have finally arrived in playoffs.


My take??? Take the steam out of the 'HEAT'.


Raised Expectations - Kevin Durant carried the young Thunder on his back to the playoffs and almost made it to the second round. And while everyone wrote the TEAM USA off in the world championships in Turkey, he did the unthinkable and not only earned himself a GOLD medal but also announced himself of the world stage. He will have to keep it going and so far he is getting good support from Russell Westbrook. 


My take??? Lets goto second round this year guys!


Return of the Hi-Fliers - Have you seen Blake Griffin play? with his surgically repaired knee??? R u kiddin me?? Dude plays above the rim..dont believe me, ask Timofey mozgov!!!  Lets not forget J.R(call-me-EARL)Smith??? Tough call for Dunk of the year!


My take??? Lets get 'em in All star weekend and see them compete in Dunk competition.


With this I will wrap this post of mine, eagerly looking forward to the coming games. Let the games continue, let the amazing keep happening. Stay healthy and keep rocking the rim guys..Seasons greetings

Highs and lows of 2010

Another year gone, another year full of surprises, another year that taught me lots of things...so like every year i'm at that point where i'm taking stock of the bygones days/events to see how did this year turn out to be for me


LOWS:

• Death of my granny - Even though she was in her 90's and bed ridden for past 20 years, she still was my biggest support system. Even though she was fighting paralysis for 20 years and was in lot of pain, her final moments were peaceful and pain free. Miss you granny...may your soul rest in peace.
• Fallout with friends - Some friends, relations have become a thing of the past. Am i sad? It sure hurts to lose a friend but I understand, everyone behaves differently in different situations. Like I've written earlier..no going the extra mile but If they need me I still will be available.
• Stagnant Career - Career hasn't gone anywhere. I'm not sure if I should put this in lows section or highs section. Cuz i'm not happy about it but I've done anything to kick start it either, I mean its something that I've done by choice. I've been trying to get out of the rat race and i 'try' not to compare myself with anybody but then at times it gets quite impossible and gets onto you.
• A disastrous trip abroad - Tried getting some fun into my life but planning a trip abroad. But unfortunately that turned into a bloody trip (and quite literally too). Wasted a lot of money but fortunately enough everything is back to normal now. Don't want this kind of adventures in my life. GOD r u listening!?!?!?!?
• The BOMB - Drank a weird mix of rum,whiskey and vodka called 'The Bomb' and it did lived upto its name. Caused 6-7 explosions in me and that made me puke BLOOD. Got me name of 'BOMB'. Things that don't kill you make you stronger huh! R u sure???
• Haven't seen some of my dear ones in years and would do anything to get a glimpse of them. Miss you guys, things will change for good next year! I promise!
• Los Angeles Lakers beat Boston Celtics 4-3 to win back to back 'ships. Lost out on braggin' rights. 

HIGHS:

• Exploring places - Kept my promise of exploring new places. 
• Ballin' - My game sense has gotten better. Have been picking minute details by following NBA more closely. Been trying to teach a few things to youngsters and help them play to their strengths. I guess at some point of my life i would want to coach kids team. As of now i'm still a student of the game.
• Injury/Accident free year - The year has been accident free, even though I've been unlucky at certain things but this has been a good year in terms of health. Hope I get stronger next year.
• High on life - Drank the most this year and at quality places too. I guess I've learnt how to spend money. BUT its been over a month since I've had a drink. Didn't knew Staying sober was this fun. Gives me time for myself and for my family. I sure hope that I stay determined and give up boozing.
• Love is in the Air - Couple of my friends got engaged(with diff people) and are all set to marry. I'm happy for them and am really looking fwd to their marriage. All the best guys!

I guess thats it...can't recall any more things..will add if I remember anything.

9 parts of desire

Why would 2 exes who have had a bitter breakup, are married to someone else, miles away from each other still comment(or may i say start a conversation) on their mutual friends Facebook status????

Turn around time!!

Time people take to contradict themselves???? 2 hours....MAX!!!!

How do i know?? checkout their FB or twitter status msgz :)

Note to Self!

Corporate Lesson Learnt....one more time!!!!!!!! 


Life moves on!!!!!

Weird thought!

Isn't it weird that you talk about anything and more often than not open yourself to a stranger sitting next to you at an airport or at a train terminal but you think twice before sharing these things with a friend!!!!!


I guess the fact that he/she is not going to judge you or even if he/she judges you, you might not get to see them again ever in your life makes it a little easy. 


Human Nature!!!!!

Just when i thought...

"I'm not the kind of person who would expect anything for anybody"

I say this all the time but then why does it hurt when i see people changing around me...i know everybody has their own life and at some point or the other things change but then things changed for me too, i stood the same for them, i always was a call away. The bitter taste has left me disgusted and i don't think things will ever be back to normal and honestly i don't care cuz from this point onward i'm looking out for myself..

The truth is that people often are not what they say they are....and with me its always the opposite..i am what i am...and just to protect this stupid a$$ attitude of me i have jeopardized so many things in life...was it wise??? would i do it again??? answer is clear to me now...

PS: Going the extra mile stops here.

The Trip

Another run of Bad luck....another disaster, another couple of thousands that went down the drain. At times it seems i'm nothing but Gods punching bag or his dart board. It feels like whenever he is upset, he would just kick me in the gut and take his frustration out...and this time it has gone to a next level..to my family...i know i'm dark and evil but at least spare them o god! Hurt me but spare them the pain..the physical pain at least...


'The Trip' was suppose to be a starting point...point from where good times would roll...but lil did i knew...Actually now that i think about it, I should have seen it coming, should have read the signs. From being the first one to reach the airport to being the first one to come back, this trip was full of disasters. 


The trip will be remembered for what we could have done rather than for what we did.


Being the person that i am, i still found couple of +ves.....Adversity bring out your character(did someone say this line) and i was impressed with coupla guys who showed their mettle and proved me right. 


Cheers guys! 

I wish!

Life would be so much better if people who are no more get visitation rights. Won't that be gr8, won't that be less painful. I just wish i could meet some of the people who have left me.

Miss them bad!!!!

R.I.P RP/TW

Trades and Drafts in corporate world

Wouldnt it be gr8 if we could sign our deals with our respective corporates. NBA style FREE AGENT deals I mean. Like at time of hiring they pay us a particular sum for X # of years and then based on our performace, they decide if they want to retain us and how much they are willing to offer. If not we should be unrestricted free agents..For average performers, they should be asked to get an offer and based on the offer company will decide if they want to re-sign the employee or they wish let him go with the offer.


Wouldn’t that be fun! :)

Another set of Rat racers spotted!!!

Everytime I see something that freaks me out, im like “no this cant be true”…”a grown a$$ man/woman cannot do this”…but apparently ive sent much world yet..

So what happened this time…Another classic example of rat race, another example of people following other people blindly..

This happened to me while I was waiting for a friend outside his MBA institute…2 gurls came out of the institute..with GMAT books in their hands, talking about what they have been doing for a good GMAT score. Me and my friend were just standing near the lift..minding our own business…The lift at that moment was on ground floor and we had to go down to ground floor from 4th floor….so what do you do when you wait near a lift..you just start reading signs near the lifts, the autographs, the love letters…and that’s what we were doing…one of the sign near the lift read ‘Only 4 persons at a time’… I thought to myself…”good thing man… I don’t wanna climb down”…so after some 2-3 minutes the lift came..and as soon as we(me and my friend) entered, the girls flipped out..and next thing I hear is “lets go by stairs”…

I was flabbergasted..i was like…WHAT??? Wat did we do?? Wat did I say to you??? and then it struck me....a girl who isnt comfortable going in a lift with 2 strangers..how can she even think of writing GMAT and eventually running a company or presenting something in room full of strangers…… im gonna get judgemental here but its gonna take more than bookish prepration for them to get through…



All the best chicas!

Thank you God!

When you are sick and have a terrifying near death experience, you think about everything...that one moment makes you sit up and think about things you have done, things you haven't done...people you have met, people you would like to meet before you leave...and of course how things could have been 'normal' had you taken the conventional way out. 

Ironic part of this is that once the moment is gone, once you know that you r gonna live..you just thank god for being able to get out of that situation and then carry on with your normal routine. The things you've been wanting to do, people you've been wanting to see..everything you said to yourself takes a back seat..and you continue to run the rat race..

I don't want to be in the situation i was in last night but i certainly wont mind god reminding me the importance of being a good human being and to keep materialistic things at a place where they are supposed to stay. 

Left for the DEAD?????????. NO MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!

From writing 'em off to predictions of 'em winning the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS. This is what happens when you start believing in yourself. 

GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!

More thoughts!

God has a way of busting you up when you need him the most ....BUT he gives all a second chance!!!!!!!


AMEN to that !!! (or should i say CHEERS to that ;) ) 

Another one bites the dust!

No Fist punches on the floor anymore! Its going to be a strange feeling


*sigh*

1 step forward, 2 back !!!

Just when you think u have taken a step forward and have left bad times behind you, life throws another surprise and you end up going back 2 steps.


Everyone has a life to live, but I somehow I feel i'm living it for others. All I do is Plan. Plan for things and then when the time comes to put the plan in action, things come up unexpectedly and I end up putting all my plans on the back burner and gear for the immediate task on hand. 


Wonder if its just me or if this happens to everyone!?!?!?!?


Warning:  Stay away from me...I'm JINXED!!!!

High in Spirits!!!!!

Not every booze party is a waste of time and money. Studying Omkara as a Case study was worth every penny and second. I love the movie even more now.

why is standing up for urself such a crime ???

Dont start something that you cant finish...if u start it, im gonna finish it for sure..so better think gazillion times before u act stupid or im gonna take you for a ride....hope the message was loud and clear last night. 

And for all those who act sissy in the name of 'corporate'...ive got 3 words for yall...GROW SOME BALLS!!!!!

Legends Never Die!!!

Only if we could be a % of what you were.......May your soul rest in peace!!!!!

You will always be remembered!!!! Inquilab Zindabad!!!!

POSERS!!!!

Updating FB/Twitter while you eat/drink/take a piss!!?!?!?!?! Wats wrong with people today???? Enjoy the company yall!!?!?!?!

POSERS!!!!!!

Hunt is on!!

Buy 'em (UK-14) if you get 'em anywhere

Master Blaster!!!!!!

SA beats Sachin by 3 Wickets ...

Sachin 200*

South Africa 201/7

Lucky Bastard!!

Look whoz promoting NBA in India.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2010/01/27/bollywood_knicks.nba/

I wonder why this wasnt publicized in India. Till the time people know the association, the game wont grow. Its unfortunate that things like these get no where. Luckily, this got into hands of a hardcore basketball fan and here I am promoting the game.

Help me spread the word and eventually the Game.

Reviewing 2009 and the road ahead

Wow!!! Look @ THIS...this was my last years resolution list...and guess what..i didnt accomplish anything...NOTHING...ZIP....ZILCH.....NADA......hmm...aint particular proud of this fact but hey look @ the brighter side...I stayed on course for most part of the year.....

• Weight was in double digits..ok...lemme be honest, its still in triple digits..but hey it didnt go up!!!!!!!!...so thats good..thats consistency :)
• Played ball on regular basis, 2009 was good for Basketball...won a Championship Ring too[Just one though!!! :( ]
• Didnt stay clear from spirits...all the incidents that happened, didn't help either...will have to find a different approach to handle this...
• Have been eating healthy for a year now...and in proportion too..so thats gud too..
• Travelled to some unknown places in 2009 and intend to continue the same in 2010 as well. Am already planning a trip to Leh/Ladakh...
• Did nothing for immigration. Hey I'm not a bummer, it just shows how much I love my country :)
• Got GMAT book but thats being used by someone else. Plan to finish it off by this summer.
• On-site streak was broken in 2009. Wouldnt mind a company sponsored trip but dont expect anything from this company. Anything that comes will be a bonus.
• Did no savings. Bought certain things which weren't needed, things that sucked up all my savings. This is a must do in 2010.
• The charmer is back but with a changed mindset. Think myself as a servant of humanity. Let people remember you for things u said/did. Clock is ticking, life is short.
• Was a social person for most part of the year but then it went right back into my shell.

Other things that happened in 2009:

Highs:

Well got high many times in 2009, high on alcohol not on life though. And that actually sucks.

• Buying a car was a high(till it got rammed by a truck).
• Winning a championship rings with this team was definitely a high. Fact that it was their first makes it even more sweeter.
• Mom got retired from her job. Damn!! What an achievement!!! 35+ years of service for same organization. Can't even imagine doing anything like that.
• Made some friends (for life or not??!?!?!? we shall soon find out).

Lows:

• Fallout with my GF tops the list. The bond isn't the same anymore. Hope time heals everything.
• Shitty job would be a closed second on this list. There is nothing worse than having a fucked up boss. And a woman boss make things worse. There are certain things she also dont know..like ability to fuck people without having a dick. She should write that under achievements section of her appraisal.
• There is nothing worse than death of good people around you. Its like they take all the +ve energy with you. Honey(my cuz), Tim...may you soul rest in peace. Crack a deal with the lord and book a suite for me, u never know.....*drip*
• The fight with the LORD!!! Had many unanswered questions and as a result of that I crossed swords with 'him'. (Hey we have called it a truce now...havent we *looks for fist pump*)

There are other things as well, but I think I've already told you guys all those sad stories.

Happie New Year!

2009 was a pretty bad year..nothing spectacular happened(apart from the fact that I helped my company win their first ever corporate championship). Everything went down the hill for me, both on personal and professional front.

A lost friendship, a job that sucks, a team that doesn't know how to stay together, Questioning the mere existence of GOD!!!????? ...nothing worked in 2009

I wish 2010 turns the tide for me..And you all too!!!!

Have a wonderful year ahead!!

Celebrate Life!