Reminiscences

It is amazing how our memory fades away with time. There are many things that over the past year 2010 I have forgotten, some good ones and some bad too. But, what does all this say to me? 2010 was a great year for me, especially the later part in which lots of unexpected things appeared.

First is my job change. After the recession, actually I did not know when recession actually got over. Just when I saw many people started migrating elsewhere, I could figure out that the market was wide open. As people left, extra burden fell in to my head. I started out temporarily doing many odd jobs, only solace being they were temporary. Slowly, I got a feeling that I was unscrupulously exploited by thankless souls. Then when work life balance went for a toss, it was time to hang in the boots. I also seriously despise people who complain that what personal life a bachelor needs to have, for youth is to enjoy and make yourself ready for the responsibilities of the future. I can still remember that desperate moment of 2nd shift, exactly midnight, at that odd hour, I updated my resume after 3 years and posted it into a job portal. I can still vividly remember those depressive moments: mockery from operators, dominance of highly political peers, don't care save your skin Bosses, slogging out like an ass even on Sundays and letting others happily elevate over your hard work due to timidity, eating at odd hours, sleeping during even odd hours, my whole life seemed like a big question mark then. But, it did make me a bit stronger.

As unexpected, I got calls from consultancies. I had a telephonic interview. Then, a face to face with my prospective manager. Then, I was called for a Videoconferencing. Finally, I came out with the job. I earnestly thank GOD for somehow gave me time and created opportunities for me to land here.

I really understood the true nature of people only when I resigned. All those nice words and smiles suddenly turned alien. The day I submitted my resignation to my boss, he took it either too easy or was in a SHOCK. I certainly did prove critics wrong by what I did. I had to wait for almost a month and shell out an exorbitant sum of 3 months of my gross salary to get relieved from current employer. Whoever has laid out such a rule must be castrated in public! It seemed uncertain even after paying such a huge amount - my blood, sweat and tears! People thought that I am big joke and in order to escape, trying to lie my way out, but that was not the case to be. The only takeaways for me were a few good friends, some learning and experience, lots of contacts, a heavy dosage of do's and don'ts, a few bitter and sweet experiences and what not!

Finally, I had to revolt against my boss for the 1st and last time to get things done. Voila! I was relieved the same moment!

One great learning was to never get emotional, sentimental, close or goodie goodie in work. Being honest, ethical, outspoken, good nature and blah blah works awesome on paper, but on practice will make you a LOSER. I am not propagating non adherence of these values, rather to take a conscious call between cheating and getting cheated. That's corporate life for you in pure and simple ENGLISH. You have to either get cheated or make one!

I will continue this post next time. Till then I leave you folks with a good line I read today:

Opportunities never get missed, they are taken by someone else...

MEMORIES

I just have those memories

Trying to suppress and reconcile my heart's robbery

I am at an unexplainable loss

Life has become like a mirror without gloss

It was fun with her

Now, life looks bleak and blur

Not that I was bad

Of her, may be so mad

Still the memories keep me moving

The break up makes my heart mowing

Something between us was so special

Body, Mind and Soul: so sensual

Somewhere something went wrong

Now, it's been ages since we spoke for long

Whatever, Life moves on

Those episodes right now gone

TIME heals our past

My LIFE's sail without a mast

These compromises and sacrifices

My promises and practices

Keep on coming and going

Words keep fumbling and mumbling

But the bottom line is...

May be she is pissed

I have lost her

Separated from my lovely dear

And now I have been left to murmur

Wounds and memories, my only armour

I have lost her, but not her memories

Her care, hair and lovely allotropies

Those special moments of chatting

Those anxious moments of waiting

Those lovely moments of texting

Those cute moments of her thinking

But, my mind is at crossroads

My heart has got an emotional overload

For should I let those memories fade

She sparkled and was gorgeous like a jade

Still, she is so special

Not so social

She's my cute girl

Her thoughts brings those locked up tears unfurled

Longing to hear her soft voice

Her gait and pose and poise

The way she whispers my name

Shuts off my brain and makes me lame

Her emotional email

And a few childish blackmails

May be she found someone better

But the very thought of it makes me bitter

Whatever it is, I regret her loss

Whomsoever's may have been the flaws

She is the one who drove me crazy

Who made my life a melange of sweet frenzy

Now can't reach her mobile

My heart's crushed and in rubbles

My number has been blocked

After all those love locks

No response from social networking

After all those loving and cuddling

Not a single word for my emails

May be she thought I got another female

Oh! My cutie pie

You have endured all my lovely lies

It's difficult to come to terms with reality

All my life, thought love was a frivolity

For that, I am paying a huge price

My ego and heart have shrunk in size

Alas! Waiting for your kind word

Atleast before the flight of this longing bird

From this sad world!

--------------- Venky: 10/11/2010

My Native Visit

This post has been waiting and waiting for a long time. I wanted to write about my visit to my native - roots to be exact in the 1st week of August right after the visit with lingering fresh memories. My parents and myself started from Coimbatore to Thirunelveli. The bus journey was a tiresome one, with the bus taking a long time even to cross Coimbatore city border, thanks to the ruling party's campaign, blocking all important arterial roads and flooding paid people to infest the blockade.

The next day after the overnight journey we reached Thirunelveli at last. The Bus stopped in the new bus stand which was close to Palayamkottai - the twin city of Thirunelveli, popularly known as Nellai. The place is poorly developed with not even a single lodge or standard hotel where travelers can rest and plan their stay ahead. We had to board another local bus to reach the city bus stand. Then, we lodged at a nice hotel named BHARANI HOTELS - the one which we visited along with my sister twelve years back. We freshened up and visited the NELLAIPPAR temple in the morning. Whatta temple, how ancient it is, how vast and huge it is, can in fact imagine and visualize an entire village housed and functioning efficiently inside, what amazing sculptures, it was totally awesome!!!

We came to our room, then took some rest and visited our Family God( Kula Deivam) which is Karungulam Sri Venkatachalapathy temple. It was truly an enchanting and peaceful experience. Then we returned and checked out of the hotel and the same night boarded our respective buses. One of the most important and endearing things that happened to me during this visit was the trust and bonding that happened between me and my dad. Some feelings can't be put in words or blog, rather they can only be felt, so it's something like that! I thank God for all that has given me and wanted to start my new job with a good note and what better way to start than visiting temples and attaining internal peace and HIS blessings!!!

Poem

Funny Oxymorons

Bloggers, got this SMS about oxymorons. Worth the share! Enjoy!!!

• Clearly Misunderstood
• Exact Estimate
• Small Crowd
• Act Natural
• Found Missing
• Fully Empty
• Original Copy

And the most hilarious: Happily Married

CHANGE - Come to me soon!!!

What am I doing here
Pressure from the ones dear and near
My mind is so unclear
Troubled by future's fear

I have hit a quarter century

Amidst frustations and fury

Yet another victim of our reservation policy

For our ancestral fallacy

Tired of being single and fickle
Missing my ma's curd rice and mango pickle
Nostalgic moments kindling a tingle
What am I to do in this jungle?

Mind's preoccupied with MS, MBA and M Tech
Is there nothing else left to regain our lives
Nothing new that the spirits get revived
Oh God! How am I going to survive

May be I am thinking too much
At the end of the day, all I do is punch and lunch
Slowly turning out slouch
Stuck to a PC and a couch

I only end up having dreams
During the act, I always scream
Ending up last in my team
CHANGE - Come to me soon!

THE HURT LOCKER - MOVIE REVIEW

I selected this movie only for all the Academy Awards, BAFTA and all other accolades that it's received. It was virtually unknown in INDIA till then. This movie has not released in INDIA, as far as my knowledge goes and no DVD out yet. So I do it in my way - A Broadband connection and aXXo torrent!!!

I watched the movie in my drawing room(only room in fact - those ramblings of a bachelor) at my pleasure, without having to buy online tickets, without calling friends, without taking the time and pains to get to the multiplex on time and redeem my tickets in that queue, and so on.

The movie somehow mixes the components of a documentary, emotional drama and a few elements of a commercial film that keeps us interested in the war movie. The portrayal of all characters and the way the screenplay unfolds itself is so immersive and real, such that it feels we are watching a news reel of the actual war site. One of the few movies in which war is not glorified and slowly sheds light on the life of a Bomb Detection Squad. The various facets like their personal life, the way the people react to an alien army, rebels and suspicious calls, etc., are a real treat to watch.

So, watch this movie if you want to see serious stuff that is real!

For more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hurt_Locker
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0887912/

VINNAITHANDI VARUVAYA - A REVIEW

It was a Saturday noon. After my daily work schedule, I had to rush to the theatre for the matinee show. Of course, as usual I was late by 3 mins,may be!
The day before watching the actual movie, I had read K. Balachander's praise for Gautam for the movie. This added more curiosity and expectations in my 20's something heart.

To start with, the movie in one go is a sure must watch, whether you're in love, or was in love or married or blah blah. The kind of chemistry shared between Simbhu and Trisha is awesome. The portrayal and screenplay is so down to earth that we can feel the characters entwined somewhere in our daily lives. Kudos to the director for not mixing elements of cinematic masala and dramatization!

The kind of matured acting shown by the lead actors garners special mention. There's something very fresh in the way the romance is portrayed. Also, for the first time in a Tamil movie that I have seen, the kind of predicament and confusion that a girl goes through in an Indian society for the sake of love - torn between the family orthodoxy and the heart's desire is aptly depicted. I am sure every girl who has gone through love would have experienced such butterflies during their love life.

The climax is what captivated me. It is not the usual happy ending run of the mill type. It's what happens in many lovers' life. May be after some point of time, we all need to move on, but still that lingering feeling of first love will always haunt any true Love's mind!

The whole crew have done their part apt, starting from the lead actors, the person as Simbhu's friend with uncanny knack of timely comedy(a lot better than the usual slapstick one's nowadays), Manoj Paramahamsa's magical portrayal of Malta, Goa, Kerala and New York, A R Rahman's BGM's and love inspiring songs, Gautam's way of narrating a very simple love story and a special mention to the costume designer who has selected a very realistic attire for the lead actors.

The one negative I found was that the latter part of the movie nearing the climax was a little on the slower side. I also regret that I am one of those unfortunate guys who was not able to enjoy this flick along with his better half.

For the entire cast, crew and other valid information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinnaithaandi_Varuvaayaa

Idhu Varai - GOA

Idhu Varai Illadha Unarvidhu
Idhayathai Thundaakum Ninaividhu
Manadhinai Mannodu Pudhaithidum
Pennai Nambaadhe

Kaadhal Endraal Athanaiyum Kanavu
Kan moodiye Vaazhkindra Uravu
Pengal Endraal Aanai Kollum Noi Aanathe
Ayyo Indha Illamiyin Thodakam
Indre Mutru Pulli
Adhai Sollaamal Solli
Nammai Paithiyam Aakum Pennai thaedi Tholayaadhe

Know Your Customers

A disappointed salesman of Coca Cola returns from his Middle East assignment. A friend asked, "Why weren't you successful with the Arabs?" The salesman explained "When I got posted in the Middle East , I was very confident that I would make a good sales pitch as Cola is virtually unknown there. But, I had a problem I didn't know to speak Arabic. So, I planned to convey the message through three posters...

First poster:
A man lying in the hot desert sand...totally exhausted and fainting.
Second poster: The man is drinking our Cola.
Third poster: Our man is now totally refreshed. And Then these posters were pasted all over the place "Then that should have worked!" said the friend. "The hell it should had!? said the salesman. didn't realize that Arabs read from right to left"