Signing off 2007

Wish you all a very happy new year..
i am taking a small break from my work starting today, and will be back on Jan 2nd. Will keep checking the blogs once in a while, but frequency will be very much reduced...
So peeps, herez wishing you all a fantabulous new year ahead. Have a safe and smashing New Year bash...
And if you are going to get sloshed, please keep your hands off the car/bike keys, and drink responsibly....
Signing off now... see ya all @ next year...

The end of a warrior

She was a warrior, and the end came too soon.
My 2 cent worth of flowers and tears, on your memory.
You will live in peoples heart....

Memories Of Madison

I had so much to blog about, but was not in amood to sit down and scribble,
and then i got this tag from Lena. thnk u lena, for giving me something to blog
about :)
The rules of thsi tag - from Lena's blog.


1. Put your music player on shuffle mode. My pearl is always in shuffle mode :P
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write the name of the song no matter what - no cheating ;) - wish i
could do with some cheating...


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY?" YOU SAY?
Country roads by John Denver.



Almost heaven, west virginia
Blue ridge mountains, shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

Country roads, take me home
To the place, I be-long



WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Right on Time (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

One shot all I need
Ive got rhythm when I bleed
til death do us part
Break my heart so I can start

(hm.. where is this tag going??? )

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Radio Nowhere by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

I was trying to find my way home
But all I heard was a drone
Bouncing off a satellite
Crushing the last lone American night


now, wait a minute - what does THIS means?

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Locked Up by Akon

Locke'd up they wont let me out
and I had a long day in court shit stressed me out
wont give me a bail can't get me out
now im headin to the county gotta do a bit here



hm.. at last, something not so bad - yeah, i want to go out for a ride...
feeling locked up in my cube.. :)


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Must get Out by Maroon5

I’ve been the needle and the thread
Weaving figure eights and circles round your head
I try to laugh but cry instead
Patiently wait to hear the words you’ve never said

Yeah - true to the lone wolfe - the nomad heart :)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Who the fuck is alice by Smokie


yeah,that kinda describe my attitude at times :)


WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Exodus by Bob Marley

Exodus, movement of Jah people, oh yeah
Open your eyes and let me tell you this
Men and people will fight ya down (Tell me why?)
when ya see Jah light
Let me tell you, if you're not wrong (Then why?)
ev'rything is alright


Hm.. sorry floks, cant make out anything form this one...



WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Anywhere for You by Backstreet Boys

I'd go anywhere for you
Anywhere you asked me to
I'd do anything for you
Anything you want me to


yeah - i will go anywhere, do aanything for my parents :)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold
And she's buying a stairway to heaven
And when she gets there she knows if the stores are closed
With a word she can get what she came for



well, i sure not think about heaven often.


WHAT IS 2+2?
Bailamos by Enrique Iglesias

Tonight we dance,
I leave my life in your hands.
We take the floor,
Nothing is forbidden anymore
hm.. a song i love..

DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
I'll Never Break Your Heart by Backstreet Boys.


Baby I know your hurting
Right now you feel like you could never love again
Now all I ask is for a chance
To prove that I love you
From the first day
That I saw your smiling face


man, this is sooo true. I hurt ehr badly and broke her trust.. and ever since
that fateful day, i am working on it, and yeah - this is what i feel - I'will
never break your heart again...


WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Outlaw torn by Metallica

And now I wait my whole lifetime
For you
And now I wait my whole lifetime
For you

I ride the dirt I ride the tide
For you
I search the outside search inside
For you

this is good ;)


WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
I Believe I Can Fly by R.Kelly

I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it


this is so true - if I just believe it, there is nothing to it :)
hm.. this tag is not so bad as it seemed first...

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Hotel California by Eagles

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell


hm.. a hotel for me? not a bad idea ;)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
White Christmas by Kenny G

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the tree tops glisten and the children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

hm...


WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel

We didn't start the fire
It was always burning
Since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No we didn't light it

ROTFL.. Hilarious, this one :)



WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

For an Angel by Paul Van Dyk

hm.. only if i get an angel ;-)



WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

All Good Things Come To An End by Nelly Furtado

this one is good :)


WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

You are still the one by Shania Twain.

(When I first saw you, I saw love.
And the first time you touched me, I felt love.
And after all this time, you're still the one I love.)

Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday

hm.. intresting, but cant make out anything from it...

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Cleanin Out My Closet by Eminem

me and cleaning out my closet? nah - it is full of skeltons...

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Fre Loop by Daniel Powter

I'm a little used to calling outside your name
I wont see you tonight so I can keep from going insane
But I don't know enough, I get some kinda lazy day
Hey yeah

free loops? and my friends??? hm..

WHAT SHOULD YOU POST THIS AS?
Memories Of Madison by David Mclauchlan.

man, it took me some time to get it done... but yeah - had fun doing it.
Am too lazy to find ppl to tag, so, if anyt one feels like, do pick it up. next time i get a tag, i will make sure i tag some of my friends...

jingle bells jingle bells...

Itz the time again...
the cold evenings, the festivites...
the joy and warmth which fills the air...
every one is in the mood to celebrate...

I wish you all a merry christmas....
may santa gets you all the goodies you hoped for...

The joy and warmth of friendship...

Long time back, i heard a saying - distance is to love what wind is to fire - it annuls the feeble, but accelerates the mighty.
I think it is almost same for friendship - there are friendships which have grown thicker and thicker no matter where you are or what you are doing, and there are many friends who fades away to oblivion once you stop contacting them.
But at times, how ever hard you try, you do loose contacts with some close friends - and that is what happened between me and Ranji.
Ranji and I met during our BSc days, and it didn’t take much time for me to realize that she is a wonderful friend. But man, wasn't she reserved. It took me ages to make her come out of the shell, but by the end of the year, we where pretty thick friends.
After our BSc, we kept in touch through phone for some time, and then she moved from her home to hostel for her MSc, and I went to hostel for my MCA. Mobiles where not so popular, and she didn’t had a mobile at that time, so, i was unable to keep in touch with her for some time. After few months, when she finally managed to get a land line number to contact her, she gave me the number and we kept in touch but soon, she finished her course, and went to some other place for higher studies and I shifted to Bangalore, and we both lost the contacts.
After long time, through some of my friends i came to know that she got married and became a mother, but i was unable to find her mobile number.
So, it took me completely by surprise when i got her call last Friday night. She traced my mobile number through some of our common friends and called me - and it didn’t even take one minute for us to go back to our old frequency.
Lot of water have gone under the bridge after we spoke to each other last, but, we realized that nothing have actually changed for us. It is the best Christmas gift I got - the joy and warmth of friendship.

just like that

I know most of you have seen or at least heard this already - man, this song rocks.
Especially, when you see a good, smooth road with no traffic, and as she read my mind, pearl picks up this song.

Weather woes

Lousy is not a word enough to describe the weather we @ Bangalore are treated with for the last few dayz.. It is cold, and it rains. Fine, nothing much wrong in that. But when it rains the whole day - not really rain, but a spitter-spatter rain just to make you wet and make sure you don’t go out and have a nice time - it sucks.
The only thing i like is, it is a good weather for riding, and i really enjoy the rides.
but then, my clothes are not drying, my gloves and shoes are damn wet so that i cant wear them, my riding coat is also wet - man, enough of this rain. Please - please give us some decent weather.

The Lone Horse

A wanderer I am, in my soul
At each dawn I found myself
Different from the last desk.

Alone through the nook and corners
Through the streets and alleys
Through the rivers and streams
I wander, to find the formless

Amidst of this human jungle
But alone, stands
Alone I am, as an isle in an ocean
I stand, but travels, to seek the formless
Alone I am, in my soul

A solitary traveler, I am
For I know the masks of
Society is not for me.

Barbeque nation @ Koramangala

I have been to Barbeque nation at Indiranagar, and i quite love the experience. So, when they opened done of their branch at Koramangala, which is near to my office, i was all eager to try it out. So, yesterday we all - a team of 6 - went to have a barbeque dinner.

I called early to book a table and after making the booking, when i reached the place, there was no mention of my booking. But they promptly gave us a table, so, though it was a small hiccup, full marks for giving us a table promptly.

Food fare is quite the same, four vegetarian skewers and four non vegetarian skewers, and some thandoori verities. The mushroom tasted a bit different than what they server at Indiranagar, but other than that, all the dishes tasted consistently good. The lamb sheek kebab was a bit dry, but rest of the palate was fine.
I had a glass of Sula reserve with the starters - it is high time they start serving some imported good wines. Not that Sula is not good - make no mistake, Sula reserve is one of the finest reserve you can buy in India, made by an Indian winery, but I would like to see a bit more choices.

After feasting on the starters, we where not in mood for the buffet - but the spread was good nonetheless. I had a bit of fish in lemon and butter with soem breads, and it tasted good.
The Gulab Jamuns was really wonderful, and same with the burgundy caramel. By the time we finished the dinner, I was barely able to walk back to my bike. A very filling experience indeed.

The staffs are really courteous, and makes sure your grill never stays empty. The live band was nice, they did some good numbers (and one of them - my favorite - who the fu*k is Alice). If you are looking for good grills plus a good dining experience, head out to Barbeque nation, but make sure you call up and book you table in advance.

Quotes - a quick blog.

One of my friends asked me to single out my most favourite three quotes, and i thought it is a good idea to post it here.

1) “A man can be destroyed but notdefeated.” From Old man And the Sea by Hemingway

2)"I stand at the end of no tradition.I may, perhaps, stand at the beginning of one"From The Fountainhead by AynRand

3)" I SWEAR BY MY LIFE AND MY LOVE OF IT THAT I WILL NEVER LIVE FOR THE SAKE OF ANOTHER MAN, NOR ASK ANOTHER MAN TO LIVE FOR MINE" From Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Now, after reading this, if you feel like, post three of your favourite quotes in the comments section, or @ ur blog.

Tag again...

Here goes one more of the tags - this time, itz from Harini. Lo and behold – 8 facts about --xh-- aka aNoop

I love snakes: yeah, you read it right. i love to pet snakes, and like to catch them with my hands.

I sleep very little: usually, I go to sleep by 1.30-2.00 and get up by 5.30-6.00, but if needed, i can go on days with just 0.45 minutes sleep. Nights are for online life, reading and gaming. Sleeping is something i do when i get bored.

Michael Schumacher: The only person’s poster I ever used to decorate my room wall. He is god of Speed. Period.

Read: I love reading, and read everything but romance. a crazy HP fan, reads HP and Kafka and Ludlum and anything in between.

Kite: I love flying kites. And no, i don’t mind people staring at me :P For me, going to beach is - flying kites, making sand castles, getting wet, flying kites again and popcorns. No, you are not supposed to kid me over this.

Chocolates and ice creams: Love them, and can eat tem all the time. I find it very hard to share chocolates and ice creams. so, be nice - don’t ask me to share. :)

Babies: I am extremely good with babies. I even know how to bath newly borns. I love playing with them and coochicooing them.

PJs: have a knack of cracking the worst PJs no one can understand. I prefer to say that My jokes are of a different kind, which needs sophisticated sense of humor to understand, than just labeling them as PJs. And, i laugh at jokes even when no one else laughs.

Now, i am suppose to tag some of my friends, but this time, i am taking a leaf from harini - I tag you all who read this blog... :)

Weekend rant (warning - long boring post)

I was getting ready to finish my work early and have a nice Friday night out when my PM sneaked on me and asked with all the sweetness he can muster 'aNoop, you have to stay back today a little bit late'.
Oh, fu*k - little bit means i cannot leave before 9.00. but as luck may have it, one of the juniors screwed up the code big time and when we set all the things straight and at last i switched off my work station it was almost 11.00 - i was damn hungry and furious - furious coz i missed a nice Friday night, and now i don’t even get food anywhere. Took Jeevs from the basement parking and ripped him all the way to old madras road.
After a bit of cool air, my head was cool, and i was thinking of my options of getting some chow (other than cooking - i really don’t relish cooking a dinner after reaching home by 11.30 pm). Just to try my luck, i stopped my bike at Infinity techpark - they have some eateries and stores inside the park, and some of them where still open.
Decided to check out Indijoe Resto Pub - and had a perfectly done Jack Daniels steak and some lemonade - and that changed my mood big time. Who ever said that the way to a means heart is through food has got some wits.

A haircut was long overdue, so, Saturday morning i went to Star and Sitara to get my hair fixed - one of the guys there - Ravi - is wizz with his hands, so I spend almost 2 hours and he made me almost presentable (yeah, we guys can also sit and get fixed - it is only that usually we don’t admit it in public) and then I went to meet my friend Vikrant and his newlywed wifi Amrutha. Vicks spent some time looking around for a girl and at last, he found a real nice match. We had a nice Lunch at ChilliPepper and after a long afternoon, I ended up at JNC Coffeday to meet my biking buddies. Most of them are making big plans for riding out during the coming holidays - and i will be at b'lore. After the meet and a nice spot of dinner at CasaPicola with LJ and his wifi Tana (a very sweet duo, i want to add), I came home and crashed.

Sunday I woke up late - by 7.00 and fixed a simple breakfast - strong coffee, dosa and sambar and after lazing around, went to my friend Shivaram’s pad. Made lunch there and read some books, spent almost all the afternoon and then went to attend a wine tasting session at Chancery Pavilion hotel. It was organized by Taste and Travel, and man, it was fantastic - we got to taste some of the best wines from Sula, along with superb food.

all in all, a hectic, but smashing superb weekend. and oh, did i tell you about the phone call? Friday night, after i reached home, i received a call from Sophia - one of the most important persons in my life. I was dying to get her call, and we talked for almost 1 hour. That realy really made my day. Well, hold on, not just day, it made my whole month.

pretty...

Mid week blues

Today is Wednesday - two more days to go for weekend. I have read at many places about Monday morning blues. But strangely, i never felt Monday morning blues. To say the truth, I always look forward for Monday mornings after the weekend.

But come Wednesday, and I do feel blue - thinking that i need to managed two more days before weekend. But, to look at the brighter side - it is just two more days. :-)
It is already New Year - people and places are already putting up decorations to welcome the new year and Christmas - and I am yet to finalize my plans. I and my cousin planned to visit some relatives this weekend, but today when i called him, he is taking bed rest - slip disk. what a rotten way to spoil a weekend.

Few days back I got a mail from HungryBangalore saying that they have selected me as the reviewer of the month. Today I got their news letter. You can read the news letter here. I am waiting for their gift - hope they send me a lunch/dinner voucher:-D
You can read the review here.

Last weekend I was out of town - I went to Kerala. Itz been almost 2 months since I visited my home, and my bullet. I was planning to fix the switch gear of Bullet Electra on her (mine is a STD 350) but it didn’t work out. I took her out for some small rides - I didn’t get time for long rides this time.
And oh, I lost 7.5 kgs of weight in last one month :-D With all the eating out I do, this is sure an achivement ;-)

New Year resolutions

I was tagged by Shalini to do the New Year resolution.
New-year is just around the corner. Itz time for holidays, parties, and New Year resolutions.
Most of my friends says they take resolution to break them. I have not seen many who stick to the resolution and make it come true, but that is not the point. The point is to make up our mind and make resolutions. That is the fun part.
I was not so different; i used to make resolutions and after 1 or 2 weeks, used to break them promptly. But during my MCA, we had a New Year resolution festival - every one was given a tag which we have to wear, and we have to write our New Year resolution in the tag so that every one can read it. I was late to fill up the tag, and last moment, while thinking up of making some resolutions, suddenly this one came to my mind - 'I Stand'.
Simple, but true - I stand for what I am and what I believe. That was the last time I made the New Year resolution. From then, it is always the same - My resolution is that i will stand. Every year i reinforce the resolution. So, this year also, let me reinforce my resolution "I Stand"

I tag Meghz, LJ, rajani and Kuttibalu and anyone who want to take it.. :)

Thinking

Snippets

Me: No, he is not there at home. I went after him, and saw him, but he said he is busy.
He: No way, when i left home, he was there. should have been around. i will go and fetch him.
Me: i SAW him and talked to him. he said he si busy.
He: he was at home when I left. Let me go and I will fetch him.
Me: *exasperated* he is NOT AT HOME.
He: I will go and fetch him
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It is tough talking to a deaf man.


He-1: I need you to turn the log before you start the chainsaw.
He-2: I am not sure; you may not get correct measurements.
He-1: just turn it like I say
(He-1 with the help of He-3 turns the log)
He-1: Now now. Just keep it like this, and start the chain saw.
He-2: I say, you won’t get good panels if you cut it like this. Don’t blame me if the wood panel breaks.
He-1: It is something strong to say. DO cut it like this, I am sure I will get good wood panels.
(He-2 starts the chain saw and starts cutting the log to make wood panels. After the third one, He-1 asked him to increase the thickness a small bit and lo and behold, all the bad part of the log is out in just one panel. All the other panels are very good)
He-1: now, what do you say?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Experience itself is not enough. You should know how to apply the knowledge you gained from the experience.

Autumn..

Autumn...it have arrived
The trees are deep in a slumber...
And the park benches...all alone...
Yesterdays colorful sunset is now tomorrows hope
People have put on a heavy face; Or is it the heavy dress...
Long cots, mufflers, caps...
Yesterday we were friends; But now heavy silences have fallen between us...
And I begin to wonder ”is life only a rat race?"
If only we don’t have deadlines...
Or, is the hustle and rush our own way to protect our life
From understanding the truth - that our life cannot be complete...
Am not sure...
Retrospection - should I examine my mind? Or should I examine my life???
Am confused...and am restless...
A faceless stranger, I am to myself...

Things I Like/Enjoy doing

small small things in life,like
wind
sun
sky
clouds
grass
flowers
trees
mist
cold
watching the rain
playing in mud
walking in rain
milking the cow
plowing the land
walking in the paddy fields
swim
collect pebbls from the river
bed
people
rush
shopping malls
traffic jam
automobies
talking to ppl
listening to ppl
day dreaming
long drives
country roads
trail roads
asphalt roads
winding roads
forrest
rolling hills
watching birds
Floating in water (espacially in river)
playing with kids
cooking
being with friends
messing up with computers
playing in linux
graphics designing
clicking photos
lying on grass, seeing the sky
sleeping in the class
surprizing the people
watching fishes swim
watching traffic
fist fighting for fun
work
defeating deadlines
cracking jokes
laughing
helping others
giving unwanted advice
watching f1 race
being with my family
painting the town red with my friends
star gazing
talking to self
the list is endless.....in short, I am in love with my life

yesterday evening...

What is the BEST thing to end a busy working day with? For me, nothing more than a ride in the rain. Now rains are almost back to their cozy little place, and they don’t visit b'lore often. But yesterday while I was on the way back, it began to drizzle slightly. As soon as I took my turn from the highway, I stopped my bike, removed my jacket, gloves and helmet and just roamed around - getting wet in the light drizzle - and to keep me company, Pearl kept on playing some of my favorite tracks.

Nothing beats getting wet in a rain - if you are riding, the better :-) and, did i tell you about the smell? The smell of earth after rain - this is one smell which can drive me crazy (the other one is the smell of colocasia flower after rains). It is now getting colder here, and I love when it is cold.
During November - December, it is too much fun to have a steaming hot glass of strong filter coffee early in the morning, from the tea stall - the early morning chill and hot coffee goes exceptionally well together.

The Bike I would love to have...

The Bike I want -
500cc -750cc, twin, with around 70-80 bhp on tap. Preferably a dualsport, or a sport tourer.

Why do i want -
Can take it where ever I want, and can cruise @ 150 easily, with occasional visits to 200 kmph region.

Things I need on the Bike -
HID,dc electricals, points for attaching luggage rack/bungee chords,good horns, good quality tyres.

My Budget -
2.5 to 3 laks.

Mode of payment -
Part down payment, Part finance.

Service -
Would be great if it is a DIY bike like Royal Enfield, but you cannot have the cake and eat it too. Good availability of spares, and knowledgeable mechas who dont insist to change every thing to fix the problem. Basically, some one who analyses and sorts out the problem than someone who just change the whole part fix a small problem. (When the bolt which holds the chain cover came off, the authorized Honda workshop asked me to change the whole swing arm instead of just welding the bolt back. That was the last time I visited the place for my bike)


Current wish -
A dual sport version of Honda CBF150 for 75-80K INR

the little blue book of life

Got a fwd email abt life – the things in bracket are my responses . A kind of small retrospection.

-----


Have a firm handshake.
(I do that)

Look people in the eye.
(I do this also)

Sing in the shower.
(yup, I do)

Own a great stereo system.
(yeah - I have one)

If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
(this is something life taught me in heard way, and I never forget this lesson)

Keep secrets.
(my closet if full of skeletons )

Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen
everyday.
(yeah, sometimes Miracles do happen)

Always accept an outstretched hand.
(yup, am game for that)

Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be.
No one can tell the difference.
(thatz true)

Whistle.
(no matter how hard I try, I cant whistle properly. But who the hell gives a damn? i do whistle :-D)

Avoid sarcastic remarks.
(something for me to work on)

Choose your life's mate carefully. From
this one decision will come 90 per
cent of all your happiness or misery.
(yeah - thatz why am still looking ;-) )

Make it a habit to do nice things for
people who will never find out.
(hm..sometimes i do this)

Lend only those books you never care
to see again.
(sigh, this is something I need to do BIG time)

Never deprive someone of hope; it might
be all that they have.
(true - this is something i care a lot)

When playing games with ! children, let
them win.
(yup, dose that)

Give people a second chance, but not a third.
(no second chance - if you are not going to lead, get the hell outta my way)

Be romantic.
(oh yeah, i am)

Become the most positive and enthusiastic
person you know.
(yes, i am)

Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-
death matters, nothing is as important as it
first seems.
(true - another thing life taught me)

Don't allow the phone to interrupt important
moments. It's there for your convenience,
not the caller's.
(agree 100%)

Be a good loser.
(not yet mastered the art - still trying to get it correct. But one day, I will)

Be a good winner.
(I think I am)

Think twice before burdening a friend with
a secret.
(thinks more than twice with some friends, but with some, no need to think at all :) )

When someone hugs you, let them be the
first to let go.
(does that)

Be modest. A lot was accomplished before
you were born.
(true)

Keep it simple.
(need to be better in this too)

Beware of the person who has nothing to
lose.
(yeah - big time. Have been in that shoe for lot of times, so, i know how it is)

Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how
many times you have to cross the same
river.
(true)

Live your life so that your epitaph could
read, No Regrets
(Agree 100%. and i do live like this)

Be bold and courageous. When you look
back on life, you'll regret the things
you didn't do more than the one's you did.
( yup - always trying to minimize them - as said earlier, no regrets)

Never waste an opportunity to tell someone
you love them.
(yeah - something very rare to come across)

Remember no one makes it alone. Have a
grateful heart and be quick to
acknowledge those who helped you.
(true)

Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone
else choose it for you.
(Never - I would have been long dead before someone chooses my attitude for me)

Visit friends and relatives when they are in
hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
(Yup)

Begin each day with some of your favorite
music.
(yeah, almost always)

Once in a while, take the scenic route.
(dose it often - in fact, when ever I can)

Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them
'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'
(sigh!, have given only 2 valentine cards till date)

Answer the phone with enthusiasm and
energy in your voice.
(yeah - who likes to be greeted with a sloppy, irritated hello)

Keep a note pad and pencil on your bedside
table. Million-dollar ideas sometimes strike at
3 a.m.
(i have a pen and a book :P)

Show respect for everyone who works for a
living, regardless of how trivial their job.
(this is again something which i does care a lot)

Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a
reason later.
(haven’t send any one flowers till now - have given a few to some when i go visiting them)

Make someone's day by paying the toll
for the person in the car behind you.
(never tried)

Become someone's hero.
(i think I am ;-) )

Marry only for love.
(marry for money - No thanks, I will stay single. If there is no love, what is teh point of marriage? )

Count your blessings.
(Always)

Compliment the meal when you're a guest
in someone's home.
(sure - it works wonder and makes them happy)

Wave at the children on a school bus.
(it sure is a nice thing to do)

Remember that 80 per cent of the success
in any job is based on your ability to deal
with people.
(yeah - need more work on that)

Don't expect life to be fair.
(never - as Calvin says -I know, but why isn’t it ever unfair in my favor? ;-) )

to keep me company during my rides...

After lot of dilly dallying, yesterday I went to SP road and blew up some dough to get a MP3 player.
I got a shiny, small black Creative Zen Stone Plus - 2GB, with a 9.5hr battery backup.

It is small, and easy to use. No hassles like iPOD (if it was not for the iTune thingy, i would have picked up an iPOD long time back). I was looking for something small, which can give me company during my long rides, and is easy to operate. This comes in a small black package is an additional bonus.
I hereby christen her Pearl. (Shayad a bit too much girile, eh? )

Goal...

I was thinking about watching this movie for long time, and at last, when I got some free time yesterday, i decided to watch it.

For those who want the short version of review - if you like football, or if you like Johnny boy, go and watch it. it is worth a watch.

Now the long version:
Goal is not Chak de. In my opinion, comparing Goal and Chak de is like comparing oranges and apples coz both are grown on trees. The only element they both share is the sport. Goal is a good movie in itz own regard.
The story is kind of ok, and sometimes, predictable. But that doesn’t make this movie boring. What glued me to the screen is the technical expertise with which the football matches are choreographed. It can’t get real that this - you will never feel that you are watching a made up match, and we really feel the thrill of watching the match. The scene at the locker room – where the coach shows them the posters and the mirror, man, I like it.

I like two songs - the dhan dhana dhan goal (the scene where all the players sing this before starting the match is just awesome - you feel the spirit when you watch the scene) and Ishq Ka Kalma. Billo rani is okeyish - no great shakes.

Watch it, for the movie it is. Chak de used sports to portray patriotism; Goal used patriotism to portray spirit of football. I am glad to see movies based on sports - a change from teh run-of-the-mill love stories and thrillers.

Goal gets a 3.5 out of 5 rating from me. (And if anybody is wondering which is my favorite - chakde or goal; it is Goal without doubt)