Bloggy rides my activa

For every like-minded friend who knows me, know the fact that I have a real wild imagination. I have a huge 70mm screen running vivid pictures all time, as I think, as I talk, as you talk, and even as I ride. It so happens that, I get most of the ideas to write when I ride.

Uh-oh!!!

Imagine this: it’s a very pleasant day. And the happy me is singing to glory riding her now-new-jetblack-activa. And the happy me is not bothered that there are other 101 vehicles around her. And the happy me sings all these songs in mega decibels such that the traffic police would request for a silencer. And the happy me sees a cat.

Screech to the song…

Now, the happy me gets thoughts about the cat. Then the fish. Then the sea. Then the sunset. Then the helipad. Then the chocolate gateaux. Then the friends. Then….. the list continues till the happy me parks the vehicle.

It is weird that I sing on the reads. It’s even more so that I don’t care when people stare at me. And then with these happy thoughts, I am all lost. I actually frame each sentence while I am riding. Every flow comes from there.

Many a times, I don’t bother to write my thoughts. Many a times I just write it on a plain page and forget about it. Some other times, it is left half-drafted in the blogger. Other times its left forgotten on the note pad. Maybe, one fine rainy day, I will post all these together.

As for now, riding my active rocks!!!

Just for a side note: In one of the impromptu sessions, I was delighted to get “A dinner date with John Abraham”.

Cool uh???

Yes! me lord

After all that gyan filled session with the grey-haired-profs for the best part of this month, I took a chance with 23 lawyers yesterday noon. Actually, they invited me for a 3 hour session on Human Relations and I thought, ‘why not?’

So, at 3 noon, I see myself surrounded by 23 lawyers, seniors and juniors together. It was a bit unnerving and I had this “yes me lord” feeling. All of them looked at me with the same tempo of seeing a victim in the court. Only difference here was, they paid me for being watched. And my, I was impressed when they responded beautifully to me.

One learning I truly enjoyed was, the game of ‘My Friend’. Each participant without fail addressed as “My Partner” and it reminded me of partner in crime. They were indeed professional people I say!

Next one came where I wanted to bring out the learning on “Stress”. Most of them were worse than my summer camp kids when it came to troubling others. I stood there, still and taken aback as these senior people managed their hands in acting weird. It was interesting.

One more learning, came from the group discussion session. The reports were indeed very systematic and brief, which I guess is the practice of the day-to-day business.

Now, I have an offer to do follow-up sessions for the firm. I guess it’s gonna be very interesting. Next assignment will be working on a bunch of chartered accountants. Don’t I love not having to work!

Safed baal-kaale baal

Past few days have seen me sitting demurely with 62 senior professors from 5 states for HR training. We have been working on defining a few HR concepts, learning, unlearning and relearning a few others and discussing a few more topics which would put anyone to sleep. We were also doing some in-depth study on Human Sufferings and Virtual Presences. Although, I have no clue why we need to study about sufferings when I am around?

Anyways, my deemed presence amidst all that grey hair was the result of: 7 years of association with the HR institute, the areas I have worked for my study, and the Director of the institute thought that I too could contribute some valuable inputs.

Now, when you team-up a young jet-black hair with a bunch of grey hair, there is bounced to be some volatile ideas. And especially if that “black-hair” happens to be someone like “me” who lives the principles drilled into her by the same Director some 7 years ago and will not let any of it to be challenged by anyone. So, it was indeed a very interesting combi.

After interacting with them for all these days, I have learnt to be prepared:

1. To get the shock of my life as I walk into a room full of senior profs who shoot dagger looks at me.

2. To see the shock on their faces when they hear me speak about my topic.

3. To see more shocked faces when my verdict is accepted at the end.

4. To be targeted with questions, some offending ones and some challenging ones.

5. To be able to stand up to them, look into their eyes and be assertive.

6. To make them accept that age does not make me any less competent.

7. To be asked about my age, marriage, and other personal questions and still smile.

8. To be accepted by them and be treated as an equal.

9. To crack jokes, laugh, share common gossip and some light moments.

10. To be praised and respected by the same group.

Unsettling thoughts on getting “settled”

On an average day, a average conversation with any of my average acquaintance goes on these grounds:

(lemme call this average person TDH as in some eera-gera-nattu-phera)

TDH: so, what are your plans to settle down?

Me: uh? Aren’t I already settled down ?

TDH: well, I mean when are you getting married and settling?

Me: oh! You mean when am I gonna “unsettle” ?

TDH: uh??? I meant settle…marriage?

ME:right, marriage… unsettle!

TDH:*blank*

Right, lemme give you this situation. Imagine you, happy, independent, successful and enjoying every minute of life. No tension, no responsibility, no questions, no one to boss you around. You have a decent degree next to you name, an impressive career to boast of, and an okish bank balance. Your weekends are mainly filled with equally lazy friends and indolent activities. Movies, gossip, shopping, eating and sleeping are of prime importance. You are your own boss and life is a complete bliss.

Now, the external unavoidable force called “parents” decide that its time you realized that happiness was not everything and ask you to get married. With the forces bestowed only on them and amidst all the senti stuff, emotional dramas, and blackmails, you agree to give it a shot.

And now starts the endless saga of confusions and confrontations. Finding that “one” right partner. Trying to explaining the process is next to impossible but a definite enriching experience. After much screening and screaming, you are given a final option. I wonder why it’s ever called an ‘option’ in the first place with them deciding on everything.

World turns topsy-turvy if you are the girl. The settled you before marriage has to totally unsettle after marriage. You have to leave your home, your friends, your job, your Johny boy posters, and other very intricate details that make your daily life a bliss and relocate to a new city. Now, you have to start your life from scratch, make friends, get a job and know your way around the new city. To add to this, you have a new person in your life who demands all your attention and patience.

So, wasn’t I right???

Marriage is not about “settling down” but “unsettling” ???

Ortho, thy say on bikes

It's been 5 full days since my new bikey’s speedometer has not crossed 20km/h. It's been 5 full days since I have been avoiding my bikey to such a great extent that I actually take a rickshaw at times. It's been 5 full days since I have let even the bicycles to overtake me.

For the people who know me, this must have come as a shock. I and no speeding? Must be a joke, right?
Nah! I hate to admit but it’s a fact.

It so happens that I was amidst a very serious discussion with this fella “RK” who happens to be an orthopedic. He sports a few super specialization degrees on bones next to his name which are more complex than any of my operation research problems. I usually keep away from doctors; dangerous that these fellas are, scare me to death.

So, I was just animating my love for bikes and speed when I get an annoying e-grunt. Unguarded, I proudly declared how I rip along and the other usually bikey talks that I love to do. So,

rk: do you wear a helmet? with jaw protection?

harleydada: yep, I have a matching black helmet *brims with pride*
rk: and a jacket with spinal bar to protect the spine?

harleydada: uh-oh *who ever thought about that*

rk: and trousers with knee pads to protect the knee cap? and boots with ankle bars to protect the ankle?

harleydada: *gulp*

rk: these are minimum safety requirements

harleydada: *screech-scream*

Er, did he think I was planning to do some formula bikey racing or some weird cross country biking? Surely, with that outfit on, ripping through the streets of Mlore, I would no doubt look like a super bike woman.

Since, laaton ke bhoot baton se nahi manthe, and I was one such bhoot, he continued with more gyan.

rk:Ok. Imagine this. you are traveling very slow in a scooter at a speed of 20kmph

harleydada: *oh yeah, in my dreams*

rk: Imagine you weigh 60kg

harleydada: *er, why don’t we talk about the weather instead*

rk: now, as you are traveling very slowly , as slow as 20kmph, you hit a stationary object. you will be thrown forward with nothing but your arm to support your fall. the moment on your arms will be 60 X 20 = 1800kg. if your arms are strong enough to lift 1.2 tonnes of weight, feel free to ride a bike.

harleydada: *gulp*

rk: if you travel at 30kmph it is 1.8 tonnes

harleydada: er... how do we put 40+ ?

rk: that makes it 2.4 tonnes.

rk: the only reason why cars are safer is, there is a seat belt and some impact absorbing bars in front to reduce this impact

harleydada: *bars…like in hic hic?*

rk: if at 80 kmph you hit a stationary object, it is certain death.

harleydada: *super gulp*

rk: you have two choices, either become strong enough to lift 2.4 tonnes or stop riding a bike.

-End of the bikey conversation-

For years now, bikes have been reminding me of my Johny boy. I am totally aware that John Abraham is totally unaware of my divine existence. But Johny:Bikes::Bikes:Johny has been my equation to drool big time. But after the threatening talks on bikes, I am about to reformat the equation.

The funny part was, after all the extra precautions and speed limit now, I am more disaster prone. Looks like I really have to tone myself to lift 2.4 tonnes or quit riding as the RK fella says. *sigh*



Btw, I was wondering, if I had to pick between the Johny guy and Hayabusa, what would I do???

Sweet hangovers from the camps

I believe I was hardly in my nappies when my dear mom decided to drop me into a nearby Summer Camp. Maybe the very idea of having a hyper-active baby around made her take this step, or she had this very rare intuition that her little dear would end up going for camps year after year. So, why not start now???

For whole 6 years now, I have been coordinating a few camps around. I missed the fun while I was in US. But now, with the action packed myself back, I had 3 batches of camps in hand. Each one different and each one very interesting.

Now, nothing can make me happier than a bunch of hooligans who roar and tear the peace and quite of the organizers. And the very fact that they love my classes brings out the child in me and I end up making more noise than them. When surrounded by these little imps, I have no hearth to say no to their whims.

Most of my public speaking classes turn into a havoc creating debate sessions. Some even get into the verbal battle of proving their vocabulary skills. Team work is always fun with ads and story-skits. And I am always left awestruck with their hidden talents and all the positive vibes.

This year the RX group decided to introduce a summer nature camp and they entrusted the responsibility to make it “really different” to a buddy and me. We came up with a real wacky, fun-filled set of activities that camp ran into 2 full sets on demand. The difference was the outdoor life they were given.

A monkey bridge to hang around, rope ladders to dangle, swings, wooden balance bars, a spread of tress to climb, tents, and everything that spoke of wild outdoor life. Kids even had a camp dog that has grown really fat with the generous eatings. The kids even got to paint the trees, walls and even their own faces.

Each kid was loaded with sweat and dirt, he smelled, his clothes soiled, but a happy smile on his face. I myself have tanned into a dark shade of tandoori brown with all running under the sun. But, it was fun till the last day. We even had camp fires and night dinners.

Today was the valedictory of the last batch of the last camp and we had campers from the previous batches too who joined in for the celebrations. We all sang, teased each other, hugged and bid farewells.

These camps have been a part of my life for a long time now. Every year I wait eagerly to spend my time with a bunch of hyper-active kids of all ages and be a kid all over again. Their innocence and laughter fills my soul with all the energy I need to face the coming days. When they compliment me, it is more rewarding than any of the prizes I have won. The sparkle of their eyes leaves me wondering if I will ever get enough of such camps.

The best part comes after the camps. With the huge group of campers from several different camps where I visit as a resource person, I generally bump into one kid occasionally. The endearing smile talks a lot about their love for you and that just makes my day. Be it a tiny tot or a high school teenager, every one greets you with that encompassing warmth. Maybe you will never know until you are a part of a camp yourself.

But today, I still am under the hang-over of all those hugs and kisses the kids gave me before saying our byes. Some smiles will be remembered for many days to come and I am waiting to meet a few of them around too. Right now, I am sleepy.

As the campers say,

Three cheers…HIP HIP HURRAY!!!

No excuse, only (F)CATS

A person of my size and caliber cannot disappear. So, for all those angelic souls who have been wondering about my un-presented-self, I am back.

I wanted to add one “with a BANG” but owing to the latest developments and my act of uncouth bravery, it hurts.

The story goes thus; its was a very sunsaan raat. The kaali amavas ki night. (not very sure about the chand and its dating but as all hindi movies talk about amavas, I stick to the same). The kuthes howled from some distant. One akeli, sundar, abhala naari (that is to be read a “me”) was riding her dear saffire. Ripping at this time of the night, singing the Mukesh sad songs, enjoying the breeze in the hair, zroom…

And suddenly, “meow” the billi ka baccha jumped from nowhere. As this dear lady with her heart of an angel, goodness of a saint, screeched the brakes of the gaddi running on 60kmph. The billi ka baccha ran to the comfort of his maa, and poor me was left with strained neck and tendon tear of the right wrist.

Now, for all those who personally know me, think that I was born to fall. Talk the love of hurting oneself and I could be a synonym. But I am really proud of myself that I saved that billi ka baccha. So what if I could not type for a few days?

Maybe, some day, when I rip around, one granny billi will be showing its poote billi,
“dekho beta dekho, she was the brave woman who saved my life on that kaali amavas ki raat” .

‘Meow’