Triumph of evil over good

The day Ravan‘s effigy was to be burnt I realized everyone in my neighborhood was busy washing their vehicles and flats. I had to take some other route to reach the main gate to get out of my society in Pune because the dumb nuts were not realizing that random splashing of water here and there results in muck and dirt. But then they were doing it all for a good reason. So, it’s okay for them to do all of that. Isn’t it?

Good and evil are relative terms. What definitely sounds good to me might just be wrong in someone else’s books but what’s important is I am not bothering anybody with my set of beliefs, whether they are right or wrong.

Come on, let me say it in another way, everyone’s come across a douchebag who has mastered the art of irritating people, everyone’s come across someone who thinks s/he is superior (my balls!) for some  reason, everyone’s come across a loud-mouthed retard who does more harm than s/he is capable of, and there is also a whole bunch of poseurs who try and teach you what is morally right and wrong. How about taking a break, looking within and cleansing your own self, human?

Talking about this festival Dussehra, even though I wanted it to be the other way round I celebrated the so-called triumph of good over evil by engaging in some domestic beer worship and I wished it was Ravan on the other side receiving this bottle of London Pilsner (a beer you can always rely on) from me, after he is done burning down everything that is fake. That would be a real winner, or as I may like to put it would the triumph of evil over good. One just needs to spot the difference between the two.

Dhwani Prayog

(l to r) : me, ajitabh, nilesh, rohini, ashwini

This goes back to early-2009. Apart from being a part of my existence, Dhwani Prayog also helped me divert from the arid life of software industry. They are a fusion/experimental band based out of Pune and had me doing the percussions. My last stint with drumming at any level ended with this band. Fans of Indian Ocean might just get blown away by their music as Dhwani Prayog is heavily inspired by them. As for the metalheads I doubt whether there is anything I can provide for you with this one.

Valley of the Beholden

After countless offerings and coconut smashings comes a surprise at the most unexpected time of the year. A normal retarded day at work and out of nowhere my manager tells me about a project in Pune. Initially I was taken aback and could not cover-up the reaction too. Well what relaxes now was shock at that moment. Irregular stammering followed as I tried to gather words and asked for an hour’s time to decide. Made a few important calls before going ahead with their decision.

I’d take this space to mention a couple of friends who helped ease out the nine month pain. No, not labour pain.

My project team – Unique it was and unique it will remain. All the best.

Mom, Dad and Sis – Thought I had grown up but seems I haven’t. Thanks for being understanding at all times.

Hitesh, Saurabh, Sanket, Pradeep, Amit, Manoj, Soumya, Jyoti - Will be carrying all the stupid jokes and laughter sessions along with me. Take care, guys.

Mandar – roommate and good friend, tolerated me at a time when even I could not tolerate myself. Thanks for everything, dude.

Nekshi – Won’t forget those inspiring talks. They did work.

Akshaya – Thanks for being a part of my life, and for all the whisky knowledge.

Arun, Bhaskaran, Soumyajit, Vijay, Pushkar – Met you guys a little too late in the journey. But those drunk weekends would be cherished. Will miss you guys.

Absurd History readers – You all made me write more, than waste time doing something else. Horns up to all of you.

I’d say life sure is thrilling. You cannot always ask for the best in life, but you sure can stay away from the worst. Live on!

rendezvous with Mogh

(l to r) : me, faustoos crowley, don't know, noor kadiwala, arya vruksha

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Recollecting the Near Past

I was told its been a while since I wrote something about myself. Even I do not remember the last time I put down something that has got to do with me. So a note to gather my awful thoughts about what has been going on in and around directly concerning me with regards to my stay in Chennai – the city that could not use its worth to make itself appealing.

It all began sometime last year when I was somehow not getting that pleasure out of spending my time in Pune. It had been an year since work took higher precedence in life and Pune was where it had all began. The month was September and I chanced upon this new project that had a new place written all over it. I say chanced upon as my perspective of looking at it was different then. It required me to be in Bangalore for two months before ending up in Chennai. So by making the Bangalore stay secondary, I would say after wrapping up Pune I fvcked off to Chennai. Little did I know then that life had other plans for me. A bitch that life is, it picked me up and put me on an emotional roller coaster and enjoyed itself all at my expense. And I oiled the opportunities. Shit came and I welcomed it. Now that is unpleasant. At the moment I am insensitive to all of that. That is what we call getting adapted.

Forgetting the first two months of November and December which shielded me in some way, I welcomed the new year 2010. Talk about problems and your relationship cannot be far behind. Signs of a colossal break-up were very evident, and it was not a good time for that to happen. But who cares, as long as the objective of a potential mind fvck is met. And that was exactly what happened. Four months and a breakup later, the recovery is still getting delayed in a way it is to get justice in our country. With time the fate of this aspect will unravel, as only time drives us into the future.

Now comes the topic of Chennai – a metro that does not deserve to be called so. Need a reason? – mail me. The first quarter was the worst of all, the bad weather here and personal stuff multiplied the pain. Work-wise kind of satisfied but then thats not everything. End of the valentine month I took a small break and visited home in Bombay. Returned a week later and have been here since. Now towards the end of the second quarter everything seems to have become constant, including the state of my mind. It is going to be close to 9 months here and now its funny. In the sense that due to various commitments I cannot leave the place at the moment. But since I came here I will surely leave. Just a matter of time.

But analyzing the period that passed by and the nasty goodies that accompanied it there is a realization of a personal growth on every aspect. I do not know about the rest but if I could survive Chennai I can live anywhere. I mean anywhere. I wonder if there was no metal in my life I would not have lived to see this day, to say all of what I just said. That is the secret of my existence. Go find yours!

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Tomorrow is my day

I am taking a much needed break. Forecast for this weekend and the whole next week – escape Chennai. Heading to Bombay on the 25th, i.e. tomorrow. From my experience till now the industry I am part of is unrelenting. Got this break after slogging my ass for almost 4 months now.

Unfortunately I could not save up enough to fly back home. So its going to be one hell of a tiring train journey. Travelling long hours by train has its own advantages and disadvantages. Advantage – all through the journey this beverage termed tea is consumed in excess and at the end of the day you don’t pee you tea. Not funny ? That was stated as an advantage because a well made cup of tea turns me on. Disadvantage – you have a lot of free time which gives your mind enough reasons to think and that is exactly what I am trying to avoid, you do not feel like taking a dump for obvious reasons, and my iPod battery-life is only a couple of hours. Anyways, the rate at which Apple is going battery-free iPods don’t seem far.

What awaits me back home – family, friends and booze. Also Burzum’s next release Belus has leaked, so downloading the same is high on my agenda. Have to steal some time so I can visit Pune for a day to meet some friends. Amidst all this and against my wishes is the painful Holi and a day will get wasted as I cannot step out of the house.

Keeping everything aside, I am going to make the most of the forthcoming week as I know how it is going to be once I am back in Chennai. Its just not the place for me.

Chennai‘s had enough from me. For today. 24 hours to go. Bombay, tujha vadil kaun ?

A place that was German Bakery

This is probably the second place where an attack has taken place and I happened to know the place well. The first place being CST station in Bombay. German Bakery was located in one of the the most happening locations of Pune – Koregaon Park. Many know this area as the den of Osho Ashram. The bakery was situated very close to the ashram. Right opposite the bakery stood this place called Chabad House which was a shelter for Israeli travellers run by an orthodox Jewish sect.

German Bakery, Pune

I frequented the bakery during by stay in Pune between July 2008 and September 2009. The place was small as compared to your average bakery but the ambience and viand was such that it attracted more foreigners than any other place in the vicinity. As for me, German Bakery was less of bakery and more of a place to dawdle with a couple of my douchebag friends. The last time I had been there I remember meeting all of my friends from Pune.

the bakery within

Talking about the size of the bakery, I can only imagine what would be left of it considering the impact of the blast that killed almost 10 and injured so many others.

At this rate I would not be surprised if tomorrow a blast happens when I’m gulping beer somewhere. I don’t see it as  a pessimistic thought. I see it as being realistic.

the bakery today