Fit hai toh Hit hai

This is a fitness update. For the record,

I've started the "couch potato to 5k" running plan and "100 push ups" training program along with my already hugely successful "Atkins" diet plan.

In 39 days of diet, I've lost 10 kg. Another 6 kg to loose before I reach my target weight. But in terms of fitness, there's a long way to go.

Gone are the days when I captained my college cricket team or represented my region at the All-India national athletic meet or was the sports captain at my school.

For now, I am just a couch potato (who does not eat potato coz of the diet) but spends a lot of time on the couch! But that's going to change. And soon. Last evening was my first training session.

Thank you, Roop for sharing these fitness programs. And to Fitness Fervor.

p.s. Wasn't that a bloody clichéd title? :p

Isn't a baby girl your child too?

Yesterday afternoon, an ex-colleague visited my office. She was here to pick her final settlement cheque and experience certificate. She dropped by my desk to say hello and congratulated on my baby. She had had a baby girl a few months back so I inquired about her. She was doing well. Even showed me her photo. Cute little girl. Asked her about how things were otherwise? She informed me that she almost got divorced. I was a little shocked. Stepping into some personal space, I asked her what happened. The reasons:

1. She gave birth to a baby girl
2. She called her mom over for the delivery

Who was the architect behind all this? Mother-in-law
Husband was helpless. Mentally poisoned & emotionally blackmailed by his mother.
Things are OK now. They are back together after 6 months of separation.

I was so freakin shocked. What is wrong with a girl child? Why are people still bloody fixated with this boy child thing? Isn't a girl also your child? Is that old women fuckin nuts?

And what's wrong if she called her mom over for the delivery? Wouldn't she want her mother around during her difficult time? Completely beats me.

A couple almost got divorced because she gave birth to a baby girl. It just did not register in my head. He is a young, educated guy working with a MNC. How could that jerk let this happen? He even got her visa canceled and sent her back home.

I've heard such cases but was under the impression it predominantly happens in rural India. Illiteracy, society, finances, unawareness, call-whatever-fuck-you-wanna-call-it, could be reasons. But how can you explain this?

We may have hopped into the 21st century but our minds are still rotting. Thousands of women have made this country proud and still people separate because it is a baby girl? Fucking hypocrites.

I am appalled. I feel disgusted. What does it take to change such lousy filthy minds? How does their damn consciences allow them to sleep at night? Is this what we call progressive India? I am sure this is NOT a one-of case. Thousands must be suffering the same fate as my friend. When does it end?

My idea of therapy

No bones to guess I was depressed all weekend. And now I've decided to put an end to this. No more depressive, sad, sombre or pitiful posts. Folks who know me or have followed this blog for a while know I'm better than that. Enough is enough. So what did I do to get over the mood?

Therapy!

No, I did not see a psychiatrist. Not that kind of therapy but the other kind. This kind:

1. Shopping therapy:

There was a sale at Azzaro. Need I say more? ;)

2. Food therapy:

Why wouldn't a double cheese, grilled jalapeño chicken burger make you feel good? ;)

3. Fun therapy:


And with whatever little frustration left, I knocked out those pins left, right and center!!

I think it was just in the mind. The moment I decided to let go, everything was instantly better.

Thank you to one and all for your supportive and encouraging words. Cheers :)

Too many whys and what's with the 'T'

I don't know why people blog. Is it because:

1. They are bored and don't know how else to kill time
2. Want a medium to express their views be it personal, social, political, sports or current affairs
3. To vent out their frustration. Rant, blah, ramble, swear etc.
4. Those with literary aspirations use this as a platform (be it writing, poetry or even photography)
5. It's cool to have a blog
6. Networking. Want to be in touch with family/friends/acquaintances/fellow bloggers
7. Record their lives and experiences. A public diary.
8. To tell the world how well they can cook?

There could be more. Me just thinking aloud.

I started blogging for just one reason: #7

But with time #2, #3 and #6 jumped in.

And today I proudly introduce you to the latest joinee: #1

Yes, that's what this post is about. I've got absolutely nothing to do. So here I am.

As I write, my wife and baby are guest of honors at a big family gathering hosted on their behalf. It's a celebration usually done when the baby is forty days old. No clue why. But they do it. My baby is two months old (touchwood). They had to delay the function for some reason.

So it's happening today. What's really weird is I could not attend. For some reason I had to stay put. I still don't know why. And I can't believe I'm sitting here typing this post rather than be by my wife's side holding my adorable little baby. Will never be able to get over this. I've written numerous times about my baby and how much I miss the little kiddo. This was my chance to spend a quick weekend with them and I've missed it. This regret is gonna be with me for a long time.

For now, all I can resort to is write a post about it and continue feeling super-miserable.

p.s. My last five post titles have started with a T!!!! WHY?

Tears, Parenthood & Wifey

Last night I shed my first tears seeing my little baby on webcam. I longed to take him in my hands. To hold him, play with him, talk to him, just see him play, hear him make weird sounds, walk around with him, console him when he cries, clean his nappies, put him to sleep - I'm missing all that and more. Everything seems incomplete now. Meaningless.

I'm not sure what changes parenthood has brought to me. One minute I was just another guy with not too many responsibilities, and the next, I'm a dad with all the responsibilities. It's crazy.

A lot of things change upon becoming a parent. But I'd say, the first and foremost change comes to the relationship between the couple. Simply put, it brings them closer. Nine months is a long time. And it can be a difficult and intriguing time for a women. With all kinds of physical, mental, hormonal, psychological changes, it teaches you just one lesson: this women is undergoing all that just to give birth to your baby. Many say that it is a defining moment in a women's life. That could be quite true. And it's not just the nine months and giving birth part but continues through post-birth phase as well. All in all, a really challenging time for a women. It is quite unbelievable in the end when you hold your baby for the first time and think: Did this really come out of there? Just incredible.

Holding my bundle of joy for the first time will always remain my most cherished moment. My wife, with all that she went through over the last 10 months is the greatest thing I have ever seen.

There couldn't be a more appropriate time to let her know how much I respect her for being the women she is and - a caring wife, a supportive friend, a trusted companion, a passionate lover, a smart critique and an ideal life partner. And now, a super-mom! Hats off to you, love.

Travails for a passport

Getting a passport made in India is the easiest possible thing. Really! And for a new born, even more simple. After all, no police check, no address proof, nothing. All you need is a birth certificate. That's all, right?

Wrong.

My son's passport application is in the works. In order to just complete the application, they require a NOC from me in the form of a sworn affidavit attested by the Indian Embassy in Dubai. In order the apply for the NOC, I needed a bunch of stuff, one of which was that my wife's name has to be attested on my passport. In order to get my wife's name attested on my passport, I needed my marriage certificate to be attested by the Home Department of Maharashtra.

See what I mean!

Anyways, the home department jig is done. Right now, my passport is gone for it's drill. Expecting that on Saturday. Once that is done, then will I finally get my hands on that 'coveted' NOC.

20 days they say for the passport to get delivered. Honestly, I don't trust that number one bit.

Oh, and after the passport is ready, I need to apply for my son's residence visa. But that does not take too long. Couple of days tops.

Guess it is another 4-6 weeks before my wife and son can join me. Alas, the wait continues.

p.s. Did I mention it took 1 month for the birth certificate to be issued? Well, that's another story.

Edited to add:
17-Mar-09: Got my passport yesterday with the endorsement. And this morning, I finally got the sworn affidavit issued by the Indian embassy. Hopefully, the passport application should be submitted today. Fingers 'still' crossed.

Tag of 25

1. I think this is the most boring tag ever!
2. I was named after my late grand-father. Me born right after he expired.
3. I feel he is watching over me always.
4. Once got my head stuck behind the TV set. And even stapled my own thumb.
5. Always day-dreamt of being the greatest cricketer ever. Imagined hitting a double century in an ODI on debut against Australia in the finals of the world cup with India 5 wickets down for less than 10 runs and winning the game!
6. That never happened.
7. Love this number.
8. Excelled in Athletics though, all the way to the Nationals.
9. Will trade my right arm to meet Roger Federer.
10. Err...only hypothetically!
11. Did I ever do an MBA?
12. Or am I even an engineer?
13. Joined Oracle just because it sounds cool and was in Bangalore.
14. I still miss Bangalore
15. Miss my wife and 6 week old son.
16. Love my parents and family.
17. I drive a Benz E230. Want a Lexus IS300 or BMW X5 or both.
18. This tag is long.
19. I miss my best friend.
20. I totally, completely, absolutely, hate bhindi and baingan.
21. Money is not the root of all evil.
22. I love food.
23. I love movies.
24. I love perfumes.
25. Date on which I got married.

I'm not tagging anyone. Almost everyone I know has attempted this. So open invitation for whoever dares to attempt it. Just let me know once it is done. Cheers.

That moment....

At this lovely captured moment in my life I had wished I was a kid again....

05-Mar-09, 9:22 PM

....seeing those kids jump down that air-filled slide!!!

What are those kids thinking of?

Project deadline? Targets? Performance appraisal? Traffic? Weight loss? Recession? Money? Investments? Family? Marriage? Heartbreaks? Moving houses? Rama Sena? Politics? Global warming?

Bet, at that instant, all they freakin cared off was to jump as hard and as fast as they possibly can down that slide! What a life! :)

I wish.... (sigh)

On failing driving tests in UAE

To the person who got here with this query:

"i failed my driving test in uae"

I feel sorry for this guy/girl. Really really really know how it feels. And I can tell you it's not good. Anyone who stays in UAE will know how important it is to own a car here. Public transport system is appalling. Taxis charge a bomb. Metro is far from over. Car lifts are not allowed. Walking is out of the question due to the long distances between places. So what are the options? Frankly, not many. And thus owning a car is almost your only resort And with so much traffic on roads these days, licenses are not being issued generously. RTA thinks that's the way to reduce traffic problems! And appearing for driving tests is by no means cheap. Digs a BIG hole in your pocket. But it's gotta be done! It's a necessary evil.

So hang in there, Mr./Ms. I know it is tough but surely possible. Good luck for your next test. Cheers.