2008

Dee has done this. Even though i wasn't tagged, i decided to answer the same questions so that i could boast of having posted something.

What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Got a tattoo. Actually, two of them.

Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Have never made any. Don't intend to.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.

Did anyone close to you die?
No.

What countries did you visit?
None. Saw more of India though.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A romantic relationship.

What date from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Not big on dates but will probably remember the joining date in this new company.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Got a job with my dream company but soon realised that the grass is always greener on the other side.

What was your biggest failure?
Wallowing in self-pity at the beginning of the year.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
No.

What was the best thing you bought?
A Creative Zen W 60 gb (personal media player).

Whose behavior merited celebration?
My parents'. Always merits celebration.

Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
A close friend's behaviour and on occassions my own.

Where did most of your money go?
Electronics (PMP, LCD TV and PlayStation), shoes (I'm a guy and can you believe i have 14 pairs of footwear?) and clothes.

What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Nothing. Don't get excited that easily.

What song will always remind you of 2008?
None in particular.

Compared to this time last year, are you:
happier or sadder?
Way too happier. :)

thinner or fatter?
Thinner. I'm really close to realising my dream of having flat abs. ;)

richer or poorer?
Slightly richer.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Made more female friends. :P

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Trying to analyse a friend's psyche. :D

How will you be spending Christmas?
Didn't.

Did you fall in love in 2008?
Nope. :(

How many one-night stands?
Hmmm.

What was your favorite tv program?
Stopped watching TV this year.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate nobody. Period.

What was the best book you read?
Read a lot. Re-read quite a few. Can't really put my finger on one.

What was your greatest musical (re)discovery?
Re-discovered Alan Parsons Project and AC/DC.

What did you want and get?
LCD TV.

What did you want and not get?
A complete reconciliation with a close friend. Actually, looking back i'm not sure if i really want it that bad.

What was your favorite film of this year?
Death at a funeral.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 27. Had an awesome dinner with family (yummy food cooked by Mom).

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Mental peace at the beginning of the year.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Discovered that sweat shirts and cargo trousers are the best when you don't feel like going to office but have to as you are swamped with work.

What/who kept you sane?
The Bhagawad Gita.

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel

What political issue stirred you the most?
PM's reaction to the Mumbai attacks.

What did you miss?
No longer being an important person in a friend's life.

Who was the best new person you met?
Joe from work.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
Let go.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Can't think of any.

Royal Enfield Thunderbird

Felt like posting something today. Please don't throw your old footwear at me just because i couldn’t think of anything better than this.

SMS from a close fried:
Dude.. Finally.. I got her man.. :)

My first reply:
Wow.. Congrats man.. :) U guys getting engaged or something??

My immediate second reply:
Oh fuck.. U meant the bike?? :P

Sometimes the sharpest of us can be slow. :P :D

second tattoo

I got my second tattoo during the weekend. An impulsive decision. Was hanging out with Lambu. Decided to visit Pradeep Menon's (the tattoo artist) new studio in Raheja Arcade, Koramangala and get my idea on paper. The artist did a good job. So, ended up getting it on skin (left wrist).

Here's the pic (shot using a camera phone).

And here's the first one (back of my neck). Spoke about it here.

Apology

Random faces
recurring thoughts
Monotonous journey
perpetual roads
Hey, i know you
your smile
At the circus
was it summer
Please close the doors
Was trying to fake it
didn't make it
How was the trip
The Ferris wheel
Can i go higher
Shed your armour
the war is over
Let us celebrate
let me drink
Your eyes
let them speak

Bungeeeeeeeee!!!

Last Saturday, I finally managed to bungee jump at Palace grounds from a height of 140 ft. My life has seen a lot of action and adventure in the last six months. So, I'm now officially left with only two must-dos before I die.

1. Skydiving
2. A road trip to Leh on my Royal Enfield

Hope I get to do them at the earliest.

Warning: Bungee jumping can be quite addictive.

let go...

On Saturday, I shaved my head for the first time in my life. My Mom was a little vexed because the caste i'm born into allows a man to shave his head only when a parent passes away. I shaved my head because i have receding hairline and the barber did a poor job of cutting whatever hair i had. There is another reason. Recently, I decided to let go of something and i wasn't really sure if i did the right thing. After a while, I was convinced that i did the right thing. I don't want to reconsider my decision because i've been tempted to do so in the past. For the next few days, every time i look in the mirror, i want to be reminded that i let go of it for my own good, the way i let go of my hair.

Also, i don't want to get attached to a person or a relationship. Actually, i don't want to get attached to anything. I know it's really hard but i want to be able achieve it. According to Hinduism, Lotus signifies detachment and spiritual awakening. Most Indians know the significance of Om. I wanted something to remind me every single day that i am trying to achieve detachment from everything. Last year while looking for a design for my first tattoo, I found an 'Om-inscribed-in-a-Lotus'. I have not had a spiritual awakening but the detachment part made sense and i felt that it was the right time to get that tattoo done. On Sunday, i got it done on the back of my neck.

I don't want to be a monk but i hope that the decisions i've made in the past few days will help me become a better human being.

p.s: I have neither joined Bhajarang dal nor have i turned religious overnight. I'm currently reading the Bhagavat Gita which is doing me a world of good.

A shot in the arm..

It's been a while since I have published a post. TS did a tag recently and has in turn tagged anybody who needs a shot in the arm. I felt the need for one. So, here it goes.

Last movie seen in a theatre:
Death at a funeral

What book are you reading?
Re-reading "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"

Favourite board game:
Scotland yard

Favourite magazine:
Rave

Favourite smells:
Raspuri mango (fruit) and Fahrenheit by Christian Dior

Favourite sound:
Can't think of anything. Hate the sound of my alarm.

Worst feeling in the world:
Loneliness

What is the first thing you think of when you wake up?
On weekdays - Do I have to drag myself out of the bed?
On weekends - Is it a weekday?

Favourite fast food place:
McDonald's

Future child’s name:
Ava or Ivy

“If I had a lot of money I’d…”
see the whole world

Do you drive fast?
On rare occasions when I'm late

Storms - Cool or Scary?
Neither. They're just boring.

Do you eat the stems on broccoli?
Yes

If you could dye your hair any colour, what would be your choice?
Grey

Name all the different cities/towns you have lived in:
Hassan, New Delhi, Bangalore, Kollegal, Calcutta

Favourite sports to watch:
Tennis and Basketball

One nice thing about the person who sent this to you:
TS - Don't know him personally but I love his blog.

What’s under your bed?
Storage space - where you will find my guitar and old engineering books

Would you like to be born as yourself again?
You bet

Morning person or night owl?
Neither

Over easy or sunny side up?
Sunny side up

Favourite place to relax:
Mota's house

Favourite pie:
Apple

Favourite ice cream flavour:
Lychee

You pass this tag to:
Anyone who stumbles upon my blog