An eventful year is finally ending, and I am not sure if I am happy about it or not. Ups and downs encountered through out the year '09 are worth another look back; such is the learning the period presented. Personally, the year shall always be remembered, for the job switch, for moving out of India, last but not the least; for twitter and related activities.

For rest of the world, there was no dearth of headlines this year.

World lost 'The Michael Jackson'
Tiger Woods - A Crippled Statue
Team India, Numero Uno in Test Cricket
Google Wave - Off Target
Oscar Comes to India - Jai Ho ARR!
Revival of Test Cricket
Liberhan Report Tamasha
Copenhagen Drama
Ajmal Kasab - The Actor
David Headley, an American spy?
Shashi Tharoor and Twittergate
Dubai Sinking
New dimensions in AfPak relationship
Congress Sweeps General Elections '09. Gen Y politicians fuel new hope to the youngistan.
Lanka out of Tiger Claws with Prabhakaran shot to death
Pakistan - hunter is being hunted #terrorism
H1N1 - a face-to-face with mask of death
BJP disapproved Jaswant Singh's Jinnah connection
Rehman Malik - Joker of the year becomes a joke himself
YSR Departs; Andhra Congress Orphaned
Zardari Vs CJ, goes on..
Obama gets a piece of Nobel Prize for Peace
Telengana, a stateless state
It can go on and on...



Indian politics continued to be a joke, thanks to "leaders" like Madu Khoda, Kishenji and KRC. Oh shit, I almost missed gunda RAJ... Globally, Obama's Amrika continue its strong hold despite the economic fall, how we wish the obsequiousness of sycophants to end. Obama said that Tibet is China's integral part and want China to be a watch over Indo-Pak. I wonder if our PM had any dialogue regarding the same, when he celebrated 26/11 at Uncle Sam's.

Over all a good sporting year, records crumbled, new heroes born, and few heroes fallen:-Inconsistent Team India finished the year as Numero Uno Test Team in Cricket; Umar Akmal and Mohammed Amer emerges as Saviors of Pak Cricket; Gauti - India's new wall; Freddie hangs his test boots; West Indies showing signs of getting back at competitive cricket; Aussies put to shame by the English at Ashes; Chelsea closely chased by Red devils at EPL table battle; Federer continues to rewrite history; Tiger Woods put golf world to shame; T20 WC goes to Pakistan; Usain Bolt at lightning speed; Saina - India's New Hope... More to come...

The ghost of recession from Year 2008 sunk the miraculous Dubai, which alone gives an idea about where the economy stands.

The year was a decent one for movies and music, not a lot of hits, but a few memorable ones.
Movies:- Avtar 3D, Paranormal Activity, Inglorious Bastards, Wake up Sid, 3 Idiots, Luck by chance etc
Music:- Luck by chance, Delhi 6, Wake up sid, Luck by chance, APKK etc

But the award winning script of the year should go to "Ajmal Kasab, The Actor". Its shameful and irritating to watch the guy mocking our Judicial system, and am not saying anything about the guest actor David Headley (Read it here). And with in our country, my home district Kannur seems to be the new Azamgarh; the arrest of T Nazeer is unfolding more dramatic events. However the Sham of "Love Jihad" is as unfortunate and atrocious, as Mr. Muthalik's (Pink Chaddi fame) war against cultural liberty.

My Year '09 can be split into 3 phases - Precipitate, Stagnate and Resurrect with a parallel dimension of twitterspace.

Phase Precipitate

The year didn’t start as well as I would have wanted it to, previous year-end distractions got better of me and made first few weeks unbearably tough. Personal commitments forced me to go on an uncertain vacation, which was later extended to an immature resignation from work and the work place I loved (Someday am gonna be back there). It was a tough call, but at that given point I was short of options, and had to leave Nalanda Family for my first family. My 3-yr stint with that co., team, bosses and colleagues gave me immeasurable learning, guidance, confidence and much more. I am indebted to each and every one at PSL for making me what I am today, I am indebted to PSL, and am committed to make it up to AJ and co, someday...

Phase Stagnate

The phase of desperation was one of the toughest in my life; it also was a stage of more learning. Though the period often drove me towards hibernation (a total mental cut-off from rest of the world), constant reflection and contemplation helped me through, and the result was a much needed stronger self-realization. The term also taught me the value of 'channelizing emotions', all thanks to one man: Dr. A R - one of the best teachers I ever had, Love you always, Sir.

Almighty knew when to pull the plug, he did so at the right time, and alhamdulillah, peace & sanity prevailed.

Phase Resurrect

Peace restored and life took a pleasant ascent, slow and steady. It was time to walk towards the realizations that I embraced during previous phases, and work towards excellence. I am going with the flow now... Insha Allah, a turn is around the corner.

Dimension Virtual: Twitterverse

Since July '09 twitter became my new home, away from home; and its awesome - Great friends, cool gangs, online social activities, insightful thoughts and meaningful talks. The virtual world is indeed more sensible and purposeful than the wildly ignorant real world.

The world has been shrinking with growth of social media, and twitter has pushed it to the limit. How else would a commoner like me get a chance to interact with prominent public figures - Shashi Tharoor, Pritish Nandy, Barkha Dutt, Vir Sanghvi, Rajdeep Sardesai etc, and celebs - Celina Jaitly, Gul Panag, Abhishek Bachan etc... (its a very long list). Twitter is fast becoming a powerful news source; refer to Shashi Tharoor's "Cattle Class & Holy Cows" & "Comments on Visa regulations", and Chetan Bhagat's "chetan blocks".

Twitter is the place for you if you are a knowledge junkie, a news junkie, sports buff, social activist, social networker, communicator, blah blah blah...

But beware its not all clean out there, twitterverse is NOT spared of snobby & shady black sheeps. Have witnessed tweeps getting in to trouble, and had my own share of bad experiences, nonetheless wonderful tweeps around me ensured 'all izz well :D'. I am thankful to @twitter for letting me know all those amazing people, whom I would ve never met otherwise.. Thanks to my tweeties for being there :)

My twitter talks are incomplete without mention of the awesome gangs we formed - desidilwales, #nishkus and #DD. I am proud to be associated with mighty causes such as hoperuns & #deepwish, and all other causes anchored by streetanchor. And that is the strongest element about twitter, at least for me some true gems I have found there

------------------------------------------xox-----------------------------------------------

That’s it at a high-level, and I bet u don’t want me to get into more details. :D

2009 gave me some nice time with family, friends, couple of tweet-ups, brilliant Birthday, witnessed an international friendly football match (England Vs Brazil), quite a few travels - Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin, Doha, & UAE, and some new possessions including MacBook & Blackberry curve. After all year wasn’t as bad as I thought it was :)

Before I stow the lappy,

“May each day of the coming year be vibrant and colorful,
bringing along many reasons for celebrations.
Wish you a very happy new year”

Be light of someone's life

Closed the fund at 30K plus... Thanks for all the support extended...

Just extending my support to a wonderful cause of supporting Goonj, a charity for ’Educating the girl child’... This drive started by Anaggh now have a whole bunch of tweeple has tagged in and contributing.

All you have to do is to tweet to us with the hashtag #deepwish and wish us for the diwali.. Something as simple as "@shamz911 Happy Diwali #deepwish", and that wish counts to charity - Rs. 53.75 per tweet..

The contributors -->

@Anaggh Rs0.75
@Aneebunee Rs1.00
@Atulkarmarkar Rs2.50
@b50 Rs1.00
@deepakshenoy Rs 2.00
@fartfree Rs1.00
@Gagrin Rs1.00
@gkjohn Rs1.00
@hp_livelife Rs2.00
@iamshishir Rs2.00
@krist0ph3r Rs1.00
@Nichetechie Rs1.50
@Nihang Rs2.00
@PreetChandhoke Rs5.00
@pramodscom Rs2.00
@prolificd Rs1.25
@Rak35h Rs1.00
@s4sukhdeep Rs0.50
@shamz911 Rs3.00
@Shayonpal Rs3.00
@sizzler_chetan Rs1.00
@Sudhiru Rs1.00
@unitechy Rs0.50
@virajj Rs3.00

Rest will be added soon

Support us and spread the news on twitter... Be light of someone's life

"You-Know-Who" Tagged me again. But yeah this is what keeps this space alive and I somehwere ove this laborious (*wink wink*) exercise..

If life could be defined in numbers this is what my life would appear to be (at least parts of it)... :)

Okay! It looked easy when I read it there… and I realized how difficult it was when I started doing it. It was gruelling! I wonder who comes up with such novel tags!

1 Life to live every single moment. love all, spread smile and chase ur dreams.

2 Jobs. Is it less for a 4 year career??? :)

3 Siblings, 2 bros and a sis... Love em and miss em.. Mwaaah.

4 Cities in India - have experienced India, away from home at, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Delhi. Its also my favourite batting position... Flexible though :)

5 yrs in Chennai made the city my second home... Miss everything about the place except the climate (it sux)... Namma Chennai !!!

6 is my favourite number, frankly i dont know the reason for this, you would see most of my jersey's donning No. 6..

7 yrs of college education... *scratches head and asks* did it make me any wiser than what I other wise would be?

8 yrs away from home (that is till date)... period.

9 mobile no.s I have used in last 2 yrs.. kuch zyada toh nahin hua na??? :P

10 was my age when I first padded in a competetive cricket match for my district in U-13 group... miss those days maannn....

So folks…are you ready to take this up? Well..don’t run.. more tags coming your way! :)

Without any further thinking..let me tag first tag my tag buddy Chitz...
Then... its over to the #DDGang and tweeps... @softykid @pallaviade @sizzler_chetan @_atkin @smalltown_girl @ashkd @kirtiB @AanchalIm @manushee @kp1200 @smilinggal @pprakash @delhidreams @pprakash @anulaaboobacker @hiyer @ire17n, and my twister @nadhiyamali... I am sparing others for the above tweeple to tag :P.. Get going...

Chitz... Tag is done... seems like I'm hooked to tags.. more to come as well.. Phew

Without much ado, here comes the entertaintment quotient..

1. What time did you get up this morning?
@3 thanks to the nightmare, bac to sleep again.. thn @6.20 i was fully awake, had to reach office @ 7.. Damn!

2. How do you like your steak?
Very well done

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
Cinemas out here have terrible sound systems… So prefer DVDs for we better sound system (BOSE) at our place... apart from that weekend evenings always hold bigger plans… 

4. What is your favorite TV show?
Not addicted to any shows... thankfully :)

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Home, sweet home and nowhere else…

6. What did you have for breakfast?
Are you asking about today, or last time when I had breakfast... I am sure it would be cornflakes, though I dnt remember when I had BF last...

7. What is your favourite cuisine?
An absolute foodie... anything cooked by mom would be my favorite (excluding one’s listed below) - Love you Mom!

8. What foods do you dislike?
Anything half cooked, Non-shelled sea food, and ginger!!!

9. Favourite Place to Eat?
Anywhere, in front of TV...

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?
Only non-riders drive… I ride my baby… RX 135 !!!

12. What are your favourite clothes?
Jeans and T’s, any day, any day..

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?
London!!! – Solely for Lords.

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?
It’s always ½ Empty… More to achieve and little to lose....

15. Where would you want to retire?
Home – God’s Own Country...

16. Favorite time of day?
Evenings… Did u expect me to say morning or noon?

17. Where were you born?
This is where heaven meets earth... Tellicherry, Kerala, India...

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?
Gottta be kidding, if you are asking ME to choose one sport - *Absolute Sport Buff*

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?
Hmmm… Hmmm.. Hmmm.. Pass..

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?
Clueless..

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?
All my blogger frnds.. 

22. Bird watcher?
Never

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?
very much a night person

24. Do you have any pets?
My bike is my pet 

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?
Yeah, my vacation is due in another month.

26. What did you want to be when you were little?
Easy guess - A Cricketer...

27. What is your best childhood memory?
How bout my first cricket kit and bicycle for that… Love you dad!

28. Are you a cat or dog person?
I’m a human person, hate animals…

29. Are you married?
Not cursed yet!

30. Always wear your seat belt?
Yessie..

31. Been in a car accident?
Not any worth mentioning… Bike accident, Yes!

32. Any pet peeves?
Errr.....

33. Favourite Pizza Toppings?
Salami....

34. Favourite Flower?
Roses are roses, nothing can beat em..

35. Favourite ice cream?
Butterscotch !!!

36. Favourite fast food restaurant?
Pijjahut..

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?
Nevaa nigga…

38. From whom did you get your last email?
From our bonkers site coordinator

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?
Lifestyle for dresses and Landmark/Oxford on books

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?
Lately? Its always bud....

41. Happy with your job?
Decently flexible and Good Pay… But not quite my cuppa tea, this is surely a stop over for me.. 

42. Broccoli?
Good for diet…

43. What was your favorite vacation?
Every vacation....Vacations are always amazing....

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?
My gang…

45. What are you listening to right now?
Cluttering of Key Boards :P

46. What is your favorite color?
Too many to choose from, shall stick to basics - black, blue and white....

47. How many tattoos do you have?
One sticker tattoo, if its counted…

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?
5 mentioned and everyone else who would like to give it a shot :)

49. In What time did you finish this quiz?
Is it necessary now?

50. Coffee Drinker?
I prefer tea!!!

Am tagging this to my buddies... Amrit, Ashwin, Pallavi, Niki and Anula, and everyone else who would like to give it a shot :)...

Comments are welcomed ;)

"Friendship" - a special feeling shared by masses... a feeling stretching beyond silly definitions, asymmetric complexities, arresting limitations, physical classifications, geographical distances, economical classes and religious rivalries...

Sound of word "Friend" comes across with a special warmth as in a lovesome hug, it invokes a nostalgic harmony in my mind, along with lots of pleasant memories (Hum rahe yaa na rahe kal playing in background.... ) ;)

I consider myself blessed to possess so many true friends... You make me fearless of getting into any stinking shit for I know you are there to pull me out it, the way I would pull you out of one... For someone like me who has been staying away from home since the age of 17, friends have not an an inch lesser than my family... I literally eat, drink, and sleep with my friends (its 8 years, and counting)... Once inside my friendship web, I've hardly let anyone out... Orkut, Facebook and Twitter deserves due credit for helping me stay in touch with my darling friends...

This day, 2nd August 2009 is celebrated as "World Friendship Day"... Many argue that friends do not need a day to express their love to each others, may be we dont... but still I shall grab this opportunity to thank all those special people who are integral part my life...

"Thank you my friend for being meaningful in so many ways"

Thank you my friend for walking into my life, and for letting me be a part of your life...
Thank you for sharing all my happiness, and all my sorrows...
Thank you for believing in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself...
Thank you my friend, for being bliss in my life...

Your comforting presence make my grieves short lived,
If not for you, my jubilations would not be lasting as long as it do...
Your kind words lighten my heart, and guide me right during tough times...
From you I always hear what I need to hear instead of what I want to hear...

Thank you my friend, for trusting me with your thoughts, disappointments and dreams...
Thank you for all the special memories with me...
Thank you my friend for putting so much of thought, care and imagination into our friendship...
Thank you for knowing you can depend on me always...

Thank you my friend for being meaningful in so many ways...

Some of you walked into my life as early as I let out my first cry... some joined a little late... I just wish you could 've made that entry into my life earlier, and pray that you stay here for eternity...



Love always...
Shamz...

Another tag from Amrit, he has vowed not to spare me on any tags ;)

Work is getting tighter and its really keeping my head & mind clear from blogging... its been weeks since I've blogged and I have 2 unfinished blogs rotting in my draft... Sorry for this and I promise to be back with some interesting thoughts and experiences soon...

Coming back to the tag... Just like everyone else, I am also discovering myself through tags :)

Here we go...

Four jobs you’ve had in your life

- Accountant cum cashier @ my dad's business (I always hated handing over the collection at the end of the day):)
- Professional Cricketer (Domestic Circuit and Junior level - We got paid, hence we were professionals.. LOL)
- Training Consultant in one of the top IT Companies...!!! (A choice made by heart and a job which was close to my heart)
- Operations co-ordinator with a leading Oil & Gas Consultant in Middle east...

Four jobs you wish you had

- Professional cricketer at international circuit.. more than the fame, money and other incentives (read as travel, girls etc..), for the passion I have for the game... I juz love the game...
- A beaurocrat... not a corrupted one, but a one with a heart to help the nation develop...
- Not as a job, but I dream of entering into politics and reason is not any different from the onementioned above...
- Last but not the least, an entrepreneur... (Do I need to mention the reasons???)...

Four movies you can watch over and over again
Only four movies!!! Hmmmmmmmmmm...... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... Hmmmmmmmmmm

- Rocky Series
- God Father Series
- Boing Boing
- Khaaka Khaaaka
………………………………there are more for this list!!

Four cities you have lived in
- Chennai (The city was a second home for me...)
- New Delhi (A short stay... I fell so much in love with this city and wish to go back!!! I could have stayed longer, but the personal constraints did not allow me to :( )
- Hyderabad (A shorter stint... Lived every minute of it)
- Doha (This is where I am... Learning and a writing a new chapter of life)

Four TV shows you love to watch
- Every Cricket Match which gets telecasted... (Didnt I mention how much I love this game???)
- News (Its always been informative... now it has become entertaining as well... not to mention the news readers like Sunethra, who keeps us glued to the channel ;))
- Hero Honda Roadies (I just love this show..its engrossing!!!)
- Devils Advocate (Karan Thappar is the best !!!)

Four websites you visit daily
- Without fail..my Blog & my friends' blog!!! :)
- Gmail
- Facebook/Orkut/Twitter
- IBN LIVE & manoramaonline

Four of your favorite foods
Now this one is very unfair! MORE than the list of movies… how can a foodie like me restrict my choices to four??? Sigh !!
- Home Food tops the list.... (Its finger lickin gooooood ;))
- Oriental stuff minus sea food
- Dosa & Chatni from Saravana Bhavan.... I miss it :(
- Hyderabad Biriyani from Hyderabad House (I can travel to Hyd, just to have it) ;)

Four things you won’t eat
- Sea food (Excluding the shelled ones)...
- Any NV which is not halal..
- Red Chillies..
- Ginger... Yuck !!!

Four things you wish you could eat right now
- Chilli Bhajji
- Ice Cream (Preferably butter scotch)
- Kappa
- Water Melon (Just to beat the heat)

Four things in your bedroom
- Bed with mattress (ofcourse..has to be..silly me :))
- Books & Mags
- Wardrobe
- Mobile chargers ;)

Four things you wish you had in your bedroom
- A Sony wall mount LCD TV
- Some more darkness
- Sound proof walls
- Well done and beautiful bathroom

Four things I’m wearing right now
- Well..undies!!! (what a question!!! LOL)
- Brown Pepe T Shirt & Blue Wrangler Jean
- Two silver finger rings
- My Fossil Chronograph

One place I’d rather be right now
London... so that I can witness T20 WC Final tomorrow ;)

One fictional place I’d rather be right now
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ;)

Four people you’d really love to have dinner with
- My family ofcourse
- All my friends across the globe
- MSD... Not to ask why he sent Jadeja ahead of Yuvi... but to congratulate him for taking men blue where they are today...
- The special one ;)

Four things I am thinking right now
- I am thinking about her! (and not going to disclose who that “her” is)
- When am I gonna meet my friends and team again...
- Why did I not pursue my cricket?
- 3 more hours before I can leave office today :(

Four of your favorite things/people
- My family (Mom & Dad, my siblings); My cousins...; My closest buddies – too small a space to mention about them ; The special one ;)
- My Bike !!!
- My Clothes & Accessories
- My country :) (How patriotic na)

Four people I tag
- Prathap (An amazing writer, equally good procrastinator... LOL)
- Neeharika (I know you are busy with studies, but would love to see your answers)
- Kirthi (Claims to be too busy with work)
- Chithira ( Would like to read your answers)
(All of them are in some sort of hibernation for quite some-time and except chithira, others are due to complete previous tags)

Just received a statutory communication from my employer regarding Swine Flu/H1N1. Considered it obligatory to pass this on to my friends... Here it go...

SWINE FLU

Information from WHO (Wordl Health Organization) these previous days mention a Swine Flu pandemic. This Flu is transmittable from person to person, unlike avian flu where transmission person to person hasn’t been proved.

What is swine flu?

Pigs spread their own strains of influenza and every so often people catch one,
usually after contact with the animals. This new strain is a mix of pig viruses with some human and bird viruses.
Unlike more typical swine flu, it is spreading person‐to‐person.
Apart from Mexico, there are very few established occurrences; nevertheless we have to remain vigilant.


Is Swine Flu infectiuous ?

Yes, it is. Transmission may occur person to person


How does SWINE FLU spreads to humans?

As a classic flu :
o Through caugh, sneezes, nose blowings,
o By touching infected surfaces or objects then by touching mouth and nose.


What are signs and symptoms ?

The same as classic flu : fever, caugh, throatache, headache, cold and weakness


How diagnose Swine Flu ?

By taking samples and virological analysis.


Does a Swine Flu vaccine exist ?

No, Seasonal Flu vaccine is ineffective.


Do medications exist to treat Swine Flu ?

Yes, Tamiflu® and Relenza® are effective treatments.
On medical advice, take the treatment as soon as possible within the first 2 days after the first symptoms of flu.
Also possible as prevention measure, always on medical prescrition.


How long Swine Flu infected peole remain infectious ?

Possible contagion during the incubation period (1 to 7 days) and during the illness.

INSTRUCTIONS TO APPLY IN CASE OF SPENDING TIME IN A SWINE FLU INFECTED COUNTRY

Follow the instructions given in the arrival airport,
Use disposable handkerchiefs during caughs and sneezes,
Wash hands as often as possible with water and soap, for 30 seconds at least,
particularly after caughing and sneezing an/or use specific disinfectant solutions
(Alcoholic gels),
Avoid contact with infected people (public gathering),


In case of symptoms when abroad

Contact immediately Repatriation assistance company to get appropriate information
on course of actions to be taken
In case of symptoms back to home
During the fight : Warn aircraft crew
After the arrival : phone to the doctor
Don’t go to your family doctor (Risk of contamination of patients in the waiting room).

If you find it useful, dont think twice before passing it on...

Cheers...

For a healthy world :)

Amrit tagged me into this interesting thought trigger. I have to bold whatever I have done out of these…So here I go!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

02. Swam with dolphins

03. Climbed a mountain

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone

08. Said “I love you” and meant it (When I say it..I mean it!!)

09. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped - Not yet, but soon will ;)

11. Visited Paris

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise - It was way of life, once up on a time ;)

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game - I have always been an intense spectator :)

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars (I juz luv it :) )

20. Changed a baby’s diaper (dint get an opportunity…and m glad !!! :) )

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower

23. Gotten Drunk on champagne

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment

27. Had a food fight

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger (its always fun !!! )

30. Had a snowball fight

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can - we do it every time we pass a tunnel..

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse

34. Ridden a roller coaster (ooohhh….how much I love it)

35. Hit a home run (On my nintendo)

36. Danced like a fool and didn’t care who was looking - thats what I do every time I dance ;)

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment

39. Had two hard drives for your computer - Still have two :)

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
- Don't ask me who, I wont say ;)

42. Had amazing friends - (I am blessed with very very amazing friends… Love you guyz)

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country - Read foreign state :)

44. Watched whales

45. Stolen a sign - My mumma's sign while in school, Dad's sign is too difficult :(

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip - It gives me ecstasy

48. Gone rock climbing

49. Taken a midnight walk on the beach - an ultimate relaxing exercise one can opt for...

50. Gone sky diving

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your CDs

57. Pretended to be a superhero

58. Sung karaoke - Only when I am alone... :)

59. Lounged around in bed all day - For about 2 months at a stretch...

60. Played touch football

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain

63. Played in the mud

64. Played in the rain

65. Gone to a drive-in theatre

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo (Temporary one)…

81. Rafted the Snake River

82. Been on a television news program as an “expert”

83. Gotten flowers for no reason

84. Performed on stage (Many times)

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music - We Jammed @ 3 AM ;)

87. Eaten shark

88. Kissed on the first date

89. Gone to Thailand

90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone

92. Buried one/both of your parents

93. Been on a cruise ship

94. Spoken more than one language fluently

95. Performed in Rocky Horror

96. Raised children

97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour

98. Passed out cold

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country - Foriegn state again... exotic hills of Kodai was worth the pain of going round on bicycle ;)

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over - 4 times already ;)

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking with the windows open - A group excercise ;)

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication - Not too large, but large enough covering 10,000 emplyeess ;)

106. Lost over 100 pounds

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback (sometimes feel …why the hell we do it…it hurts you bak :O )

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Touched a stingray

110. Broken someone’s heart (but believe me…its hurts back..and thats a plain truth)

111. Helped an animal give birth

112. Won money on a TV game show

113. Broken a bone - Same bone thrise ;)

114. Gone on an African photo safari

115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild

118. Ridden a horse

119. Had major surgery

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for 30 hours in a 48 hour period

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. States

124. Visited all 7 continents

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi

128. Had your picture in the newspaper

129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about

130. Gone back to school

131. Parasailed

132. Touched a cockroach (Unknowingly)

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read The Iliad and The Odyssey

135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

137. Skipped all your school reunions (how unlucky I am!!! )

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language (do it almost everyday)

139. Been elected to public office
- @ College
140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream (It’s an awesome feeling)

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair (colored my hair…)

147. Been a DJ (At a party at friend’s place)

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone’s life - No heroics, but through the great cause of blood donation

Thanks bud... This was a refreshing tag, helped me recall some wonderful time I had in my life..

I am tagging Nee, Prathap, Kits and Chithira to this pleasantry ;)

"If a series of events can go wrong, they will do so in the worst possible sequence"

Its really been tough 3 days... started off with a bad water leak in our bed room on Wednesday night... It was a bloody mess...

needless to say that we didn’t bother to look our watch before waking the landlord... Nonetheless we couldn’t find the source of leakage and had to shift our stuffs out of bedroom and stack everything up in the hall, me and my roomies included... :(

A Chelsea win would've warmed my heart amidst this confusion... But it was not to be the case, badluck and umpiring err got better off.... Result: a shocking injury time defeat to the blues, that was after maintaining a 1-0 lead for close to 85 Mins and Barca paid homage to Reff for disallowing 3 Chelsea Penalty shots.. :(

Cometh the next day (7th May 2009)...

"7" my lucky number otherwise, also ditched me and flipped side this time... I was pushed into more confusion as early as 7 AM in the morning... purely official and less fatal than a night of bad sleep with the threat of being drowned (exaggerated, yes !!!)...

day started with some torturous and agonizing Gyan of our out of sorts Angrezi Mukhyadhikaari... first for a mail trail between 2 of my colleagues.... and then a personal session for highlighting another angrezi to-be employee's racial remark (Damn just before I received the mail with the regretful remark, I was fighting with a close associate for that Angrezi C******)...

Our Mukhyadhikaari's session was not "CRITICAL", he was just letting me know being an angrezi how he understood the other person's sentiments when he wrote that remark and how he expects us (lesser mortals) to understand the angrezi babu's "sentiments"...

And those of you know me well would also know how I would’ve rationalized my view... ;)

It was rationalized alright, but the to-be employee angrezi, who was completely unaware of all this, followed his earlier mail with another one, with similar remarks... my bp was raised higher, but i refrained from highlighting it (yaar, just 1 moth into this job and dnt wanna go job hunting during this recession)... Anyway lets C how this fuzzy character get along in this fairyland... I bet he is gonna be entertaining... ;)

thankfully day ended on a highnote.... CSK's electrifyin win over Bubblies lightened my mooood.. ;) The terrifiic Chennai trinity was on song... balls disappeared all around the park... but it was a breathtaker before final anxious moments were tackled by Dhoni's cricketing acumen and Raina's smart bowling... GO CSK GO !!!

I wouldn’t have been so much in disdain if things stopped there... but Murphy's Extended Law prevailed... I repent the decision to attend a supposedly constructive seminar on Friday afternoon... I left seminar halfway with so much of unanswered question... but gladly, the law seems to have ceased there...

Rest of my Friday I spent shopping like a maniac :)... my Saturday is been smooth and relatively unclogged giving time to muse on the law and publish here, all this while am @ office ;)...

Just as I am completing this, I can see Bubblies staring at another challenging score... Sreeshanth's 4th over curse continues... If UV decides to under bowl Sree and restrict his max overs to 3, his chasing worries mite be less 10 runs at least... His 4th over has costed over 20 runs everytime he has bowled one here, in this edition of IPL... Symo is back with a bang with some mighty hitting.. we have a match in our hand... I am off to follow it :)..

Ashwin tagged me into this grueling exercise of self exploration, and I am obliging... But not before tagging a few of my buddies.. Nee, Prathap, Kits, Gari and Mishti.. Guys.. try it out.. Its interesting... :)

Here I go >>>

1. Were you named after anyone?
Nope…I know a few named after me… ;)!

2. When was the last time you cried?
Here I agree with Ashwin that Guyz don’t cry is passé…. Last time I wet my eyes wen I was biding adieu from my Chennai pals … Miss U guyz !!!

3. Do you like your handwriting?
My handwriting is a mess, and I hate writing… But that doesn’t mean I hate my handwriting.. does it???

4. What is your favorite lunch meat?
Prawns n Squid.

5. Do you have kids?
Nope..

6. If you were another person, would you be friends with you?
Of course I would have definitely been ‘Good Friends’ with me, provided me and the other me meets…

7. Do you use sarcasm?
Yes I do. Use it a loot to tease friends..!! Jez 4 fun...

8. Do you still have your tonsils?
Eh ??? Yes …

9. Would you bungee jump?
Oh yes, I am craving for a chance …

10. What is your favorite cereal?
Wheat…

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
Not always…. take em off without untying weneva possible..

12. If you were to pick your own first name, what would it be?
I love my name… Does that answer you ???

13. What is your favorite ice-cream?
Butterscotch will have a slight edge over other flavors... 

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?
Way the person dresses and carries themselves and of course the way they talk…Pleasant, the better… 

15. Red or Pink?
RED.. Kits, dnt be surprised.. I mean it 

16. Whom do you miss the most?
I have to be generic here, list is too long to be published… I miss my family and friends…

17. Do you want everyone to complete the list?
Yes... It will help me know them better…

18. What color clothes are you wearing?
Faded Blue Jean + Grey Kurtha.. :)

19. What are you listening to right now?
You are beautiful – James Blunt

20. If you were a crayon what color would you be?
Black or Blue…

21. Favorite smells?
Azarro – Silver Black & Chrome / Ferrari Black and Smell of soil on a rainy day..

22. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Malahyati Zamzam or Hoang TRAN THANH… Who ever it is ;)…

23. How do you know the person who sent this to you?
Yes, he is a good friend, fellow blogger and was my colleague..

24. Favorite sports to watch?
I am a sport buff… Would even watch Golf :).. Fav would be Cricket, F1, Moto GP, NBA, EPL, CL and tennis grand slams…

25. Hair Color?
Black

26. Eye Color?
Black

27. Do you wear contacts?
No…neither glasses

28. Favorite Foods?
I am a foodie… So this goes for a pass

29. Scary movies or happy endings?
Depends on the mood! Mostly happy endings though..

30. Last movie you watched?
Bourne Ultimatum – nth time

31. What book are you reading right now?
Losing my virginity – Just adore RB.. He is awesome :)

32. Summer or Winter?
WINTERRRRR !!

33. Hugs or Kisses?
Both are needed but if I have to chose one, I would prefer a “I am there for you, always” Hug over a Kiss.. ;) (Dude, sorry I picked your line…)

35. Describe your pencil cup?
NA !!!

36. Favorite Artists?
James Blunt, Atif Aslam, Shreya Ghosal, Anwesha Batta, Linkin Park, Bryan Adams Etc…

37. What kind of music are you into?
Rock, soft rock, old bollywood hindi songs(new and old), tamil songs and a handful of Mal songs!!

38. What is on your mouse pad?
Its plain black with a small arm rest..

39. What did you watch on TV last night?
Splitsvilla, IPL and EPL………..

40. Favorite Sound(s)?
Vrrooooooommmmmm and plucking of guitar..

41. Do you sing or play an instrument?
Can fiddle around with Guitar n Key bord!!!

42. What is the farthest you’ve been from home?
Doha (Qatar), the place where I am now…

43. Do you have a special talent?
I am Leaving this for you to comment on 

44. Where were you born?
In a small, but happening town >> Telicherry… The Notorious Political Battle Ground @ Gods Own Country

45. Favorite piece of jewelery?
My rings

46. How did you meet your spouse/significant other?
Sob sob.. Yet to find the perfect match….

47. Favorite Song?
That’s definitely not a fair question to ask !!!

48. Favorite Musical Movie?
Only musical movie I remember now is High School Musical.. So let is be 

Uffff.. It was a loong one.. Most of these questions got me thinking...

Preface

This will be a progressive post, which will be amended with time...

NO... It is not about my bonding with Miss. April, the teen Swiss whom I met in the train.... Its about Me and April.. APRIL - the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar... the month of scorching heat (as if we ever cared..)...

April has always presented surprises to me... Pleasant and Unpleasant... and it took 25 yrs for me to realize that... Coincidently on another April noon when I was working on blog about My Life - Before, At and After PSL (Coming Soon)!!!...

As children, we always waited for April with enthusiasm and eagerness with which we wait only for our birthdays... the vacation month was a month of non-stop masti, fun and frolic... Besides April is the month of Festival like Vishu and Ugadi, which embarks regional new year day and instills new hope in the minds.. As a teenager April was a month dedicated for cricket camps and then special classes... In college, April was a painful month of judaii from friends... but now as adults, April is more or less just another month...

APRIL 1996

The earliest special memory I relate with "April" dates back to '96, it was on 26th of April that year, my parents were blessed with their 4th Child, 3rd Son, my youngest brother (Preceded by Nov, Mar and Jun in chronological order)... 26th April is been a day of Sweets and Joy for all of us ever since...

APRIL 1998

Two years later in '98, another April day presented a distinct surprise of distinction... I must confess that deep inside i had a fear of flunking SSLC... My April memories were sweetened with it...

APRIL 2002

Few summers went along sans too special/bitter gifts and experiences before 2002 April. 12th April 2002 reads the booking receipt of a Black Yamaha RX 135... Later christened as KL 13 H 5631... My first bike... My baby....

--- CUT ----

Sorry... My train of thought deviated from the track and I have to take a break...

There is more... I will complete it on my next day at work...

Note: I am yet to write about the thoughts which propelled me to write this blog... those thought will be amended to this soooooooooon...

Its time for me to start from office now...

Yeah... You read it write.. Start from Office... Not to Office... LoL


----- CONTINUED -----

Before I pursue this post, let me highlight that zaxplanet.blogspot.com was unveiled during April 2008 and then rejuvenated this April….

APRIL 2003 - 2005

If 2003 & 2004 April gave me sweetness with birthday celebrations and emotional pain with a short Judaai and a longer Judaai… 2005 April gave me physical pain in the form a bike accident, which left me on bed for close 2 months.. If it was not for almighty’s blessings and my Vega Formula HP (which eventually broke into 2 halves), the accident would‘ve been fatal than the hairline crack on my knee.. Sigh..

APRIL 2006

2006 April, I should confess is the most memorable & haunting of the 24 Aprils I have come across… Two extremes... my first job, a dream one I still feel, and a terrible heart break were presented in between 3 days… 10th of April, a hot summer Monday was my first day at Polaris (where I spent another 3 summers and I never knew I could belong so much @ a workplace.. and moving out of there was a real hard decision, one of the hardest decisions I have made and I miss everything about Polaris… Nonetheless I don’t regret the decision,)…
APRIL 2008 - 2009

As mentioned earlier April 2008 is when this blog zaxplanet.blogspot.com, christened My Oh My was unveiled, but to die a quick death and as fate would have it, to be reincarnated in April 2009… That is not all for April 2009, this month I am enjoying summers in Middle East… Qatar - State of unlimited possibilities… And this is the month when I am active @ 2nd Job….

PARTING THOUGHTS

April seems to be a happening month for many… After reading the first cut, one of my friend seem to realize a similar bonding with April… That friend shared the experience of waiting for summer vacations and mangoesteen days… Another friend’s brother was born in April, creating confusion if the baby was girl or boy, before finally being declared as a boy…

Now there is one more reason to wait for April, every year… IPL, the Cricketaintment… I think DDD and DC are the favorites this time… I still remain loyal to MSD and his CSK… GO CSK GO!!!

2009 April is fading out, as usual by presenting its generosity and leaving an impression… Hope and wait for more memorable Aprils continue...

I really don’t understand why people have hatred towards Mallus...

They are easily one of the most enterprising communities in India. Not just the foreign money which they bring in, there is more....

Check out the following facts:-

1. Chief Justice of India is from Kerala
2. Indian Foreign Secretary is from Kerala
3. Indian Defense Minister is from Kerala
4. Chief of "Chandryaan' , the Indian Space programme is from Kerala
5. Chief Security Advisor to the Prime Minister if from Kerala
6. Chief of the new Federal Investigation Agency is from Kerala
6. Principal Secretary to Prime Minister is from Kerala
7. The only Indian to contest for the UN Secretary General's Position
is from Kerala.
8. The chief of Staff for Security to UN Secretary General is from Kerala
9. Kerala is the only 100% literate State in India.
10. Kerala was rated as the most baby friendly state with the lowest
infant mortality rates and the best Health Care Model by UN.
11. The last Indian representative to the Miss Universe contest was
also a Keralite

These posts cannot be climbed thru back door, it is thru sheer competition!!

You will find Mallu farm workers, artisans, technicians, manual labors, illiterates and semi-literates all migrating across the Globe. When they start most of them just know their mother tongue - Malayalam. Thru commendable hard work, drive, enthusiasm, tenacity and persistence they learn the trades and languages necessary to keep them going.

True that most of them do not speak Queen's English, most of the world does not do so as well - The great Chinese Population, majority of the French, German, Arabic, East European and a good percentage of UK population do not speak English or speak colloquial version of it. Also note that majority of Indians do not speak Hindi, our National language...

You can hate a race/tribe if they are dishonest, lazy, untrustworthy, uneducated etc. But Mallus do not belong to any of these categories?? (Exceptions are always there).

I cannot see a better reason than "PROFFESIONAL JEALOUSY" behind this unceremonious hatred towards mallus...

In your city you might have seen Keralites as narial pani wallahs, manual laboures and shop assistants only. But when you set your foot in any GCC country, you will be amazed at their success and influence. The volume of these successful mallus are so high that, it itches many including fellow countrymen, who are unwilling to digest that those who cannot speak Queens English have become so successful through a fair path (Again exceptions will be there... but a negligible percentage).

My dear friends,

Lets be proud of the audicity and courage displayed by the fishermen, labors, artisans, who dared to come out of their villages, challenged themselves and clinched success.

Note: This post is not intended to hurt or praise any community, but to highlight some commendable facts. Just came across this message and felt the need to pass it on (with few changes of course), as I have personally experienced discrimination just for the simple reason of being a Mallu.

Hello Friends...

After a long exile, I am back with a bang...

As a foreword this time I promise a better continuation...

Check back soon....