Circumstantial

The very act of decision making has always amazed me. I bet psychology would have quite a few books on this topic, but each time after I have made a decision in life, when I just try to analyse it, I am amazed at how exactly it went through. Let me clarify that I do not regret the decisions I have made, but if I pose as an outsider and try to analyse I am left smiling at the fact that decisions are not only your own, but they are slaves of circumstances. Circumstances is a very crude word. How about I use the words - fate, destiny, God's will? Now does it feel important to you!!!

Am I being too critical?  I really don't care. What I am more interested in now is not the decision, but the way in which I am going to take it to its fruition. 

There were a gamut of things which I had planned on doing before leaving for my vacation for which I just couldn't find time, which involved catching up with friends and visiting old haunts.Too sad to even list them here. But then as they say - No Pain No Gain ;) 

There will always be that proverbial 'Until next time'!!!

P.S : Currently reading : The Casual Vacancy

Read 5 for 2013 : Oath of the Vayuputras – Amish

The concluding part of the Shiva trilogy was in a way the most awaited novel for me in the first half of 2013. The story had been very nicely poised for the finale which was going to be the 'Oath of the Vayuputras'. I pre-ordered the book and as luck would have it, had my India vacation to pore over it.

The concluding part is as long as the first two combined and I must confess that the novel begins languidly. The novel describes the final battle of Shiva against Evil and almost two-thirds of the novel talk about warring tactics which sometimes do get interesting but also contribute to the monotony of the narrative.  There are quite a few new characters that come to the fore, which on a personal level confused me a bit. However I understand the need for them considering that there are alliances formed for the impending war. The author in the narrative tries a little too hard to draw parallels between the characters and the mythology involved, especially in the last chapter of the book which doesn't seem to be all that natural, like in the first two parts of the trilogy.

There are a couple of high points in the novel which had me riveted - the ineptness of Emperor Daksha, his own behind the scenes maneuvers which spell the ultimate disaster, the honor displayed by Parvateshwar and above all the battle between Sati and the assassins of Aten.  Infact at the end of it all, the last novel seems to be more of Sati than Shiva. Not sure if that is to be in line with the whole concept of the 'Mother Goddess'.

The title 'Oath of the Vayuputras' is misleading. Unlike the first two novels, which talked about the Meluhans and then the Nagas true to their titles, this novel talks little about the Vayuputras. The Vayuputras seem to be more of a passing reference in the narrative; almost as an after-thought.

All said and done, if you have read the first two novels, then you should read the third and fulfill your duty as Shiva does!!!

I am tempted to read more of Ashwin Sanghvi now. I have already read the Chanakya Chants and I must say that I was impressed. In all probability I will go in for both – 'The Rozabal Line' and 'The Krishna Key' as well.

Next Read: TBD

India Visit: Travel

I am sitting here at my 11yr old desktop, waiting through endless minutes as the web pages load wondering which action would hang the poor veteran. The problem as I am quick to point to myself is about the processing capacity of my desktop than the broadband speed. Nonetheless I am happy, for all the ‘non-computing’ reasons!!!

Before I give in to the jetlag induced stupor a few words about my journey here are in order. I booked myself onto a non-stop flight from Newark to Mumbai and was quite happy about the non-stop part of it. However I underestimated the 10hr layover which I had to go through in Newark. Well I did get through it, I mean I did survive to tell the tale and that should merit for something. I will be talking about that ‘longest day’ in my life in another blog post. For now it is the - ‘United Airlines flight with non-stop service from Newark to Mumbai’.

You would have guessed that my experience would have been of the extreme, either positive or negative. Nobody will take the pains of penning down his thoughts if the experience would be anywhere in between the two extremities. Its just not worth it, you will say and I agree. So let me make it clear – the experience was awesome.

I must put a disclaimer that the flight experience is definitely after the 10hrs layover, so I might be baised, for my mind will always compare the flight with the 10hr nothingness.

To begin with, the choice of the aisle seat was a godsend, especially when the window seat was taken by a dude and the middle seat was empty. Guys, you don’t want to end up in a aisle seat when the window or a middle seat is taken by a lady. It might be good company but then, the ladies just get up and head to the loo too often. This dude, and yes I counted, got up exactly 3 times, in the 15hrs journey. It was jus brilliant. Whereas I could see the frustration writ on the faces of the two youngsters who, had a lady at the window in front of my seat, each time she asked them to make way. The middle vacant seat meant, shit was much more comfortable, no elbows hitting each other and well, no sleepy drool on my shoulder either (guess that is exaggerating it a bit too much!!)

The collection of movies and sitcoms in the inflight entertainment system was awesome. I ended up watching ‘English Vinglish’ and ‘Argo’. I had missed both, so I was happy! The dinner and the breakfast served were good too. The show stealer was however a very small thing, which I rate very highly especially when in a flight. There were attendants making rounds every hour or so, asking if anybody needed water. Water has always been a bane for me on flights. The very charade of calling a steward over and asking for water, for which he does take some time , handing you a half filled plastic cup, which does nothing to quench your thirst, is outright tiring. And it is only so many times, you would want to do it. Results being you get to your destination, severely dehydrated, a parched throat, which can barely hail a cab.

I will still take a day to get over my jetlag. I got a mob number for myself, so that I can be reached in India. Hit up all the folks whom I want to catch up here. So far so good!!!