You are most Welcome!

Hosting somebody at my place has never been my forte. I like to think of it more as a lack of opportunity than that of skill. However the month of July was quite different. I actually hosted two friends over a span of two weekends where one was a long weekend. There has been quite a few things to be learnt from these experiences. Atleast that is what I'd like to say!

Whenever you move to a new city or even a new apartment, there is that first week where you get used to things. One week is typically enough to figure out which switch turns on the fan and which turns on the light, or which drawer in the kitchen has the ladle and which one has the spoons. And one week is more than enough to get over the novelty of the place. You know what I mean, clicking pics sending them to your folks and other social outpourings.

So after a week, you are pretty much used to your surroundings. Consider my case at Richardson. I took the 1 Bed with the intention of getting it setup for my fiancé's arrival ofcourse post marriage somewhere near the end of the year. The mojo lasted for a week. All I could get going in that week was a TV, a queen size mattress with a box spring and a flimsy Walmart dining table with 4 chairs. Once I got past 1^st week, things just remained a part of the 'plan'. Each weekend I wake up with that plan at the back of my head only to do nothing about it till the next weekend creeps in. Its been 3 months now and I am well and truly comfortable at my apartment the way it is.

Sadly guests/friends who visit me are not afforded that luxury. They typically stay over the weekend, at times a long weekend (add one more day to their agony I say). Plus because they are friends and don't want to break my heart they have to be courteous and appear accommodating even if my living room is devoid of a couch and watching TV involves sitting down on the carpet and craning your neck to get the whole picture detail. Add to that the fact that the last 2 guests I have had went that extra mile and actually cleaned off my bath-tub. Normally a host would be embarrassed by that, but I took it in my stride and gleefully thanked the concerned party, understanding that each must have had their selfish reasons to do what they did!

I am still trying to zero in on the lessons that should be learnt out of these experiences, but until then all I have been saying is "You are most Welcome!"

Him and me

I don't categorize myself as an atheist. But then I don't think I am pious either. It is something in between and has a lot to do with my convenience. When I put it that way, it sounds a lot selfish but I have always consoled myself by saying that He doesn't need my burden until it is absolutely necessary like maybe during exams or during days leading up to life changing decisions (don't look surprised I have had my share already!!!)

Religion has more to do with my mother than anybody else. All these years staying away from home, as long as she reminded me of an upcoming festival and ofcourse the dietary restrictions therein I tried to follow them. There were numerous occasions when it slipped my mind even after the reminder and I lied to my mother later just to escape the earful I was sure to get. However through all this, I am pretty sure the relation between Him and me remained the same as that between a Physician and patient barring of course the medical insurance and out of pocket expenses.

Having said all this, when I got myself a car 2 weeks back, mother didn't really know that there are temples close by in this neck of the woods and naturally she didn't say anything about me visiting the temple after the car purchase. However the ladies in the office were a totally different ball-game. Just so to let you guys know I am surrounded by a couple of ladies (Indians) who pride over their desi upbringing and in more ways than one seem even more deep rooted than may I say my grandmother! So when one of the ladies innocently asked "Where is the Prasad? You did visit the temple right, after getting the car?" , I was, well to put it mildly, lost for words.

So this past weekend, I made it a point to visit the temple Saturday morning. Such is the relation between Him and me – until I am reminded next time, I am sure that everybody else will be keeping Him busy!

This is a comeback!

Its been a long time since I visited my own blog page, let alone reading other blogs. Off late I have been elated seeing some more of my friends (actually exactly 2) getting their own blogger accounts and putting pen to paper in the electronic sense.

Life hasn't been exactly normal since I have had this ring on the third finger of my right hand. And I mean that in a good way (that was only because my fiancé sometimes stumbles upon my blogpost ;)). Past couple of months have been about getting my DL done, actually driving, scouting for a car, getting a car, buying a bed (well you can wink at that), buying a TV, scouting for a couch and all this with extensive research trying to find the best deal.  At the end of day, the one feeling I end up with is – Its tough been a desi and that too an immigrant desi at that!!!

I have been driving a cheap rental car for the last month just to get a hang of driving on the wrong side of the road, and have been returning favors. There is an unknown joy I have been getting in ferrying peers to and from office. Almost a kind of satisfaction that finally I am helping out folks, the same way I was helped out when I needed it. I would sound trivial but I do really think of this. A big 'thank you' to the friends out there who found it in their hearts to give me a ride in their cars when I needed it.

I haven't read a single page, since I got back from India, engaged. Now I know how that sounds. As if the engagement (or the girl) ate away the reading part of my brain. Ohh my god, I really think weird stuff. The point is I am going to make an effort starting soon to get back to how I was until I am going to get changed or change for good ;)

I am still trying to make up my mind if I should be going to the movies alone. I will let the 'Man of Steel' make that decision for me.

Game and the Water Crisis : IPL 2013

With more than half of the state facing severe drought this season, it sure stands to reason if the Maha Govt could have done better than to go ahead with hosting the 16 IPL games in Mumbai and Pune. 21.6 lakh litres of water needed per ground for its maintenance during the competition one just feels if , in the present circumstances, this is not a big waste a very valuable natural resource?

image : http://media.newindianexpress.com/article1240230.ece/ALTERNATES/w460/25pitch.jpg

The flip side is the money the state stands to make in the form of the entertainment tax. I do not have the exact figure for the same, but that is the rationale forwarded by the government. Then again I am only assuming when I say that the govt has forwarded a rationale at all, considering the recent statements made by the Dy.CM of the state, that the govt will take all necessary actions to see that the water shortage does not impact the IPL games. The Dy CM chose not to elaborate on the actions which the govt plans to take, however in my opinion this vague statement is enough to underline the callous attitude of the govt towards the drought hit population.

The concerns and controversies raised in the recent past, with water being supplied/diverted to the mineral water and soda companies, ignoring the needs of the farmers and not to mention the ire which Asaram Bapu invited after his large scale water-tanker holi celebrations, the govt seems to have taken its apathy up a notch by allowing the games to go on. Do you smell a govt-water tanker owners nexus? Frankly speaking I dont even wish to go there.

All I can understand is that a tough summer lies ahead of us. Whoever has money will be getting tanker-full of water, but then there is a limit to that too as well right? Not that the tanker owners 'create' water! In March itself my building in Pune, needed a tanker every two days, the borewells have run dry and summer has not even begun. 

Seems at the end of the day, the households have more to worry about than what happens in this year's IPL. Maybe that is exactly what the govt is playing on!

P.S: The opposition did suggest that each franchise come forward and make a substantial monetary contribution towards the efforts of helping the drought hit areas. Lets see how much that is heeded.