The Chennai Lady

She was the last in the family of umpteen children. Family as in a joint one. Daughter to a business-man, honarary magistrate and grand-daughter to a Rao-Bahadur

Her dad used to drive her around in a FORD. She was friends with ministers' daughters. She used to stay in a house named CROSBY which measured 33 grounds. Yes, she had her own Snow-white dress. Convent educated, and went to college at a time and in a place where it was close to being called a taboo. She was what you would call a thorough-bred

Despite all this she was married into a very humble family, by her mother. The only reason being the guy was righteous. She adjusted and found joy in the little of things. 35 years of marriage and she hasn't complained about a thing to her husband. She turned 60 in July and is a Grandma.

You might be wondering how to describe or call this lady. But I would prefer to call her MOM.

To Sir, with Love

We all have had teachers, helping us pave a perfect path to the future that we decide. With time, we do forget them, unless reminded by one reason or another.

One of them, who I remember is Mr. Padmanabhaiah, a retired Math professor, in pre-university.

The man had long retired from College, but continued to teach at a private tutorial institute. On first encounter, I remember seeing a bald man, with a goNicheela for a bag, and riding on a single-seater Luna.

On strong advice from friends and all, I had decided to attend his CET classes. I should say: those 12 classes that I had attended of his, were unbelievable. My approach towards numbers had taken a turn for the good. It eventually helped in cracking Maths @ CET which was quite a challenge, for most people like me.

His offline help was the best. All the other regular lots were unapproachable post the sessions. So much so for his approachability, some of us had regular visits to his place, to clear the sea of doubts we used to have. All of this, with sumptuous breakfast and hot steaming filter coffee.

As it would happen, post pre-university, college and now in Work, memoirs of him and his unique teaching style, faded away.

Then, one day, I heard from a college friend, that he was no more. In the 2 minutes of mourning, post this news I heard, my mind raced behind in time, remembering all he was, A True teacher...A True Guru.

40 and beyond

I still can’t forget that first journey from the Switch to 40. It was a strange feeling- traveling in trains, “tubes” and cabs with aliens around. I was about to meet some of my closest friends and some people I have heard of, but yet to met in-the-flesh. The excitement was at zenith during the travel in the Euston – MK section.

Dhanya-milana did happen on reaching MK. Shortly, I was introduced to 40. You should know that it’s not a stereo-typical one. A perfect “desi-touch” of the you-know-what types!

I have really lost count on the number of times I crashed in there. No London, Scotland, Paris or Wales has been more fun than being in 40. “Jack” used to take a “Walk” every weekend. The food prepared used to be amazing. The movies and cricket matches on TV were like a sone pe suhaga

And ofcourse, each and every person in 40, is a class apart and in their own league. Be it the:

“Director” - with whose help managed see the “stars” we have never seen before; or.
“Manager” whose tea preparation and the gaalis on the phone are un-forgettable; or
“Loyalist” – Whose silence compensated to the chaos created;

The others I really don’t have to mention, as they are close to my heart.

As I glance through some of the snaps every now and then, I really miss the fun and the charm of the place. I wish and hope it still remains an abode to batakti aatmas like me!

Do you remember the time?

The train journey
Residence
First day at office
Saket
Balcony talku
Lonavla
Belke nagar
AC wala room
Tub wala bathroom
Dames opposite Krishna Hospital
Akai
Water problems
Gone
Weekend ootas
Introduction to Tipu
Ghazal from Sarfarosh and a Walker
First Thamesu
Goa
Thamesu return
Paper garland
Memory loss
BHF
Muddle on Birthday
Uncle Sam
Yat another Uncle Sam
Thames
Thamesu long termu
Thames return with N70
Thames long term
Thames short Long term
Simple Thames
Simple Thames return
Bengalooru escape
Davangere Wedding
Again Thames long term
Thames short long term return
Mysore
Company escape
Company escape
Thames short long term
Trichy girl in Bengalooru
Thames LOng term?
Thames short long term return
Uncle Samu.......to be contd

Does the above make sense to anyone out there? If it does, then just to let you, that I really miss you and the rest of pack, cherishing the great time we had together. Those were indeed the best days of my life. Don't have much of an argument here. Sorry if I was ever cranky with you in the past and if I messed up the order above.

Communication via the various forms of media helps, but the magic can't be re-lived. Being pragmatic think we all have accepted this fact. Living our lives in different corners. A reunion is not certain in the nearest future.

Staying with unknowns, realise how easy it was with V5.

Strange that I don't remember much of what happened in Pune now. Had to think real hard to recollect all of this. Maybe that's how Life is....

Note: Deliberately missed out the trips, birthdays etc......They ofcourse were critical for the manufacture of the Epoxy resin we were...

La belle

Of late I have been missing her a lot. I think I was with her for close to 10 months. Enjoyed every moment with her.

Getting her is/was not easy. They say babes like her are hard to find, leave alone getting one. The best ones are never available.
She was supposed to be former colleague's husband's first wife. Well did you think she was new??? No, you don't get new ones like her. People say she is better that way.

Everyone around me had new ones, and were poking fun that I had a used one. Guess they forgot the old saying..."Old is Gold, New is nuisance"

We were always together. I totally owned her, being really possessive about her. Never really preferred anyone to touch her, though most of them weren't interested, dubbing her as "used". Ayhay I suppose was kind of interested in her and had some secret rendezvous' with her, much to my anger. I had taken really good care, except for once instance during a trip to Sinhgad, when she had fallen sick.

Then the day came when I had to part ways with her. On learning that I was breaking up with her, there were a swarm of contenders to take her away from me. Eventually I had to give her away to a suitable guy. Hope he is taking good care of her.

Even today I miss her lot. The way she was, the way she moved... Errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...Dirty Minds...I am pretty sure your imagination would have wandered to the extreme. I guess none of you know that I am not taking about someone human but about my RX-100.

So long then darling, I miss you crazy.

Downtime

A post after a long time....??? Dont blame me....Was tied down trying live in a jungle called Bangalore(Now Home)....A comparison with my previous lifestyle in Pune would paint a better picture...Here it goes...

Wake-up time
Pune: 9, 10, 11 AM!!!!
B'lore: 6:30 AM

Office travel time
P: 10-15 min
B: 1 hour if you are lucky

Distance to office
P: 4 km
B: 21 km

Crowd in Office
P: Dont have to mention about it!!! :)
B: 90% of the people are from a particular clan

Food at office
P: No comments
B: Then gud...now bad....

Recreation facilities
P: Many
B: What's that???

Traffic
P: Too much
B: Bumper to Bumper

Weekend plans
P: Ever best
B: Crippled by the weekend traffic...

Weekend Getaways
P: All the beautiful places around
B: Forum, Garuda, Downtown, NASA, Amoeba... etcetc (All gas....I hardly go to these places)...Eh Getaway???

Return Home
P: Anytime...!!!
B: Anytime...but welcomed with a worried and angry face....

TV
P: Its always ON
B: Its always ON...But you get to watch SOAPs

Good Night Time
P: Cant remember
B: 11:30PM Max

Dreams
Pune: B'lore
B'lore: Pune


A lot more to pen down.......But its getting late for bed....Guess its Good Night....

On a lighter note.....Its still HOME....