Happy Republic day

Jan2612009 031, originally uploaded by Pranay Rao.

I'm in Mumbai post 26/11. A city which has been punished for being the jewel in India's crown. Today as for every republic day, the people of my building stood to attention as the flag was hoisted.

The audience is as close to an actual representation of India as possible. There are the young, the old. The punjabis, mallus, maharashtrians, gujratis, etc.The middle class original residents and the nouvae rich new entrants. The kids whose voice is loud and clear while the national anthem is played, the youngsters who silently mouth the lyrics and the older set who really really have a sense of pride in them.

Goosebump territory this.

- Pranay

Horses captured by me :))

Jan2009 045, originally uploaded by Pranay Rao.

This picture was captured using my new camera, a Canon Powershot SX110 SI. It's a picture of a painting which adorns the walls of my home since childhood. I'm really artistically challenged and would not be able to decipher what the painting tries to symbolise. However let me give it a try :).

The three horses are all running into the unknown. The brown horse has pulled back because he is vary of the path. The dark brown one leads because it is within it's nature to lead while the white horse is a youngster trying hard to catch up. Any guesses on who ends up ahead?

Anyway while you think let me tell you about the amazing fun I had today with my friends Kau n Chints. We reminisced about college days and the things we did. Chints had a theory about certain things happening in our lives lately. It's called 'what goes around comes around' which had us solemnly promising never to brainwash any1 ever again :D.

Chints n Kau are doing very well in their fields today though there is the pressure of the recession around the corner. I feel that most of my tech friends lack a reality dimension courtesy a disconnect from the pressures of life. The recent recession has probably brought that facet to their lives.

Chints and me have been away from Mumbai from some time and we really really want to get back but professionally it doesn't make sense. The time away from the city has helped us in more ways than we can count. We are a little more mature now. Me for sure :).

Coming back to the painting. It has an error which was why it did not sell at Jehangir which is why we could afford to have it on our wall :). You see there is a space on the left which means the balance of the canvas is off. There is too much happening on one side which makes it unbalanced says Kulkarni Sir, the painter. The reason I call him sir is because he taught me Marathi in my eightth standard which explains my command over the language :). Ok that's all my fault but he definitely tried.

Well which one of the horses comes up first. Guess fast? Tell you what as per me it really doesn't matter which horse comes first. People spend too much time looking over their shoulder trying to ensure that they have performed better than the next guy. Enjoy the race and don't look around to see where the others are. Remember these rules which will help make your life better
1. Do not make excuses for your failiures
2. Do not make excuses for other's successes.
3. Surround youself with friends who will stick with you through both successes and failiures.

Luv,

Pranay

A loooooong weekend

DSC07146, originally uploaded by Pranay Rao.

It's actually not that long. Just 4 days, which is too less to catch up with loads of friends, but jus enough to relax. Relaxation is the theme of this weekend. What with the relaxing few days promised at Raichak (see pic) turning into a day and night work period and a few other plans falling through.

Today I totally relaxed except for the odd call from the agency, boss and a colleague. I actually beat my nephew hands down in sleep time. The little brat saw me after 3 months and yet the bonding was instant. Icing on the cake was him preferring to be carried around by me than his mother.

Lately my charm seems to be working only on babies and dogs. Well as a group they do have the most honest reactions to people. My nephew spent most of his day impressing me with all the antics he's learnt.

Planning to visit my dentist tomorrow and then do some catching up with friends. The dentist visit is an absolute necessity. Been ages since I had a proper check up and the friends will abslutely kill me if I don't meet them.

I really can't believe that it's been 3 months since I've been home. Time has been really flying by recently. Most days pass by in a blur. Really really need to pause and reflect. I need to evaluate where I stand right now and what is it that I plan to do, what is it that I really need to do.

One good thing about Mumbai is meeting friends who have nothing to do with my work, which is so so good because conversations in Kol generally enter work territory.

I had planned to do a trek in Mumbai, but am really too lazy right now to execute it. Also the trek was supposed to be a pic clicking trip and that's going to be dicey since my camera has started misbehaving. The new batteries simply dont seem to be working and I can't figure out whether it's the cam or the batteries at fault. Maybe it's time to buy the DSC - H2/H5 I've been eyeing. Problem is the emotionl attachement I have to this camera. It's helped me capture some of the most memorable moments of my life and I really can't let it down cause it's never let me down until this battery problem.

Life is sometimes like that. What seems the rational thing to do is an emotional no no. But then sometimes when there is a conflict between the heart and the head, you really have to choose to do the right thing. Will kep you posted on that one.

Blissfully,

Luv,

P.R.

New Year 09

DSC07124, originally uploaded by Pranay Rao.

Had fun with friends ushering in the New Year 09 in Kolkata once again.

Life's good and the next year promises to be exciting.

Luv,
PR