The Other Side of the Fence

This weekend, I happened to be on the other side of the fence- a spectator- for a local 20-20 cricket match my friends were playing in. Deccan Gymkhana gleamed in the winter sunlight. In the pavilion, the atmosphere was cool, pleasant, almost sleepy at times. Not all times, though. Players shouted encouragement, a few whistles were heard here and there, and the action on the ground was engaging. Twenty-twenty; so a lot of sixers and fours.

I realised that I used to do this fool thing a few years back. I could see the underlying tension then, the knot in the stomach when a wicket fell in the dressing room; the confabulations between the captain and some senior players;the silly superstitions coming out in full force and the hip hip hurrays when the game was won. The crazy thirst that happens to only a cricketer when water is a luxury which people outside just don't get. (why should they ask for drinks all the time? :))

I also realised that cricket was so enjoyable as a spectator sport, on the ground. There is something strangely calming about the game; something you don't see on TV.

From the other side of the fence, cricket is chess played on a green.

Blue Skying

I was wondering what the new year had in store

Blue skying

Full of possibilities, and some fears to keep score

Blue skying

and then I came across this wonderful gift and clue:

http://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_s_powerful_stroke_of_insight.html

as I continue blue skying. Goodbye, 2010.

New Wine in an Old Bottle

I recently visited the Alma Mater ( http://www.mica-india.net/). I was a key note speaker at their leadership summit, and boy, was the trip was one of a kind.

On my journey back to reality, replete with the wonderful experiences, I wondered what it was that was so wonderful.

Was it nostalgia? Nah. The place has changed so much that it is unrecognizable. Was it the heady experience of the speech? Nah. More likely, I was humbled by all the other guys who were speaking alongside me. Was it meeting interesting people who I'd love to connect with more in my life? Maybe... while that's true, it ain't the complete truth.

So was it me being plain pampered then, by the alumni team? Yep. There it is. This wonderful, young, bunch of students made my stay memorable. They took really good care of me, and made me feel respected and not old (that's a fine trick, that is). From getting me a cuppa in the morning, to arranging various things with glee- and making sure that I enjoy the ride as much as them.

Thanks you guys. New People in an Old Memory. Cheers!

It's the Song, not the Shower!

Just today, in the shower- have no idea why but I started singing an old old song without realising I'm singing.

Now we all love bathroom singing, don't we- but sometimes the choice of song is also a very good indicator of your current mood (ephemeral though it may be!). Sometimes, its a love ballad, while one pretends to be Axl Rose, sometimes it is "I wanna be a rock star".... you may be singing ghazals but you get da point, doncha.

So I was singing this nonsensical song (Hum jo hai jo do aur do paanch bana de) which was from a slapsticky Amitabh film. I hadn't sung it in years, and whoops, there it was, transporting me back to singing the same song, swinging a school bag walking back from school, sun on my back, back to play with my best friend and terrorize some pets.

Do you have a song that connects you to that happy go lucky child within? Sing it now then- don't wait for that inspiring shower.

The Jerk in all of Us

All of us have a hidden jerk lurking about within. A nasty moody person who's surly and crap to be with. Unfortunately, this ba.....d is the same guy who can be more daring, creative and impact- creating than the rest of our personality.

Now I'm not for a moment advocating that we let this jerk rule who we are completely, but don't we need to find a balance between different parts of who we are and accept them? Even the jerk inside us.

That's what the "Social Network" did to me: it showed me how different personalities and value systems play out when confronted with an idea. A mind blowing film, it makes you think about so many things: loyalty, differing value systems, an inventor's mind, a supporter's mind- and what it really takes to make an impact on the world. Without really delving into the film and being spoiler, I'd like to recommend it for the absolutely absorbing watch that it is. I love the treatment: there is no right or wrong.

It just is.

Radical Residue

I have recently read, re- read and started actively using a "gem of a book" called Radical Honesty. My favourite professor recommended it, and after I read it, he told me to re-read it. He was right.

This book changes your life, and I wish I'd written it. There. Said it. Biggest compliment a writer can pay to another one. Not that the author Brad Blanton needs my compliments. In fact, he'd probably cuss me out in case he reads this blog. He's that kind of guy and yeah, this is that kind of book. You either hate him or love him. I ended up hating him and loving his book (happens!)

This book is raw. Needs polishing and editing. But I wouldn't change anything in it. Not everyone's cup of tea though- honesty is a bitter poison to begin with. So I know that most of y'all won't read it. So I thought I'd leave you with the main residue that I had when I finished the book:

Whenever there is a choice to be made in life, ditch the principle and go for the truth. Always.

(You may have a different residue if you brave the book. That's the beauty!)

Nature's Fireworks

This Diwali, I will also look towards nature to supply me the fireworks. I thought the snap above signifies just that: paying attention to our surrounds while we celebrate Diwali may be the way ahead for all of us. Don't these flowers light up your Diwali as much as the lamp in the middle does?

Maybe celebration doesn't always have to be at a cost. Both can co-exist, balance each other out. We don't need to take an extreme position.

A Happy Diwali, everyone!