From Lands Apart

I attended the first lecture of a college after more than 16 months! In 12° C temperature and in an alien environment Mr William (Bill) Dunn went on about Noise and Vibration Handling in Automobiles as the slide show jumped around the 10 51'' screens around the room. It was a dream come true, listening about what I've always fascinated since childhood. And time passed like an F-type Jag during the 2 hour session.

In an extremely different and a new experience I saw students sit with Starbucks cups and iPads attending an academic discourse. With people from all over the world in a strength of merely a half century it was a wonder to watch them do what even I was doing, in their own way; attend the lecture! The Chinese have a problem with language, and I later found out, the iPads in their hands weren't the only devices functioning during the course. The small what looked like boxes, were audio recorders, with LEDs burning red throughout the session, imbibing the professor's words. It could be described as an effort to listen, but more precisely passion to understand. The chaps I hear are extremely hard working, and never fail to achieve what they desire. Didn't know there was anything more I could do to be like them! But, there you go.

Overall the first lecture was quite a summary of what's to come. As I whisked through the days in West Midlands, 'life is a learning curve' made so much more sense to me. With visits to Birmingham where I found the lacking family bliss and the one visit (so far) to Drayton Park there have been so many things I never thought I would do. From having my brother's comments and mimics to laugh about during bedtime, I have switched to my Lenovo as my pre-sleep entertainment and with all the JBL sound system and dual graphics, it doesn't even come close to filling that void! The beauty of the original, is in the originality of its beauty. But as different as it is, I have to make this life a new original and it has been good so far.

Another dimension to it has been my part time workplace Kumon, where little kids with plenty to learn and little to lose come for hope and guidance in academics, which in turn is provided by a few assistants. One such assistant post was required to be filled and my ironed formal shirt with a short math test did the trick. It is a brilliant place to work, with children aged 3-16 study and suddenly from being in uniform waiting for the teacher's remarks, here you are, a table under your hands and authority flowing through the red ink with an anxious face 14-18 years younger, staring at you. And a meaningless star shape on the front page lights the child's face up like a firework at midnight. So little the things, so much the weight! You only know the change when you feel it.

Arsenal are flying high at the moment and with all my fingers crossed I do not want to say much and jinx it, but it is a place a Gooner always wanted to be since years now, and as I said in the previous post more than a year ago, The Boss has certainly answered his questions, up to a little luck and the players now. (touch wood!) A little activity in the January market wouldn't hurt, if anything would improve the steel and help us. There are stories flying everywhere, one summer target surely seems to have his teeth in place now, signing a contract with Liverpool. But the strangest of things have happened, this is football. Who will come? Will someone come? It just kills to go through this time anxiously awaiting and speculating. But at the end of the day, we all know, Arsène knows best!

The year-end approaches and it ends with many new beginnings. The tunnel has started and it's time to work if there is to be any light at the end of it. As long as all's well, until next time!

The Dark Knight Must Rise

Spotting the difference.

Being a well directed movie enthusiast I love Christopher Nolan, and so far have enjoyed and admired each of his creations. I watched the recently downloaded TDKR again, making it the 4th time now I have seen that movie, and it gets better every time. Apart from the inch perfect details and the real feel to the movies of Nolan, my point here is something else. Would my affection for Nolan and his movies abstain me from criticizing him if he made a bad one tomorrow? Perhaps not. The same goes with my views for Arsène.

Yet to get a hang of what my point is I guess. So, as I watched on the movie for the 4th time, I got a glimpse of the current situation at Arsenal while watching it. Structures as shackles, warring factions, the rich elite (The Arsenal Board) and their disregard for others (The Fans), an 8 year absence of a mythical figure (A Trophy) and the passing of mantle to another. Having said that I don't think Arsène is going to fly out with a nuclear bomb in the nick of time and it would be a shame to see half the team buried under an imploding pitch; well, perhaps not Squillaci. But I think you get my point, eh?

What is a shame however is the meltdown of the only solid figure at Arsenal right now, our very own manager, some of our brothers seemed to have gone out of the friendly fire during the Villa game shouting "you don't know what you're doing" at Wenger. And it obviously did not go down well with the boss. Reacting strongly he said

   "I leave it to you to judge. I try to be as good as I can be. Is it hurtful? Look, I have managed for 30 years at the top level and if I have to convince you I can manage the team then it is an insult to you.

 How many games have you managed? I promise you if you manage one I will sit in the stands and chant ‘you know what you are doing!"

The fans, seemed to have been disgusted with the Giroud-Coquelin switch late in the second half, something I thought was surprising too. To that AW said,

"You can discuss every substitution. You think what you want. I do my job and I let people judge it. I do that every day and I do my best every day. I know why I do it. What is the thinking behind the substitution? I will not explain every decision I make, you judge the game and I sit here and explain to you our game. You are all great managers! I read the newspapers every day and I can tell you that you are always great managers!"

Sounds to me like a man frustrated by constant questioning of his management, but also like a man who still has passion left in him. Just the way you see it. Its really surprising and sad to see the state of the questions fired upon him these days, maybe its the board restricting him against changing things or perhaps his vanity prevents him from doing something that would appear to be concession of defeat. Anyway, Arsène Wenger has made some mistakes and I may not be a person with the top-notch know how of managing, but I have my opinions and right or wrong, I am entitled to them. Just as all you sweet bastards are. I certainly don't claim to be more knowledgeable than AW- I'm not an idiot.

However AW has to answer the mistakes, and even if in the wrong manner as it may have happened on Saturday, fans have every right to express their concern. The record breaking deal is a new hope, but I don't see any rise in the financial figures unless the wage structure is revised. There is no Batman in London, he would hardly survive in his suit in the climate there right now, however as he himself said in the movie, Batman can be anyone. The point is the city to be saved, and I hope we find our Knight soon who can rise and take the club somewhat close to where we were once upon a time.

That's it for this time. Climate taking its toll on me too, not in the best of shapes. Shall be back soon.

COYG!

The Sin Curve

How do we look at life when we're on a high? (Respect the preposition ''on a'') And how, when we feel the depths of the low moments? Do we, at both times get a little above and below the reality (respectively)? Not making sense yet I know, but I'll get there, so, does every individual get too excited during good times and too depressed during bad ones? We certainly fail to realize its the same us that goes through different phases, moods or ages whatever, through our life. Today we laugh a lot, tomorrow we drop tears, although I'm not a big fan of the actual creator of the world, it indeed is a beautiful job that has been done, with utmost precision and care.

Yesterday I got my result, my final one which stamped on the fact that I'm a degree holder. It was a pretty unexpected albeit a pleasant outcome. In many ways, it was due, when the stack rises beyond its limits, it falls. The stack here was the frustration I got during my exams prior to Semester 8, I can't speak for the quality of my own efforts, but I never changed my mindset, I knew deep inside, this is what I could give to my course, and not in the slightest beyond that. And I never got the desired credit, and I had everyone in the world to blame but myself. That's a little stubbornness everyone possesses. And should possess, cuz when I started doing the needful for the last exam, there was nothing different from the past, so much so that my parents kept thinking history, as it always does, will repeat itself. But life is a sin curve, you fall and then bounce back equally stronger, and then fall again equally harder. That has to happen, the creator made sure it shall. Always.

I sat shocked looking at my marks, I couldn't believe my eyes, and the sole reason being, there was no change in the approach. Little did I know THIS stood in store.. There were 8 senior faculty members in the room that time, all vanished in a split second, I was lost in thoughts, thoughts I don't remember now, but I do remember waking up, sort of coming back to reality, I checked again, but didn't doubt it anymore, something inside told me, they had to be my marks, I had it coming all along! Probably the most important outcome I have faced in my life yet, fitting conclusion to a remarkable journey. It will stay right up in my temple!

Talking of fitting conclusions to remarkable journeys, Chris Nolan, just provided us with one, The Caped Crusader's final moments were captured and presented in the most beautiful fashion ever. People still say R.I.P. Heath Ledger, I say its right up there! Sequels get better and better in some cases, I would say Bruce Wayne and Batman are lucky chaps they were in one. Keeping in touch with reality as well as flying through fiction, the flick provides a lil bit of everything. The end making up for the stretched second half, the film was a roller coaster ride with ecstatic music direction and some extreme action shots! Too bad its the end, but its one to remember, can't wait for the next Nolan show, another hero story that, fingers crossed!

End of July approaching, that means one thing, start of football approaching, can't wait to see Gunners on the field again, whatever the team, with the man on the sidelines, there's gonna be entertainment for sure. The armband's curse seems to be affecting the team now, he scores when he wants, looks like he can't leave when he wants, anyway, mixed emotions those, new boy Giroud looks good, apart from a few videos I know nothing though, sitting 7000 kms away what else can I rely on! Willy seens to be enjoying it in the hospital, won't be seeing him until September, The Boss says the positive side being he is 20 and not 32! Whatever. That means! Frankly there's nothing positive when a newly turned 19 year old gets injured and comes back to field after hes turned 20! Arsene knows they say. I continue to agree.

If there's anything slower than 'Arsenal in the transfer market' its my German class, a month and a half ago I was to start, and I did start, but not end when I was supposed to, its really difficult to understand on what principles do some people start institutions, apart from legal that is. No value for commitment, no value for time, its simply difficult to understand! I'm beginning to panic slowly, very slowly. Clueless and looking for a job, the worst combination of situations to be in for an Engineer. Last thing I heard I am overqualified (already!). Anyway, I'm off to bed, early today, have to start gym (again!) tomorrow. Need to change the definition of 6 packs in my head. Goodnight goons, and others, wake up to a rising sun!

The Finales

Its the season of season finales, from Aguero's $62 million payback, to Barney Stinson's wedding, its all happening, for me too, my final exams are on, dunno how exciting is that, but a finale nevertheless. Albeit the tight schedule I did find time and enthusiasm to write, wish this had been the story during exams. Anyway, I once promised myself I'd be an optimist and I still see the glass half full. The first two exams were quiet okay and the glass seems to be filling itself further now. Hope for the best!

I have a friend who bets, and who bet, and who won.Won a lot, till he bet at the 90th minute on Manchester United to win the title, and who could blame him, for a neutral it was a moment to remember, when 20 teams battle it out throughout a year, when they play 740 odd games between them, who can bet on the winner being decided in the last minute, of the last match! An encouragement for the bookies there, not so much for my disheartened friend. You really have to admire the quality of the league which provides excitement throughout the year, and has something new each year, that's football, such a beautiful game indeed! Congratulations to all Gooners BTW, we had a similar battle won that day, shrugged off local rivals to keep the league position. With far less style though, and I persist with my semi-serious comments, 'Do something Arsene or make way!'

The weekend highlighted one more thing, how technology can backfire, and boy did it not do that well, Maldonaldo with the first victory for Williams in years had his celebrations held when the KERs system, ever so reliable during the race showed how it can't be, during pits! Hope for a speedy recovery for the injured crew. Funny how things work out, there was only one man helpless in the pits and he was the chief of the team who is handicapped (since before) yet was wheel chaired safely, while those with fine legs were stretchered off to the hospital!

Anyway off the television now, my uncle from Dubai paid a surprise visit this weekend, always a special time during his presence here, I couldn't however catch all the action at home since Tuesday was an exam day and I had to make myself scarce to study, I did catch action though, and somewhat better! I could however be at home for the Sunday lunch, mums Kolhapuri chicken, never goes unmentioned that. My elder uncle was here too who gave me the most interesting story about job interviews from all I've heard so far. And the story is, he gave an interview with a beer glass in his hand, and got the job too! There was more to it, but little was I interested in knowing anything more. What's more, it was his first ever job, and first ever interview!

The week wheeled away in a blink, with trips to the college library being the daily regime. Studying in a library is one of the most interesting things I never managed to do all my life as a student, or maybe there's something about my college. (Ha!). Or maybe I wrongly thought its only for soda glass wearing punks who breathe books. The company I get there is exactly what I need, and I found about it only after experiencing it. I really adore my fellow nuts from college, they're just about perfect. One thing about libraries though, couples always find their way in, anyplace silent, and where attention is little, they're there. True story.

Saturday, and it was exam day, wrote, went well. I'm writing nothing more than that about it. Awaiting an important weekend, first up, the champs league final, which to be frank I'm interested only cuz I don't have anything else to do and I really like UCL football, there's something different about those games, especially finals, The Munich final, The Istanbul final, that final when Barcelona beat Man Utd (which one I don't remember it happens every 2 years!) all of them have had what it takes to be a good finale. Hope it turns out to be just like the one last week. The other thing is little Riya's second birthday, the kid has finally started growing up, and exhibits what gen next kids are gonna be like already!

What more can Arsenal do, to make fans further anxious, RvP has been media banned till the end of Euro 2012, I really don't know how much of paying respect is that, to the Player of The Year, but the man who did it has tasted a little more success and I'm sure its for the best. What's not for the best however, is the club making no movements in the transfer window whatsoever as yet. My fingers are sweating now, being crossed since I started supporting the club, which continues to live on the edge. Mr Patrick Viera has chosen to forget his past and join the El Speakos Club, his acts never helped his case, neither do his words now.

Anyway, wishing you Goons a happy weekend ahead, and hope you guys enjoy the match, I'm sure it'll be one of those finals. Betting on German success on German soil, I have always loved Germany anyway ha ha!

P.S. Thanks a lot Aboli aunt for the Mars bars! Absolutely loved it!

The Magical Drop

The week is still buzzing with the news of the new job, my first job! As big as it sounds, it really isn't much of a deal. Opportunity knocks just once keeps buzzing in my ears though, as of now lets just go with the flow. Had never really expected to get on the end of it when Pillai kept nagging me to fill in my name, I really had once chance to give it a shot, never could apply to any companies due to various reasons. But it had to go well, and go well it did! As I said, not that big a deal, moving on, Mumbai seems to be heating up day by day, makes me rue my German chances even more! Exams seem to be approaching faster than ever, so theres that additional heat anyway.

Saw Mission Impossible IV the other night, Cruise as elegant as he is, didn't fail to meet the expectations, although Anil Kapoor I must say, bet on the wrong horse, the race was over for him even before it started. Bhurj Khalifa is beautiful, and the stunts on it even better, a hundred and thirty floors above sea level at the least, Tom must ve had some balls to sign up for it. Anyway another good movie that I never saw in theatres (again!).

Balls remind me, Yash Trivedi made his way back on his feet (ha!) and back to his home, Saket, after almost 3 weeks of, well, wide balls, dead balls (at one point), fortunately though, no No balls! There's always a point in life when you seem to jolt back in shock, expect the unexpected turns out to be so true then. But he is a fighter, always has been, and showed it again, can't wait to have him on the field again. Cheers to YNWA!

Football now, and Arsene has denied another hotshot, thus concluding and convincing us fans that this seems to be the new protocol for signing players for the club, no wonder they made a comic on him now, although I must say 7 years is a lot of patience, for comic printing alteast! Honestly if Song isn't to be replaced, I don't see the point in signing Villa. Fingers crossed as always. The turnover and revenues seem good, hope the pockets tear themselves and the Frenchman gets on track with changing trends. Sitting miles away I seem to think I have more brains than the most successful man in the seat. So, I stop there and keep the faith!

Library is the best place to study. Yes towards the end of my education I seem to have realised that, 5 hours of Mumbai's heat, with no electricity, the occasional winds that blew, were our only resort! Watching the students around though inspired me, I really had no option, 5 days to go! The only thing pleasing was a little break, for munching and then the ultimate relief, when I left, which brings us to the ride back home, my head tends to boil in the 2500 bucks 1.5 kg helmet that I so proudly don. But jokes apart, I was so amazed today, I slid it through my head and had only covered half a mile on the bike, when I saw this drop of sweat on the edge of my hair which was hanging from my forehead directly in front of my left eye. And I couldn't really do anything about it, but even at the speeds of 80-90 kph, that drop remained still, no drag affecting it, no shocks breaking its stance.

The hype around my helmet to this day didn't get to me, but as I reached home after a 15 min ride, I waited a minute before I took off the gear,and watched in aw, it remained! The magical drop just defined to me what along with safety and style had the spending ensured, not the slightest of winds got inside, the head boils, but touch wood, remains unreachable to the world! Like resting your head in vacuum while breathing through it. I head home and the rest of the day was like any other.

Weekend approaching, and its West Brom away, never too easy that, and on the back of such results, ever so difficult, a must win game, and the last one before we sign off until August, just FYI, Euros are approaching fill in the fantasy entries asap! Although I am done betting on international teams unless Spain crash out, then it may seem fair to the others, just joking! Or am I?! Goodnight Goons! Pray for 3 points, but most importantly 3rd place!

P.S. Apology to the passion I didn't respect earlier. Never meant it!