Being Stupid Contd.

I can behave in a socially agreeable manner only in a controlled environment. I do not know why this conveniently skips my mind. Doesn't do me any good. Ever. Ever! 

Bokeh

I began the year on a nervous note. I was not sure about how I would handle it...

It was the first year where I worked from January to December with exactly two weeks' break in the middle. So, it did fly by. But I think I managed to squeeze in enough to at least manage this post. Like I insist, lessons don't mean much unless I learn them myself. I finally figured that a minute, a moment, a day, are all enough if you really want to do something, get anywhere. It is the will that matters most. And with that thought, here's my snapshot of 2011!

# Entered an ocean full of opportunities led by the gods themselves!

# Had to get my nose re-pierced

# Four key travel outings in northern, western, southern, and central India. Beginning 2012 with the south-east. :D

# Did one semi-nude photoshoot which, I think, had turned out to be pretty good!

# Had a massive crush on an extremely nice guy

# My involvement with the big screen became extremely romantic

# Struggled with the health through one more year

# Watched Zakir Hussain live

# Spent money to watch a play for the first time

# Tried out some new restaurants and cafes in the city

# That story had another chapter unfolding this year

# Bought gold

# Said definite goodbye to Maggi and eggs, they are my allergies of the year

# Turned 25 and got my first surprise party

# Found the force in the sun

# Rode a tonga

# 10 years ago, I would not have worn an orange skirt even if you offered me money. And now, it is a dear possession

# It was the year of spotting cute men in the metro

# Taj Mahal dekha!

# OD'd on chocolate

# Drove on the streets cheering along with strangers when India won the cricket world cup

# Bought a LOT of white clothes

# Do not detest black any more. :)

# Picked a fight with Manu Joseph :P

# Visited banks of the Yamuna

# Sat on a negotiation table for Rs. 88 lakhs and contributed to the winning side 

# Dreamt about going to Ladakh. Hopefully next year.

# Gave presents to some people when they were not expecting it. Felt nice.

# One more failed attempt at the gym

# Had my first serious scary moment when that man disappeared at the cemetery in Wayanad

# Got some of my photographs printed and framed for home

# Hated rains even more

# Said a very difficult 'no'

# Made a highly entertaining trip tot the Toilet Museum

# Wrapped my camera up

# Started using a BlackBerry

# Experienced Bombay at leisure for the first time

# Obsessively listened to some sufi songs

# Made my annual trip to the emergency room of a hospital

# Also had a blackout followed by a scary ECG

# Did not purchase a single bag this year. Maybe I should buy one as a new year present.

# Changed the blog's look after really long, and quite like what I have now!

# I did not delete some text messages from the phone. They have got to feature here! A consolidated version would look something like this:

"Airtel welcomes you to...

Haryana

Rajasthan

Gujarat

Maharashtra & Goa

Himachal Pradesh

Punjab

Madhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Kerala

Tamil Nadu

Karnataka"

I know I didn't go to all these states, but I did go through them all to fewer destinations! :D 

# Cleartrip called me a 'frequent traveller' (ahem)

# I finally discovered the beautiful world of net banking

# TV gave us The Dewarists 

# Got listed on an India Influencer Index on Twitter :P

...but I do think we managed to handle each other fairly well. 2012, are you going to last?

Merry Christmas!

I have not taken any medicines in the last two weeks or so. It gives a feeling that is hard to describe because I do not remember the last time I went so long without at least one pill a day. I would have been happier if my body really did not need any medicines during this period, but right now I am okay playing this little game of denial too. It feels SO good! 

It has been a perfect weekend so far. Friday night was with our man from Goa, Ranjan R. Atreya. I cannot believe that I have known him for over three years and did not know of his middle name until now. It's shameful! But TGIF gave us some very cheesy food and fairly potent mojitos. And Priyam added to the laughter dose of the evening. The weather was cold enough. I had no complaints. 

Yesterday I happened to meet Chetak after four years. Time changes, times change. 

Check out some spectacular Christmas images from across the world at http://t.co/eWk8Wa2j. They're beautiful!!

2011 and Me

Colour of the year - Orange
Song of the year - Bawra mann...
TV series of the year - The Dewarists
Fruit of the year - Apple
Most dearly missed entity of the year - Eggs
Best buy of the year - the silver hoops
Best trip of the year - Wayanad
Surprise of the year - the book on driving in the mountains given by NB
Actor of the year - Gulshan Devaiah
The year's best brands - Mango & Hugo Boss
Knowledge god of the year - TSV
Innovations of the year - Google Doodles
Metro buddy of the year - Lynn
The year's most awesome sunset - Orchha
The year's most interesting insights - Food sector regulations
.
.
.
and I just lost my trail of thought...

The Month So Far...

I completed six months in my current job. There is some degree of inertia at present, but I am hoping that would pass soon. 

Attended Avan's brother's engagement ceremony. Barring the fact that I was inappropriately dressed for the occasion, everything was perfect. The two looked perfect together. It was such a nice feeling being in that positive space that evening! Happy for them. 

Began with yet another attempt towards fitness. Endomondo is giving me company. So far so good - the face has begun to show some results. But a long, long way to go.

Also applied for my first non-sick leave in this office. And booked my tickets to Port Blair. Yes, January 2012, I am already looking forward to seeing you. And the beaches, of course. 

Played Secret Santa in office and made some effort to be nice to my kin. I hear she was happy with her presents. 

Oh, oh... I handled the Nikon D3X with a 50 mm lens! I instantly fell in love with its body, the picture clarity, and the very look of every image. Of course, I do still love Canon, but what the hell, the camera is bloody brilliant and there is no reason why one should not acknowledge that. Milan Kishorpuria, thank you!

I rediscovered my love for Simpoo Sir! I love him. I love his presence on Twitter. And I am very keen on finding out and meeting the person who manages this handle. Simpoo Sir ki jai!

After thinking that it was time to move on, I got my nose pierced again. 

Last night, I attended the office's year-end party and it turned out to be more fun than I expected it to be. In fact, I didn't think I was going to attend one of these I-know-most-people parties any more. But I did, and I danced so much that my legs are still hurting from all the jumping. I also stepped out in that 5 degrees of cold. Bwaaaah!

Met Nidhi, Iyengar, and Abhimanyu after several months today. Laughter session, yes!

Tomorrow, Tughlaqabad Fort!

Evergreen

It has been playing in a loop for several weeks now and I cannot get enough of it.