My lecture on Optimism

9th Nov, 2009

This is one virtue which I am extremely happy, I possess. It is the fact that I, more often than not, tend to see the cup half full than half empty. At times, it can be a dangerous trait to possess. But, as mentioned before, I see it Optimistically :)

There can be many benefits of seeing the positive side of things and most have been listed by authors and scholars from around the world. I am none and can only refer to my experiences and thoughts. In one of my thinking conversations with myself, as always in the loo where most of my conversations with myself and my most extra-ordinarily provoking thoughts have come to me, I realized (divinity!!!) that without this one virtue I would rather become old by thoughts. It only this one positive thing that keeps me going – makes me see the positive side of things. It would rather be sad, from my view, if I start anything with the view that it won’t happen. I would have lost the battle and the war at the start itself. However, it would be stupid to think that anything is possible as well. So over-optimism is a killer and I need to be vary of this.

While moving to Canada, my thoughts lingered around what this move could do in terms of opportunities. Frankly, I had no clues or botheration for what it means as pay-check or how I am going to do it. I only thought, lets give it a shot – or may be that sub-conscious realization struck me now. And so far, it has meant a hell lot of learning. I have done mistakes, ranging from stupid and funny to semi-critical ones. I have faced the music. I have seen politics, external and internal. I have worked from 6 in the morning to 12 in the night – sometimes doing things which I am not supposed to do (mistakes as stated above). I have been stressed and burnt out. But all this while, the only thing that sub-consciously kept me going was my optimism. The desire to learn, the feeling to know that it is not impossible, the drive to achieve something that is not easy. I am not an out & out sales guy. Neither am I an extrovert. But, I am positive about the fact that I can do it and I believe (Nirvana!!!) that might be one of the reasons I was selected for this assignment.

Overall this one thing, Optimism-the ability to always try to look at the positive side of things, has kept me going. I have had bad days and good one. But it is the fact that at times, I had to dig deep and keep myself motivated that helped me. I am not sure if this alone can be the driving factor. But I am sure, this is a great positive which has helped me so far.

Coincidentally - I complete 5 months of being here later in the night :)

A Maple Leaf - 14 Oct, 2009

Life seen through a different lens. The times when you do lot more to get lot more without realising how much that actually costs!!! A Maple Leaf!!!

I left my bark, my tree, my life
I changed my colours to the very bright
I flew across to smell the grass
The grass was green on the other side
I landed on the bed, made so soft
The dew on me and the little sparkling light
A maple leaf the lives we live
Six months of sun and six months of strife
I always thought of the other side
I always felt it was the life
The six months of sun, I laughed and played
The other six months with the wind I swayed
It is only now I see the truth
My life, my tree, my bark, my roots
But now it is autumn, the time ain’t right
I need to wait to wage the fight
And then there will be the shinning sun
The time when I won’t be the only one
A maple leaf the lives we live
Six months of sun and six months of strife

Welcome Weekend!!!

The sight of a brown guy with unshaved beard, walking through the mall sure turns heads. Almost to the extent that you can read their thoughts – What the hell is this guy doing in my country? And realising that, I smile and think the same myself. Not one of the smartest, not one of the quickest and no where close to being good at studies, but just a little lucky sometimes. And that how this brown guy is here.

And then my thoughts go back to the week that has been and the reason for the unshaved beard. This particular week that was hectic by all means. A week full of customer meetings – a week when I attended none of them in person – a week full of small accidents and great learning. This week really tested my mettle. And this was only the first of it. Days started at 5:30 am to prepare for meetings, went on in a fashion where I was co-ordinating the logistics of the meeting, working on the materials for the meeting, attending the meeting (though remotely) and yes reaching to different people to get the work done for the next meeting. The day, which started at 5:30 am, ended at 12:00 am for 4 and half days. And finally the week just in time for me to get to the mall and turning heads. This was first week in North America where I had the faintest of clue what I was doing in this country far away from home.

And now it has ended or rather is ending in the most amazing fashion. It is ending with a host of Sidney Poitier movies lined up including ‘To Sir with Love’, the intention to finish a bottle of the famed BC red wine and the plan to cook some ‘Mallu style chicken fry’. It is also ending with the thought that somewhere in Mumbai lots of booze is stocked for the dry Saturday, somewhere in Bangalore a list is being made for the weekend family shopping and somewhere in Pune a ride is being planned.

Welcome Weekend!!!

Rainy Sunday - 2 months away from India

It is a dream day. I have always thought of a similar day while I was in India. It is raining outside. The usually clear blue skies are covered with clouds. The Sun has gone in hiding. And I am on the higher floor of one of the high rises here viewing this beautiful sight. I always thought this as an ideal setting for some hot chai and crisp bhajiyas (the chai is replaceable with a few beers).

But today is quite different. This day is still as beautiful as I have described it. The Chai is still, retaining its Indian flavour. There are no bhajiyas, but it doesn’t matter. What matters and makes the day different is the presence of friends to share the day with. The most essential and important part which makes the perfect day beautiful is the presence of friends. Without them, even the perfect the day losses its sheen. And that I realised only today.

Today, I have completed 2 months away from India. Time has gone pretty fast. It seems like I moved out of India only yesterday. I have been having my share of good fun here - From learning to eat Sushi with chopsticks, to tasting newer beers - From adjusting to sunlight till 10 in the night to wishing people good night at 3 in the afternoon, it has been a different experience. From climbing mountains to walking through gay streets (trust me, I was shit scared). I have been practising Salsa and all other forms of dance – I am sure my free style dancing would fit in some or the other form of dance. I have been churning great dishes (I tend to feel that I am a great cook-please ignore and don’t break the illusion). However, all this is quite different without friends. There is no fun in dancing alone – no matter how stupid I look while dancing. There is no fun in cooking without someone to cook for.

There are things which are dear and close to my heart which I haven’t been able to do here. Things like, going on crazy unplanned rides to gulping beers on golden beaches. The drunk parties in Mumbai to the ill-timed but frequent trips to Bangalore. Chicken Mussalam at Delhi Darbar and Fish fry & boiled rice at Thomas mess. The Hukka at home (courtesy Boka). Watching Lakshya for the nth time with Maadu, the stary nights at Khayati motors, drinking while watching world cup 2006 at Bacchus, going for Indian Ocean concert at Suatkal, first time at Downtown or the impromptu ride to Sula music fest. The trip to Bawa’s resort in Dahanu to sharing cigarettes to the annual parties at Naigaon. Somethings are meant to be done with friends – rather most things are and that’s what makes them the most memorable things in life. The days spent with friends.

Till the next time in for a wild party.

Cheers,
Rohan (having some local full bodied Shiraz red (don’t ask me what it means & listening to – Sabse piche hum khade!!!)

Columbusque Vasco - Experiences from a Journey new to me

11 June, 2009 - Leaving!!!
It was around Feb-Mar 2009, while on a quite family picnic, that I got a call from my boss offering me an International role. I jumped at the prospect as the role was much more than what i was doing then. While i took my parents and my girlfriend in confidence, i was also quietly firming up my mind on going for this assignment. This decision, as most in my life, was driven by my intuition. I had not paid a great deal of attention to every little nittie-gritty involved in such a move. It was more driven from the fact that deep inside I knew this was a good move.
My preparation for the move began on full scale. As things go, my trip got indefinitely delayed. By then all in my circle of knowledge had got to know about my movement. My individual thought process had revolved around the official challenges in the movement. In this process, i had not paid great attention to the people, places and things I would eventually miss. It is the last few days that were a real eye opener. I could see in my Mom's eyes how badly she was going to miss me. My Dad's words, though strong, had that whiff off, "Son take care and come back". I could feel the pain in each hug that i got from my girlfriend. But then i had made a choice to move and i had to do so.
Since college my life is divided in phases of 2 years. I worked at Onesource for 2 years. I was in Manipal (for MBA) for 2 years. I spent 2 years with Tata Comm India and here I was going on a International assignment for 2 years (atleast that is what was said) and this I was doing leaving behind all the things I cherished & loved so much. In all realms of logic, my decision seems a fantastic one but then life is lived much beyond logic & I wish the journey that i am begining has the positive impact on my life that i think it will.
Cheers!
Rohan

Love 'Bullet'

My first close interaction with the Bullet was in Manipal. It was a Standard 350 belonging to my roommate, Conrad’s uncle (also termed as my foster father). At first look, it seemed too old, to be able to bear the high spirits that was part of us. The black Standard had almost seen 2 decades and wasn’t taken for a long spin in sometime. But inspite of all this, the bike looked Royal - The look of the king of the jungle (in this case road).

The first ride on the bike was a revelation to me. Though old, the bike had only matured. It retained the power, attributed with the Bullets, while making the most melodies Thumps. The power that I experienced between my 2 legs was similar to riding a horse. It was like being in control of a wild beast. An absolute control on the raw power of the machine was a high in itself. I knew this was a relationship was going to last long.

Over a period of time, I started riding for longer durations and longer distances. Rides to Kapu (Virgin beach, Manipal) and Agumbe (what sunsets!!!) had become a regular affair. During one of these rides, I realized the pleasure of feeling the wind cutting across my face and body. The pure pleasure of having cold air run through your hair, your body getting chiseled with the coming breeze is heavenly. Further on, I went ahead and did many more rides with my gang in Manipal (Aparna, Anna, Condy, Ashwin and sometimes Boka). Riding every Sunday morning at a new location became a norm. And with every such ride my love for the Bullet kept growing. This then followed by my longest ride so far – Kerela, 2007. This was the best and the most memorable ride so far. These rides left me determined to pick up my own Bullet.

This prompted my gradual rise from a ‘Bullet lover’ to a ‘Bullet lover and owner’. We (my girlfriend is an equal owner and might kill me if I take the credit by myself) bought our first (so far) bullet, Electra 350 4S (kick start), in November, 2008. This was amongst or may be ‘THE’ last right hand gear shift Electra sold in Mumbai. The pre-conditions while buying were that it has to be a right hand gear shift with kick start and it has to have a similar THUMP. It was quintessential that the bike came as close to the Standard 350. After all, that was the bike that induced my love for Bullets.

Being a proud part owner of a bullet, I am sure, our experiences will be closely revolving around our Electra 350.

Cheers,

Ride Safe!!!