Bombay - Day 1

My first day of work in Bombay would be incomplete without a blog entry. Since I know so many of you are interested in knowing how it went, one more reason to write!

Day 1 in Bombay I have to say was quite fun. Just Bombay, not the office. I've never traveled so much to reach my work place and I think after a week here, I probably never will again(I'm going to find a place closer to work).

The office, frankly was okay. I'm not very impressed, but I shall try not to be quick to judge (it's so difficult, God help me!). The details (with expletives) will be given in a subsequent post (as you are already aware) if things remain as they seemed today.

P.S. The weather in Bombay is not half as bad as I was told it would be. I traveled at 4:00 in the afternoon, so I know.

The temptation and the boredom

I've been so bored these last couple of days that I don't think I can even come up with a simile for it. But here's how bad it is - my mother told me that I should get out of the house for a while. That, is a very bad sign. I can't wait to start work!

The other thing is that I was controlling the temptation to write another post since I don't really have anything meaningful to say (as you may have already figured). But then I realised, this is MY BLOG and I will write whatever, whenever!

I haven't gone to Bombay to look for a house yet. Being bored always gets me kind of lethargic. I need to figure out a place soon. But as always, I have a plan B. So, as always I'm not in a mad rush.

The rest is good!

P.S. Manchester United is back on top in the premiership. I've been saying this to my Chelsea supporting (idiot) brother-in-law for the last 5 months that we would be. That's been the high point of the last 6 days. That and Mumbai Indians.

Also..

.. the maximum I've ever written on my blog in a single month ever since I started a year ago..

This is my 9th post in March 2010 and there have been many inspirations! Obviously my new job winning by a yard but it does not mean it was the most important. No?

Last night was at Vikram's office. I'm so proud of him that I can't even say it to his face. My belief in him is advocated by many but I must tell everyone this. He'll stand by me no matter what. I know this for a fact. Even if I'm I'm an ass.. he'll be there. He won't necessarily agree with me, but he won't leave me alone. And that's why sometimes the work he does (which I have no clue about), I can sit back and pass judgement on. He won't change, but he'll think about it. If he did change, he won't be him!

If Vik, they try to change your thoughts - they are stupid! If they agree with you - they're still stupid! If they work with you.. I'll may be respect them! Be as you are, cause you've inspired this one year of writing!

Here's our answer from that dining table talk!

Irrititation..

Honestly, sometimes you can know people that do not have a single irritating thing about them. You do not have to love them (and you can also).

Is it really so important to find something you dislike about a person you like? Or, is it mandatory to build a thought about how eventually you'd dislike someone? I do not know yet if in the long run I'll change this opinion of mine, but right now I'm pretty sure there are some people that are just fine.

Yes.

P.S. Please don't judge me!!!!

NICE!

I almost forgot about this one and it's certainly worth some space on the blog!!

The other day I was at the hospital for a medical check-up waiting to get a blood test done! The doctor was this old (probably Parsi) lady (The hospital was Ruby Hall - almost everyone is Parsi there) who asked me to keep my file on the table to the side. I ran up a quick conversation with her after which she said, "Since Martin you have such a charming face, I will put you through next".

Cool shit!! Who the man?? Reminds me of the other incident. I guess compliments are something you can never get used to. It always feels good!

Also, today is the first day in the last 6 years where I do not have a job! I don't start in Bombay till Monday next. It feels good to be a waste!

Pune has got it's own IPL team. I'm sure there isn't one person that reads my blog that gives a shit about it!

That's all for now. More wasted ramblings will follow soon..

It's wrong.. Sooo wrong!!

What if you've wanted to do something for really long but didn't have the balls to pull it off when you could? What if you do finally get a chance at doing it and the timing is just so damn wrong (not according to you necessarily)? What if it meant that somehow your life may never be the same again? What if it is so wrong but that you've wanted it and it's so special to you that you believe it is right?

Does this make you a bad person? What would you do if the opportunity presented itself at a rather awkward time? But you know that you may never have the opportuinity again so you grab it with both hands. Should you forget and move on? Should you act like it never happened? Should you stand up to it and face the consequences of your actions like a man? Sad thing is - it's not your choice!

P.S. First, I've asked a lot of questions here. Answers are most welcome!
Second, I'm not explaining this post. So don't ask!

3 days!

That's what is left of my work in Pune. Strange thing is I'm not so excited. I know at least one person who would always complain about how I was never excited about things. The truth is, I usually am - I just don't express it like others do. But in this case I'm sure there is no excitement, only a whole load of apprehension.

Also, this whole thing of not getting paid is leaving me feeling very insecure. Borrowing has never been my thing and now with the rent, deposit, moving charges (the society apparently charges you to move in), buying stuff, it's all freaking me out at some very minuscule level. It is freaking me out nevertheless. What helps is that the apartment is like a 10 minute walk from office. It is also smaller than some of the kitchens of the houses I've lived in (in Bombay it is considered a mid-size I'm told. In Delhi it would be criminal to live there!). No more fancy - only reality now!

I'm happy that I can come home over the weekends and some of the people who've worked with Maersk tell me that it's very laid back. "If you fire in you belly, move out in about a year", they said. Whatever with the fire and the belly (I wonder if that part was a personal remark) but I know this is going to be a challenge I've wanted to face for a long time (Living in Bombay, not working in Maersk).

All I need to now do, is find the closest wine shop!

P.S. Of late I've started receiving a lot of reminders to join facebook. Anyone know how I can get rid of those? Please mail me or leave the solution in the comment section of my blog (better still - use the damn phone).

Which means I'm still going to be "an obstinate mule".

Coincidence.. on the bus

I traveled to Bombay and back in about 10 hours (from the time I left home to the time I reached back). And for the first time I lived the dream of having a person of the opposite sex travel with you. Twice. Yes, a girl sat next to me on my way to Bombay and back! This is the first and second for me.

Strangely, my experience was very similar both times.

Both girls started a random conversation, both pulled out their "pocket mirror" (I'm sure there is a chick jargon for that damn thing) and checked themselves out before they talked to me and both acted hapless about putting their bags on top.

Eventually, both women were talkative, though I tried very hard to sleep.. both of them checked their nails a hundred times.. and both had no idea of how the seat is pulled back to "sleep". Also, both women were wearing perfume that I think I can guess correctly given three chances.

On my part - I'd not slept since the previous afternoon and since I was in that situation, for some reason I was extremely conscious. Which means at the time of writing this, I have not slept for almost 36 hours now.

Too much coincidence for one man.

P.S. Both of them were strikingly ugly. The kind you notice from a mile away and pray they are not seated next to you.

Coming Up..

..coincidence on the bus..

It's going to be worth it!!

Under-rated!

I think I've under rated myself way too often in last one year. Suddenly, now that I'm leaving I have so much energy that most people working with me are surprised! It's the security of not being dependant on something. It's the security of being yourself!

It's good! It's all good..

P.S. Happy anniversary to Rami and I. Two years and she rocks beyond belief! Like I said.. eventually.. It's good.. it's all good!!

My best friend's wedding.

I wonder what took me so long to write this. Let's just say I've been busy living my life.

Gona and Sonali got married on the 16th of Feb. I'm glad I was there. The way things were working out, I was very close to missing it. I missed Tarun's wedding (not that it stopped him from getting married) and I think he would have liked me to be there.

Gona was always the most sorted of us (Vikram, him and I). I'm not surprised that he was the first to take a nose-dive into marital bliss (hopefully). Back in the days all of us had something or another going for us. It made us stand out from the rest. Gona was the type that stood out among people that stand out. I remember thinking that all people have atleast one flaw. Not him. While I have wasted many years with very little to show for, he had his goals set very clearly in front of him (being a footballer may have helped a little here though). Now soon he'll have his own family. Awesome Gona!

Gona also happens to be one of the few close friends of mine that doesn't follow my blog and that I guess helps right now.

I don't think seeing Gona get married affected me in any way. I didn't feel wierd or anything. Maybe when Vikram gets married I will throw that fit! I'm actually sure I will.

Sonali and Gona, All the best for your life!

P.S. I've now known Gona for 17 years. That - is disturbing! :)

It's over!

I've quit my job, finally! After all those months of whining about it. I now go to Bombay (oh sorry MNS.. Mumbai) to join Maersk!

3 1/2 years have gone by quickly. When I look back now, I realise it wasn't so bad after all. I landed myself the most coveted job in a BPO (no, not the CEO) and have certainly learned a lot more than I would have in any other role.

My company did not take it too well though (at least that's what it looked like). It started of quite well actually. My boss, the gentle person that he is, was okay with me leaving. His boss was not. So I had to go through a couple of rounds of retention talk, which I must admit was very tempting and still is and I think I will still stick to my decision of leaving.

Now I need to look for a place to stay in Mumbai and I only get my next salary in the begining of May and considering that the last time I got paid was in the begining of Feb - it sucks! But the final dues should be a whole load of money and the wait is worth it.

It's a new begining. I hope it's as good as I imagine it to be.