Life Begins At 40

Last month I turned 40. A significant milestone for a baby that many thought would not survive and the doctor just took a chance to slap the baby’s buttock gently to see if there was life in it. Over the course of this eventful life, would have cheated death four times. Each time more complex than the other and somehow by the grace of God and consulting physicians, I made it so far.

Have always been the person who would be prompt in wishing an online acquaintance on their birthday or anniversary. Friends and relatives in real life too would always marvel at me remembering dates and wishing them.

Last year, I decided to delete my Facebook and Instagram accounts, as I was spending way too much time on them and it was turning into an addiction of sorts. Restricting myself to Twitter for any major updates, it has served me well. What I realized that being absent on the two major social media networks resulted in the sum total of exactly seven people wishing me on my birthday. Of these three were my sister, my younger maternal aunt, and my elder maternal uncle.

So, I was wondering if social media is a diary of sorts that helps people remember dates and helps them wish acquaintances / friends on their significant days? Don’t know. Perhaps yes! Who knows, people may just wonder, what’s the point in wishing this guy, it will just lead to more conversations, why to waste valuable time! No complaints at all. Just observations on how Facebook has become such a big element of the lives of people.

So what did I do? I took a train to Bengaluru, attended a book launch, met my friend T.G. Shenoy, the good folks at the Bookworm store, and then stayed at my childhood friend from Calcutta’s house. He has now settled in Bengaluru. He surprised me with a birthday cake. It was completely unexpected and it made me emotional, as I thought of our shared childhood. Of playing gully cricket, our obsession with the LBW rules, intense dislike for Maths, love for puchka, rolls, and cutlets, and watching cricket matches on the old Keltron TV at our Behala house. Somehow those memories will always stay in our minds.

Bought a lot of books at Bookworm, also visited Blossom and got some books, returned home the next day, again by train. I was wondering if a post titled “40 Lessons on Turning 40” would be worth it, but then I decided against it. Every journey is unique, lessons that I learnt may not apply to you and vice-versa.

Grateful for everything. A job that helps pay the bills, food to eat, books to read, movies to watch, life goes on.

They say “Life begins at 40.” Let us see what changes this year brings in its course. Excited, curious, hopeful, and grateful for everything that is meant to happen.

Till we meet again – cheers!

Flipkart Outdoors Meet Organised by Indiblogger

As I keep saying again and again, brands have just forgotten Chennai!

So what do we poor folk to do?

Hop on to a bus or train and reach the events held in Bengaluru.

Thanks to Twitter King Sarath Babu – our to and fro travel was by train booked via Tatkal – cost worked out to Rs 750 a head.

Friday night we boarded the train and we got down at Bengaluru Cantonment East and proceeded to walk towards Ulsoor Lake. Sarath having worked in Bengaluru for over eight years was quite familiar with the route. We stopped for coffee and bun at a small tea shop that was also serving piping hot idlies and sambar with vadas at 445 in the morning. Tempted to demolish a plate but held back 🙂

We walked to the Lake talking of life in general and it was great fun to hear Sarath talk about his life-experiences. It was an inspiring talk and I took a lot of lessons from my time with him. Relaxed at the Lake, captured pics of a sun-rise and made friends with jai and Veeru two strays who immediately wanted to be petted by me. I don’t know how this happens but I find it easier to communicate with doggies than humans. No wonder I am 34 and still hopelessly single 🙂

 

Proceeded to our pick-up point, first folks onto the IndiBus and we then went to the Ganapathi Temple and waited for other members to join. Good darshan of Shani Bhagavan and Maha Ganapathi. Then our trip started and we picked up other bloggers on the way.

Reached Mango Mist Resort at Harpanahalli Village on the Bannerghata Road. The interior roads were narrow but we managed to reach the resort.

The resort is quite spacious, some work still seems to be going on but no complaints. Breakfast was buffet type with a mix of South Indian food, corn flakes, choco flakes, bread, butter and jam. Namakku idli dhan mukkiyam. Idlies, sambar (so-so) and peanut chutney (brilliant). Choco flakes in vanilla milkshake 🙂

Met Guru ji Suresh Sir – surprised to see newly engaged Rajesh – the man who knew infinity at the resort! Had a good chat with Suresh Sir and Radha ma’m the two of them authored a great book along with Karthik Sir – “Sirens Spell Danger.”

Then the IB Team announced the agenda for the day we were split into teams and we visited stalls which had various products. Altec Lansing, Go Pro, Sony, Red Chief Shoes, Polaroid, Garmin, Samsung S2, Coleman trekking gear. Half the bloggers vanished to God knows where after breakfast!!!

Sony Cameras

There were also various events like shooting, archery, fish-spa aqua, land and water zorbing, rope-walking between two trees, rock-climbing, etc…

Twitter contests were also running. Some pics from various activities:

Pooja, Abhishek, Seema, Priya, Asha and yours truly after tent assembling 🙂 – I don’t have the video that I shot 😦

Pooja and Seema after land-zorbing 🙂

Lunch was good! Mocktail coupon was utilized with extra cash to consume a potent cocktail!!! Yes – Change is the only constant!!!

Smart-Watches from Garmin

Paintball consumed the rest of the day – by a quirk of fate we were eliminated when we were well within our rights to continue with the battle. Though the event judge stood by our team, IB team used their discretionary powers “On Calling Kill” and we had to bow out!! But it was good fun!! Next battle we will go better prepared!

By 5 pm we wound up for the day – said good byes and proceeded back to the point where our day started. Got down at Ulsoor – had dinner at Mast Kalandar and reached the station. Next morning safe and sound at home! All is well!! Thanks Indiblogger, Flipkart and all the brands that came in to the party!