*knock* *knock*
Who's there???
It's I... Rithish... It's my birthday... You asked me to remind you... remember???
oh.. well.. yeah... thanks bub... now lose yourself...
*slam*

Well !!! In stark contrast to most years, there is an overwhelming wealth of wishes flowing in this time. It could be 'cos -

1. my friends-list has grown in number.
2. my old friends have somehow managed to remember my birthday this year.
3. everyone is using the latest in birthday reminders (aka orkut).

I will force myself to believe it's the former two, and not the latter as it goes well in pumping my ego. ;o) I am one shy of thirty now (I know.. I know.. But I look and act as if am just outta college), but somehow can't get myself to believe that I will be entering middle-age next year. geez... Isn't there any difference? Maybe there is... Maybe not... I will tell you in a decade... I will know by then...

There is another who shares a birthday with me... none other than my vroomer... My bike turns two today (I know॥ I know.. But he looks brand new)। Guess his secret is that he likes taking women for a ride.. **pun unintended**

Today is one of those days in the year, that I contemplate the days gone by... and myriad thoughts flow... remember the people who have helped me be effervescent... and those whom I would love kicking in the face (I know॥ I know.. am a sadist)। Today is one of those days that come what may, you will not be able to wipe that silly grin off my face... :o)

Mate... How will I wish you, if you don't remind me about your birthday??? And how can I congratulate you, if I don't know where you are joining???

I am joining MPhasis next month and this is going to be my last week in Tally (I know.. I know.. you feel like ramming a brick down my throat). I completed four years in Tally on the 17th of March... four years... four wonderful years... It has been a great journey till now... the wind is in the sails... the sea is calm ahead... the horizon beckons... and so I continue...

I have six honest serving men, who taught me all I know. they are - Who, What, When, Why, Where and How.

My blogs usually dwell on stuff like what the-girl-next-door-wore-for-the-party-tonight or how-much-I-enjoyed-kicking-the-9-out-of-her-boyfriend... Real sadistic stuff that most of my sadistic friends enjoy much reading about... ;o) This time however, I will not tread the trodden path... Hence, my friends, be forewarned that you may be in danger of sleeping off in front of the monitor... Continue at your own peril...

I list down some of the notions that the world in general has, and what I think of them...

1. Most people quit companies because of their managers...
   
   Is that the right way to perceive it? No... I definitely don't think so... Let us do a simple analysis... If you quit, who is going to lose?
   
   (A) Definitely your company... It would take them much time and money to replace any individual.
   (B) Definitely you... You have built yourself, built your contacts, gathered respect in the company brick-by-brick... To rise to that level again, in a new company, from scratch, is a tall task indeed...
   (C) Definitely NOT your manager... Your manager is as much an employee of this company, as you are... Today, he is managing you... Tomorrow, there will be another...
   
   Bottomline : Is it worth risking the loss 'cos of your manager? For Chrissakes, Do Something... Talk to your manager... Change your team... Shift to a different project... Do something... But don't QUIT with that reason...
   
   
2. People want to join the military force 'cos they want to serve the country...
   
   One can serve the country better by becoming a teacher... The noblest profession in this planet...
   
   Bottomline : Sheer nonsense...
   
   
3. Bips looks hotter than Ash in DHOOM-2...
   
   Bottomline : I absolutely concur...
   

Well!!! The last one did have a sadistic touch... ;o)

2222 days... since I started my bachelor days away from home... 2222 days.... since I came down to Bengalooru... 2222 days.... six years and odd.... since I passed out of college... I am growing old... old... is something that my friend likes growing... he isn't getting promoted 'cos he does not look old enough... that cracks me up... really... he is growing other things now... not carrots and tomatoes in the backyard... but on his face, neck and chest... a lot of hair... like King Kong... kings get invited to dance a lot... once I got invited too... not that I am a king... I had to politely decline... 'cos I dance like an elephant... little does she know that... would have trampled her feet to glory... but I dance better than I cook... now you know how good my cooking is... that should dissuade you from accepting my invitations... if I ever invite you that is... I only cook sumptuous food... lots of carbos... and nutrients... and minerals... and what-not... the easiest food a bachelor can make... and have... Maggi of course...

I must be cracking up... that too you must have gathered by now... and concur...

There are movies which I remember because of an actor's talent; some linger for the dialogues or the songs; and some remain etched in my memory because it is made on some touching incident. Rarely, have I seen a movie that stands on itself. Where the actors do not maketh the movie; but the movie would have been just as wonderful, irrespective of who would have enacted those characters. Rarely, have I seen a movie, that has a telling moral, and delivers it with such perfection. Rarely, have I seen a movie, that makes people want to 'do good'. Rarely, have I seen a movie so pure. Rarely... Munna Bhai... Lage Raho...

And then there are movies that have sent a chill through my spine... Made me gag and puke at the same time... Movies that are named as comedies, but turn out to be scarier than the worst horror-flicks... Movies, that keep your eyes riveted to the screen, for you are in disbelief that something like this can happen... Movies that need to be commended and saluted... For almost making me have second thoughts about marriage... Salaam Namaste...

Heroes... Some have one.. Some are one.. But most fail miserably trying to be one..

Its been 10220 days since I set foot on this planet, ( for the math ignorant, if you divide that value by 365 it means you will get a positive value of 28. It also means that today is my birthday... ) and I have had my share of heroes.. Heroes whom I have looked up to... Heroes who have lived life as I would have wanted to live... Some real... Some fictious... Most have risen and fallen in my eyes as I have grown... But two of them hold forte like a shining beacon...

India is a cricket-crazy country. It makes Gods of some, and villians of others... Rarely does it make a hero. Maybe 'cos heroes can't be made. They become. HE did not burst into the arena as a lad with extraordinary capabilities and talent... HE neither had the graceful touch of an artist nor the power of a battering ram... All HE had was an awareness of his strengths and his weaknesses. He focussed on his strengths, till his weaknesses meant no more... HE focussed.. and focussed.. and focussed.. HE rose in stature... HE rose, to become one of the most accomplished and dependable batsman of this era. I admire him not for what HE has acheived, but for what HE is.. HE is my hero..
HE is Rahul Dravid... The WALL...

Criminals break a cold sweat when HIS name is uttered... HIS name is spoken in hushes in the higher circles. HE is feared.. But HE has no fear... HE is not from an alien planet... Neither does HE posess unnatural powers... HE is completely human... One who has risen above others with sheer grit and character... Rage drives HIM. Fear is HIS weapon. As a kid, HE watched his parents being shot by a mugger. HE pledged to rid his city of the vermins. HE leads the life of a billionaire as an alter-ego. HE has the power to buy and do anything in the world. It needs exemplary character to do what HE does.. to be what HE is.. to make people fear to do bad... He does not do good for mankind. HE only fights crime... and HE does it for HIMSELF... To quell the rage burning in HIM... Doing good is only an outcome... HE has earned my respect as a hero..
HE is Bruce Wayne... The BATMAN...