Wondrous Happenstance

I met my old pals from previous workplace 3G by pure chance yesterday evening. I was taking my evening walk down the seashore when I noticed a surd with a sx4 who looked familiar. As a went closer I noticed a girl along with. But it was not till I actually passed them that I was taken by surprise. My colleagues from 3G Anupam and Disha had come to get some fresh air all the way from Andheri and what a coincidence I happen to be taking my walk around there.

Its rather odd that we never met while we were working around the same place in the city but had to go out miles away to let chance happen to us. Annu and DT ( as we call them)later dropped in to my place for a cup of tea served with updates on our team members and workplace, though DT preferred biscuits with water! None of them have changed much -DT the same chirpy girl (what a ruckus she creates!) and annu always game for some fun! I still remember the last time we went out to silent hill resort in Bhavya’s blue Zen (Yeah! we played “who lamhe” repeatedly till we reached Mumbai on the return journey) and that was the latest I ever had a outing. Those memories coming back in torrents has made me desperate for an picnic now.

My pal Prakash

Its 0545 hrs and I was travelling to office when my phone buzzed. The Caller ID flashed an Incoming call from Prakash. Surprisingly I asked “what the hell are you doing at this hour”, considering that he works from 1730 to 0230 he should be dead asleep! “cooking “ comes the reply “I am starved”. “talking to her after a grueling 9 hour shift seems to make you hungry” I said laughing. “ya! it does and leaves me a pauper as well” he says. We continued with a few updates and making a few plans for the weekend after which we hungup.

I met Prakash in EDS a year after joining the company, since he worked mostly the night shifts (He’s a veteran of the Night shift). He’s a very quiet person, one may take him to be shy, but as you interact with him you’d know that he’s mighty cool headed and down-to-earth. We initially never spoke but later on I worked with him and be became the best of friends. We have mutual friends and share common interests that gel us up, we later ended up managing the night and morning shifts all by ourselves for months together!

Prakash has changed tremendously from being the fat-huge guy on the Bullet to the lean guy on a Bullet. His marriage is fixed in a couple of months and has to juggle work and home(since his parents are at native place) not to mention talking to his fiancé after work (who talks nineteen to a dozen all at one go, my poor friend has to keep listening and pay for the phone bill too….grrrrrrr) Though our shifts are different now we manage to meet on weekends at friends place(he has a tremendous appetite and his tank has always space for more). I am looking forward to attend his marriage in December this year.

Happy Friendship Day

Hi!!
My warmest friendship day wishes to all....

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advise, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares".

.....Henri Nouwen

Dragon on the Air Waves

I have been a keen listener to The BBC World Service ever since 1997 (i followed the World Service's coverage on Lady Diana's death and funeral). Every time i have nothing to do or am having food i switch on the radio set and tune to the BBC on the SW channel.Its just not the news but also some other programmes like oneplanet,over to you, world drama, digital planet, travel guide and Have your say which give insight to things around the world and is a palce to interact with people from everywhere sharing thoughts.
Recently i have felt that tuning to the world service is like finding a needle in a haystack. The most clear and prominent broadcaster is CRI.They have a similar theme and the male presenter sounds a bit british. Its a perferct copy if you remove the branding. Everything is the same except thats its broadcast from china. the only flaw is that if you listen to the female presenter closely you will immediately spot the differrence. The have a similar topic of discussion each day (just like FM channels have in Bombay). Yesterday i spent 15 minutes changing radio stations to search for the BBC (the SW keeps changing as the time changes) and finally gave up as my lunch had gotten cold.I hogged the food and shook my head. The Chinese dragon sure is growling and spiting fiery darts on the airwaves.What next?

My Favourite Boots

Probably the only thing I have been in love with and have got loyalty in return for a very long time are my Favourite Boots.
Way back in the year 2000 when I was in the Naval NCC and had been to a camp in Ratnagiri I had exchanged my boots with another’s (as his were too tight for him). That’s how I come to be the owner of these boots and no doubt I have used them roughly and perhaps overused as well. These DMS boots have very soft upper leather and great rubber soles that still haven’t cracked. Three years ago the boots tore at then seams and at the joints of the sole and leather. Since I did not have any other boots I got them mended and continued using them. They still are the one I would prefer for long journeys as they are comfy. I am so used to them that I don’t feel I am wearing any shoes, they are a part of me and I feel light, specially while traveling by train in the rush, they give a perfect grip on all surfaces and protect my legs.
I find it hard to part with my shoes and I know that its harder to find a good replacement for them but anyways I have realized that everything has its time and nows the time to retire my best boots! So the hunt has begun and I hope to get a pair soon, however whatever replaces them I will never forget these old, loyal and comfortable Boots!

Hell Is Forever

Recently i visited aunt Sybil who has shifted to interface heights behind Dmart in malad. Shes been my guide and wellwisher (more about her later) whose family has been my family friends since 1990.So aunt sybil told me of seven columbian youth who had a vision where they were taken by our Lord Jesus Christ and shown Hell (i googled it and found that they were infact taken to heaven and hell). I read through the entire testimony and that really got me thinking which led to further soul searching and clearing of ideas.
I'll quote here a few sentences from the testimony.
"....Worms were coming in and out of their empty eye sockets, mouths, and ears; and were penetrating the skin all through their bodies....."
"...there were demons tormenting him, constantly piercing him with their spears. .......... They were about 3 feet tall and had very sharp teeth. Blood came out of their mouths and their eyes were completely red...."
what hit me hard is - Hebrews 10:26-27 :"For if we go on sinning willfully after acquiring the knowledge of the truth, there is no longer left any sacrifice for sins, but some dreadful anticipation of judgment and of a fierce fire that is to devour those who oppose God."
The Bible tells us, "The wages of sin is death" "the soul that sins will die." (Romans 6:23) (Ezekiel 18:20).Make no mistake, God will not be mocked. What a person sows, he will reap."
Today you have the great opportunity to change your eternal destiny. Jesus is still available now, and the Bible says that while we have life we also have hope. Today you have life, don't miss this opportunity, it can be the last one!
Read the entire testimony here

Saved Again!!

Again i have been saved from certain Death in a accident.

Thank you lord Jesus Christ!

I have been traveling in company vehicle for years now and have never been personally involved in any kind of accident while going or returning from work.But there's always a first time for everything and this was so.Its still fresh in my mind ...took place just hours ago while coming to work and luckily haven't even got a scratch.

I woke up rather late (at 0450 hrs instead of 0400) and hurriedly got ready as the cab was already waiting for me.The Driver had come quiet early and gone off to sleep in the car with the car AC on. I somehow woke him and we left for office at 0510 hrs. He was driving half asleep and wasn't able to negotiate turns however i though that the sleep would wear off as time passed by.On the way there was a sharp "L" turn that is dangerous and he was unable to judge the bend. i was in the front passenger seat with my window glass rolled down, everything happened so quickly that there was no time to react and i was a mere spectator to the incident as if i wasn't there. The car brushed a tree on the left and missed actually going off road it then severed right and instead of taking the left turn went straight in to a tree off the road. Thankfully he severed left again narrowly missing a huge mango tree and the car came to a halt just beside the road on the wrong side.This had made a loud noise and lights went on in the nearby house, the driver was fully awake by now. I had gotten off the car and walked a few feet away completely dazed.
(to be honest i found my hands shivering a bit) I asked the driver to get out and check the car. It seemed to be fine and then he was able to get it back on the road. 2 people woken up by the rukus had come to investigate. Sensing that there would be undue attention i asked the driver to continue after i thanking the onlookers for their concern.

Accident

On Sunday as I was returning home on my Activa at 18:16 hours I had an accident (There’s always a first time for everything). I was keeping left and thinking about something when I went off road in to the barbwire along the road. As I crashed into the fence my bike fell on the right side. The side of the vehicle was scratched on the right but my Left leg was torn by the iron fence. My skin was scratched at more than 20 places and just above the ankle a 1&1/2 inch deep and 5 inch long wound was dripping with blood. My first thought after I looked at my leg was I can’t go home alone I need help, meanwhile a passing biker had turned to help me and a few other people had gathered. I called home to inform and asked a piece of cloth to tie my thigh to minimize blood loss. One of the onlooker recognized me and lifted me up and picked my bike. He later with the help of others made me sit on the bike and took me to the hospital. While being attended at the hospital I frantically called my colleague Prakash to inform and told him to work in my place for the next two days. The nurses washed my wound and took an X-ray which confirmed that there was no fracture(thanks God)! There was a minor operation and my wound was stitched, I was later sent home.

Friendship Wishes

To my Dear Renita,

I prefer not to wait for an appropriate moment,

to tell you how much i value our friendship.

Though we have differrent lifestyles,

we share common thoughts.

We have a world of our own,

but we still are best friends.

I just want to say .............

Thanks for being my friend.

I sincerely wish the best of life for you.

Remember that theres a friend for you

whenever and wherever

And i'd be simply delighted

to be your Friend Forever!

Your friend Richlyn

Many Happy returns of the day

I just celebrated my birthday on 15th of February. It was a pretty low key affair. I called Malisa, Renita and Devendar to tea as they were the only ones who called to wish me. Devendar came while Malisa gave a flying visit but Renita turned up on the 27th...better late that never. I thank you all for remembering my birthday and also for the thoughtful gifts.