My Daddy

I recently read this in one of Chetan Bhagat's latest novels (2 States - if my memory serves me right). "The world celebrates the mother and the child, but daddies are needed as well". So what better day to write to one's daddy if not on a Father's day. Looking back down all those years, I owe one big bow to my daddy - for making me who I am and making me capable of what I can do today and may be on many tomorrows.

Since my childhood, I have seen my daddy as a person of great reserve - he never danced with me sitting on his head (like I do, and like he does today with my son :-)) but at the same point of time, he never ever let me feel unloved or uncared for, not even for a single moment. A person of great determination and mental strength, my dad stands by me - even to this day - like the Chinese Wall. If there is one person in this whole wide world that believes in me cent percent, then that's my dad for you.

Dad, I thank you for the staunch support you've shown me when I needed it the most, and the joys you've shared with me. Its easier to form a bond with one's mother - as has been the case with me as well - but the dad - son relationship is one that remains subtle, but very strong. I realize this today when even a single 7,919 miles-long distance-holler from my son over the phone or vcon diverts all my attention towards him.

This is one relationship, that needs to be cherished - with utmost care and respect - on father's day or any other day.

I love you dad - you are my hero

Waka Waka Eh Eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa...This time for africa

The FIFA 2010 anthem reminds me of the drumbeats during the Durga Pujas.....give me freedom give me fire.....what an amazing way this WC is progressing - so many upsets, so many performances and non-performances....I, like millions and millions across the globe, am curious to see the final outcome, will that be Germany, will that be Uruguay, Netherlands, or the underdogs of this year's games, Spain? The ouster of Brasil and Argentina has been shocking for too many...but then - trying to be a bit philosophical - life's so full of uncertainties. What matters is the ones who remain in the game, and the ones who finally lift the cup.

Go....Go....Golf !

There could not have been a better time for my initiation into this "gentleman's game"....with the US Open Golf tourney underway at Pebble Beach Calif. (incidentally very near to my first home in the States), I thought this is it...lets go golfing. So there I was....up at 5:30 AM on a Saturday morning, after a verry late Friday night, all geared up for my first "putt". It was a brisk 20 minutes drive to Tara Greens Golfing Center at Somerset NJ (Had my breakfast at McDonalds en route after a long long time....). Me and my friend Ambareesh rented a Golf Cart (my first experience at driving a golf cart too :-)) and at 7:30 in the morning, we were ready for our first tee-off. So here I go, my first shot (drive?) and I manage to scrape some soil off the neatly maintained "green". Did that again on my second shot....that made my partner a bit nervous...as people were queuing up behind us, he took some quick decisions in letting them go first :-)...but then that was that. After that it was either me hitting the ball nicely or completely missing it (fewer occasions though)....all it took was some advice from Ambareesh about forgetting cricket and changing my stance. For a rank outsider for the game whose golf knowledge was limited to Tiger Woods and his feats on and off the green, I was quick enough to understand the different types of irons (it always made me curious when people spoke about a 3 iron and a 9 iron), the driver and what it does and of course the putting iron. And did I forget about the Par and the Handicap ? Oh well, I know 'em all now....I was also made aware that since this was a "gentleman's game", there are many more "don'ts" than "do's" so as to be able to remain a perfect gentleman throughout the course of the game (Thanks again Ambareesh :-)). Anyways, I enjoyed it a lot today and hope to go back to the course soon.....will let y'all know how it goes the next time. Cheers, and BFN

Lets get started !

Yeah ! Its been quite a while that I am toying with this idea of becoming a blogger - glad that an able to eke some time out to key in my first few lines....hoping to sharpen my writing ax in the next few (days, months, years ???? god only knows)....but irrespective of that, am really loving it as I sit in the middle of the night talking to myself digitally :) This post is a post of hope, a hope that I would be able to put my thoughts together, neatly organized in my own and personal Blogger-Safe. This is also a reminder post, when I'd look at it in future - near to distant, it'd urge me to write, and write more....so to sum it up for ye all, I am ready to write, and believe me, am gonna enjoy every bit of it :-)