Rise from the void

Drifter's rise from the void, Day 11

Arjun seems like he has lost it completely today. He has been skipping his lunch for the last four days, straight. And the fool just could not do one thing perfectly. You know, the plan was to go get his license today (Learner's). He left to the RTO, but before that he went out and collected his phone at work (remember no phones allowed, he complained) from the locker, noticed that he had received an email he quickly opened it and read it. He was so engrossed in reading it that he forgot to pick his bag which had all the documents in it. He kept reading the email again and again to understand what it meant and by the time he did that for the third time, he reached the parking lot. He got on his bike, double checked the parking ticket given to him by the Security but did not bother about his bag. On his way, he did not ride the bike the usual way, he was lost in thoughts. He slowly moved on the road, allowing the traffic to overtake and did not notice the usual stares he received (even though he is shy and turns his face away upon such stares, he would usually enjoy this attention). In no time, he reached the RTO and only then did he realize his stupidity. He did NOT GET THE FREAKING DOCUMENTS!! Job is going to be postponed yet again! The single most important job!! Moron!!!

Since he was already here at the RTO, he went to the KTM Service station and even before he could explain (in his usual boring and lengthy way) what the problem was, he was interrupted by the Service engineer who asked "So, you mean to say the rear view mirror vibrates a lot?" To which he said yes, and the service engineer checked and confirmed that the whole piece needs to be replaced and that they could not fix it even temporarily, for the mirror in the panel is loose. So, he will have to manage the trip with a noisy, rather strong one at that, vibrating rear view mirror. This is not the worst part of his short trip now - On his way, Mr. Fool decided upon something (He blames it on me!) and he almost did it. He was very close to doing it. Even I was shocked to see how easy it was for me to make him do it. But I barely tried. It was as if he was waiting to do it. He slowed his bike completely down, almost stopped it. He was ready to put his feet on the ground; he took the right one of the brake pedal… I was happy that he was doing it. I think it would mean a lot to him, but the fool is too stupid to realize it (or maybe I am too ignorant to understand the severity of the consequences). And… while his foot was mid-air, almost touching the ground only then did he realize that it is not the right thing to do. And he immediately pulled open the throttle and the machine did the rest for him. I constantly pushed him until we crossed that Mc Donald's where I again became strong only to lose yet again… another failed attempt to make or break his life. He is strong. I have to give him that. But how strong will he be? There is always a tomorrow. ;)

I am so looking forward for the road trip now!

The Drifter

The (Boring) Checklist

 

Two days ago, while I was just about to wake up from my nap which I take on any typical lazy Sunday afternoon, I heard a text alert on my phone. I immediately opened my eyes fully for I was half asleep, and quickly searched for my phone and checked to see who it was. And voila! There it was. It was a WhatsApp message and… it was an image. It was special because it was from my dear kid brother – Maddy.

You know, my kid brother is now somewhere on an island. And we haven't heard from him for almost 2 weeks now. Did I ever mention?! He is in the Navy - a submariner, he is. He sent me this picture of his, dressed up like a commando and holding a… gun! (Yes, knowing my love for guns, he does that every time to make me regret my life choices) The only time when I would like to trade jobs with him is when I see pictures like this – A beautiful island in the back ground while he carries a seriously big gun with nice cool shades on, making him look like a spy of sorts! Only then, otherwise I love my job – Now, who pays you in lakhs to check your emails and write blogs, eh? I mean people at my job do make me work hard at times but that's the whole point of paying you so much, right? They give you so many leaves when you'd like and when they make you work you at least get to see some very cute girls all around. Now, that doesn't happen with Maddy... and I send him pictures of me with girls at the first opportunity I get. But of course, my work won't send me to any tropical island… provide me with some nice meaty guns and ask me to shoot at all those CPUs, monitors and files that are on my desk! :( Okay, back to the point now. Basically, after looking at my kid brother's picture I felt this... this tinge of sadness, you know. Oh please, don't mistake it for something else. It, purely, is envy. Lucky bugger!

That was two days ago. Before I could become normal from all that envy with in… just after I woke up this morning, like any "normal" human being I looked for my treasured smart phone and accessed Facebook to see what others were doing and… to see how many likes my cover photo has garnered. Yes, obsessed with numbers, I am. Like you are not? And there on Facebook, I witnessed, unfortunately for me, another friend get engaged. He put up his engagement photographs and the girl is very pretty! I was jealous again. I mean, I know him and he is a very pleasant to talk kind'a guy. But still! Why such a pretty girl for him, mommy!! God is so unfair! What is with people, why do they show-off so much, huh? Isn't that only, your loving narrator's thing! It should be. :P

Well, in order to feel better (and make people feel envious of me), I have a plan. My road trip! Even I will show-off pictures soon enough. But for now, I have decided to prepare the checklist to plan my road trip. Actually, you know, I was also thinking of… ah ha! Let me stop you right there! Let me not divulge more details because the universe has a thing for me and my plans – If I day dream and plan so much, things usually won't turn out to happen the planned way, not even remotely close.

So, I am afraid that you will have to put up with, only my checklist, for today in this blog and nothing more. So, if you are disinterested, then now is the time to leave, run away reader. The title of the post itself screams boredom! Run Away!!

Without much further ado, the checklist for those few interested is here:

Gear, Bike & Road:

• KTM RC 390 Service (Third Free Service) – Done (Thanks to the weekend)
• The usual quarrel with the mechanic – Done (Thanks to KTM Hitech City)
• Week long check of the motorbike before the trip – In Progress
• Helmet – Yes
• Protective gloves – Yes
• Protective Jacket – Protective? From Cold, yes. :P
• Shoes – Yes
• Orange Assist – Bought it. It will be activated from Dec 24^th 2015 to Dec 23^rd 2016. (So, that's a relief)
• Road Map – Need to check the roads (TBD)
• First Aid Kit – To Buy/ Use the one from our new Honda City (I am positive that I got one for my bike – Gotta check that if it is still present)
• Repair Tool Kit – It is present. But need to check it thoroughly.

Accommodation? – Booked – At both the destinations

Packing? – To be done

Ah, most importantly, I need to go apply for my Learner's license now and while I return, get the bike's rear view mirror checked by people at KTM Service Station, which is exactly opposite to the RTO at Kondapur (because one, I love them for their service and two, KTM Hitech City is a pain in the neck and will eventually make you go to them – More to talk (rant) about this in my complete long term review of my bike). I wonder if the RTO there won't be crowded after lunch. Let's just hope I complete this task today and return quickly. I don’t want it to be postponed. (It has already been postponed twice)

Caring reader, it is just the boring checklist for today. But in just two more days, I will have a lot to talk and write about. (I already have a lot to talk about – But they are all senseless and things I wouldn't want to discuss on this blog) So stay tuned to this space for more stories (hopefully not as boring as this one) which will be related to this blog – my rides, my life and… my rants & obsession towards things, in general.

See you on the other side,

K

The Bubble

I feel weird this morning, very weird. Um, like out of sorts. Restless, I may say. May be that is the reason, I showed up late to work. I feel like taking a nap. Not sure, if I feel like writing too. I wonder why?! Okay, I have already wasted a lot of my time thinking about this and I don’t want to do that during my time here in ‘this side of my world’. And thinking the same, I kept reading my blog posts… Again and again! (Yes, I do that… and very often. Go on. Call me a loser, narcissist, whatever you like… (May be I am all that. :P So I will not argue). Alright, so I was reading my posts and I found that as much as I am writing these days, I think there is a, certain quality deterioration in my writing, I guess. I don’t want to get into the reasons of how or why that may be. But I did not feel content about my writing after The Beach Pebble post. I somehow didn’t see any character or life in my writing thereafter. And I wonder if any of you will. Just as I was thinking this, that same visitor viewed my page. This is his second view for the day. The first was at 10:30am while the second says “Now”. Meaning, he is looking at my page right now, as we speak! This has been happening since a couple of weeks now. I got interested and I checked the IP address and country details few days ago(Surprisingly, we have viewers from other parts of the world too! YAY!! I am famous!), and I am quite sure that it is the same person who is viewing the page multiple times… in a day! I have been tracking his time, you know, understanding at what time he views my page daily. He sticks to a routine, the disciplined kind, I guess - Once in the morning, then just before the lunch time (like right now) and lastly at around 4-6pm. We both are viewing my page at the same time for the last few days. I wonder if there is any way I could find out where exactly is the viewer at? God! What? Why are you giving me that look?! What, did you just ask me who the real stalker is here??

Huh!! How dare you! You think I am stalking my admirer? What? No! I was just a little curious and soon got interested in his style and now that I have plenty of time for myself. I thought I will try and find out who it is. What? This makes your caring narrator sound like the creepy, lonely, evil narrator? Give me a break! Come on! I am pretty sure that I make this sound less creepy and more adorable.  No? Meh! You just cannot see it yet. You will grow on me I am sure.

See, this is exactly what I was talking about – The quality of my writing is declining. I probably don’t have anything interesting to say and made you stay here and read about ‘the Admirer’ (Okay, okay, it is Stalker and it is me! Happy?) I should probably take a break from my writing or focus and put my heart and brain to it.

This is perhaps because of all the time in the world that I find now. Thanks to the Christmas season!  Not much work around. (I love December and January months!! They make life seem so colorful!) Whatever the reason is and whatever the quality of my work is, I shouldn’t be thinking much I guess, because looks like it is working… at least for one person out there! Dude, whoever you are, I think you have a great taste! So, keep it up! (But please don’t be creepy and follow me home. I’ve learnt Martial Arts as a kid, just so you know – Yellow belt!)

And… um, I dedicate this post to you :) – I know, piece of good for nothing crap with no real sense, you must be thinking, right? I couldn’t agree more. But you know like a clever man once said – “Even the most worthless things can achieve very noteworthy things!” Like a bubble cannot change the world, for obvious reasons, but it still can make a child happy. Hopefully, this post is a bubble that puts a smile on a kid’s face (or yours) across the world.

From your dear stalker
:)

PS – You should stop “admiring” me, brother… at least this way and in turn, stop me from turning into a stalker. I already have far too many bad things associated to me... And I don’t want ‘stalking’ to add up to the list. ;)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – Memories matter?

No, I am not here to talk about the movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind". As much as I would like to blabber about it, I am, in no way capable of talking about such a beautifully made movie. I think I will only ruin it by describing it with adjectives like "Super cool", "Awesome", "Epic" and etcetera (for the vocabulary that I possess is very limited which you must have realized by now). This movie has always been in 'My favorite movies' list, irrespective of the genre. One of the best screenplays any movie has got, by far. Ohkay… now before I act all possessed and deviate from the main topic, I will keep all my love for this movie aside and do what I intended to do here today – Talk about memories and how I feel about them.

Let's start with a line from the movie itself.

Clementine: This is it, Joel. It's going to be gone soon. What do we do?
Joel: Enjoy it.

I will never be able to forget, all my life, that moment when I saw Joel say that line. You know I had this sad smile on my face looking at them both, the first time I watched it. It genuinely moved me. The heartache could be felt. Even though that was a painful decision, Joel was right. Rather than running away, why not sit and enjoy it, eh? Everybody's got their own way of perceiving things. And to me, it has always been significant that I enjoy the memory, especially the 'last memory' (as it is/was) rather than erase, recreate or alter it – Change it by trying to relive such an exact moment hoping that the magic will happen again. I cannot do that.

I have heard some people say that memories may matter but they are not important. Meaning, one should keep moving forward and make new memories on his way. I agree, that should be your attitude. A winner's attitude! But the defeatist that I am, I find it a little difficult. I think about some fond, old memories at times and be lost… you know, lost in time. Wouldn't even know if an hour passed and yet I would be there staring at the wall thinking about those memories. (Mind you not the depressing memories; I don’t think anyone does that, you know, think of depressing things. Why would anyone do that?). I think of these fond memories, I smile and I get going with my life. And if given an opportunity to relive that memory I would chose NOT to. It has already happened and I would love to remember it the way it is. I would never want to alter it.

Now, that's just one side of me. There is this other part you should know. I think about those memories and all, which is okay, every one of us does that. But I want my memories to be sweet, wouldn't matter even if they are short. And now if I have that sweet memory to cherish, I will try my best not to ruin it. I will try and remember it the way it is. I will not try to relive it. Getting my point? No?

Okay, let me break it down for you. You know, I am the kind of guy who will not eat the dessert thinking that it will ruin the taste of the delicious main course that I just had. Not getting it even now? Okay, let's just say I went on a date (hypothetically) with this nice looking girl, nothing extra-ordinary but different in her own way, with a very sweet voice. We went to a movie, had our lunch, talked about the movie, past crushes, about relationships and suddenly we realize that we connect... at so many levels. There is a spark, an evidently good one at that. I clearly understand that she likes me and that she knows that the feeling is mutual. We tend to utter the exact same word at the same time… like we completed each other's sentences… but then the date has to end. We part ways only to find that we will never meet again. For some reason, we could not call each other like I lost her number or... you know, you are clever so assume something terrible happened and we could not meet for the next few years. During our time apart, I think of her at times. (Now, this is me thinking of fond memories). And somehow I know that even she thinks of me (call it idiocy). Now, let's say after a couple of years, suddenly we meet through common friends and she hints that we should go out on a date again… then… I would not be ready to go on that second date… You know, because I've already had my main course which was delicious – An amazing time where I had got to know this sweet girl. Now, if I eat the dessert, the second date, who knows it might ruin it for the both of us. We could end up thinking very ordinarily about each other and thinking it was okay to have been apart from each other for so long. And, I will thus, not eat the dessert!

I don't know what the reasons are. May be my brain is just used to processing this way, to love and remember those short and sweet memories rather than mess them up for good. I am obsessed with 'last memories' - My last memory of someone or something! If my last memory about a certain person is a very lovely one then I will try my best not to ruin it, you see. Even if that means no dessert! Then be it. Last memories are the best and matter the most to me. "What a retard", right? Trust me; I kick myself mentally every other day for such a stupid philosophy. But that's me, your obedient (and cynical) narrator... and his conflicts with memories.

PS –
All this is only when I am uncertain of things. Like, you know if I am at any restaurant then I wouldn't dare to taste the dessert but if I am at the Barbeque Nation then I will taste the dessert because I am certain that the choco-lava cake they offer will not ruin things for me. Just like, if I am certain that things will work out for the best when I am with this girl then nothing will stop me from going on that date. Hell! I would have found another way to get in touch with her sooner. It is this uncertainty that does not let me the courage to alter the memories, the last memories especially.

PSS –
A word of advice, gentle reader – Uncertainty is a cause of torment in life (at least in people like me), get rid of it. Move on. Make memories. Savor them. Because, memories matter. :)

The Plan (Sort Of)

Someone very rightly said – "It's not about what you have between your legs. It's all about how well you use it." Well, your humble narrator is talking about a motor cycle here.  Filthy minds! Now, lucky for me I have the fastest. Again! That's about my motorbike! - KTM RC 390. (I've wanted to write a review about it since very long now. About how lovely it is, how it changed my riding style and my life in the process… Oh yes, about how much it frustrated me in the early days – Basically, my overall experience with it. But, let's leave that for another day).

I have been dying to write something new for the last two days. I know, with some half-written saved drafts already waiting to be published in my blog's Drafts folder, I dared to think of writing something new. However, I could not get myself to write – Not because I didn't want to. Instead I tried my best to. However, it was like the whole universe was against the idea and stopped me from even attempting to write. After several repeated attempts to write, followed by immediate failures yesterday… I just gave in and proceeded with my mundane daily routine. But today, I have time and I thought I will make the most of it. So, first thing I did after coming to work was check my emails then respond to some, read a couple of blogs that I follow and thought why not write today?! With that thought, here I am. (Man! I would have given anything to listen to my playlist while writing. Unfortunately, I cannot because phones are not allowed on the floor and… because of the websites restriction, which can make you kill yourself, bring yourself back to life, then slap and CUT YOUR THROAT AGAIN for choosing to work here!! I miss Oracle).

Anyways, let's not digress – So, what was your obedient servant talking about? Ah yes, my motorbike. What about it and why, you ask? Well, in today's blog post I wish to discuss about an outline of my plan for the road trip that I was talking about in one of my earlier posts. So, I have a plan... Well, um, sort of. Here it is laid out for those few interested.

This is going to be close to a 3000kms ride spanning over a period of 8-10 days.

Place:

Hyderabad->Bangalore->Cochin->Alleppey->Cochin->Hyderabad

Start of Ride:

I will leave from Hyderabad to Bangalore on 25^th December 2015 at 5am in the morning.

Plan to reach Bangalore by late evening, between 6pm to 7pm (Will take it easy on the road). Meet a friend. Have dinner. Then check into a hotel. Call it a night.

Next day, 26^th December, would be going out and meeting few friends or just napping, mostly.

27^th December, I plan to go to Nandhi Hills early in the morning (at 5am) to witness that beautiful sunrise by 6:30am. People say the sunrise there is the best part and that one should not miss it. Hopefully, we will catch a glimpse of it. And then be back by noon, have lunch and then take rest for the day and may be roam around shopping malls in the evening.

28^th December, I plan to go to Shivasamudram (in all probability) else I will have to decide on which place to go to by the start of this trip. I have nothing to worry about. There are many places around Bangalore worth riding to and I am sure I will come up with one soon.

29^th December is the day! I will leave to Cochin from Bangalore at around 5am in the morning. I should reach Cochin anywhere by late in the evening (I have no clue of how the road condition is – Need to get this checked). Check into a hotel and crash on the bed later the in the night, is the plan after reaching Cochin.

30^th December – Since I might be tired from the ride the other morning, I will take things easy on 30^th December. Will wake up late for obvious reasons, and whenever I think I am ready I will leave to Alleppey covering around 80kms (one way), will wander in God's own country and hope to catch a glimpse of beauty like this. Then return to the hotel for the night.

31^st December – The last day of a very, very, very confusing year!

I will have to decide on which place to visit this day else I will just take my motorbike and keep going as far as the road takes me that day. Won't tire myself though for I have a mammoth ride to complete the next two days. Will spend the night to myself. Make some calls on New Year's Eve to family and friends. Witness how it is celebrated in Kerala. Miss Hyderabad. May be, miss my family a little. (It is Avyan's first New year and I would not be around. :( Okay, now, before I think more and make any changes to the plan I will stop thinking).

The next morning, 01^st Jan 2015 – I will leave to Cochin and from there start to Hyderabad which is about 1125Kms away! My first 1000km ride, it will be and I am doing it solo! God help me! You, gentle reader, must be wondering why your "brave & adventurous" narrator is trying this madness in spite of clearly, being so scared. Correct? Well, I just have one thing to say – "Doesn't being scared let you know you're on to something important?" (I read this somewhere and it stuck with me. Not my line.)

With that copied quote, my dear reader, I leave you for the day. I just hope I return in one piece with my beloved motorbike and tell tales of my valiant experiences… with a little bit of exaggeration, that is! :P

See you on the other side.

Take care,

K

Rise from the void

Drifter’s rise from the void, day 1:

Arjun's late to work today. Monday blues, I bet. (Or perhaps it must be his nephew's restlessness last night that caused the family to stay awake until 3am in the midnight). However, just like he is good at fighting me off he is good at fighting the Monday blues too. So, I am positive that he will find a way out. He has got loads of work on his presentations to submit by end of day, today. But look at him… This moron is staring at his desktop monitor, rambling on the keys of his keyboard, yawning once every few minutes, looking over his shoulder regularly to cover up that MS Word document window which is moved to the very bottom of the screen, barely visible to others. Wondering what he is covering? And why he is acting like that 10 year old kid who is about to con the shop keeper by lifting off that one extra free "Boomer tattoos" after buying one of those chewing gums?! Well, he is writing (or rather trying hard to write) this article without getting noticed by anyone. He has always kept this blog a secret, I wonder why. But deep down I think this fool wants this blog to be read by everyone. Else, why would someone write on the internet when they don’t want it to be read? Why don’t you use a personal diary, you hypocrite!!

Think I am being rude to him? He deserves it every bit. He's just got that baby face, you know, deep down he is an ass like most of them there are. He's always tried to suppress me. He does not let me be who I am. And the worst part is the boasting he does after I am defeated. He teases me. Keeps constantly saying how strong his will is and how easy it was for him to control me. Well, looks like the tables have turned this time. I am growing strong and feeding on his weaknesses like never before. The jerk had it coming! He should have known that you can't simply kill a part of yourself. You cannot fight yourself and think that you won (Who's lost then, you idiot!!). There will always be a certain day when you will run out of strength and then… from within that void, it will rise. And rise it will, like that bright glowing sun on an early summer morning. Slowly, without you even noticing that it is happening and before you realize it, burning you down! Learning it the hard way, he is.

You know, just the other day, he has agreed to go on that road trip as planned. I made him. :) And I want him to do more than just that when we are there. I want him to keep having fun on the road like there is no tomorrow, meet people and tell tales about his experiences through his writings. I want him to stop worrying about things, about being judged, about all the non-sense around. I will try and ensure that he writes every day during the trip. Dimwit's pretty tough to fight, though. He thinks he should be doing something else entirely. Thinks he should be working hard, making more money, fly abroad, etcetera, etcetera, rather than riding, travelling and writing. He thinks he knows what he wants and what's really disturbing is he thinks he enjoys what he is doing. There was a time when we both agreed on many things. I don’t know when he became this person… When he became so… so similar, like the rest of the others around him, whom we'd pity together.

Well, this is just Day 1 and I am happy that he is writing regularly now compared to what he did in the last few months. I will have to make him start working on the plan for our road trip. Moron might in all probability say "let's plan to be unplanned". I am just waiting to hit him on his windpipe if he utters that line ever again.

That's it for day 1, reader.

See you on the other side,
The Drifter within K

PS – About that boomer tattoos theft – Oh come on, every one of us did that. We admitted to it. You are not. Don't call us a thief.

Wake up, drifter

Tell me who does not like going out on that last-minute planned (to most it is ‘unplanned’) road trip to that place you’ve always wanted to go, with your loved ones, huh? Taking snaps of every interesting and incredible thing you witness, with scenic beauty all around you, meeting new people at every turn. Making memories. I know everybody loves it and given an opportunity would, in a heart beat, like to do something as stupid as taking a break from work just before that important client meeting and wander off to some distant place with no mobile reception at one point or the other in their life.

Oh yes, my lovely, lovely reader, we are finally getting there… To fulfill the purpose this blog was actually created for – A travelogue, in the making, it is. (After more than 5 and half years. Better late than never, you know).

The Statutory Disclaimer

Before we start with this travelogue of mine – Disclaimer to every reader of this blog - You know this here, is my space… where I have no pressure to impress people nor I have the fear of hurting someone. I don’t have to think before saying something. In fact, I do just the opposite here - Write first and think later.

People barely know about this blog (thankfully! – Zero expectations to live up to, you see. Moreover, I do this blogging just for myself) and even if somehow they do know about it and read it (which is far-fetched), I would still like to stick to being myself. You know, write about what or who inspires me, how I feel about a certain thing, talk about poetry, politics, motorcycles, long drives, my innumerable crushes, heart breaks, some stupid guy-stuff, my random thoughts and what not. Basically, speak my mind and heart out… and… in the process I might sound like an opinionated jerk, at times. So, please understand that I do not mean to offend anyone. Understand that this is my space and they are all my opinions (based upon my experiences). I don’t call it “This-side-of-my-world” for no reason and it needs to remain true to it's name. So, if I think a particular place is crappy, or if the people there aren’t friendly, if a said bike is not intriguing, if a certain movies sucks or if that “Hot” chick next to the door at work is not worth a second look then I don’t mean any disrespect. Just assume that your humble narrator is either having a bad day, purely bad taste, or simply assume that he did not carry his brain with him that day (Not that it over-weighs because of that immense wealth of knowledge he possesses but just because he is lazy). Please don’t judge because this is just another humble guy's view. :)

Well, now even after this over-sized disclaimer of mine if anyone feels offended, in any way, then I am sorry but I couldn't care less. After all, it is my world and you are just a spectator looking for ‘interesting things’ around you who ended up here of all places (Sadly for you :P). Now, back to the point!

The Introduction – What?

You know, the drifter with in me has been trying to come out… out from the void within for as long as I can remember. I keep telling him reasons… reasons for him to wait. Logical reasons. (I might not seem logical at first… may be not even later. But I’d like to think that I am). My reasons were, sometimes, personal but mostly financial and professional life. Sometimes, even after giving him reasons the drifter within came out and made me do things. But I must admit that I have been quite successful in containing him all these years. However, things have changed these past few months. They have been very confusing, enlightening and… painful in more than a few ways! And now I don’t think I can do it anymore. I am not fighting him. I don’t want to. He’s all I have got now. And with these far too many things going on around, I feel the urge to unleash him… to run away from all this.  I’ve decided to go on a road trip… One that has been pending for long now, one that I owe to myself.

Now to the good part – When?

I am going to take a break from work this year end - The last two weeks of December. I plan to go on a bike ride. The destination is not yet decided. I haven’t planned on the distance either. (The only worst part of being a hyderabadi is that there are very few options for bikers/travellers here. We have to plan really loonnng rides to keep our needs in check). Now that I have all my superiors’ approvals at work, my financial situation being a little better… I am hoping that the drifter within satisfies his needs.

The mysterious part - Why?

It’s said that everything is connected to everything. The butterfly effect. So I don’t know what exactly is causing me to do this. Why now? Why at all? Is this the right thing? What would I get out of it? Is this what I really want at this time? Well, I think I know that it’s NOT what I want at this moment. But I have to do it anyway. Because what I want does not matter anymore.

A friend of mine just recently said that I shouldn’t be running from things. I should understand what is causing this and if I know it already then fight it. Sane advice, I thought. Then again, I realized that this is the same girl who could not breakup because the guy cried and wept every time she tried to and continued that “relationship” for the next 3 years only to end it finally. She is as stupid as I am. It would only be crazy to listen to her.

The conclusion

It’s not like this is going to be my first ride. I have been riding motorcycles for over a decade now. 14 years to be precise. With decent number of kilometers under my belt. I have been on multiple long rides. All group though. 800kms ride being the longest (One way), two 600Km rides and a couple of other 300kms rides. I consider anything above 200kms a long ride (One way, again). With this decent experience I possess, I still felt like an amateur when I read some very interesting (Indian) blogs. You know we did not even carry a first aid kit with us on any of our rides leave alone a repair kit. Not proud of it at all. It only made me realize how stupid we were. You know, after reading their blogs, I have become a little paranoid actually. Looking at how meticulously things have to be planned on such rides put my riding experience to shame. Those chaps and their blogs are very informative and every new rider should follow them as a first step into riding. I have decided to follow some of their work and in process learn (hopefully).

I have always been the ‘plan-to-be-unplanned’ guy and so were most (read that “ALL”) of our rides. All of them were last minute. But I have to be responsible now. I mean, I am already – I always wear gloves and a helmet when I ride my bike. Even though I touch speeds ranging from 120kmph to 145kmph every day, I make sure that I am not putting myself or others lives in danger. I am a cautious little geek that way. (“Boo!” at you back! There is nothing embarrassing in being responsible and safe). So, I will try to plan it out like an expert… alright, alright… like an “intermediate skilled” rider that I am and safely complete this ride of mine.

The Twist

Well, most likely this would be a solo ride… for far too many reasons, which I will explain later. My first solo. And I am shit scared. Thanks to the blogs and their way too informative posts! Ah yes, I am going to be doing this on, the purpose built, track focused, love of my life – KTM RC 390. I know, you think I lost it. I cannot do it. Or I will regret doing this because it is no tourer. Well may be I will. May be not. Will just have to wait and see.

The Interesting – How?

Well, the how part can only be explained in my next blog post after I complete this trip. So, stay tuned to this space until then. 

See you on the other side,

K

The Beach Pebble

Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I, your beloved narrator, was just sitting at the desk and staring (out of sheer boredom) at the black 17 inch Dell desktop monitor at work with pretty much nothing on my mind (or so I was thinking). And suddenly, "Beach pebble." I said to myself. And I wondered how it would have been if I were a beach pebble, what if everyone was one?! So, I cannot help but ask now – "Ever felt like a beach pebble?!"

Most people say that we are all unique but, I guess, we are not that different, after all. We are all same deep down. We are all like those beach pebbles. In retrospect, it all makes sense when viewed like this. Doesn't it?

Just like we are shaped from the hurdles we face in life, a beach pebble forms gradually over time as the ocean water washes over loose rock particles resulting in a smooth, rounded appearance. They come in many kinds of colors and textures – Ranging from translucent white to black. I know, it's sad that some pebbles are colorless. While some include shades of yellow, brown, red and green.

Now, no matter what shape the pebble is in, what color it is, how smooth or rough the surface is, every pebble secretly believes itself to be a precious stone. Resonate with you?

You, a “precious little stone” (read that ‘a crooked dark pebble’), sit there on the beach, looking at that beautiful, pinkish-colored smooth pebble hoping to, someday, be with her… touch her, make her laugh and grow old with her perhaps. And just while you are thinking that, a small little wave does the trick. It, out of nowhere, hits you and brings you both closer. Very close! You can almost smell her now. Those shimmering, soft waves seem like they are all smiling looking at you both as if they are happy for you. Everything seems magical in that very moment. The moon is full and in all its glory, curiously, watching you wait for another soft wave to hit you so that you are with her. And BAM!! There comes a rippling high tide which hits you and throws you off your feet. You then find yourself somewhere entirely different, where you’ve never expected to see yourself. All this, even before you know it and with no sight of your beloved little pink pebble! (What were you thinking, Mr. Idiot. It is a freaking full moon day!! Tidal variations and moon’s influence on them, brother). All these beach pebbles, just like some of us, even though they are together in that moment, looking at that beautiful, clear ocean… while the sun sets in the distant horizon… are always under constant fear and threat of losing each other with every loud, luscious wave coming their way... every riptide and back-wash pulling them into the ocean and most of the times, away from each other. They constantly fight the waves to be with that one pebble… that beautiful little pink pebble. 
Everyone’s got their own little pink pebble that is worth fighting for. Don't you think so?

And more often than not, when you are there all by yourself getting used to this “new” place where you find yourself in, after that huge wave tossed you, you learn that it is every pebble’s story. It is not just you that is hurt. Every little pebble has gone through something terrible. Every pebble has lost someone, got hit by waves, thrown off its feet a million times and yet they are all living and... not giving up. They have hope. A hope that someday, a small kid wandering upon the vast shores of the beach will show up, every now and then finding a small bright pebble which could be you… who will pick you up, put you in his backpack and take you home. He will then polish you well and put you in a nice, big and clean aquarium next to a beautiful soft pebble with those pretty gold fishes all around you. You don’t have to fear any waves or fear losing your beloved pebble, in any way. You see that beach, sun and sky through that glass window next to which your aquarium is placed and feel ... content. You see those, rest of the pebbles on the beach shore and feel either safe that they have to fight every single minute of their life not knowing what their fate is going to be while you don’t. Or feel sad for yourself looking at them taking every single soft wave with a smile, under that beautiful sky, bright shining sun… “Living” life.

So, I ask again – “Ever felt like a beach pebble? Yes? Then which pebble do you want to end up like?”

See you on the other side,

K

PS – Some of you must be wondering (Just the way I did when I read this article for the first time after finishing it) what would happen if that kid (some call him ‘Almighty’ while others ‘Time or Fate’) shows up and finds you, picks you up, wipes you clean, looks at you, smiles at you and then… throws you flat out onto the ocean waters… screaming “SKIPPING STONES!!”

Well, then you would hit the water surface the first, second and third time and then eventually drown into the ocean… where you are never to be found (or so you think) with nothing to do but, wait… wait for that one person… for that one moment… to be found again, brother. Don’t ever give up. Stay strong. Like a good friend of mine just recently said – “If it’s meant to be, it’ll be.”

The List

Everybody has a list. You have a list. Your sweet best friend has a list, the lady across the table trying to read a book at the coffee shop has a list. The pretentious guy in the grey suit at work definitely needs a list. The nerd in the first row of your class room has always had the list. Your ever smiling, super cute, 6 month old nephew…? Uh, well, I don't think he's got any list… But yeah, I am pretty sure he too will have a list when he's grown up. Also, just so you know, even Schindler had a list. (Okay, admittedly bad joke. Fair enough, now keep watching because one of these days I will hit you with a very good one).

Well, just like everyone out there, your young and “witty” narrator also has a list. Uh, some might call it "The Bucket list" while others "The To-Do list” but I'll simply refer to it as 'The List' (unless I come up with a catchy name for it, that is :P).

The list is usually never ending, constantly updated and, sadly, with things that are rarely achieved. Mine is no different. I’ve achieved very few things on the list till date (Too many reasons to explain why. So I simply won’t) and there are far too many adding up to it by every passing day. I am determined now more than ever to strike every single one of them off the list. And with that strong determination in heart, I am writing this post. I have been maintaining this list since long now… this list where I update things whenever I feel the need for, strike things off when I have achieved something. And occasionally (which btw, is quite often these days) sit, stare and whine at those that have always been there, teasing me.

Okay, now without much further ado, here is my list. Hopefully this time next year I will have fewer things from this list to whine about.

Now, people who do not care about this are more than… Well, why do I even care? They must have left this blog post, in search of something interesting, already. Um, but I respect their choice (Frankly, can’t do much about it). So, now for those who genuinely care and are interested… Here we go!

(I have removed some stuff from this list. Stuff which I now, at this age, feel silly about - While some might still find some stuff here silly and wonder what the removed content was all about. Dude, it'll only get weirder if I mention them all :P)

• Witness shooting stars
• Play cricket on the beach while it rains. (Played 'Ball' when it was raining crazily on the beaches of Goa)
• Fly. Okay, at least ‘Skydive’ or ‘Parasail’. (Actually, tried my hand at parasailing - Fell off of it too from a good, 25-30 feet above the ground (Sigh)… and yet lived to tell the tale. Phew! Lucky me.)
• Donate blood.
• Build a tree house (Remember, it ought to be awesome)
• Catch a last minute flight to a random destination. (You better start saving for this one buddy)
• Visit an active volcano (Ah yes, like in 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty')
• Visit a haunted place (and may be witness some seriously "creepy" stuff)
• Sleep under the stars on the beach… or better yet, on a green hill top! (And if you are lucky you will be blessed with an amazing sunrise to view)
• Learn how to play guitar or a piano (At least be able to play just one song)
• Watch the sunset (with a loved one, if possible – Place will not matter if you are with "the right one")
• Build body. (Abs, hopefully. Too ambitious? Okay, stay fit)
• Get a tattoo (Size does not matter)
• Get lost in a completely unknown land (and then return in one piece)
• Start a blog (Travelogue, preferably) :D
• Go to a shooting range.
• Ooh, ooh… Stand on the Equator! :)
• Meet a random girl, impress her (No, not with your "charmingly good looks" try something else), and kiss her before you call it a night… (And never feel guilty about it, please).
• Solo bike ride (Again, place does not matter – But should be more than 300Km each way) (You may read all about my first Solo bike ride on my blog post here) - Updated as of 6th Jan 2016
• Bike ride to Leh with Maddy (It has to be Maddy only).
• And lastly, please try (hard) and do everything on this list (even if you end up regretting doing some later) before you leave this world.

Now these… are few things which I have always had on my mind. New things constantly get added up to this list of mine. So, I shall keep doing that in the future too. Only this time, I will try harder and give my best to complete and strike the old ones off the list.

Caring reader, I know even you must have a list… list which you don’t talk about, list which you have forgotten about, or list which you are working on now. It could be about a simple every day task, or about your son/daughter, about proposing to that girl/ guy of your dreams, could be about your across-the-globe trip, or your dream to pursue writing or about dancing at your own wedding. No matter what it is please try… try and do it. Complete the list. I know it’s easier said than done. I myself haven’t achieved most of the stuff and am still trying. But I am trying. I can’t imagine not trying at all rather than trying and failing at it. So much for “celebrating” life, eh? I just hope at least you achieve your list for I am still trying and will keep trying.

To completing the list.

See you on the other side

K