From a year to another...

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Come end of December and everybody is in a mood to celebrate. The end of a year and the beginning of a new year could mean different things to different people. For some, it is a reason to celebrate the events of the year that went by and hope for a better year ahead. Few others, would consider it as an opportunity to start afresh, learning from the mistakes of the past, or dealing with a tragedy and taking this as an opportunity to move ahead with life. Or you could be one who wants to have a good time as this is the season when the best parties ensue and of course, there has to be the set of people for whom it is, “just another day”.

The run up to the new year is inundated with stereotypical events which haven't changed much since 1956. Magazines run a recap of the year’s major events, TV channels line up specials, marathon super hit movies, Victoria secret’s fashion show and so much more. How much do you think one can take in at one time? I can’t even enjoy a single program without wondering if I’m missing out something better.

Resolutions are made (and broken within 48 hours), drinks are drunk, dances are danced and everybody is happy and gay. However, how often do we look back at the year and think, “Okay, these are the important things that happened to me this year and will leave a lasting impression in my life”? I don’t know about you but I haven’t so far, so I’m going to do it this year and I am going to share it with you. I invite you to do the same. Let’s all see, if we do have a life after all.

My year in 2010:

• The year started off on quite an exciting note. I had my first job interview ever on 4^th January.

• Got my first job.

• FINALLY, after numerous extensions, gave my GRE (graduate record examinations) and was all set to go to the United States for my masters.

• Decided not to go for my masters and take up the job.

• Changed the plan. Masters was on again.

• Nope! Job it was.

• Finally put my foot down. Planned to take up the job and apply for my masters for the Spring of 2011. Everybody is happy.

• Had the longest break of my life since I was 4, for almost 3 and half months, during which I played so much of so many different sports and more than made up for the lack of it during college.

• In this time, I also tried my hand at blogging. Mom was so surprised initially, she actually thought I had stolen somebody else’s article from the internet. Got a great initial response and here I am, still going strong, thanks to your support and encouragement.

• Realized I enjoyed writing, something I had never imagined.

• Took up the job and threw the masters plan out of the window for a while.

• Got my first salary. Experienced the feeling of financial independence for the first time. Went to Mahabalipuram with friends to celebrate.

• Took parents out to dinner and also got mom something. I assure you, my dad will get his due really soon.

• Been at work ever since.

Ehh...the end! Holy shit! (Actually stuck here for 15 minutes)

That’s it? Well, my life isn’t as boring as the list makes it sound. I did have a crazy amount of fun in the meanwhile and did awful lot of other things too but nothing really important or new, which deserves a mention in this list.

A whole year of my life and to think that this is all I have done, doesn’t feel right. You know that feeling, when you stand in line for 20 minutes to buy a cup of coffee, finally get it, take a sip (feels like heaven), walk a couple steps away and drop it. That’s how I feel right now, except that it’s a million times more severe. At least, I can get back in the line for coffee but who is going to give me these days back. I’m never going to be 21 again.

No point crying over spilt milk, coffee in this case. So instead of being upset, I have made up my mind, that this new year, 2011, I am going to try lots of new things and make the most of my time to ensure that by December 2011, I have a list so long, that it gives anaconda a run for its money.

I wonder how many such years have I let go of. What started off as a casual blog post has got me into some serious thinking. I urge you to take up a sheet of paper, or open a word processor on your computer and make a similar list and see if you face a similar shock or have actually had a genuinely good year, one that you would be proud of. You could even share the list with me and the world to see and discuss the year gone by.

I don’t want this post to sound gloomy or play party pooper in this joyous season of celebration. I am happy to have at least realized what went wrong and realization is half the battle won. Now that half the battle is won, it calls for a celebration. Wooohooo party time!!!

This is Ashish Kalsi aka Gogo, wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very happy and “eventful” new year.

Cheers! 


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Yet another attempt at blogging

My tryst with blogging has been an old one. I never had the time to maintain one. Busy with what? I just don’t seem to remember. Guess that is the funny thing about life. We always seem to be busy but very few things that we do are really worthwhile. In hindsight everybody is wiser. Or are we? I still keep whiling away my time under the context of being busy. How often have I postponed an activity just because I didn’t feel like doing it? Often I end up in my bed at night with the guilt of wasting yet another day pinching my insides and swearing that tomorrow is going to be a fresh start. “Make a timetable”, my mom tells me often. Apart from helping you organize your time it is a reminiscence of that feeling of guilt which acts as a stimulant to perform your tasks which are usually not very arduous. In more cases than not, we end up enjoying it.

What is the purpose behind this rant of mine? It is an appeal to all my fellow beings (especially the really jobless ones waiting for your call from TCS and various other companies) to shed the indolent lifestyle and pick up an avocation, maybe more, in addition to your daily chores. How often have we heard the cliché that life is too short. Guess what? It’s freakin’ true. I have taken up blogging again and am going to try to sustain it this time around. But I am not going to stop with blogging. This is just the start.

Let me know if you have taken up an avocation or if you plan to.