All play and no work.....

Yes.... that was the main reason for the outing to Kakkabe in Coorg. The RPM team decided to take a break and we boarded a mini bus at 6 am on 28 Dec 2007. It was a chilly morning and the drive was exciting and fast. There was music, singing, sleeping and of course drinking along the way. Then we changed gears to watching 'Friends' for a while after which it was 'Munnabhai MBBS'.

(The road ahead at 9.02 am !!!)

We took a breakfast break at Maddur Tiffany's but not many wanted to eat. Barring the few who stepped in to eat, the rest of us decided to have coffee and browse around a shop selling curios. I got myself a catapult for the trip !!!

The next stop was at Ranganathittu Sanctuary. It was time for bird watching... and am actually talking about bipedal, warm-blooded, vertebrate animals that lay eggs. If you don't trust me, here is the proof !

We then took a boat ride to spot some crocs and were lucky to spot 4 of them. One big bad boy gave us that 'Nikon' moment (not 'Olympus') that really enthralled all of us.

After Ranganathittu it was time for a nap for most of us, cos we headed out for this trip straight after a night shift. Zzzzzzzzz......

to be continued.......

The Joy of Christmas

This year it was a Christmas with a difference. A big dream realized !!!

I have always envied people who can sing effortlessly and most importantly, melodiously. Ive cursed myself for not getting trained in classical music when I was young. But that has never stopped me from singing along, when in a group, or singing in the shower. Most importantly I prefer singing along with my CD player. Makes me sound better than the original playback singer.

Christmas eve was pretty dull at work and we decided to spend the evening by singing our favorite songs. We had 3 guitarists and one of them was an amazing singer too. Hours passed by and we had experimented from carols to kannada film songs. The evening turned to late night and then to early morning.

It was at 7.00 am that Vijay reminded me that we had to leave for home. It was then I realized that I had no recollection of my inhibitions. I sang from my heart, even solos. It dint matter to me what people had to think about my singing skills. All that mattered was that I could sing... sing aloud to the tune of the guitar and that was music to my ears. For once I dint worry about sounding 'good'.

But, it dint feel 'good'.....

It felt GREAT !!!

What a mess !!!

Its a Sunday afternoon and I look at the study table in my room. I remember organizing it in the first week of December. Now all I see is a never ending list of things that I cant categorize. Books, bills, keys, DVDs, strips of papers and you name it..... One look at it makes me feel like I'm the most disorganized person that ever existed.

Well, if you feel this thought is going to make me better things, you are wrong. Its a weekend for God's sake. I don't want to be dusting and cleaning. I just want to relax in front of the TV or continue reading 'Q&A'.

Just wanted to get this out of my system.... and hence this blog. Wow ! It does make me feel better !!!

Looking at the Brighter Side !

Its the 5th of December. Certainly a year older but uncertain about being a year wiser ! That is big enough reason to make me not want to have a birthday. And over the years the number of gifts have consistently reduced :(

Yet, there is one reason that makes me look forward to this day every year. Its every special person who has managed to remember me on this day and has kept in touch to wish me the very best in life. It gives me more than an 'Absolut High' when friends who have been lost thru an entire year appear out of nowhere on this very day. And this number, to my luck, has consistently been on the rise :)

Dec 5, 2007 had its own bunch of surprises..... all pleasant ones. This, to me, is the essence of having a Wonderful Birthday !!!

Alcazar Show (Cabaret) - Pattaya

Alcazar Cabaret of Pattaya is in equivalence to both Lido & Moulin Rouge of Paris. But Alcazar is different, that Lady-boys stage it.

The Alcazar that I visited in Sept 2007 features a Grand Theatre with a capacity of over 1000 seats. With state of art light & sound system featuring the ultra high tech "Circle surround sound DTS system" & the most modern technology. On the whole the lights, color & sound guarantee a stunning experience.

You will be entertained with music, lip syncs, dances and various shows played by many perfectly beautiful female actresses. If you are unaware of, you cannot imagine that these female actresses were actually male from origin!

The Phettrakul Family founded the Cabaret 20 years ago, which is located on Pattaya 2nd Road. If you are in Pattaya.... dont miss this show.

Identity Crisis

Whats it with nick-names?? Do they always have to have a story behind them? Ive come up with a lot of names for my friends and 'not-so-much-friends', but not all have a tale of their own.

The most common question thats put forth to me is "Why D run????"

The next time someone asks me this.... it will be a referral to this blog. Now don't blame me if its silly..... you asked for it!!! Also, aren't these supposed to be silly?


The time dates back to early 1995..... my good old days at Park Sheraton Chennai, with my good 'not-so-old' friends. I'd like to call reference to Puneet Dar (he was called Idhar Udhar) who owned a........


Lot of our outings were on bikes and for reasons best known to him, everytime I sat on my bike and he was starting his bullet, he would go Adrrrrrun..... Adrrrrrrun...

That over time become the ever popular DRUN !

Its been over 10 years with this name that folks at work dont relate to Arun. There are people who have denied working with 'Arun'.

Is this what Identity Crisis is all about? Or is this a solution to the problem???