Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas

To all of you :) What a great year it has been thus far!!!

Monday, November 15, 2010

Older Budweiser

37 today, wonder if i have 10 miles in me? already woke up with a creaky knee!!!


12:14PM: DONE IT....10 Miles 89 mins, proud of this accomplishment...feel tired tho...

i know my better half will be proud too :) this one's for you my dear..your old man can run!!!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Funny Shit

just landed at philly airport after a fantastic steering committee presentation. am sitting here waiting for my sweetheart to show up and here goes a stupidly funny ad i saw:



Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Updates

OK, some updates from the recent past:

Wife leaves town for a period of a little over three weeks and here's what I had been up to:

Weekend 1:
Friday: Stayed back in boston at the westin waterfront. friday started out with a drink with our current cambridge clients, proceeded to eat some crappy food and drown a few beers...
Saturday: Woke up late, omkar over and we hang at chinatown for dim sum, watched the movie "Red" -- fairly funny and then on to Oishi sushi for dinner with the turk and omkar, followed by drinks at Post 390 in boston
Sunday: Low key. spent day at omkars apartment eating shwarma and washing clothes, more discovery channel

Weekend 2:
Friday: Flew out to columbus OH to meet keith and family. what a great time seeing them all over again. dealt with some work issues over the phone while sipping beers @ keiths place. Burgers and hotdogs for dinner over the bbq, Had a wierd neighbor of keiths stop by and bore us to death. Went to bed by 1030
Saturday: Late morning leaving keiths place, whitecastle for burgers as was our old ritual followed by my first experience shooting guns -- 38 revolver. Went from nervous to overconfident to nervous again as a bullet ricocheted off the target holder. Came back to keiths, terri had made some fantastic ribs and beans..more beers.
Sunday: Spent the day at Leighner Farms (Sp?) picking pumpkins as was their family tradition prior to halloween each year. shot some pumpkins in the air...light fun day followed by Lasagna at keiths place

Weekend 3:
Friday: Flew back thursday night, did the client orals on friday am in princeton, drove down to participate on the wharton business panel. Picked up omkar at 30th street around 8pm and headed to Genos for cheesesteaks...omkar was blown away by the spices. Scotch and beers at my place followed by the movie Beerfest
Saturday: Spent the am taking omkar shopping to banana republic, amrut shows up around 4, grumbles about tea, drinks some tea, grumbles that we are watching too much tv. deborshi around 7pm, beers, chicken, tilapia and egg bhurji (a-la omkar)!!!
Sunday: late start to day with amrut and omkar. amrut eats some pulao and leaves around 1pm saying he has a migraine (he doesnt drink tho). omkar and i head down to genos right before he gets on the 4pm bus...couldnt think of a cheesesteak as omkar walloped his down...came back and ran a 5 miler after a week of fattiness!!!

Weekend 4:

Wife gets back wednesday, i see her in atl thursday...am excited to be reunited with my better half again!!!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Columbus

hanging out with an old friend and his family after 6 years, what a wonderful time to reconnect. i miss my wife though :)

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Sunday

Spoke to my sweetheart this morning, was good to hear her voice. Now she needs to pick a name for the family kukkur :)

Ran a 5er this evening, will wrap it up with some kababs and a nice glass of the Corte Majoli Valpolicella Ripasso that I opened last night.

Cant wait for Friday am to hold my best friend and partner-in-crime in my arms again !

Friday, September 03, 2010

Labor Day Weekend

Start of a long weekend, plan to get my running back on track so to speak...time to heal, rejuvenate and get back to normalcy of exercise.

--and i miss you!

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

*Sigh*

I've been at home for the past day recovering from this food poisoning and as I start to find my strength come back, it leaves me with memories of you and me in Goa, just talking and goofing around as if we had not a care in the world, oblivious of the inevitability that our parents are aging and will require full time care. But that's neither here nor there. I woke up early this am, with thoughts of you and that this will be a long weekend that I will be spending without you in Philly. Ordinarily I'd joke about it and say that its time to myself, but the older I get, the more I realize that the only real time to myself I enjoy, is the time I get with you, all to myself. I miss you and want to see you back home next week, I look forward to picking you up next fridayat 5.30 am at Newark airport. Consider it the labor of my love for you.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Back to the US

flew out last evening to bangalore and en route at some shit on the kingfisher airline food. started with the bad stomach, cramps, vomitting, and shivers almost an hour after i landed. was miserable until i saw a clinic @ bangalore aiport and they prescribed (Norflox TG). Sat on the plane to paris miserable, two blankets, an aspirin and shivers all the way to deGaulle. Sitting at the aiport right now waiting for my next flight to NYC---this is not good. i feel drained.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Reuniting with Bombay...

A botched flight schedule combined with a first class upgrade, some lost luggage and a seemingly missing blackberry set me off in the wrong direction, but, DAMN was it good to be back.

First glimpses of the rainy streets leaving the airport, the stench of the slums: of poverty and hopelessness and yet, the ability to find laughter in the childrens faces as they played in the street at 2 am, aware yet unaccepting of it all. Their situation just the tip of that iceberg called life, where things for 99% of them was all downhill..ending up as a beggar on the streets, a brown sugar addict or basically someone connected to crime and the underworld. The other 1%, well, still waiting for that slumdog millionaire story in an unforgiving city filled with desis looking to take advantage of you or push you out of the way at every corner in life and on the street.

Was great to see the family, especially my mother, with whom I've had a love-hate-love relationship with. I feel her vulnerability as she hits her 67th year. She's lost some of her edge, that nastiness that permeated our relationship where she was unable to connect with her children. We still see shadows of that through the unorganized way in which she has so far (and yes successfully) led her life. My sister, whom I worry about all the time, overweight yet has the energy of a 19 yr old kid, made me real proud that she finally joined the gym and stuck to the schedule. One can only pray that she continues to do so as i'd like to have her around for a very long time to come. Finally my niece, a sweetheart of a kid but I'm starting to suspect that she sees me as Mr. Money while asking for her super expensive gifts that her parents cannot afford. I've already drawn the boundaries on the IPhone 4, getting her a motorola droid instead...she needs to understand that stuff in life is "earned" not just "gotten".

Ah yes, the city...out for a run monday morning. a straight sprint down to lands end to see a guy pooping on the beach, dropping a huge load of shit as io stretched and tried to take in the morning rays of the sun (of course, we're facing west so no real sunrise there). Sprinted back as fast as I could to get away from the sight I tried desperately to get out of my mind. On the way back, realized that this street at bandstand had so many memories, of days and friends gone by. Friends who I thought were friends but were not really !

Sue, Nasser, Mellu and of course dr. ritesh: was great seeing you all. Nasser, kudos on your success, you still stay the same person i've known since 1981 and i continue to be in awe of the way you have accomplished what you have. Sue: to a great friendship and a fake new york accent (as you would accuse me of!), its been awesome seeing you again. Mellu: I love you man (its been 25 years as friends), but please stop saying "my wife" every two sentences. Even my mom was laughing at dinner, snickering that you must be 'just married'. Finally, the good doctor: We picked up where we left off almost 15 years ago my friend. Between your succcess, family and our ability to stay friends 20+ years, two continents apart and share that trust we once had, those 10 beers were awesome. My head and body didn't think so the next day, but, what the heck...just like it was in Satara and Karad yes? The good ole boys, their motorcycles and no money. I distinctly remember no money because we alternated between Super Doctor rums, cheap cigarettes and 1 litre fill-ups on petrol in our bikes. Ah bach! And coming closer to 40, we're both blessed with lovely wives, great families and the quest for running ... you a Nike guy, me , a mix of Asics and Reebok gear.

My wife gets in today, 9PM. more bad news on the family front...he's fathers brother is not doing well with a malignant cancer of the colon and failing kidneys. My trip to goa might be cancelled as Calcutta takes precedence in this case. The outlook is not good, but I think i can rationalize by saying that he has lived a full life to the ripe old age of 90. More later....

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

This morning

ooh oooh and i ran today, and lifted until my arms could no longer take it. Feels good, full of energy after a hectic half-days work at the client in princeton, lunch with the client and a former colleague (shannan) and then rushing off home to leave my wife a nice note in my absence :)

On the plane to paris

Sitting around because of some technical snag and they probably have to fly the technician in from Atlanta .... so, it looks like i might be stuck in paris for a day (which is not a bad thing hey!). also, three people in first class, its beautiful up front with no riff-raff to bother me :)

Friday, August 06, 2010

Trip to the motherland

planning to head out for 2 weeks aug 11. looking forward to seeing the old country. hopefully this time i can go out for a run to bandstand and back and not be winded :)

Monday, July 26, 2010

Running

5 miler yesterday, 5 miler today...left achilles hurts a wee bit. Yeah i sound like a fucking whiner but its my leg and it worries me that i will have to take a break from the running. Oh and 43:28 / 43:30 ...

Friday, July 16, 2010

Arguments

hate it when these arguments and verbal exchanges happen. makes me question everything.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

6 years

6 years to the day you went away,
wounds not open, but still hurts a little dull,
i look up the the skies, and see all that blue,
and know, its just traces of you.

~~~Miss ya dad! We will meet soon, I promise.~~~

Monday, July 12, 2010

Brian Whalen Remembered

3 years to the date since you passed. I still owe you that steak dinner at Arthur's steakhouse in morris plains for helping us move after the fire. You are missed bud!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Back to back runs

....and a 4 miler today (34 mins)....i feel good and healthy today.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Running

the running, lifting continues...

ran a 10K this am...54 mins. not too shabby

Happy Father's Day

Celebrating yet another fathers day without you pops...there's good days and bad days, today is a bad day ... I seem to be watching the FIFA world cup alone, and thinking about you! I can almost smell the pork and sanna on a sunday morning like this one as you yelled at me "Arrey...Have your tea its getting cold" :) Its been 6 years and i thought it would get easier, it doesn't...

Monday, June 14, 2010

FIFA

been watching the world cup, and truly am having an exciting time catching up on serious football. Although most folks don't like the sound of the Vuveleh's ...i LOVE it. It adds to the madness and the fanfare that the players need to anticipate. Last i heard, the french team was so bothered by the noise...well thats so...french I suppose.

Ran a 2.75 (intense interval training) on saturday, a 5 miler yester and a 3 miler today...mixed with some serious lifting. Definitely not headed for a sixpack given my diet (of overly rich food), but then again, I don't need to pick up chicks at the beach!!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Atlanta Fridays

raining, and more work to do... cant wait to take a break from all this madness next week.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Food poisoning

Ok so I shouldn't have eaten all those roasted old edamames....but man the nauseousness and sickness that followed from sunday through wednesday didnt help...

Sunday, May 16, 2010

New 5K PR

25:32. Nuff said.

2 Clients - the saga continues

another *hard* week has gone by. woke up this sunday am, finally feeling like i've caught my breath. cant' wait to get out to the keys in a couple of weeks for some sun and fun with my partner in crime and best friend :)

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Home Again

I think I'm losing my mind, its been a week of driving over 1000 miles to get from client to client and then to firm internal poop. Its saturday and i havent run in two days, need to do a 3-5 miler today.

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Exhausted - Time to recuperate

The last month or two has been terribly exhausting. Somewhere between the running, lack of real vacation time on weekends, and managing two clients simultaneously, i reached my point of exhaustion last night.

Went to bed around 6 pm, woke up by my sweetheart around 930 for a late supper, crashed again and now its 730 am...i feel rejuvenated, i need one more night like this (hopefully tonight) to be 100% again.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Quote

Ok, so i'm not a devout catholic but something that caught my attention was Psalm 144:1

"Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle."

There's someone up there looking out for me, us. Finding the strength to succeed in life, relationships, marriage, friendships, family...thank you again.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Month of updates

so whats the story here? have i lost my touch with updating the blog or am i just too busy? I think its the latter. the past month has flown by and here's the highlights

1 - I continue to run, still averaging between 15-25 miles per week depending on how much drinking happens during the week and how i generally feel. today was an exception as i did a 5 milers (42:38).
2 - Hosted dear friends from australia. was really nice to meet them and hang with them. the kids were lovely but "full on" as my buddy put it. bottom line: no kids for us right now given how high maintenance kids can be *yeah yeah all you parents can tell me what joy they bring you and i do think you are entitled to your opinions. but just remember, opinions are like arseholes, everyone has one and they all stink*
3 - two clients: one in billerica and one in cambridge. my life is a joke trying to keep up with both of them
4 - most weekends in atlanta now. sorry i couldnt help you move to your new home bud, but thats just the way it rolls

Happy weekend :)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Friday March 19

Ran my next PR 5k: 25:40. Took everything out of me, dont know if i can ever cross that point

Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday

Back in atl, working on a statement of work, tired, brain not really functioning. Somehow managed to run a 5 miler with side-stitches and then lift some weights...always an escape from the crazy consulting lifestyle there.

Taxes this weekend, aaargh!!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Ran a PR Last night

5k, 25:46. Nuff Said. I'm ecstatic, now to bring the times down to 25 and below...

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Friday Evening

Terrible weather and an evening without groceries (managed with the dal + radish). It was all made worth it when we sat down on the couch and i got to cuddle ya over a Rutherford Hill...reminds me of why we have 14 good years together, still feels like day one for me :)

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Another Day

Crazy Crazy day at work...ended at 930 PM with my fave cabbie Said picking us up at Cambridge. Wrapped up a call with the R10 team, and the second wind caught on....ran a 5K, quad and hamstring extensions, stretches.. exhausted.

Bunch of european business travelers in the elevator, all creeping away from sweaty me...couldn't care less...listening to Aenima by Tool...the words are so right.

"Some say a comet will fall from the sky.
Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by fault-lines that cannot sit still.
Followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits."

Yes, dipshits :)

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Feb 2nd

its your birthday, and in my heart you are 71 old man... :) and im older too, i guess we'll be seeing each other soon. i miss your company, i really do. happy birthday dad.


I havent quite forgotten you
time has helped heal the pain
you are but bones and dust now
still, without you happiness i feign

These days that come by
memories, of happiness in my life
can they be relived ever again
or has it gone by and its only right?

I cannot close out this ode
and to it i will return
every year on this day
for your guidance i will yearn!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Best 5K Run Today

Hit my PR: 26:08. started running at 7.0, ended at 8.2 exhausted :)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Poetry again

This ones for you my dear, may you always remember us well:

if i were to die tomorrow,
let it be known today,
that I have loved you, selflessly,
every single day

if it all came down and,
if this world were to end,
you should be the first to know
you have always been my best friend

if things turn sour,
and grey skies cloud our sights,
dont you ever doubt
that together, we'll be alright

if our lives take different paths
and we can no more be together
all i can say, that in our times as one,
i will love you forever