Invictus

What happens when one man believes? What happens when one man inspires 43 million to be better than what they could ever be? How does this man who has not seen the outside of a prison for more that 27 years be more considerate and caring than all? What is this man made of? There are several questions that run through my mind about Mandela and I just dont seem to comprehend what he is all about. How does one man, one frail human being break the norms of everything that seems to be evil to him and become some thing that no one could ever imagine. The 1995 rugby world cup was more than just a tournament. It came at a time that a nation was beginning to define itself. It was the time for nation building. There was no motive for a person to inspire people to go beyond their limits for something as unimportant as sports. But would a victory make the bond that made the country stronger? A country, torn by apartheid, over run by crime and filled with animosity needed some kind of inspiration to help is come together. Mandela and only mandela saw this as an opportunity. He reognised the power of sports and saw the potential it had of nation building. He wanted to use it as a platform to launch a new confidence into his people. In his own words, it was not a political calcualtion. It was a human calculation. What he did for his country was more than just help them win a world cup. He taught them to believe. He taught them to come together and love one another. His words were more than just speeches. They were the kind of things that made history. The '95 world cup certainly did. He did it for them. Once again. What drives this man? How does one who has seen so much pain for so long be able to forgive his most hated enemies? He is more than just a leader. He is a believer and he is a belief creater.

Day Zero

Time 0600 hours. Date, the 19th of October. And in no time, it begins. Crunch time! All that we have done in our lives to be judged in a matter of minutes. "Butterflies in the stomach" may be a understatement this time around. The "godly" figures enter into the auditorium and give us all their instructions in DO NOTS. Do not make the GD a fish market. Do Not disclose the names of the companies that have come. Do Not leave the auditorium under any circumstances. This goes on for several minutes and finally you are just thinking how dumb do these people think we actually are?

The godly figures can be discussed another day on another post, but now getting back to the topic. The process soon begins and there is a lot to live up to. To look forward to even. This may be the start of a brand new career for me and this is the first big step in that direction. You dont get too many chances once you are 24 you know. So you try to make the best of what you get and convince yourself of it. And then it begins. Consulting, Marketing and Trade. These are the options in front of me. I think a few times but that may not be enough to give me clarity on what I want to do at that point in time. Nevertheless, here we go!

The manner in which the short listing hits you is brutal. You are not good enough! The one page write up we saw about you is not good enough to even meet you in person. Feels like your guts have been split open. Your friends definitely get through. Age, experience or some god damn science experiment they have done in kindergarten seems to do the trick. There seems to be no discriminable pattern to the whole thing but that of randomness. May be they just tossed up our CVs in the air and picked up the ones that fell closest to them. Now thats is good damn logic. Heck thats how life works i guess. So pick up what comes your way. Feel fortunate that you are where you are and make the most of the opportunity. Now comes to the point of limitations. There are never enough jobs now are there? Seems like we have just got accustomed to fighting for something that we dont see the win for all approach. But lets leave philosophy out of the scope of this discussion and talk about day 0 now. So rejections seem to be order of the day. You get some, lose them and lose the ones that never got you. Seems a lot to take in one go. But thats the way things work even in one of the most prestigious business schools in the country. So what is the growth story in the country all about? If the top 1% struggle to get a job of their liking, what about the less fortunate ones? Is there some element of the growth story that I am missing or am I being to narrow minded about it. It absolutely sucks that you got to go back to a place where all of your flatmates are placed and rejoicing. You tell yourself, study but deep down you cant help feeling, what's the damn use? Its hard to keep focus in such situtations. When they announce the results of certain processes, and your name is not one of them called out, its like getting a hard kick between your legs. But you persevere. Cause thats all you know how to do, that is all you can do. Good luck!

101 Gym Excuses

Over the years, I have heard some of the most absurd reasons why one cannot to go to the gym. I will be honest. I have employed some of them as well. So I have made a compilation of what I think are the top 101 reasons why not to go to the gym. Here they are in no particular order ofcourse ;)

P.S. All the points mentioned have actually happened in real life. Any reference to any person living or dead is intentional and not coincidental ;)

1. I had a rough day man. Don't have the energy to workout.

2. Exams coming dude. Only 2 weeks left.(That doesn't mean I'm gonna use the extra hour for studying :P)

3. I slept for only 6 hours last night. My body needs rest.

4. Hung Over!

5. Friends had come down from out of town.

6. Had a mind f*****g day. Can't do gym.

7. Went to meet an old friend who I haven seen in over 2 weeks.

8. Had a very heavy lunch. Too drowsy!

9. Today is my off day :)

10. I worked out yesterday. I need to workout only 3 days a week. Yeah right!

11. Dinner plans with friends.

12. It's Friday man. No one works out on a Friday.

13. It getting late. I think I will work out at home.

14. I don't have my vehicle. How am I going to go to the gym which is over 1 km away?!

15. The gym closes in one hour. What is the point of going?

16. I have read somewhere that if you work on your legs on one day, you should take the next day off.

17. Friends have made a joint for me man. Can't go now.

18. The gym is to stuffy!

19. No chicks in the gym man.

20. I don't like the way people stare at me in the gym.

21. Blah blah(read a hot chick) has asked me for notes. I am going to the local xerox shop to get her a copy. True story!

22. I want to work on my music. He he.

23. My trainer is too tough on me man.

24. What is the point! We are all going to die anyways!

25. I need to talk to my girlfriend in the United States before so and so time.

26. The music in the gym is really sad.

27. My iPod has gone for servicing.

28. Gyms are depressing.

29. My roommate's girlfriend is in town.

30. I am rewarding myself for going to the gym all of last week.

31. I have too much work man. Can't handle gym!

32. All guys who go to the gym are "wanna-be"s. I don't want to be like them.

33. Who works out on a Sunday?!

34. Got a hot date. Need to get ready.

35. All my gym clothes are dirty. What am I to wear?

36. India vs. Australia match on TV man!

37. I think I'l quit the gym and join taekwondo or salsa instead. (which never happens)

38. I am comfortable with my body. I don't need to work out any more.

39. It's the hot girl in the gym's off day. No use going.

40. My work out buddy is busy. Can't go to the gym without him.

41. I'l start working out seriously from next Monday. Promise!

42. Need to go to the airport to pick up a relative who can very easily take the air conditioned bus to my place but since he is new in town, he may miss the sign that says "Bus Bay ->".

43. I am reading this really interesting novel. Can't go now.

44. Fasting today. Not supposed to work out.

45. Man I am in so much pain! I don't think I can work out today.

46. Why am I doing this? For whom am I doing this?

47. It is raining man!

48. I am detoxing my body today. Can't gym and ruin it.

49. I think I want to use my time for better use. For what I don't know but when I figure it out, I will let you know.

50. Gym is too much work :(

51. Just like that!

52. I just don'f feel like going.

53. Yaar, feel nahin aa rahi!

54. When I last checked, round is a shape. Now I don't need to go to the gym :).

55. I'l start from the 1st of next month.

56. Lets enjoy the weather. Why go to the gym?

57. I think this weather calls for a drive and not gym.

58. Cricket practice :)

59. National Holiday!(I think this is the only genuine reason :))

60. IPL Finals today dude.

61. Have to watch Sachin bat today man.

62. My sister/mother/brother/father/old friend is in town.

63. My gym shoes are dirty.

64. Gym clothes are not fully dry.

65. Can't find my gym bag :(

66. I think i'l go for a walk instead(which I wont actually do but need to give an excuse)

67. Yaaaarrrrrrrrrr!!!!

68. The trainer does not know what he is doing.

69. The weather in Bangalore is not suitable for gym-ming.

70. I have begun to do yoga instead :P.

71. Need to go to the book store to buy some books that I l never read.

72. Gyms are old fashioned.

73. Sprained my ankle/neck/calf/thigh.

74. Have "some" important work.

75. I have been going to the gym for two weeks and see no results. Hence, gyms are useless!

76. Life is too short to spend in the gym man!

77. The lift is broken. Can't climb the three floors to the gym :((True story!)

78. Today is a day of national mourning. India lost the test match to South Africa.

79. Need to fill out college applications that do not need to be done RIGHT NOW but its an excuse that no one can argue with :)

80. Gyms don't have a good ROI.

81. Latest studies have shown that gyms are dangerous.

82. Got an important meeting at that time.

83. Need to go out and help my sister/mother buy stuff.

84. It is navratra :P.

85. I am storing up fat for the winters(true story!).

86. No water coming at home. So how am I supposed to have a bath after gym-ming?

87. I don't like to sweat!

88. The equipment at the gym is really sad.

89. The timings just don't suit me.

90. Federer-Nadal match on. I need to watch man!

91. The vastu at the gym aint suitable for working out.

92. Who ever works out at a gym man. Real work out happens outdoors only :P

93. Why lift weights when u have nintendo :)

94. I am trying to find a faster way to loose weight!

95. I never wanted to join the gym man. It was that damn Siddharth who forced me!

96. The gym is too crowded!

97. I cease to see how time spent at the gym can help anyone.

98. I want to use this time to study(nd i know i wont do that!)

99. Gym mein maza nahin aata.

100. I ve given up on gyms!

101. Gyms... what a waste!!

Face Wash

There comes a time in every man's life when he finally has to admit, "Looks Matter". And I dont mean those of a woman. That always did ;). He realizes that he needs to be better looking as well. Maybe it dawns upon him that people actually notice these things about men. But his genetic wiring puts him at odds when it comes to his looks department. Looks and macho ism are opposites in his mind. He thinks if he gives importance to the looks, he will lose his machismo. And that he just cannot do! I mean come on. How will he ever match up to the action heroes he sees on screen. The unshaven, rugged, scar faced hero who saves the world. But he needs to incorporate these new developments in the world as well into his life. So like most things , he chooses the middle path and tries to keep the good parts of both worlds. And his first step to getting into the good looking pages of women starts with the "Face Wash".

Let me tell you about my experience while buying a face wash.

It was a pleasant Wednesday evening some day of some month of some year in the rock capital of India(read Bangalore). Being a hard working engineer, I came back exhausted from office with just one thing in mind. I need to get myself a face wash so that my face can be more presentable. And off I went to the local super market with a wallet full of cash leaving behind all of my self respect. I reached the store, an impressive looking shop and ask for directions to the "Cosmetics Section". There behind the counter I saw a lady with half the cosmetics of the shop on her face. She gave me smile that reminded me of the actress from the movie New Moon and asked if she could help me. I was very blunt. I said, "I am looking for a face wash. For men." I recalled from a recent Shah Rukh Khan ad that men have a thicker skin than women so thats why I emphasized on the "For Men" part. She directed my attention to one side of the cosmetics section. And that sight shocked the living daylights(or night lights?) out of me!

Maybe I was just day dreaming but a pinch on the arm confirmed it. 50! You heard me. 50 types of face washes for men. I told the lady again, "For Men". She continued to point in the same direction. Where the hell have I been all this while! Was I on some other planet all this while when all these face washes were being popularized and sold? Or have I neglected my "looks" for so long that the rest of the men-kind have embraced these product with so much zeal that the cosmetics business has turned into a multi billion dollar industry overnight? There was something with tea tree oil(please some one tell me what the heck is that), lemon grass, almond scrub(don't we eat almonds?), foaming something and tons and tons of other stuff. All this was just too confusing at that point in time. After several minutes of trying to make sense of what was what, my brain began to hurt. I pulled myself back together and got my self into the "get good looking" mode again.

So yes finally I asked the "made-up" lady for some advice on these clearly popular products. She began by asking me what kind of skin do I have. And when I answered "Human kind", she did get a tad bit offended. Warning : People who work with the cosmetics do not have a sense of humor! So after a through question and answer round with several questionable questions skirting the issues of racism a few times(fairness face wash it seems!), some terms like T-zone and life style, I finally narrowed down to one. Garnier face wash. Our very own John Bhaiya is the brand ambassador and he seems to like it a lot in the advertisements. He he.

So there you have it. My road to clear clean skin has begun. And after only a few days, I must admit, my face does feel a a lot cleaner. OK the last statement sounded a little gay but what the heck! In this increasing metro sexual world, a face wash is a mere blip. I have no intentions to progress to where my fellow men have gone to but I do think my hair feels a little rough. Maybe my next post could be called Conditioner. He He. But I have learned my lesson. Next time some one asks me what kind of hair I have, I will not use the term "Human Kind".