Something to celebrate today. It all began yesterday night after my extended working hours followed by dinner followed by watching the Rooney saga on TV (thank God he didn't leave MANU) it was around 1 in the night (5:30 in India). So naturally ended up having an extended night out and wished my parents around 3AM.
Now why is this so important, I have never been quite good (dismal might be the right word) in remembering birthdays and anniversaries. So for a change wishing them was quite nice in the end. Now I must tell you that the emotional quotient of my parents and sisters are like this flower (don't remember the name) that blossoms once every 12 years or so. I am not implying that they aren't emotional its just that they don't show it outwardly. For example I gave a suprise visit on my mum's birthday earlier this year. Around midnight when I did appear before her she calmly let me inside the house and asked me if I had dinner :-) Now what made her think that I could starve until midnight without having dinner I never know ? Anyway she quietly confided that she was indeed very very happy and I kind of understood it..that's how everything is in my house:measured and controlled.
Now to today's story, I gave a call spoke to my ma first wished her and then to pa, incidentally it was his birthday too ! I suggested dad that he take mum out somewhere today other than a temple of course coz I wouldn't be surprised if dad would have paid a quick visit already.
At the end just spoke to ma, I kind of always do, I need to speak to her at the end (gives me that happy ever after feeling) and this is what she spoke as we signed off and I quote "Happy you called and make sure you have your breakfast" :) NOW WHAT WILL THE WORLD DO WITHOUT A MOTHER ?
congrats ma and pa for 30+ years of marriage. I am not that good with showing my emotions either..anyways...proud to have parents like you and thanks for all the wonderful gifts life has brought us through you and your values.
Love U..
- Sridhar Ramakrishnan
- About me? Thinking about it, describing yourself is such a difficult task and I am puzzled how some guys out there do it so seamlessly. I am what you can call a “Yours Ordinary Programmer” and come from an already overwhelming group of people calling themselves the “IT Guys". So here goes my space mostly with things I don't know why I wrote in the first place. For those who feel it is non-sense thanks for your patience and for those who feel its quite good thanks for sticking your neck out "Be the change you want to see" Cya, Sri
Friday, 22 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
24 Hours !!
So what would I do if I was told that after today the most important thing to me and my life is unattainable for the rest of my life. I guess after the initial (albeit usual) human emotions like anger, pity, sympathy, empathy I kind of came to a logical and definite conclusion on how I would react. I will live out that 24 hours as if there was no tomorrow. That's how life is, you don't get what you want coz if it does, then the whole game becomes too boring.
So I guess we got to get over it and move on with our life but then is that so simple ? Is it really easy to pretend nothing ever happened and that the one thing you most wanted in life is now not yours forever, may be it is !!
A day, again, passes into oblivion,
So did a month and so did a year,
All those old times I wish to forget,
Yet so colourful and stronger they get.
What use is all these pictures in my mind ?
When all I want is to tear them apart.
I see the boulevard lined by my memories,
On it, I walk, every day every night,
Not laughing, not crying, just like a ghost,
Wanting to forget what I cherish the most.
Then comes a break of dawn,
Bringing with it the wisdom that shone,
Memories are there not to be forgotten,
As I see how stronger I have gotten,
For each one have a story to tell,
To remind me of my courage - when I fell.
Now I want to frame the pictures in my mind,
But into the future I look and smile!
I venture out, for a new light and shade,
Radiance of this dawn, so soon begins to fade,
As the shades get dark so do my thoughts,
The lonely nights forever break my might,
The tears and smile come back to haunt,
So hard to grasp the will of the world,
The craving, the pain and the sadness of 'today',
Outlives the happiness and smile of 'yesterday',
I never knew then and never will I now,
What you were to me, and I to you,
Places too far in search of a wish I go,
The one wish that is, never to dream,
Since all my dreams lead to you,
Staring into your eyes I want to ask,
Why did the you and the me,
Never did ever become the "us".
My heart everyday told me something,
A happy ever after kind of a story,
I hold your hand and time stands frozen,
Just as I begin to dream the years of love,
There you were with that fatal smile,
Waiting to tell me an unexpected Goodbye,
Whose making was it, I never will know,
You were so close but yet miles apart,
I never cried and I never will,
Your memories and time may forever haunt,
But my heart shall not explode for a while,
For I know a truth that shall always be true,
In all the lands far and wide,
There is none before and none from now,
Who can think of you the way I do.
PS: The second stanza was written by my pal in response to my first stanza. My response in the third !
So I guess we got to get over it and move on with our life but then is that so simple ? Is it really easy to pretend nothing ever happened and that the one thing you most wanted in life is now not yours forever, may be it is !!
A day, again, passes into oblivion,
So did a month and so did a year,
All those old times I wish to forget,
Yet so colourful and stronger they get.
What use is all these pictures in my mind ?
When all I want is to tear them apart.
I see the boulevard lined by my memories,
On it, I walk, every day every night,
Not laughing, not crying, just like a ghost,
Wanting to forget what I cherish the most.
Then comes a break of dawn,
Bringing with it the wisdom that shone,
Memories are there not to be forgotten,
As I see how stronger I have gotten,
For each one have a story to tell,
To remind me of my courage - when I fell.
Now I want to frame the pictures in my mind,
But into the future I look and smile!
I venture out, for a new light and shade,
Radiance of this dawn, so soon begins to fade,
As the shades get dark so do my thoughts,
The lonely nights forever break my might,
The tears and smile come back to haunt,
So hard to grasp the will of the world,
The craving, the pain and the sadness of 'today',
Outlives the happiness and smile of 'yesterday',
I never knew then and never will I now,
What you were to me, and I to you,
Places too far in search of a wish I go,
The one wish that is, never to dream,
Since all my dreams lead to you,
Staring into your eyes I want to ask,
Why did the you and the me,
Never did ever become the "us".
My heart everyday told me something,
A happy ever after kind of a story,
I hold your hand and time stands frozen,
Just as I begin to dream the years of love,
There you were with that fatal smile,
Waiting to tell me an unexpected Goodbye,
Whose making was it, I never will know,
You were so close but yet miles apart,
I never cried and I never will,
Your memories and time may forever haunt,
But my heart shall not explode for a while,
For I know a truth that shall always be true,
In all the lands far and wide,
There is none before and none from now,
Who can think of you the way I do.
PS: The second stanza was written by my pal in response to my first stanza. My response in the third !
Friday, 15 October 2010
Keeping it simple !
One thing that amazes me about man is his insatiable capacity to make his life complex. Giving it a more thought I guess its not our fault really since this attitude was something of a gift presented down one generation after the other. If only Eve would have just resisted from having that one little apple, life would have been so simple, no pains no gains everyone living happily ever after, but then she had to eat it and the rest is history.
We are so inadept at keeping our lives simple sometimes I get embrassed to hear evolutionists calling man the most developed of living creatures, but then who am I to question the rationale of grey haired, moon glassed spectacled science professors in the cosy realms of their lab and so far from reality.
From the very basic to the most inconsequential the obsession to get it "socially right" is so high that after a while our mind becomes a vending machine churning out standard responses to keep us in the good books. Is it so important to be in good terms with everyone ? After all who are these everyone friends, family, colleagues but then all these relationships come with an expiry date isn't it ?
Friends..until you are useful to each other
Family..until you are yourself
colleagues..until you leave the present job
Then why so much of effort to be right all the time. Why can't we just look at somebody in the face and tell what we think of them ? Or why not the guts to go to your boss and tell what's wrong with him or the company ? or why not go to your friend and tell what exactly you think of him.
It can make life so easy ain't it ? For one you don't have to keep up any expectations since there will be nothing expected out of you in the first place. And then you can go about your life more selfishly than ever before. Being openly self-centered is still keeping things simple ! But then what is life without a little bit of cat and mouse and lot of spice ?
I hear my mobile ringing, oh it's this guy who calls me only when he wants anything from me, but again I can't get pissed off and speak politely (keeping it simple yeah :-))
We are so inadept at keeping our lives simple sometimes I get embrassed to hear evolutionists calling man the most developed of living creatures, but then who am I to question the rationale of grey haired, moon glassed spectacled science professors in the cosy realms of their lab and so far from reality.
From the very basic to the most inconsequential the obsession to get it "socially right" is so high that after a while our mind becomes a vending machine churning out standard responses to keep us in the good books. Is it so important to be in good terms with everyone ? After all who are these everyone friends, family, colleagues but then all these relationships come with an expiry date isn't it ?
Friends..until you are useful to each other
Family..until you are yourself
colleagues..until you leave the present job
Then why so much of effort to be right all the time. Why can't we just look at somebody in the face and tell what we think of them ? Or why not the guts to go to your boss and tell what's wrong with him or the company ? or why not go to your friend and tell what exactly you think of him.
It can make life so easy ain't it ? For one you don't have to keep up any expectations since there will be nothing expected out of you in the first place. And then you can go about your life more selfishly than ever before. Being openly self-centered is still keeping things simple ! But then what is life without a little bit of cat and mouse and lot of spice ?
I hear my mobile ringing, oh it's this guy who calls me only when he wants anything from me, but again I can't get pissed off and speak politely (keeping it simple yeah :-))
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
June 2010: As it happened !
Hmm end of June and lots of stuffs that happened. Some of which I can write and most of them..hmm I better not talk about.
1. To Scotland and back
Been to Scotland (read once again) with my parents and Junaith. Awesome trip (all Scotland trips are) and my dad and ma really loved it. It all started from a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh and the idea was to hire a car in Scotland. It was a holiday weekend and surprisingly I spent more time to check in my baggage at the airport than the time to reach Scotland..courtesy budget airlines.
Serene mountains, valleys, fresh air, long drives and old songs, I love my life ! Lots of things to cherish, Isle of Skye, the underwater cruise, the Nepalese Restaurant in Edinburgh and of course Junaith and his phone :-)
2. Back to the unwanted..
Second week of June. A hectic Monday morning, came back home and knocked at the door, no answer. Realised that I had a spare key with me so just let myself in (I was doing this after 2 months). I was very tired and just threw myself on the sofa in the living room and I expected a hot tea to rejuvenate my mind and body but THERE WAS NO TEA. I went over to the kitchen to see if there was something to eat, the unwashed vessels and the messy dining table were staring at me as if I was their long lost love..
FLASH BACK....
First week of May I returned back from office and by the time I reached the door, my mum was there with a beautiful smile of hers. I just threw myself on the sofa and I was served with the most refreshing tea one could ever have and that colour, that distinct pinkish colour of my ma's tea. I went to the kitchen to find no unwashed vessels at the basin, dining table spic and span and befit to welcome royalty and the smell of mouth watering South Indian dishes all the time, the spices, milk, lentils, rice everything neatly stored into containers with names on them.
Yep, my parents left to India at the start of the month. How I hope a day could be longer as a week, a week longer as a month. But the fact of the matter is I am back to the world of cornflakes, oats and anything that fits in the "fills you up" category.
Mr Sridhar Ramakrishnan, welcome to the real world :-(
1. To Scotland and back
Been to Scotland (read once again) with my parents and Junaith. Awesome trip (all Scotland trips are) and my dad and ma really loved it. It all started from a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh and the idea was to hire a car in Scotland. It was a holiday weekend and surprisingly I spent more time to check in my baggage at the airport than the time to reach Scotland..courtesy budget airlines.
Serene mountains, valleys, fresh air, long drives and old songs, I love my life ! Lots of things to cherish, Isle of Skye, the underwater cruise, the Nepalese Restaurant in Edinburgh and of course Junaith and his phone :-)
2. Back to the unwanted..
Second week of June. A hectic Monday morning, came back home and knocked at the door, no answer. Realised that I had a spare key with me so just let myself in (I was doing this after 2 months). I was very tired and just threw myself on the sofa in the living room and I expected a hot tea to rejuvenate my mind and body but THERE WAS NO TEA. I went over to the kitchen to see if there was something to eat, the unwashed vessels and the messy dining table were staring at me as if I was their long lost love..
FLASH BACK....
First week of May I returned back from office and by the time I reached the door, my mum was there with a beautiful smile of hers. I just threw myself on the sofa and I was served with the most refreshing tea one could ever have and that colour, that distinct pinkish colour of my ma's tea. I went to the kitchen to find no unwashed vessels at the basin, dining table spic and span and befit to welcome royalty and the smell of mouth watering South Indian dishes all the time, the spices, milk, lentils, rice everything neatly stored into containers with names on them.
Yep, my parents left to India at the start of the month. How I hope a day could be longer as a week, a week longer as a month. But the fact of the matter is I am back to the world of cornflakes, oats and anything that fits in the "fills you up" category.
Mr Sridhar Ramakrishnan, welcome to the real world :-(
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
When Sridhar was at school
I had this obsession to be the person who submitted the most number of articles in the school magazine. To be frank I rarely succeeded.
It used to start with a notice to submit your writings by a certain date. Then the ruckus at home where I used to pester my dad to give me topics to write an essay (choosing topics was never my thing) and then my sister would interrupt telling "Its your article so you do everything" and my Ma would come from the kitchen telling "He's still a small boy no harm in lending a hand, after all he's just asking for ideas". Finally I would begin to scribble down stuffs most of which doesn't make sense to me but I still have the 100 pages Vidhya notebook with me and I get shocked seeing my handwriting every time I flip the pages.
So this one time when history was current affairs (I read this one liner somewhere and wanted to use it) I wanted to write a poem. A poem to me at that time was using stars, mountains and a little bit of rhyming words. So this was one of the very first. I have modified it over the years slightly making sure that the feel of that high school kid is kept the same.
GOD’S BEST CREATION
What is God’s best creation?
Is the big question.
Answers are a many,
But are they worth a penny.
Is it the towering mountains?
Clouds on them as fountains,
They are indeed, the sign of glory.
Or is it the glittering stars,
Shining with no holds barred,
They are indeed, a sign of hope.
Or is it the flowing oceans?
Kissing the land as it walks,
They are indeed, the sign of life.
Or is it the blazing sun?
With his everlasting shine,
It is indeed, the sign of passion,
Or is it the green forests?
Or is it the fluttering waves?
Or is it the bumming bees?
God’s best creation is God,
God created himself,
We see him through her,
She’s sign of warmth,
She’s sign of love,
She’s sign of everything,
With a twinkle in the eye,
And a smile that makes me fly,
Her tears are a curse to life,
Her words are pillars of hope,
She’s God’s best creation,
She’s the world’s Glitter,
She is my mother.
I guess it sounds a bit childish this one, but of all the things I have written or going to write this is pretty special.
It used to start with a notice to submit your writings by a certain date. Then the ruckus at home where I used to pester my dad to give me topics to write an essay (choosing topics was never my thing) and then my sister would interrupt telling "Its your article so you do everything" and my Ma would come from the kitchen telling "He's still a small boy no harm in lending a hand, after all he's just asking for ideas". Finally I would begin to scribble down stuffs most of which doesn't make sense to me but I still have the 100 pages Vidhya notebook with me and I get shocked seeing my handwriting every time I flip the pages.
So this one time when history was current affairs (I read this one liner somewhere and wanted to use it) I wanted to write a poem. A poem to me at that time was using stars, mountains and a little bit of rhyming words. So this was one of the very first. I have modified it over the years slightly making sure that the feel of that high school kid is kept the same.
GOD’S BEST CREATION
What is God’s best creation?
Is the big question.
Answers are a many,
But are they worth a penny.
Is it the towering mountains?
Clouds on them as fountains,
They are indeed, the sign of glory.
Or is it the glittering stars,
Shining with no holds barred,
They are indeed, a sign of hope.
Or is it the flowing oceans?
Kissing the land as it walks,
They are indeed, the sign of life.
Or is it the blazing sun?
With his everlasting shine,
It is indeed, the sign of passion,
Or is it the green forests?
Or is it the fluttering waves?
Or is it the bumming bees?
God’s best creation is God,
God created himself,
We see him through her,
She’s sign of warmth,
She’s sign of love,
She’s sign of everything,
With a twinkle in the eye,
And a smile that makes me fly,
Her tears are a curse to life,
Her words are pillars of hope,
She’s God’s best creation,
She’s the world’s Glitter,
She is my mother.
I guess it sounds a bit childish this one, but of all the things I have written or going to write this is pretty special.
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Happy times..
Can't believe it's already four months since I posted something. Time is galloping about and not having enough time for anything. Lot of things happening during the last few days, not that I am complaining.
Was on a month long vacation to India and it seems so different every time I visit. The outpouring love and affection can't be explained. Had very little time to spend with family or friends (it happens every time) as I was held up with some silly stuffs which I would rather not talk about now.
The highlight was getting my parents back with me to the UK. It was a dream from time immemorial but it just happened now since my parents seemed to run out of any more new excuses. Had a tough time having to tell my mom to limit all the goods she intended to ship out but then she had the final say :-)
The flight journey was ok not great with the BA cabin crew strike the food was horrible but nothing seemed to deter me in this journey. I sat down explaining every thing right from telling them how to wear the seat belts to explaining them what the controls in the seat are, I think I could sense a feeling of pride in both of them :-)
It's almost two months and I am not quite sure they like it here or not but I am sure they find it very interesting. Had been to London and I can see my dad being overwhelmed by things he saw there. Being an avid reader he was so thrilled to see all the things he had read about standing right in front of him, it's a sight I am not going to forget for a pretty long time.
But the best part of course is the food. There is something about mum's cooking that is so magical and the taste so very unique. My taste buds are having a rocking time with all South Indian specialities to give company. As the day they return looms in the corner I tend to blank out my mind but with little success.
Will be visiting Scotland this long weekend and am excited to drive them around and make it as memorable as memorable could be..
Will try to write more frequently...Ta..
Was on a month long vacation to India and it seems so different every time I visit. The outpouring love and affection can't be explained. Had very little time to spend with family or friends (it happens every time) as I was held up with some silly stuffs which I would rather not talk about now.
The highlight was getting my parents back with me to the UK. It was a dream from time immemorial but it just happened now since my parents seemed to run out of any more new excuses. Had a tough time having to tell my mom to limit all the goods she intended to ship out but then she had the final say :-)
The flight journey was ok not great with the BA cabin crew strike the food was horrible but nothing seemed to deter me in this journey. I sat down explaining every thing right from telling them how to wear the seat belts to explaining them what the controls in the seat are, I think I could sense a feeling of pride in both of them :-)
It's almost two months and I am not quite sure they like it here or not but I am sure they find it very interesting. Had been to London and I can see my dad being overwhelmed by things he saw there. Being an avid reader he was so thrilled to see all the things he had read about standing right in front of him, it's a sight I am not going to forget for a pretty long time.
But the best part of course is the food. There is something about mum's cooking that is so magical and the taste so very unique. My taste buds are having a rocking time with all South Indian specialities to give company. As the day they return looms in the corner I tend to blank out my mind but with little success.
Will be visiting Scotland this long weekend and am excited to drive them around and make it as memorable as memorable could be..
Will try to write more frequently...Ta..
Sunday, 28 February 2010
"The One" !
Late sunday night. The precious few hours you wish would stretch into infinity. So before I doze off thought to write about someone very special.
There are a few that come across your path who are a source of strength and you wouldn't do anything to disappoint them. My brother is one such bloke ! Our relationship is quite odd, in the sense we don't go out frequently nor do I share any secrets of mine to him but there is something comforting when he is around, everything looks so well in control and I kind of get a feeling that nothing can go wrong. I guess that's why they coined the word "Big Brother" :-)
Being the strong headed guy I am it is so difficult to change my decisions but my brother has this persona wherein he would just come and talk me straight out of it. My lot of firsts is attributed to him my first mobile, my wallet, my first formal branded shoe the list just keeps going on. Till date I have never got a wallet on my own! I remember wearing most of his dresses during college and would anticipate restlessly when he would come down to Bangalore just so that I could spend some time chatting. I still remember the first match I saw him play where he tore the opposition apart with both his bowling and batting skills and the blue shirt he wore then still lingers on.
One downside to him being this perfect son, husband, brother is that he has set a benchmark which poor souls like are supposed to follow which seems so utterly impossible. He has this uncanny way of doing all the things in his own way but without hurting or making anyone around him feel bad and I have been a nightmare in that area :-)
Of all the things it is his patience that quite strikes me. If something is going wrong he would in his own way quietly deal with it without anyone else noticing. I have never seen him shout at anyone till now (hope I don't see it ever) or willingly hurt anyone and I guess that is one of the reason success has chased him.
I guess I am pretty lucky as I need not go out looking for inspirations and such people often remind you why life is such a wonderful place to live in.
Thanks bro for everything !
There are a few that come across your path who are a source of strength and you wouldn't do anything to disappoint them. My brother is one such bloke ! Our relationship is quite odd, in the sense we don't go out frequently nor do I share any secrets of mine to him but there is something comforting when he is around, everything looks so well in control and I kind of get a feeling that nothing can go wrong. I guess that's why they coined the word "Big Brother" :-)
Being the strong headed guy I am it is so difficult to change my decisions but my brother has this persona wherein he would just come and talk me straight out of it. My lot of firsts is attributed to him my first mobile, my wallet, my first formal branded shoe the list just keeps going on. Till date I have never got a wallet on my own! I remember wearing most of his dresses during college and would anticipate restlessly when he would come down to Bangalore just so that I could spend some time chatting. I still remember the first match I saw him play where he tore the opposition apart with both his bowling and batting skills and the blue shirt he wore then still lingers on.
One downside to him being this perfect son, husband, brother is that he has set a benchmark which poor souls like are supposed to follow which seems so utterly impossible. He has this uncanny way of doing all the things in his own way but without hurting or making anyone around him feel bad and I have been a nightmare in that area :-)
Of all the things it is his patience that quite strikes me. If something is going wrong he would in his own way quietly deal with it without anyone else noticing. I have never seen him shout at anyone till now (hope I don't see it ever) or willingly hurt anyone and I guess that is one of the reason success has chased him.
I guess I am pretty lucky as I need not go out looking for inspirations and such people often remind you why life is such a wonderful place to live in.
Thanks bro for everything !
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