ExpertDabbler

NEW YEAR EVE:
Which is the occasion for bigger celebration in Chennai – New year or Diwali? If you thought Diwali, chances are you are an NRI who left India 6-7 years back

I’d say New Year by a good distance. The new year celebrations are getting wilder wth each passing year. I had an offer to go to GRT Temple Bay for 3500 bucks today. Not my kinda fun.

Instead I celebrated my New Year eve in Kasi Vinayagar Mess in Triplicane. Okay that’s not the sort of place you’d take your girlfriend for candle light dinner but that’s one decent place to have food when you are terribly hungry. No wonder triplicane is still a heaven for bachelors.

Later in the evening, I visited the BOSE outlet and almost bought their Multimedia speakers. Somehow thought what my mom would say, how come I am thinking of buying a multimedia speakers (okay, very good quality) for 17K when that would far exceed the monthly income of so many lakh chennaites. I guess there is a socialist inside every conservative South Indian who jumps from nowhere every now and then. I am not saying its good or bad, but it’s a fact nevertheless.

WISH YOU ALL A VERY VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR FOLKS.

Highlights of the year that was in reverse chronology :

Dec 2007:
My capable and friendly manager putting down his papers due to political turmoil. Too bad my organization is turning out to be one mini Pakistan nowadays. The coming days are going to be very interesting.

Getting Zune 80GB - one of the most strategic decisions I’ve ever taken in my life. The clincher was that Zune would enable me to synch all the latest, greatest music free of cost – thanks to to my buddy Madhu. I already have 6500 songs in no time.

Getting to meet Priyums in US. I know a lot of folks are waiting for years to get her majesty’s time.

My return to India. I did not see any banners welcoming me, but that’s okay, my followers know I am all for modesty

Nov 2007:
The 2000 odd miles during thanksgiving holidays.
Making dosais and chappathis for dinner with my close friend Mani - Never did I envisage a setting like that after all these years. The best part is, he eats more than as he always did when we were schooling together. So much for old times da!

Oct 2007:
Me being given a very interesting project at work.
LA trip and getting to know Gopi better. I’m glad for it.

Sep 2007:
Me eventually getting a US visa. I was one of those who always had a nightmare which goes on these lines.

Visa Officer: “Un peru enna?”

Me: “Prabu Karthik”

Visa Officer ( in true Goundamani style ): “Prabu Karthik nu peru vechavanukellam Visa tharadillai.. Odi poda naye”

I had been rejected earlier so my imagination was running wild. Eventually I did get a visa and reached San Francisco after a very eventful trip.

Aug, July, Jun, May, Apr and March 2007:
Life sucked pretty bad because of projects which had SCREWED written all over it.
One of those times of the year when you curse yourself for taking that home loan and putting up with all ensuing crap. Early mornings, late nights, cab home drops, ena odumai saravanan idhu!

Feb 2007:
Me joining this organization after almost deciding to go ahead for masters program.

Jan 2007:
Putting down my papers in my previous org. on the first week of Jan.