rains, quakes and more

Recently Haiti was struck by two deadly earthquakes. Thousands of people died, millions of lives changed for ever. Goes to prove that we all might feel very powerful yet time and again nature reminds us that it still is the final authority. Truly heart breaking scenes and even more so since a lot of people all over the world have moved on with business as usual. We had a couple of minor ones (relatively speaking) - 4.0 or so recently here in the north bay which had most people sitting on the edge of their seats... A big earthquake has been predicted for the state for a very long time. Well, I am not holding my breath for it... hope it never comes.

Last few days it has been raining like crazy here. I think this is really good esp. since the last two years have been drought years and we cannot afford another drought. Hopefully, the latest in the series of storms will help raise the water levels in the reservoirs. Talking about rains, reminds me of my time in India when all the streets would be flooded during the rainy season. :) I don't think much has changed there since those days. It amazes me no ends that a country like India can have floods year after year and no one does anything and then next year there is a drought and no water. Who knows, maybe after my MBA I might even launch a company in India geared towards rain water harvesting. Silly, isn't it that such a basic concept has alluded the "sharp" minds of the Indian govt. for so long (and will continue to do so). Oh, I forgot... they have better things to worry about than this. They worry no ends that a person applying for a permit to ply a taxi in Maharashtra may not know Marathi or might have lived less than 15 years over there.

I better stop before I get too angry with these goddamn idiots who run the country.

club one!!!

This has always been a problem with us (Ruchi and me). We like the idea of being fit, so we end up signing up for expensive club memberships...we might even go there initially once a week or so,..but after a little while procrastination takes over and we end up paying gym membership month over month, without utilizing it. Happened to us with 24 hour, Y, Cisco gym and other places.

Today we decided to tour Club one in search of swim classes for the kids. It was a very pleasant experience. Neat and clean, and quite exclusive in the sense it wasn't crowded. Other places, you would see 100 people crammed into a space meant for 75... this was more like 25 people in a space meant for 100 people. Well the swim classes desk was closed at that time, but we ended up liking the gym so much that we signed up for the membership (Its the thought that counts) :)

This one is closer to our house and open/family swim hours are plenty (unlike the Y! where weekends would be offlimits and open swim would be mostly weekday evenings 5-9 or so).

Long story short, not having learnt from past experiences, we signed up another expensive membership ($300+ in the hole today). Hopefully we will use it this time around.

Ghulam Ali

If you are fortunate enough to have developed a taste for Ghazals, there are amazing singers out there. The urdu language in general and ghazals in particular leave me mesmerized. The poetry just flows as a stream winds around and finds its way, making music in the process. Some of the singers that I listen to are Jagjit Singh, Chitra Singh, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mehandi Hassan etc but the best among them is Ghulam Ali. He is a true legend of our times.

Last night I was listening to his Hungama and you can't help wonder how they come up with each and every word and the style in which he sings... OMG. I could give anything to hear him sing live.

Hungama

Not everyone enjoys ghazals... some don't understand them some don't have the taste, some don't have the patience.... but for people like me, give me an evening of peace and quite, dim lights, company of ghazal loving friends, a glass of wine and that would be heaven on earth.

King and his four wives

A friend sent this to me and normally I don't forward chain mails but the story below is quite true. hence, sharing with you. Enjoy!!!
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Once upon a time there was a King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and was always kind,considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharpknife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Nowthat I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" Hisheart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish inmaking it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

New Year

It was a nice winter break.... 11 days to be precise. This included a 4 day mandatory shutdown at work. Didn't do much and the days just rushed by. The only out of town trip was a 1 day visit to Sacramento and another couple of days in Reno/Tahoe. Tried Soda Springs for the first time and we all had a blast. While we were all busy with tubing and skiing, it started to snow and it was simply wonderful. The soft snow flakes falling all around us. Given that it continued to snow through the night, it could technically be called a snow storm. But it was fun. Then we had to have the mandatory snow fight. :) Later that night, while dad watched the kids, we hit the gambling scene. First, we went to the "Reserve" at Grand Sierra Resort and sampled 5-6 different wines. Amazing concept at the Reserve. Then we hit the slot machines. Ruchi went on to Roulette and had good success (she tripled here seed money). :) Next day, we had some more snow play (sledding etc) before heading home.

Watched 3 idiots at Naaz. Pretty cool movie although the college ragging scenes were a bit over done. And what was the obsession with peeing (multiple scenes). Overall, the movie was quite entertaining and this was the first Hindi movie for the kids. They were awake till 1:30 am in the morning till the end of the show (earlier show was sold out). New Year's eve - we decided not to go out and party this time. Rather we stayed home and watched Rocket Singh over Pizza. :) It was a quite celebration.

Watched a few English movies on Dish HD - Charlie Wilson's war, Clear and Present Danger etc etc.

Now we are finally back to work, the daily madness has returned. School started this week (kids) and starts end of this week (me), work, home... all the chores. Whew!!!

Welcome 2010!!! Lets see whats in store this year.