Is it just me #1…..

…..or does anyone else think Stephen Colbert may have OCD-like tendency to return everything back to its original place? 🙂
When my son sometimes joins me to watch the Late Show I always tell him “Watch and learn from Colbert, even in the midst of his monologue he is particular about handing back the imaginary items too so that they can go back to their original place” 😀

Acts of kindness :)

Acts of kindness create a positive impact on the beneficiary of such actions and leave a lasting impression. Have been lucky to receive and also witness acts of kindness many a times. Below are some that come to mind at this time that I felt like sharing.

Your toll is paid for, Sir!
Few years ago we were returning from Chicago on Christmas Eve. Those days I did not have an I-Pass (prepaid toll device with online recharging feature). At one of the toll booths as I stopped to pay toll I was waved off and the attendant said “You toll is paid for, Sir! You can proceed ahead”. Turns out the person ahead had paid for the next person 🙂 Wow, what a noble thought in keeping with the spirit of the holidays was my reaction!

No problem at all, I can drop your son for his class!
For a few years I was working out of town and wife was doing a great job managing a full time job, winter snow, dropping and picking up son to school and other activities. When she moved to a new position at work she couldn’t drop son for his music class due to some job specific situation. Hesitantly we asked retired lady next door if she could help. She was more than happy to assist and for few months it was of great help till we could manage on our own. We were very thankful for the cheerful help we got.

Main paisa de doongi bhaiyya (I will pay for it)!
Back when I was in school one day I decided to treat my friend and myself to sherbet/gola from street bhaiyya (vendor). Both of us had a good time. When it came time to pay up I realized I was a little short of cash. Was at my wit’s end as I did not know what to do. Another lady who was having sherbet at that time noticed the situation I was in and without any hesitation asked the bhaiyya how much I owed and simply paid it. A total stranger, not rich, helped when she did not have to. Don’t remember her face but to me she was a Goddess on that day.

Prasad (offering to God distributed to devotees) from temple!
When I was school (or college) for a few years an elderly, retired gentleman used to go to local temple every morning and on the way back give temple prasad to us for a few years. Not sure why but he just did this on his own and all of us were touched by this gesture.

Flowers for pooja (prayer)!
Past year or two my parents said a lady from the same residential community who plucks flowers every morning has been giving it to them for pooja daily. Not a family friend she just does it probably because she feels good about it. Nice gesture indeed.

In my book an act of kindness is something one does wholeheartedly without being asked for, without considering who the person is and without expecting anything in return. When I get the opportunity hopefully I am able to rise to the occasion.
Always count your blessings folks. Thanks!

Words of the day: Debrief, Brief

Debrief dictionary definition below

verb : question (someone, typically a soldier or spy) about a completed mission or undertaking.
noun : a series of questions about a completed mission or undertaking.

Brief dictionary definition below

adjective : of short duration.
noun: a concise statement or summary.
verb: instruct or inform (someone) thoroughly, especially in preparation for a task.

Fun is in usage. Below is an attempt

Members of the committee, selected to debrief the counsel, were surprised when he did not exceed his brief by sticking to his script and kept his response brief

Raj Rules : Dynamic Duo

Last Sunday, July 14, cricket world cup ended. Whilst it was a great tournament with many exciting finishes, tightly contested games and even the last regular match prior to knockout having significance the way the tournament ended was a tad disappointing. The final itself was a great contest, both England and New Zealand providing great entertainment to all fans following the final. The match was so close it ended in a tie during regulation time and even after a Super Over to break the tie the game was still tied even! That’s when tiebreaker rule kicked in and England team were declared winners as they scored more boundaries in the match than New Zealand team. An anticlimactic ending to a close final that was shaping up to be quite an advert for the sport. It left many with an empty feeling 😦 Any championship decided by rule book is less than ideal. Apparently the organizers (and pretty much everyone) were not expecting a tie in regulation time leave alone a tie after Super Over.
Hindsight is 20/20 but I would have preferred to have the following rules in case of a tie:
1) In the event of a tie during regulation time tiebreaker will be played as it’s a new match. Nothing will be carried forward from regular playing time
2) Play shall continue till there is an outright winner
3) Tiebreaker will be 2 overs/side instead of one Super Over/side. This is to increase the chance of producing a result. 2 batsmen (or more if someone gets out) will get a chance to bat and 2 bowlers will get to bowl. Tiebreaker will be named Dynamic Duo as 2 players from each side could potentially change the dynamics of the game
4) If a tiebreaker results in a tie any player who has batted in previous tiebreaker/s shall not bat again and any bowler who bowled in earlier tiebreaker/s shall not bowl again. This will have 2 effects
a) Most likely the game will end with a result within 5 tiebreakers (as there are 11 players/side)
b) The prospect of bowlers batting and batsmen bowling during later tiebreakers will make the match unpredictable and exciting for the spectators
5) If one side doesn’t have 2 players who did not bat in previous tiebreaker/s the other side will be declared as winners
6) If after 5 tiebreakers both sides are tied (or both sides do not have players who had not batted in tiebreakers) entire match shall be played afresh the following day
7) After 2 days of cricket if there is no outright winner or in the event of a washout both teams shall be declared as joint winners 🙂

When Bollywood came calling!

Few years ago Bollywood came calling to Thane and the result: My parents were mini-celebrities! The movie makers of Rocket Singh were scouting for a location and they they zeroed in on my parents flat in Brindaban Society. It couldn’t have happened to the most unlikely of folks. My parents have never been interested in movies much, they have watched just a handful of movies in theaters. Few weeks before the shooting was to start some people associated with the movie came over and politely inquired if they could shoot some scenes for the movie. At the most it would be required for a week. Ok said my parents. When they informed me my only request was to put the condition that the house would be available if I was offered author backed multiple roles in a future movie. I don’t think my parents ever broached that topic with the movie makers. To this day I blame my parents for my Bollywood career not taking off like a rocket 😉
I digress, let me get back to the movie shooting. Looks like news about movie shooting location spread like wild fire. Most likely because the Society secretary had to be approached for permission and he must have mentioned it to a few folks. On the day of first shooting it seemed the whole of Brindaban (100+ buildings) came over to witness the shooting. The whole place was agog with excitement with people desperate to catch glimpse of movie stars. The required scenes were wrapped up in 2-3 days. Parents mentioned Ranbir Singh was very respectful, Prem Chopra quite friendly and the production crew very polite. They got their autographs too. I haven’t seen yet it as I never remember about it when I am there. In the movie itself the scenes of the flat are more like a Tirupati Balaji darshan. Blink and you will miss it 🙂 The glow of celebrity continued to shine brightly on parents for a few more weeks after the shooting. When they used to go for their evening walks people used to point at them and in hushed and reverential tones mention that the movie was shot in their flat. Some just couldn’t contain their curiosity and even knocked on the door to find out why that particular flat was chosen. As if we knew 🙂 Must have been a few weeks of unexpected entertainment. When the movie was released I am sure many folks from Brindaban bought movie tickets to watch the movie. After watching the movie I ribbed my parents saying that the reason they chose the flat was to show the hero’s humble upbringing 😀

The great cook-off: Father, Son Battle Royal!

Son’s dish : Fresh spinach cooked with sauteed tomato & exotic spices and feta cheese sprinkled over. Spread on whole grain tortillas. Served with greek yogurt 🙂

My dish ( 😉 ) : Deep fried cone pastry stuffed with potatoes & green peas served with mint chutney and a side of salad topped with tortilla strips 😀