Bachelor house hunting...

Last two weeks were spent in house hunting. House hunting because, my great roomie rather dramatically decided to give notice to our house owner. And a house available in Mumbai goes off the market pretty soon. And that was the case with ours.

So we found ourselves, the trio plus DK who is going to take my place when I leave roaming on the streets of central suburb, looking for a house. From the swankiest apartment to the chawls, we saw them all. Befriended all the brokers and anyone who looked like a prospective house owner. I am happy to say we landed a small flat, at a very astronomical rate; that is beside the point, what I realized is that there is a difference between house hunting and bachelor house hunting.

House hunting is something, that I have seen my dad do. Usually within a week he would land a property worth shifting to or in the latest case worth buying. I in all my ignorance had never thought house hunting could be such a pain.

Case# 1

Flat on the 8th floor of the building. Newly built. No lifts. Note the point no lifts. The broker said the owner is expecting 4100/- pm and 8 months deposit. That's a fair enough bargain. We trooped in to see the house and speak to the owner. Seeing us, the rent goes up to 5100/- pm and the deposit is also hiked to 12 months. Now, that is illogical. We refused and walked off. Later we learn from the agent that the house owner did not want to let out to bachelors.

Case# 2

Flat on 1st floor of building. Excellent location. Initial rent 500/- Went up to 6000/-

After some more such incidences I came to the conclusion that people do not want to let out their flats to bachelors. Which brings us to a very important question, where all these uncles and society seniors born after their own wedding? They were never bachelors? Or, did they in the bachelor days do such things that they are afraid of bachelors in general?

Come on all you decision makers. We youngsters need a place to live. We have come from families similar to yours. We are also earning and/or studying. I am also some one's son. Maybe your son or daughter will move to a new city and they will have to face the same problem. Will you like it if they are refused accommodation in good societies and have to stay in not so great locales just because they are unmarried??

Hope better sense prevails.

Private Public Property

There is an unusual phenomenon I have noticed in India. Especially in the cities. There seems to be unusual amount of Private Public Property (PPP). This PPP can be anywhere and anything. The most common ones are the roads and the state transport buses and of course Indian Railways.

Just last evening, I had the experience of trespassing on one of these so called PPP. The trespass went like this. In Thane, where I stay, there new Eastern Express highway crosses over the railway lines on a swanky new bridge and this ends at a place called Teen Hath Naka. Now, since it is an express highway, there are no gaps in the Median in between and one has to go till the Naka if one wants to turn. There is an easier route, which is the service road next to the highway. Now, last week being Ambedkar Jayanti and all, this service road was completely taken over by members of a local club and they had put up pandal, yes pandals, also know as tents, that too in the middle of the road. If this was not enough, they had the nerve to question our driver, why he chose to come through that particular road leaving the express way. Hell, I chose which road I go through. After all roads are public property aren't they?

Roads are public property when it comes to throwing your garbage on it. People who go to great lengths to keep their homes spotless, will nevertheless nonchalantly spit on the road and walk on. And when it comes to digging up a perfectly well laid road, the aam junta are no better than the government bodies. Any occasion is an excuse enough to put up a pandal and that calls for digging up the road. You ask them and they say, 'chota sa gaddha to hai'. What we don't realise is that small pit in the road will grow to become a nightmarish pothole.

Speaking of PPP, have you ever noticed how certain people make the suburban trains their private property? Just recently one lady was pushed out from a running train in Mumbai, because she dared climb into a local which had not originated from her junction. How stupid can you get? You kill some one for that? I know no action will be taken. As usual, people will escape under the guise of the mob. And some one else will pay for life, with life.

Sometimes I really wonder, is this a relic of our colonial past. Saala, sarkarri hai. Aapna kya jaata hai? People expect that the government will provide good roads, clean drinking water, high speed rail network etc. etc. "It is our fundamental right", it is said. But what about duties. Do we only have rights and no duties? Is only the government which is responsible for creating a nation which reflects the prosperity that it actually has? Are we not the citizens of this nation, or are we citizens of only our homes? Maybe we are neither, but a bunch of selfish, narrow minded individuals, who think we are the best in the world.

What kind of seducer are you???

Your Seduction Style: Au Natural

You rank up there with your seduction skills, though you might not know it. That's because you're a natural at seduction. You don't realize your power! The root of your natural seduction power: your innocence and optimism. You're the type of person who happily plays around and creates a unique little world. Little do you know that your personal paradise is so appealing that it sucks people in. You find joy in everything - so is it any surprise that people find joy in you? You bring back the inner child in everyone you meet with your sincere and spontaneous ways. Your childlike (but not childish) behavior also inspires others to care for you. As a result, those who you befriend and date tend to be incredibly loyal to you.

Small thought.....

Just wanted to ask this.....

To all guys:

What would your reaction be, if after you marry, your wife insists on keeping her collection of barbie dolls and soft toys in the bedroom.

To all gals:

What would your reaction be if your husband wants to play hard rock and trance late into the night??

Just wondering what would my reaction be.....

When life hands you a lemon........

Over a period of time and after lots of deliberations I came up with a few fundas for my life. I don't know if I am right; I don't know if these would work for others.....but yes they have made my life beautiful....

1) Chance pe dance.....

Okay this sounds like it has been copied from some Bollywood movie (yes it has been)....but there is nothing like chance pe dance. Impress your boss/girlfriend/girlfriend's parents. Take the slightest opportunity that comes your way. Even if it means filing a rusty piece of metal. (I did that, ask Suchorita for details)

2) Enjoy maadi...

Enjoy maadi is pucca Bengaluru lingo.....but it sums up life's philosophy. Hell, who knows whether you will be around to survive another episode of the crash of the titans -a crash that Elwin had in the Church grounds and he survived to crash again in Surathkal with different results, that's beside the point- but yes, lived every minute and enjoyed it is my mantra.

Many a times we think that, after I do this I will enjoy. While in school, we think that we shall have a ball when in college. In college, when the wallet is filled with more paper than money, it is will freak out while working. Sadly work doesnot give you enough time to freak, so it is after marriage. Marriage comes with kids, and it goes on. The point is, the time is now. Every minute in this world is beautiful. Every minute a blessing. And every minute counts. Live for the moment is my philosophy.

3) Fall in love....

The best feeling you can get when you know some one some where is waiting for you and only you. Nothing beats the tiredness out of the system other than a smile from you sweetheart.

Talking about love, make sure you take a walk in the park in the rain and carry only one umbrella. Millions of people and hundreds of movies cant be wrong. It is great. Walk hand in hand in the park while it is raining heavily and not a soul is around.

4) Spend time with friends....

Take time out to talk to a friend. Just like the good ol days. If possible meet up for coffee and beer. Six figure salary will not help you when you are lonely. Friends will.

5) Walk around in any new city.....

More than exercise, it is a way of knowing a city initmately. Don't be a flying toiurist. That never helps. Try to absorb the city's sights and sounds. That makes the city. Not some building. Buildings are the bones. Try to reach the soul of the city you are in.

6) Try to stay in a hostel atleast once...

Hostel life seems scary when you are living at home. But try it. It builds you as a person. No work seems to be too difficult, no food too yucky, no clothes too dirty, no inscet too creepy. And at the end of your stay, you end up with a bunch of friends who are closer to you than any of your day scholar friends are.

7) Enjoy getting ragged and rag your juniors....

I know, I sound scandlous....but I learnt this. My first year of engineering was hell as far as I was concerned. I hated it. I din't rag my juniors. But moved on. When I joined my first job, I realised that here also there is ragging. Albeit in a different form. Ragging builds you character. You cope with life better.

8) Last but not least...'Life gives you a second chance'...it is true....you have to recognise the chance and leap for it. There is always a next time. Always.

At the end, remember, life is never fair or smooth. Life is a constant learning process. Life does hand you roses and lemons. When you get lemons, dont cry...make lemonade.