Tuesday, October 28, 2008

When we are spoilt for choices!

I've always had this interesting thought on what will happen when you are actually spoilt for choices. I mean when u have two options which are equally good and from that you have to make one choice. It will be a situation where in you will feel like having both but then u have to forgo one and take one.

Say for instance,

Asin or Shreya?

Sachin or Dhoni?

Katrina or Bipasha?

Arxman or Lagaar? (Only for people who know about this)

Laxman or Arjun(Water)?

Evening cricket in SCG or Evening at Bessy?

You will be put in a situation where you wish you can have both. What will and shall be done when you're in those situations?

In my real life I can think of one situation where I had to make a tough choice from two options. At one point of my life I was forced to choose between football or studies. When I was representing for my club in juniour team I had this chance of getting through to the seniour side which means I should give up my studies and take football as my carrier. That was really a tough choice for me to make because eventhough I wanted badly to become a football player,I didnt want to quit studies at such an early part of my life. In the end I had to give up football and took the other option and because of that now I'm here writing this post. :D

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Unqualified Disaster!!

I woke up 10 in the morning. It seemed to be a fine day as usual. The day before only I had work and I was dead tired so I had decided to have a good sleep and enjoy the whole day after 2 days of continuous work. This day also happened to be the day when my mom and dad were to be back from Singapore.

My plan for the day was simple!

1. To laze around until 4 pm
2. Take the car from my cousin
3. Dinner with friends in dhaba
4. Pick my parents from airport

If football is my first wife, then my car I can deign it to be my scandal. :P While I was on the way, I saw a deadly gang fight near a wine shop. It was really shocking as I saw those people beating one another using the bottles and that scene was horrible. I got really disturbed seeing that and had this strange feeling of something bad happening to me that day. But at the same time the thought of having the car back after a long time and roaming around the city in it made me feel slightly better.

As soon as I got the car, I went to dhaba to have dinner with my friends. We went there at around 8.30 pm. My moms flight was scheduled at 1030 pm and I was there in dhaba until around 10 pm. It was a fine dinner and everything was smooth until disaster struck while executing my last and final plan of the day, to pick my mom in airport!

You might feel that im showing off but before I explain what exactly the disaster was, I’d like to tell that my driving ability is something I’ve always been proud of. I am one who never likes to be distracted by anything while driving, my full concentration will always be on the road whether I’m driving a car or riding a bike. I obey all the rules and ive always kept up my safety measures while driving.

I was nearing nandanam signal. It was a 3 lane road. I was driving my car in the center lane accelerating at around 80 km/h. A mahindra scorpia car came speeding on the right lane and when at the point the scorpio car was just beside my car in centre lane, the scorpio driver abruptly tried to shift his car to my lane in order to overtake the car in front of his, in his lane, not noticing my car beside. I saw his car moving to my lane and when I realized he’s going to crash on my car, I immediately shifted my car to the leftmost lane to avoid both our cars to crash. Had our cars crashed it would’ve been deadly because he was clocking more than 80 km/h and mine was around the same speed. In that speed if the two cars had even kissed it would’ve been real bad. Before I had any time to even feel safe, I spotted one auto right in front of me just after shifting to left lane which I was initially blinded by another vehicle. As the auto was stationary I had to stop the vehicle within a second to avoid hitting it. I almost stood on the brakes. The breaking was as sudden as it could get but I couldn’t help but to knock my cars front left part onto that auto.

Although the impact wasn’t that bad the auto driver made use of this opportunity to put up a scene as though his whole auto was crushed. Within minutes many other auto drivers joined him and I knew all they want is money. I knew even if I explain to them the reason behind me hitting them they wouldn’t compromise for anything but money. So I told them ill bare the damage cost but to my horror they asked me Rs 10000 and leave, or else that he’ll wait for the police. He wasn’t even concerned about the passenger he was on with. There were 2 guys in the back seat of the auto, one working in HCL, and other in CTS. They happened to be room mates coming back from coimbatore after spending the holiday in their native place. One guy was fine but the other was in some sort of discomfort. I approached him and though he was able to talk there was actually some kind of water dripping from his nose. He had his head actually hit on the meter thing from that impact of my car hitting the auto.

There was a held up in that area as all the cars and motorist started slowing down at that place out of curiosity to see what was happening and having noticed that the traffic police who was at the signal came to the spot. The auto drivers started complaining to him and told him that I was drunk and driving the car and that I had hit his auto because I was drunk. I told the police that I’m not and he asked me to blow to verify it. He made them know that I wasn’t drunk and then he asked me to park the car at the side of the road and surrender the car keys. I knew that I was in trouble and the time was 10.30 pm. That’s when the flight was scheduled. I knew that the auto drivers will be making this a big issue so I immediately called my brother to arrange a travels car and pick my parents.

The traffic police immediately asked me to bring the guy who had a knock on his head to the hospital. Eventhough the guy seemed to be normal, but just the liquid dripping from his nose a little, the traffic police asked me to bring him to hospital just because that he got hit in the head. He told me head knocks can turn out to be serious and that it might not have immediate effect so he ordered me to take him to the hospital.

I took him to the hospital nearby. I explained to the doctor whatever that has happened and that guy was telling him how he got hit. Then the doctor told me that he wasn’t very sure whether the fluid is coming from the brain directly through skull or it was just from the nose remainings. However I tried to explain the doctor that it wasn’t a hard or serious accident and it might just be from the nose, he wasn’t in a position to conclude the case. Probably it being a private hospital even the doctor wanted to make it look serious and earn. Had it been a serious brain injury I don’t think he would be walking and talking normally. He looked perfectly fine to me. The doctor then made me do a scan on his skull for him and that itself had cost me Rs 2500. Once the scan report came he said the scan wasn’t very conclusive and that the guy should be kept in ICU for observation until the neuro doctor comes tomorrow. I was like totally shocked and somewhat frustrated because for such a small matter I was wondering why was everyone making it look so big.

The traffic police came to the hospital and he made it an accident case. The auto driver was also there as he wouldn’t leave without a compensation made to him. The police took the report from both auto driver and the other guy who was traveling in that auto. The auto driver was somewhat exaggerating the matter but I was helpless.

At that point of time, I had given up and I was preparing myself to face anything and everything. By that time my mom had arrived and she called me to ask what was happening. She sort of got worried and immediately wanted to come to the hospital. I told her the address and she was on her way. Meanwhile, I was asked to go to the police station as that auto driver and the guy wanted to register a case. Since the guy seemed educated I was asking him to settle the matter within ourselves and that I would compromise on the medical charges for his friend. He told, this being head injury and that his parents are not in station to be on the safer side he wanted to file a case.

It seemed fair to me so I agreed upon that and we all went to the police station. I was asked to surrender my license and car keys. The police got the complaint letter both from the auto driver and that guy. However he told that if the patient gets normal by the next day he will not make it a case and that he asked us to settle the matter within ourselves. We agreed upon that and we left the police station and we were asked to come back the next day 1 pm. The auto driver left and we both made our way back to the hospital. That guy was still in ICU. My mom had arrived by then. She spoke to that guys friends and asked if the injured guy is fine.

After about an hour I asked my mom to leave because she looked so tired. One of the guys friend agreed to stay at the hospital. It won’t be nice from our side if everyone leaves so I decided to stay and asked my mom to go and take rest. I was really down and felt really bad but I wasn’t able to share it with anyone because it was 3 in the morning. Though I was really tired I was unable to sleep in the chair where I was seated.

In the morning we went to the ICU and saw the guy. He seemed fine and he told there wasn’t any liquid dripping the whole night. That was some sort of a relief for me as that means any injury in his brain is ruled out. But still we were waiting for the confirmation from the neuro doctor. He came at around 9 in the morning. He saw the patient and he told he’s completely fine but he should remain under observation for one day.

I then took leave from the hospital to bath and get ready to be at the police station at 1pm. Everybody was under the impression that everything will be settled as that guy is normal now. His friend who wrote the complaint letter was willing to withdraw.

When everything seemed to be on track the real shock came when we went to the police station. The station inspector told he has already lodged an FIR and that the case is on. There is no way now anyone can back-off. That was really shocking because it would mean I’d be under arrest!

I started to raise my voice to that SI. I told him that hes not keeping his words and that he had told the case would not be valid if the patient was fine. But he told, it being a head injury anything can happen to him anytime and that its already registered. But the SI called me in silently and told me that whatever he has done would only benefit me and that’s because if the case becomes invalid I will be made to bare the charges for the hospital which would come to about Rs 25000 and the auto damages would cost me around Rs 10000. He asked me whether I want to spend Rs 35000 or pay a fine of Rs 1500.

This was really tricky. My grandfather is somewhat very influential person. I called him up to the station. He has contact with traffic police head and also the AC. He came to the station to help me out. He made me speak to the traffic police head and that guy also suggested me to do the same and that it would not affect me in any way in future. It wont be recorded as a black mark as its just an accident and not a murder or a crime or those sorts. It seemed logical to me as Id just have to spend around Rs 10000 for the entire process but the other option I’d be made to spend Rs 35000! My mom and grandfather gave me the assurance that this would not affect my career or life and so I agreed upon that.

I was officially arrested and released on bail :D Anyway it was just a normal formality. Nothing serious or I wasn’t put under any sort of embarrassment. In fact the traffic inspector and the SI became so friendly with me. :D

Everything was settled in the end and I went through a very valuable experience in my life which I would never forget. Through this process I got some good contacts which might help me out in future in case I get caught for small traffic cases such as not wearing helmet I can escape through the contact I’ve developed. :D

Monday, October 20, 2008

The Goulish Trial!

During my time in singapore i've done many crazy stuffs. One of my craziest or rather adventurous thing ive ever done in my life is my visit to Old Changi Hospital. Built in 1930's it’s a very famous hospital in Singapore and its well known for many infamous activities up till now. This hospital was alive during the world war two(Japanese occupation of Singapore), and during those times it was used as an army hospital to give treatment for the Japanese soldiers. Very soon after the world war it got isolated and left vacant there since then.

It is located in a small hill and many from the paranomial society have published stories about the building being haunted. The Hospital itself had 70+ years of rich history when it survived from the dreadful World War Two that took place from 1942 to 1945, witnessing the fall of Singapore and the brutal tortures towards the prisoners of war that happened there. Therefore, seeing spirits of all races and of different nationals wandering around in the compound would be a common sight.


Myself and three other friends of mine decided to go on an adventure to this hospital. It was on a weekday, and the time was around one at night. I had brought my car and I was driving with one friend in the front seat and two of them seated behind. We had actually heard about being haunted and stuffs but none of us believed in it. So that day we had decided to go and check it out ourselves.

The hill road that leads to that hospital was really dark. There was this eerie feeling while driving up the hill itself but all of us were pretending to be cool, at least myself coz ive never ever experienced this kind of outing ever in my life. There were no lights so it was really dark with only my car head lights. Finally when we reached the top, and was just about some distance away from the hospital entrance I stopped my car.

At that point we were like actually thinking whether to proceed or to back off. My friend seated in front with me was just flickering with the head lights suddenly from the first floor ward window we saw a shadow like human coming towards us, taking small steps, walking like a robot. None of us could actually believe whether what we are seeing is true but it was happening.

I immediately reversed my car and went off to the beach nearby and there we started talking leisurely but still none of us could believe whatever we saw. If it had been a normal human what would he being doing all alone at that time in that place and y would he approach us in that way. There are police cases of drug addicts at that place but whatever we saw didn’t seem like one. We were so sure because whatever we saw was not a solid human, it was just a shadow!


My next post ill elaborate on my adventure trip to the same place with one of my friend who is a girl (not girlfriend!). We both actually went inside the hospital to each and every corner. That will be real interesting though nothing fishy was seen during that time!!

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Snake and Snakes theory

A snake is said to be one of the first reptiles on planet Earth. Though snakes are generally thought to be poisonous, dangerous and basically a threat to other living things, some of them are non-poisonous. Poisonous snakes use their fangs in its mouth to either kill or immobilize its prey.


There are poisonous snakes in every family of snakes. Poisonous snakes are classified into four families, the Elapids, Viperids, Colubrids and Hydrophiidae. These are very basic details but let me not get too detailed into it.


The thought of snakes usually brings fear to human mind. But there is an exception because there is one snake which I personally know, that/who bites harder than any other snake but “it’s” not poisonous and that snake is none other than







:D

We first met at one of my friends house. She seemed very homely and shy type. She was so shy or maybe was scared to even come to the room we(me and few more of my friends) were at and talk at that time. But slowly as time went she started to show her real self and then I came to know she’s one of the worst rowdy!!

Shes very popular among her friends especially guys. Her best friend is a dog actually (patti). I've always wondered how a snake and a dog can get along. She loves pepsi a lot so if anyone wants to take her out please do have a 2l bottle Pepsi in hand. For more details of this reptile do visit “its” orkut profile.


And finally, a public call for all zoo keepers to catch hold of this reptile before it gets dangerous. :D



Friday, October 10, 2008

Joyful Singapore!!

Going for a holiday is something that not just me, but I’m pretty sure, it is something everybody looks forward to. Whether its summer or winter, whenever there is time to squeeze in for holidays ill be up for it. It’s been ever so long since I’ve had a proper holiday tour so through this post I would like to re-live some of the most cherished moments in my life.


Singapore


My first ever overseas tour was to Singapore. It was back in 1994 when I went there with my family. At that time I was really young and so I wasn’t as excited as I am at present and some while ago, probably because I didn’t know anything at that time and was so dependent on my parents.


It was just a month long tour during my summer holidays. My father had actually combined it with an official tour. Soon after we came back he had an offer to work there actually. So that’s when we had actually shifted there. My entire secondary education I did it there. So Singapore was no longer a holiday destination instead it became the place I had to grow up. In one of my previous post I had actually stated that one of my key strengths is to adapt to changes. This was my first change back in 1994.


It took time for me to settle but once I was actually settled it was the time of my life. The environment there was simply stunning and the places there were dead clean. The roads were all so smooth without any humps, very unlike to the roads in Chennai and slowly I started enjoying all these.



Now, sticking on to the holiday mood let me just quickly brief through some of the must visit places in Singapore.


  • Sentosa



Singapore as such is not a very big country. It is basically a small island in the South East Asia. If there is one place in Singapore that you have to visit then it is Sentosa. It is actually the most visited tourist spot in Singapore. There are basically three modes of transport through which you can get there. It is either through land, sea or air. Land obviously through bus or taxi or any vehicle and sea is through a ferry from world trade centre and finally by

air and no its not aeroplane but a cable car:D.

Some of the entertainment activities in this place are :


Underwater World – Asia's largest tropical oceanarium


In this place you’ll actually be made to stand on a moving escalator and while it moves u can actually experience the life under water


War memorial park – the view of the attacks made by Japanese soldiers on the British through sea.


Golf course


Silosa beach – this beach is simply too good. You have to be there to experience it. There won’t be any waves but the view, the sand, the water rides are too good to be missed if you’re there.



Musical Fountain – It a fountain where in music will be played and the fountain actually makes moves according to it. Laser flashes will make it more catchy especially after sunset.


There are plenty other place in Sentosa and the time just passes like anything when you’re at this place. You will need one full day to spend for all the activities that’s in there.


  • City


The whole city is known for its tall buildings, sky scrapers etc. The entire sight of the buildings from all angles is breathtaking. I’m sure having first hand experience will be one of the most precious moments in life to be had. I had this opportunity to go up this OUB Building which is of 105 floors. I went up to the 100th floor and the view was awesome. Those were some of my most treasured experiences which I will never ever forget in my life.





















There is this theatre called Esplanade. It was built taking a shape of durian (fruit). It’s situated along the Singapore River and a nice place to spend the evening. There are plenty of theatres in it, shopping mall and restaurants. It’s a very romantic place at night. Your girlfriend will love it if you bring her out there especially in the night: P











  • Night Life


I’ve already written posts about some of my adventures in Singapore. All of those have been at nights. Unlike in India, it is really safe to roam around spending the night out in Singapore. Girls roaming around the clubs late at night is a common sight. They’ll be safe provided they themselves don’t get in any sort of troubles. Chijmes(picture) is one of the famous night clubs in Singapore. There are several others such as China Black, Hard rock CafĂ©, Asoka (for Indians but all are allowed) and many more.











  • Changi Airport


This airport is ranked number 1 in the world. You can actually spend the whole day in the airport as this place is very good for entertainment. You have gaming room actually placed to keep the transit passengers entertained while waiting but is open for all. Then you have the various fast food outlets like McDonald, Burger King, and Pizza Hut etc. You can also find some Indian restaurants in there. There are 3 terminals each of which are very huge and words just can’t explain about this place so you have to be there and feel it. First picture shows an aerial view of Singapore's Changi Airport, several times voted as the world's best airport. On two of the gates are Boeing 777's of Singapore airlines.

















I can actually go on writing about this is place as it is where I was brought up and I’ve spent majority of my life here. Without any bias I’m suggesting it as a must visit place for everyone.


In my following posts ill write about the other places to where I’ve gone for holidays which either will be equally good or better ;)

Other interesting places:

  • Singapore Zoo
  • Night Safari
  • Bird Park
  • Discovery Island
  • Fantasy Island
  • East Coast Beach
  • Changi Beach
  • Orchard Road
  • Big Splash

Upcoming Events:

  • Formula 1 Night Street Race


PS:Ill happily be anyone's tour guide provided I'm sponsored the air tickets but fun assured :P ;)



Sunday, October 5, 2008

A humble request!!

It was a boring day today but one good thing is that the court matter finally got solved. Evening cricket as usual was good but I feel slowly the number of people turning up is reducing. There was a time when we had around 20 of us for an evening of cricket and now it has reduced drastically to 5. These are some times that we would never be able to get it back once we start off our carrier and so it would be really great if everyone turns up with interest.

Then it was dinner time, I was damn hungry because I didn't have anything after my lunch which was at around 11. To my surprise, my mom prepared a great dinner so it was one hell of a feast and I capped of my day by having a chat with my friends in google talk. Nothing big nothing small.