Tag: 2017

2017 in review

/ Guttu / Leave a comment

This is that time of the year when I used to blog. I mean, it was the only time I used to blog. It’s one of the things that changed this year. Let me try to list the major events that changed me this year.
1) Books : This is one constant in my life throughout. It’s the most I have ever read in a year. 36 books, 10000+ pages. I had increased the count from the usual 24 books to 35 books. Some books surprised me. Some disappointed. But overall, I am quite happy with my reading. I wish to continue this in coming year.
2) Training Camp : I attended a training camp in last 7 days of the year. Before the camp, There was a doubt that I won’t be able to defend myself from physical attacks. Somewhere in a corner of my mind, I wanted to learn self defense. This camp fulfilled my wish. Though this isn’t advance level training, it has increased my confidence. I wish to practice and get more comfortable with the techniques.
3) Gujarat Trip : My resolution for 2017 included a solo trip which I couldn’t manage. The tour of Gujarat doesn’t fulfill my goal but it does bring joy and pleasant moments. The peak of the tour, literally and metaphorically, was the Girnar Yatra. Those days, those memories will stay forever with me.
4) Dealing with loneliness : A major portion of this year was spent lonely. I didn’t attend much social functions, weddings etc. and tried to remain aloof. My goal was to prepare myself for what’s coming for me. It’s harsh reality but I have to deal with it. I was successful to some extent but there were moments which lead me into my shell. I wish to and I have to put more effort to deal with this.
5) Back to blogging : My blog was almost dead. But this year, I have put some life into it. The goal was to posts 1-2 post every month. Posts which reflected my thoughts. 18 posts (including this one) is a good start I say. This is another thing I want to continue in coming year.

There have been some more life events that changed me. Some scarred me. Some healed me. But I do not wish to make them public. 2017 was good but I am hoping for a better 2018. Let’s see how it goes.
Till then…
Think nonsense…

Happy New Year 2017

/ Guttu / Leave a comment

​Aloha guys! It’s new year. Before I continue with my nonsense, here’s wishing you a happy and prosperous new year. Make the best out of it. Don’t complain if you can’t. 

Now let’s see. What everyone does on the first day of the year is pen down some resolutions. Most resolutions definitely include joining a gym. Isn’t it. Weren’t you thinking of this? He he he. That’s on my list as well for whole together different reason. Let’s not get lost in thoughts. We have to make a list. 

1) Reading : Over the last 3 years, This one resolution I have been able to keep up with. 3 years in a row!! Not a joke dude. I definitely deserve a pat on my back. So this year I am going to make it a little bit tough. I want to read 35 books. The difficult task is that I want half of it to be paperback or hardcover. Not ebooks. Believe me. It’s a difficult task. You cannot carry the book with you everywhere. 

2) Solo hike : This has been on my mind for 2 years now. Couldn’t do it for some wrong reasons and a couple of right as well. I’ll have to be fit to be able to fulfill this. Hence the next resolution. 

3) Join a gym : Oh God! I so want to do this. But my laziness keeps me away from joining a gym. I don’t want six pecks and the body of a model. I want to be fit and healthy and have good stamina (for all the right reasons). If I am able to make 30 days in a gym, Then it will last for a long time. BTW, Why there’s no tax relaxation for joining a gym? Are you listening Mr. Prime minister? 

Fourth would have been get married. But I have completely lost interest in it. My practical sense tells me I have just 1% chance of getting married now. It’s better to keep this out of resolution list. 

So what are your resolutions? Let me know. 

Looking back to 2016

/ Guttu / Leave a comment

That time of the year when everyone starts looking back and tries to list out their achievements. Accomplishments. If you are active on social networks then this becomes mandatory to you. You are often bombarded with such statuses, messages, tweets etc. So much so that even if you don’t want to look back, You think of doing it. And while you are thinking of looking back, You are already looking back. I have reduced my social networking activity to a great extent. But whatever time I spend on social networks now is sufficient to drag me into this activity. So here is what I thought about 2016.

The start. First week. It was nuclear. It was Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The “Fat Man” and “Little Boy” did a permanent damage to me. For the last two days, I kept thinking whether to write about this or not. It’s personal. Even a few minutes back I wasn’t sure. There was something in me that was pushing me to write this. It managed to succeed the last minute.

1) The Breakup
The usual suspect. Right? Almost everyone goes through it. It’s very common these days. I managed to stay away from this because I always avoided Love. Maybe later. Maybe later. And so happened that I crossed 30. Still I avoided the feeling. I insisted on arranged marriage. So so old school. Then suddenly out of nowhere this happens. This girl approaches me. Chats day and night. Then talks day and night. I thought she is just being  a little over friendly. Then we met. A few days later she expressed her love. I thought this was her infatuation. I took it seriously only when she talked to her parents about… Us. All this happened in second half of last year which I didn’t write about. In the first week of this year, Our parents met. Everyone agreed. All was well until the next day when she broke up with me. I couldn’t think. After a long call, I thought of giving her space. But somewhere deep inside, I knew it’s over. I was right.

2) I lost my Uncle
If there was a person whom I respected almost as much I respect my father, it was him. It maybe because the first few years of my childhood were spent in his company. Every year, I used to take out time out of everything and stay at my uncle’s place. It’s away from all the noise. There is still no good cell phone coverage there. It felt good every time I went there. Talking to him, Working with him made me happy. I guess he loved me that much. I miss him. Is till do. His memories blur everything. A void he has left which will always be empty. And this happened very next day of break up.

3) Home renovation
It would surprise many how this made it to the list. Just a week before 1 an 2, I had started home renovation. I have this crazy emotion. I get attached to non-living things if  I spend a lot of time with them. My home is one of them. I couldn’t demolish it. I couldn’t imagine the prospects. Thus renovation. I thought it would be difficult but never thought it would be a herculean task. I had to live in a room covered with asbestos sheets with poor ventilation for six months, most of it were in summer. I lost weight. I lost energy. I was weak.  got sick. I had almost no help. But there were two things I never lost. Hope and Faith. Every time the energy reached it’s lower limit, something strange would happen. I would get a tiny bit, A little help from someone which would help me drive for sometime. Fortunately, This continued till the inauguration. Griha Pravesh or Opening was on October 10th. The day before, I worked till I couldn’t. This in spite of getting help from my dear sister. I just put a brave face the next day when actually I was tired. What kept me going were the complements. Almost everyone loved my home. Till date, Every guest doesn’t fail to mention this. This.. This has increased my confidence. I am high on it.

There were a few more incidents which were highlight of this year. But nothing beats these three. At the end of the year, I am happy. I am learning to stay happy irrespective of all the things happening around me. I guess, I have matured a little. I have become serious. The coming year, I would like to balance myself. Trying is all you and me can do. Also, Hope for the best.

And also, Think nonsense while thinking about everything else…