Cooking is an art

They say “Men who say they don’t know cooking; consider their wives as slaves. And women who pretend negligent to cooking are dominant wives.”

Hmm I don’t want to get into the first category; neither my roommates. We all got a passion in cooking. Rather speaking we always showed interest in doing culinary experiments. Most of the time it proved to be good and some other time we found ‘Cooking is injurious to health’.

When we started we all thought; cooking is nothing but cutting vegetables/meat and boiling. Later with our experience we realized timing and discipline is really required to bring forth a yummy dish. Hey!! Am not claiming us as seasoned cooks. We are not. But I would like to put some funny experience we had with our ‘Passion of Cooking’.

Pulav.

The idea was that of Praveen. Though a mallu, he is born and bought up in Delhi. He being a North Indian, we all decided to make pulav under his stewardship. So he is the ‘Chief Chef’ of the day. He started giving us the instructions. Asked us to cut the vegetables, wash the rice, and wash the cooker and so on. We all did those with utmost respect to our chef.

He started making it. We all were wandering around the kitchen to get the glimpse of the receipe and the procedure. He seems to be very confident and doing the things with heavy concentration. We thought of not bothering him. We were all waiting for the pulav to malinger on.

Finally he came out of the kitchen. He said ‘Five minutes guys and the pulav is all yours’. We were sure that it would taste good (He has proved his culinary skills already with Sambar and other varieties)

Time came for us to eat the pulav. We don’t have a dining table in our room, rather speaking we don’t have space for a dining table. So we used to sit on floor to have our food; the typical ‘mallu’ style. We did all the initial arrangements (spreading news papers and washing the plates n glasses). The cooker is still not open. Praveen opened it. He did put his nose inside the cooker. Hey ‘where is his head?’. He is still trying to catch the smell of the great pulav he has made. No smell of pulav. But still it should taste pulav. We all got our share on to our plates.

I had a mouthful, “maaan”. I was looking at other guys. They also were wearing same kind of expression. What does it taste like? I really can’t put those in words. If at all I try, it would be like ‘Eating raw rice with raw vegetable parts’. We all started bullying him. Poor Praveen, he was still looking at the pulav he has made. No expressions and he has gone dump for some time.

He is still confident, “I would make ‘real’ pulav some other day”.

We made biriyani also. It is worth detailing. Expect that here some other day. Bye for now..

They control my thoughts and emotions

Today is my birthday. 10592 days in this beautiful world. God is great and all thanks to him.

Birthdays for me are to retrospect the years I lived. Memories come gushing. Many things I've accomplished and lot more to do. When I walk down my memory lane, the first of effigies which appears in my mind is my friends who have made my life so happening. So that I've started writing now, it would be unjust if I am not writing about my friends. Friends, who have influenced me a lot.

What do they do to me? Quite simple, they imbibe my thoughts and emotions just like a vacuum cleaner. They clean it with most superior methods and machines, apply some finer perfumes and they put it back in my mind. Now my thoughts are made superior. Yes they control my thoughts and emotions.

Some of them live exclusively for their friends and family. Their priority is their friend's well being. Their coterie is quite big, but still they ensure that they are concerned about me. They taught me the way to make new acquaintance, to be open and talk to others. Reading between lines and analyzing peoples are the tricks I learned from them. They are crazy and naughtier too..Am indebted to them, for making my life even better.

Many a times when I was in deep trouble, when my relatives were mere sympathizers, I get a call from Dubai. 'Hey man, Is everything ok with you?'. They chip in whenever required. They taught me, how one should be determined and fight for the feeble hope. They say 'Am the precious one they've got'.

Keeping in touch would be very hard while the years pass by and is said to be an art. They are really good in maintain contacts, where ever they are. We, from time to time meet, in somebody's marriage.

When I go a bit off track, my friends call me to put me back in path. Their occasional visit to my room and my home really makes me a good man.

While at work, I got managers who are not just managers but friends, really thick friends. Always guiding me and correcting me. My boys are my buddies. The little to big fights we have entertains us very much technically.

A whole day of tiring work would be annulled when I reach my room in Bangalore. Those kids cracks instant jokes and are best prank players. We enjoy every moment while we are together and the occasional trips as part of our whole Karnataka tour programs makes our bonds deeper.

A small post is really not enough to describe about them. The list would go on and on. I could write a series about them.

Many are living abroad, they live their lives but they live my life also. 'Thanks' is not the word to be used to express my gratitude to them (hmmm….i won't ever say thanks…I got enough for saying thanks to them..They whack me if I say thanks)

Friends you make my life, you've got the power to control my thoughts and emotions

Did you eat?

How often you used to get this question from your gal friend, sisters, mother or your lady manager? In my experience, I hear this question at least three times in a day, one each from my sisters or mother and one from my friend who steals my evenings through the cyber world. Some times if I get to meet my lady manager while at lunch time, she might also ask me the same question.

I used to wonder, why only gals or women ask you this question. I asked my friend. She is an angel and her answer was ‘See… you know, how concerned we are’.

I asked my sister the same question. She said, ‘Who else will ask you?’. He he he..she seems to be ignorant, every gal asks this question. Hmm this also means, they are concerned.

I asked one of my male friends. And his version is like this.
‘Hey buddy, they want to show that they are anxious and caring. Ofcoz they are concerned. And if any gal asks you do you eat, answer her no. Coz, she would be getting a topic to elaborate at least for 10 minutes. She would be contended on that she has expressed her affection . And you on other hand would get a chance to hear a sweet talk. And if the gal is your sister, mother or cousin, answer them straight with the truth’

Am convinced, this question is one of the strongest weapon in their armory

Morning Blues

Weekday mornings are always boring. Many a times we wont feel like going office at all. We all love to get an extended sleep. The morning blues would be even worse if it is Monday morning after having a rocking weekend.

Morning in bed we device some plans. Check the roaster- is there any critical thing to be done this week. Or is my presence in office really required. Ok, convinced, it won't make a difference if am not going office for a day. Now reach out for the mobile phone, oh shit, it do have the charge only for a call. Start searching for the manager's number.

'Hello Sir, this is Harees here.'

'Good morning Harees, wassup? So early in morning'

'Sir am not feeling good'.

'Oh!!, What happened?'

'Nothing major Sir, I had dinner last night in a new hotel. I think, my digestive mechanism has rejected it '

'Oh is it?, Come on man take care. I'll handle the roaster for today'.

'Thank you Sir, I would try to come after noon, If the things go OK'

'Not needed Harees, You take rest for a day'.

Hey…bingo!!!. It worked…now find the bed sheet…cover it all over your body….and sleep.

Sometime your manager may also feel the same morning blues.

The conversation would go like this if that is the case.

'Hello Sir, this is Harees here.'

'Good morning Harees, wassup? So early in morning'

'Sir am not feeling good'.

'Oh!!, What happened?'

'Nothing major Sir, I had dinner last night in a new hotel. I think, my digestive mechanism has rejected it '

'Oh is it?, I am also not keeping good. I think I've got a small flue. I will call up Latif. He will handle todays roaster'.

'Thank you Sir'

'You take care'.

This won't work if you are using it very frequently. So go with a different plan.

'Good morning Sir, this is Harees here.'

'Good morning Harees, Is everything OK with you'

'Am doing good bozz. But the problem is, am in my hometown now. I was supposed to return Bangalore yesterday night itself. I actually came here to attend my friend's marriage and it happened in an outlying place. I was not able to return back in time and missed my buss. Thought of calling you yesterday itself, but decided not to disturb you.'

'Aha, ok try to get the bus on time at least today'

'I'll do that boss. Thank you'

Quite often you would get these kinds of calls from your subordinates also. If the calls you receive are at odd times, you could make it certain, this guys wants a leave today. The morning blue effect!!!.

The worst of these would be the new-year blues. For us January 1^st is a working day. You might've called your bozz to get leave consent for half day. When you reach office, you could see an almost empty office.

First Flight

"First Flight", does it sound like a courier company's name? Or do you guess it to be "first escape"?

If you understood it as first air travel, then you got me. I did a google to find a better word for my blog post title. I didn't find anything convincing, has to finally zero on to this word.

While in childhood days, when we were playing football – if we hear the sound of an aircraft or helicopter, we would stop playing and look at the skies. Even if we are in a position to score a goal, we would just don't mind. It was actually a rare sight for us. Those from Cochin, please excuse me. When I say helicopter, I really meant helicopter only and not the mosquitoes. I heard people from Cochin used to call mosquitoes as helicopters. It is mainly because of their size and terrible sound that they make. I heard one of my friends cracking a joke on mosquitoes in Cochin. If you were sleeping on your bed in your bed room, you may wake up sometimes from sit outs. Yes these mosquitoes are capable of lifting a 75kg live pack of meat. I too agree they should only be called vampire helicopters.

Back to airplanes, so we were crazy to see them. All of my uncles were working in GCC countries and when they are coming here for a vacation, I always tried to get into the transit taxi. By the way, it is a custom in Kerala here. Majority of the families here would be having somebody in Gulf countries. And when they go back and coming, there would be at least two taxies shuttling to and from the airport. If you see a taxi or a car with big luggage tied on the roof, then it has to be understood as gulf trip. Whenever I see an airplane, I would be in my fantasies on my air trip. I believed sooner or later when I be a man my uncles would take me to Dubai.

I work with a company called ITTI Pvt Ltd, a software company based in Bangalore. We happened to work on project for ADSB, an Abudabi based ship building company. I was the tech lead for the project and it is understood that I've to go there for implementation. Believe me; we were working on a crunched schedule. At least 20x7 working hours for us. Somehow we completed the work and the day came for me to go for implementation. We were working whole night to do the final patch ups. The route was Bangalore – Mumbai – Abudabi. The flight is at 4.30 PM and I left the office to room at 1.00 PM to freshen up. I reached room at 2.00 PM, I got a call from Revathi (HR executive) to report in office by 3.00 PM (She knows, we were working the whole night). As I should be reaching the airport at least by 4.00 and she would be doing e-checkin for me. I just poured some water on my body, got into my best attire and rushed out of the room. Reached office by 2.45 and the cab came exactly by 3.00 PM. Got into the car and left for airport. Satish and other team mates were there at the office steps to see me off.

All those days were busy for me and I forgot to ask expert opinion from experienced peoples. I convinced myself I could do it without any problem.

The driver was so skilled that he took only 30 minutes to reach airport. I got down, checked the passports and air tickets in the laptop bag. I was wondering what to do next. I spotted a gate guarded by security personnel. I was sure that should be the gate for me to take. I decided to watch what others do and just follow it. I went and stood in the queue. I saw peoples holding tickets in their hand and the security personal were checking them. I pulled out the air tickets and when my turn came I showed my tickets to them as were am a frequent flier. When I was standing in queue, I tried to look at the ticket the guy in front of me was holding. A sigh of relief, man he is also traveling in 'Jet Airways' to Mumbai. I donno whether he would be in same flight. I decided to follow him.

I pulled my trolley and went were ever this guy went. He stopped at the baggage scanning machine. He put the bags in the machine. I did the same thing. He was walking; man I should not lose him. I followed him all the way to the 'Jet Airways' counter. I stood behind him watching his deeds. He gave the air ticket in counter, kept his bag on the weighing machine. He gave the Pan Card to the pretty lady in the counter. So am also supposed to all those. Now its my turn, I did the same thing whatever the guy did. The pretty lady was convinced. She wanted to know my preference for seat. Hey this question was not asked to the other guy. I just managed to say 'Window seat'. I was not sure whether it was correct. She smiled and did some typing in her computer, took the boarding pass print out. She took some more print outs, fixed one on my check-in bag and other on my boarding pass.

I am done, when I turned back, I couldn't see my guy. Oh man were should I search him. He was my guide. Aiyayyo what next?. Flash on my bulb!!!, there was another guy behind me at the counter. Come on I'll follow him.

I was waiting for the guy to complete the things. He is also done, he started moving. The pretty lady had told me to go for security check-in. What the heck is that? Hey why should I worry, I've got a new guide. He went to a coffe shop, what am supposed to do. Went there, he ordered for tea…hmm I ordered for coffee….Hows it? He had his tea. He started pulling his bag. Me too. Hey he is going to loo. He he he I also did it. Came out. Now we are heading for security checkin. He joined a queue. Me behind him. I saw him, putting his mobile in the carry bag. I also did that. He put the bag in the scanning machine. Me also. He went for check, I was watching what exactly he is doing. He took his purse out, kept it on the table next to the security person. He gave the boarding pass to the security person and lifted both of his hands. Got it, I will also do it. Now when my turn came, I did the same what the other guy did. I got my boarding pass sealed, took my laptop bag and followed my guide.

Now we were waiting for the announcement for our flight boarding. We are supposed to go through Gate 5 I guess. All the time when I was sitting there, I was searching for the gate now 5(the one with airway bridge). Announcement came, I saw my guy moving. Went behind him. The person at the gate was checking our boarding pass and the security check tags on our carry bags. We were allowed to go in. We walked through the air bridge to the aircrafts entrance. Guy standing there tore the counterfoil and gave us the boarding pass back. There was another pretty lady at the doors welcoming us. I smiled at her, am supposed to do that isn't it. I found my seat and got seated.

I was expecting the seat belts to be those found in cars. But this seems to be different. I did manage to lock my seat belt. When the flight is about to take off, the pretty ladies started their circus. I did find it funny. I was looking around what others are doing. All were reading something or looking somewhere else. Poor ladies they continued their dance moves.

The flight took off. I was pretty contended on completing my first phase very successfully though through apery.

My Confessions

You know what happens with an average looking; not at all smart guy who wants to be loved…Here is…my adaptation of it…

This guy, I call him Raju, is a very much a mallu. He is average looking and always thought gals to be the beautiful creatures. It always ponders his mind; the male genders except in human beings are made beautiful. The peacock, lion, cock…man the list goes very big. Why man is made inferior to women at least in loveliness. This is not fair.

He felt jealous on seeing fairly looking and smart guys. He used to closely watch them and emulate their actions. Most of the time those emulations failed despondently.

As a natures law, the opposite sex has to get attracted. Our hero also gets attracted at times..Many times he intends to talk to a gal, however he try the things doesn't go his way at all. He finds the problem is with his looks and blames the gene for that.

Now that he realizes, this is not going to be working for him. He confronts himself by assuming the responsibility of finding a gal for him is with the parents. He decides not think about it at all. Hey it's a magic, no more frustrations. He is happier than ever before.

When he gets into college, he ensured that he is not getting into any relations with gals even as friend. He finds likeminded guys in the college and forms an anti-love brigade (not moral policing though). They engaged themselves with the war against the lovers.

But love has got such a magical power, the brigade perished in no time. And all the brigadiers found their love interest, leaving Raju alone.

I said love has got magic; Raju develops a kind of crush on one of his classmates. As usual, he dared not to open it to anyone. He secretly admired his love interest. He moved his seat behind this gal's. Sitting in the class room but all the time concentrated on seeing his gal. Even waiting for his gal to talk something to somebody.

Time went by..And Rajus love remain as one sided. Does he feel the pain within him? Yes he do. Now college time is over…He still treasures this as cherishing memory.

What this is to do with the title "My Confessions"? Raju is nobody but me.

I should confess my fellow brigadiers, I've was in love. I know the power of friendship but aint known with the deepness of love as mine was one sided.