27 February 2005
It’s been a long time since I have written my blog. A lot of friends
have told me that they have been missing it. God bless them!
Yes, life has been pretty hectic at work, what with the closure of the
business plan for the next financial year and my preoccupation with the
Syndication ramp up.
In January, I visited the UK and US (I left on the 10th of January and
came back on the morning of the 27th) for Syndication roadshows. When
we were there, I felt a trifle homesick, but in retrospect, the trip was
very enjoyable and am sure I absorbed a lot. From the business point of
view, we made some successful inroads.
Also spent a lot of time with Myron Struck, our Syndication colleague,
at his home office in Springfield. We planned and literally shaped the
way of things to come. I liked Washington DC with its imposing boulevards.
Smithsonian Museums were a real overwhelming experience. A night at Princeton
in NJ was also remarkable. Just loved the haloed portals of the Ivy League
University.
I took a little time to warm up to New York but it wore on me and I think
it is fascinating in more ways than one. I managed to see the Phantom
of the Opera at the Broadway, and wow what a performance it was!
The sets, the cast and music were absolutely mesmerising. Though I religiously
took notes, honestly I don’t think I will have the time to write
in detail about the visit. So, folks, trust you don’t mind this
very short descriptor for the time being. It’s better to write a
little than not to write at all…
Earlier I had written a piece on what I called the ‘decustomerisation’
of retail America, which got published on the Edit Page in HT. I do think
that I did stretch the argument a bit too far. The piece also started
a flaming war with my classmates of the class of KV1981. Some bright sparks
of that class are in US and Australia. (Chandu, we may have had an argument,
buddy, but you still are my dear classmate!)
My lovely friend K who works with Accenture emailed me this short note
the other day: Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.
"Pooh!" he whispered.
"Yes, Piglet?"
"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw.
"I just wanted to be sure of you."
When I asked her what did it mean she said that she was ‘missing
me, simple as that’! I thought that was particularly sweet.
T had called up sometime back to say that she’s got into Trinity
College at Oxford. I was so elated for her. Considering her talent, it
didn’t come as a surprise. Pity I don’t get to see her much
these days. Guess she is busy.
After I came back from my overseas trip, it’s been all work, and
very little play, not that I am complaining. I like working and it consumes
me in a good way. I am attached to the brand that I have helped built
and it does take a lot of my time and energy.
One thing I regret though. I have not written a poem for the last 3 months
or so. But hopefully I have got an inspiration to write something tonight,
so let’s see how it rolls out. (Aekta, my first book’s editor,
is behind this one)
Life seems to be on plateau. Soven is growing into a beautiful young person
as she turned 12 this 4th of February. (Happy Birthday, my doll) I find
talking with her great fun. She is full of ideas and is very well informed.
I am also trying to enter her world by sharing with her the new generation
television serials and Hindi pop music. Trust me I have turned into the
school soap Remix addict.
Otherwise, nothing much of consequence is happening. Maybe am entering
a phase where I seem to be on a crossroad being pulled in different directions
by different desires. I have within me a wide gamut of emotions and some
fine and some wild stirrings but most often than not they tend to be subsumed
by one overarching feeling. Why do I feel this constant need to reach
out?
