Nostalgia...

I've often tried to capture that feeling that sweeps over me whenever I visit anything from my past. The dictionary describes nostalgia as

...a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time

As for me, I think it's just the sweetness of the memory from one's (distant) past...a school-bus route, punishment in class, opening strains of a song (associated with, say, a college buddy's hostel room), the menu card at a restaurant, a railway station platform, a dusty book jacket...heck, I even get all dreamy when I sense some familiar smells (one that comes to mind is whenever I spray a little from a sample can of PlayBoy, my first deodorant!!)

But does there have to be a desire or sentimental yearning to return to the past? In thought - yes. But in fact - I'm not so sure.

Why can't some memories be exactly those - simply memories? Why do we have to live in the wistfulness of returning to those places, those people?

It is universally accepted that it would be impossible to foretell the future by visiting it using a time machine and then coming back to narrate what would happen next year. Simply because the very act of travelling into the future would alter it significantly from what it would have been anyways. (Sometimes I lose myself!). This complexity is, thankfully, prevented by the non-invention of time travel till date.

What I seek to know is that why can't the same logic be extended to the past? When we physically revisit some memories from time that has gone by, don't we risk changing forever our associations with places, people, events...recollections get altered, impressions metamorphose, dendrites get re-wired.

And this thought brings me to ask myself - would I always want to do so? Heck, would I ever want to do so?

Six Hundred and Seventy...

...days since my last post. That's a shade over 22 months...almost two full years. Wow!

Older. Wiser(?). Overweight.

But still as confused :-/

Well, someone's back.

Try THIS...

With your arms down the side of your body, stand next to a wall with your left shoulder, outside of the left arm and side of the left foot touching the wall.

Now, without breaking contact with the wall, try to lift your right foot.

Go on, try it!

(If you want, you can give it a shot from the other side around as well).

Even I didn't believe it at first, but this simple sounding act is a physical impossibility!!

Hasta La Vista, Baby!

It's over. I've finally decided to call it quits. No histrionics, no you-can't-fire-me-I-quit scene in office. Just a 3 minute phone call to the boss followed by an e-mail.

19 July, 2005

Dear Sir

I wish to resign from my post of Area Sales Manager, Delhi w.e.f. today.

I would like to be relieved at the earliest possible as stipulated by the terms of my appointment.

It has been a wonderful experience to have been associated with [The Company] for the last fourteen months. I am also grateful to all my colleagues for their support and guidance during this period that has contributed to my personal and professional development.

It has been a privilege to be a part of the North & East (and specifically Delhi) sales team under your leadership. I would like to wish you and all of [The Company] the very best for the times to come.

Thank you,

Yours sincerely,

Not Applicable
Employee Code #####

Must admit, am feeling really wierd.

Have I got it all wrong?

Father time will tell...

Read THIS

Just back from a company meeting at Chokhi Dhani, Jaipur. Sometimes these sales meetings make no sense whatsoever. What's the point of staying hunched up in conference rooms from morning till night (so late that you are running to the restaurant before they run out of dinner!) that you cannot take time off to see the city you have gone especially for the meeting. Bah!

But more importantly, here's what I want to write about. My last post apparently served as a trigger for this one. And through it I reached here. It's the most amazing story of someone who stood up against not only an individual, but against an entire mindset, a whole system and emerged victorious. A must read.

Gotcha!

It's quite unbelievable that I've been lucky enough to stay clear of people selling credit cards over the phone. Still trying to figure out how I managed it this long. Honeymoon ended this weekend. But by the second call, I realised I'm a pro!!

Smart Sales Guy: Sir, I'm calling from American Express. I've been referred to you by Mr Kartik Chandra for a special credit card offer.
Innocent Me: Okay, tell me...
SSG: There's this Gold Card that will give you features like...[launches into delivery outlining how perhaps the card just about stops short of enabling me to buy the moon!]
IM: Umm..okay...SSG (hyper as ever): And, there's no fuel surcharge, no hidden charges....blah blah...
IM: You know, I'm not so sure...
SSG: It's the best deal, sir. Plus you can also avail of facilities like....
IM (partly confused, and partly falling for the pitch): Listen, I need to think; can I get back to you on this?
SSG: Certainly sir, I'll call you in two days time. Have a good day.

Sheesh, this guy almost got me. Now I was determined to (over)compensate with the next call. Didn't have to wait too long. Come Sunday...

Smart Sales Gal: Hi, I'm calling from Citibank.
Well Prepared Me: Yeah!
SSG: We have received a reference for you for our Gold Card.
WPM: Er, reference from whom, may I ask?
SSG (sligltly shaken, possibly not used to such a retort): Sir, I cannot say that...
WPM (cutting in): Then that makes this call unsolicited. Are you aware of a recent Supreme Court order regarding such calls?
SSG (definitely rattled): Uh...let me tell you about this card sir. It's free for life with a credit limit of Rs 2.5 lakh.
WPM: Listen, I understand all that but I'm not interested. Thanks.

You know - all said and done, I sometimes feel sorry for these guys selling cards over phones.