An Eulogy

Dear Guruji, 

This is how we address each other, albeit the difference in height, knowledge, experience, stature - every aspect remarkably varied. Our mutual friend shared the worst possible news, that you had not been with us since Jan. It has been 3 hours, I am sitting here and wondering what has hit me. Only consoling thing is that I had taken the opportunity to speak to you recently and was happy to know that how satisfied you are and enjoying the retired life. You retired ahead of the usual traditional retirement age, just that very act defines you.

 

How do I label our association? I know that I am your disciple - but you treated me like a brother, friend and at times you would turn around and say - "ennamolam solreenga and I am learning new things from you…(still can hear your voice with Kannada accented Tamil & English). I would shrug as usual and say you are the Guru - the teacher. You would laugh it off. 

 

I always look back at my decision to come back from The US in 2001 and see that as one of the best decisions in my life; everyone wanted to stay and carry on the American dream. I came back for many reasons. If I hadn't, I would have never met a soft-giant like you. I always used to tease you a 7 foot 'small' man (as that I is how you referred yourself always). Wholly unassuming, humble and soft spoken man that you are, would never flash your credentials or knowledge and wisdom. We bonded through a pre-sales project, that we named as RAW-B. Everyone thought that we were working on some top secret project for the 'RAW'.

 

When I came back from US, the company had grown and become completely unidentifiable. So when I felt out of place, you had taken me under your wings with no expectations in return. Only when our mutual friend TS shared your credentials, I did come to know about your background and the stature. I strongly think because of your unassuming nature and the simple ways, our friendship had grown very strong. If I had known about your true value, may be I would have backed off in respect. 

 

You never cared for money, fame or titles; you created the next version of me and a large part of what I am today. You treated people as they are, remained curious always, worked passionately, never to please anyone including yourself and that success would automatically follow; in fact not to label 'success' was your mantra! When we won the $5M dollar sale, I remember well that we were not rewarded as we should have been. 

Typical of my old self, I was in a rebellious mood but as ever, you calmed me down with a dose of Karma theory. Subsequently Karma caught up and we laughed about it… 

one of the best things to happen during that period was the time we spent together to publish our own work together on a technical paper - my second publication, but the first of its kind given the wider audience reach.

 

Among the many interests that we shared, passion for food is something that we truly relished. I remember how we used to find new restaurants every week in some nook and corner to try different flavours. Of course, how could I forget the best bisi-bele bath that your missus made for us. You had requested her to make a special bisi-bele just for me and the flavour still lingers. 

Our in-person friendship was short-lived, as I moved to UK in 2003, however it grew through emails, forwards and occasional phone calls. Only once we had shared a bit of despondent mood about how the company we worked for treated you! Apart from that it was always high spirited, fun, teasing conversation and something to learn from you. I fondly remember how you had written to me in 2016 in a child-like manner at the occasion of your book on Data Privacy publication.

 

I am unable to convert the feelings into words about our relationship and the time we spent together. The late nights we used to spend together in discussing project design, that always veered into philosophy, corporate culture, capitalism, politics, cricket, food and at times about your boys all remain deeply etched in my mind. 

 

One of my recent best decisions was to call quite a few people from our old gang (due to lockdown) and of course you were one of the first people that I reached out. The child like tone & joy was still in there in your voice. 

 

I can hear your voice and the words that you had chosen to retire early, contended, happy and turned your daily routine to write your books etc. I was extremely happy for you and shared gratitude in shaping my life. I shared my experiences and what I had achieved and the types of things I had done. You were so glad for my experiences too. I remember you called me to visit you and that we could have longer hours of discussions with nothing to worry about. I was eagerly waiting for that, but you took off after a contended life - but, you had promised me a chat and bisi-bele. 

 

I miss you guruji. I am sure you would be smiling and dismissing my sentimental mood and chide me gently. Somehow I was able to call you just a couple of weeks before your parting especially  on your birthday and exchange my wishes. Had I known, that would have been our last call, I wonder how and what we would have discussed it? You would still be dismissive and looking forward to that as an adventure. 

Many may come in one's life and go, but only a few like you that come, decorate, embellish and remain for ever.  

 

Guruji to quote you "Live humbly, there are great people around us, let us learn!"

Basking in the glory!

Hurray time for people in India as the news of Nobel peace prize sets in. I will be lying if I said, i knew Kailash - in fact I knew Malala because of recent media coverage. There will be blogs, articles and many write-ups now on Kailash Sathyarthi. Discussions on how India's 28 million kids of age 6-14 are working in India, some will be bashing as usual the man at the centre, some will be debating H-M combination that the Nobel committee mentioned, a few like me will be reflecting tangentially on a related subject. Anyway...

I did something that annoyed a few people around me and I am wondering why? this is what I did, if you are weak-hearted, don't read further:

I have a pet and been nurturing it well. I decided to teach the pet some clever tricks to keep it occupied; some people who came home appreciated the pet and 'me' for 'my efforts' - I felt really pleased about myself. Though the pet was doing those tricks, I was enjoying its new found glory. So I decided to take it a better master and helped it learn/show off those tricks. Obviously the fame multiplied and things started paying off.  However the pet was now tired and got bored of these tricks - however will I let my new-found fame let go?

I was blinded and did not see that I am hurting its mental health, not only that the pet started gaining an ego and it also lost a few good friends in the neighbourhood. Frustration started building up. As far as I am concerned, I am working hard for the pet to learn more tricks and be well known in its circle, whereas the pet was losing its social circle, sometimes delivering those tricks well, sometimes miserably failed and people laughed at me. The vicious cycle went on and on until one day the pet got tired of me and deserted me.

The same people who appreciated me started flipping their tongues other way; started blaming and foul-mouthing me. They said I am such a bad pet-owner that never really cared about the pet, but it was all about boosting my ego and myself than really caring about the cute little pet.

I am wondering what did I do? I loved the pet so much, fed it nicely, dressed it up, spent my time and energy to help the pet learn new tricks, took it around the neighbourhood to show its talents. I was only meaning well to the pet. The same people who clapped, cried and appreciated me are throwing brickbats at me? Many people secretly yearned that they couldn't have a pet like that and chided their pets and nudged them to be like my pet - now they have all left me in a lurch.

I was so depressed that not only I lost my new found glory, but more importantly my loveable pet - what am I going to do? In addition the blue-cross is at my door steps to investigate - I might face a jail too.

I hope this story doesn't reminds you of this recent incident (click here to know) or brings any uncanny resemblance, I am not responsible. Please note the above story is not true but I was reminded when I read how Kailash Satyarthi got a Nobel peace prize for helping recover poor children from labour. By no way, I mean the incident in the link is about child labour, but more importantly is linked to better mental health for kids.

I only wish, that all children grow along their age curve, enjoy their pranks and time - while we talk about work life balance, we also should bring a healthy grow-play-learn balance concept for our young ones. May peace be upon you!

Operation 6 year old - Success

I decided to test it on my 6 year old to see if he has got it. My parents should have let me taken this test, but those days we never had these much challenges. So unfortunately I took these tests only in my teenage and not to mention, I failed and still appear to these tests once in a while. A trifle satisfaction is that my wife also appears with me to take these tests and fail 'em but these days very rarely but still continue to appear. That's one advantage of marriage (I don't know why, but we spend money and still take it, with the HOPE that one day we will learn our lessons finally).

But as the next generation starts, I wanted him to take it up early in his life - if he passed it, then life-long it will be a lesson and if he didn't then, we got another one to join us for the next sitting.

This all started when one of our friends suggested this idea. What are friends for? Recently they moved back to UK after a couple of years in India. They were sharing these wonderful stories about India, malls, movies, and pani-puris. Apparently their boys had taken these tests in India and are used to it. Believe me in India, a lot of kids these days go take it, just so much peer-pressure! They talked my boy into it and he was really looking forward to it.

On Sunday they joined us for Lunch and the boys though they knew it from their previous experience, they really didn't know what they were getting into this time. We allowed them to play XBOX and fed 'em with good lunch. Good Parenting you see, no pressure. My 6 year old boy was kind'a excited and was ably joined by other two kids. The rush was setting in.

It was time!

We drove in two separate cars and reached the hall, got the necessary passes. The kids wanted a treat before going into the hall. We as mature adults, didn't budge - It was a clear NO. They will have to go into the hall for 3 hours of tests and may be in between at the break, they can get an ice cream. Poor kids - the phrase Bakra came to my mind.

As usual, we went and sat in the back row. (Ah always back-benchers) and my 2 year old didn't know what was happening, she got scared a bit. Poor thing, she didn't know she will be subjected to such a severe test when she turns 6. Who knows may be early too. My boy kept nagging me. Any one who's been to a test before sure knows that last minute tension and stress. There may be a few minutes to start, but you would better like it just start and get on with it. So, I understood his feelings and was very supportive. After all, with so much pressure on a 6 year old these days.

It was time. The test had just begun. Boys were initially quite happy to take it, but within half-an-hour, they were exhausted. Given that we grown-ups had been taking the tests for 15 years, we were trained to the necessary stamina and resilience levels. But after 45 minutes or so, even we couldn't take it. My friends' wife, who really likes these tests - she herself couldn't take it.

Luckily my boy, he had a brilliant idea to get out. He raised his hand for a wee-wee; I happily took him out. This probably was one of the rarest moments that I had taken him happily to the loo even without the missus pushing me to do it. Wifey was fuming because she couldn't grab the opportunity as she was having the 2 year old who was sleeping like an angel. I mentally noted, sleep my dear little one. One day you will go through this pain and I am sorry. It is for your betterment.

Fortunately we had the break between the tests and all of us rushed out with a deep sigh. My friend and I were discussing strategies for the next half of the tests - the boys were tired, but were looking forward to the ice-creams. Then it started again - My son he couldn't take it. He begged, pleaded - Nope I didn't budge. I decided - he just needed to stay in there till the finish and it will be a lesson fulfilled for his whole life. He was really frustrated. He might have thought I am the worst dad in the whole world. Never mind, one day he will thank me.

Shrewd guy that he is, threw a master strategy back - He said if i just stay in here till the finish, will i pass? I said yes, then he said, give me your phone and let me play a game. I said, Ha but my loan phone (as Nokia & Vodafone have ruined my smart phone) is a basic one. He said never mind, "give me the phone, I will just play a very basic game of popping the bubbles, let the time run out and I will come out fully passed. I swear will never ever come to a Tamil cinema especially this guy Vijay's movies" - Jilla Nee Jeichuttada! (Click here)

Post-Script: We adults have not yet learned the lesson after Sura and such movies - we continue to waste time & money on it. So it was my way of teaching my son a valuable lesson. If you are young and not a teenager, your mind will still be healthy and will reject crap. My 6 year old boy did it. He sat there bravely for three hours and I am sure will never set foot on the movie halls any more.

"Suppli Balla" - A new game on the making!

I am enjoying my time off with my son and in order to up the fun, I decided to 'invent' a new game.

One of my childhood stories is about me making a new dish called 'Kaja-Buja'. I guess my skills were quite on display from the very beginning and I have been a 'creator' always. Kaja-Buja tasted yummy to my family members as this was an innovative dish (please ask recipe through email), even though you need a few ingredients to make the dish, you actually don't need fire to cook it. Well, looks like i have been health conscious all the way.

But today I want to proudly share the new game. (my son improvised it as we went through). I also trialed this game at my friends' place with their two kids (doubles version). I should say it was real fun and especially playing it with kids makes it great. So try it with caution, if you have any doubts - you know how to reach me. Any royalty claims belong to me.

What do you need? a ball and the rules. This game has been inspired by Volleyball, Tennis, football, basketball but very little cricket (How could we have a game without the influence of Cricket?). The objective of the game is to keep your score low. Whoever has the lowest score is the winner. In our game room, we made a net using a few play things. This net actually makes the room into two halves. Now the player is chosen by a special toss. Whoever loses the toss  starts the play. The player can use his/her leg, arm whatever and try to hit it on the opposite wall. The opponent needs to stop it - however the main objective is to tease the opponent and try and make sure the opponent touches your side and btw you should not touch or cross to the other side, else you will start to gain points - if he touches your side, he loses, but gains a point i.e. teasing is the most important aspect in the game. Here comes the basketball rule, you cannot hold on to the ball more than 5 seconds, if you do then you have to tap the ball on the other side and try and take it back again.

When you have more than 2 players, similar to power play the tallest player needs to stand behind and protect against the ball touching the wall but with the aim to catch the ball and this player is equivalent to the goal-keeper except he cannot strike the ball but only protect it (basically this is the role for dads). So the kids play in front and keep teasing the other kids in front. Dads, you should resist getting involved and try not score - the role is purely a blocker role like in volleyball. Every time, a person scores by touching the other side, the ball has to be served by the kid who has crossed the line (else, the kid will start crying - so the service essentially goes to the loser!)

So how do you end if there is a draw/rain? This is where Cricket's D/L method comes into play - since we are in England, the rules often come to play because of rain (?? but i thought the game is to played indoors?) The rain, i am talking about is either moms getting really upset by too much noise or one of the kids starts crying like rains! Now you know the game needs to be closed quickly both these scenarios are dangerous conditions to play - so allow the kid to go for a super bowl and announce individual winners and run away - else they will continue to torture you to announce a clear winner - the super bowl technique is just another distraction, before i call it a day and hurry for a wee - now the whole scenario gets messy with you in the toilet room, 4th umpire (one's wife/kids mom) comes into play - She will say enough is enough and the kids quietly dismiss!!! (Enjoy with your kids and feedback for improvising the game, but please don't try it without elders or don't try to improvise by yourself)

PS: Its time to ask me why is the game named "Suppli Balla"
Suppli means a Kid in tamil (nam thai mozhi சுப்பா/சுப்பி - plural suppli, suppli also means "Surprise" in French); Balla means to spar in Hindi (Hamara Rashtrabasha) - Eppudi?

Good bye Mr Achebe, Things fell apart - a holiday to remember

Almost the same time last year, I was in Peak district with family and friends. The snow hadn't receded, the peaks were beautiful and it was a nice cottage on a picturesque peak! This time we hadn't planned a lot of sight-seeing or any major activities. I had just submitted my thesis for my MBA dissertation and was in a perfect mood to relax. In the cottage, I found a book "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe.

Okonkwo, the lead role of the novel and leader of Umuofia, Nigeria just took me through the book and to much chagrin of my family and friends, I was just reading the book without putting it down! I love books, but very rarely I have motored through books like this. Then when I came back home, I started reading about Chinua and was impressed by this gentleman and his contribution to African and World literature.

I came to know Achebe, Chinualumogu ("May God fight on my behalf")'s "Things Fall Apart" was his first  novel, I was pleasantly surprised; in the sense, how could someone's very first book be so powerful, fluent and  heart-rendering? Just a couple of days before I came to know he had passed away (21-Mar) and went through a feeling that I could not explain. I have a weird thing. I often wish, that I could meet some eminent personalities like Achebe, Yogi-Ramsurat Kumar (YRSK) and a couple of others (I prefer not to mention).

I would have a random thought about these people and would feel an urge to meet them. Suddenly from somewhere, I would then recieve the news that these people have passed away. I had planned a couple of times to meet YRSK and those did not materialize. I literally embarked on a journey from chennai on my birthday 20-Feb-2001 to have a darshan of YRSK and called a friend who was ever-ready to take me to the holy town of Tiruvanamalai. That day even before I called him, the telephone booth owner who had a picture of YRSK told me that Yogi had just passed away.

In a similar vein, I thought of Achebe and said to myself, if at all I should somehow try to meet Achebe in Boston during my trip to the states. But a few days later I hear this news. I don't know how to relate to this.  I was always fascinated by Africa and Achebe's novel multiplied my urge to travel through Africa. I vividly remember his description of Okonkwo taking his matchet and delivering the blow on his son, and then goes on to highlight that Okonkwo did not want him to be perceived as weak. Chilling, but true - I see perception plays a big role in our life!

I am going to buy a few more of his books and I am told Arrow of God is a master piece. Have a safe trip Chinualumogu Achebe, you have done well and your name is etched in the literary world!

222 - 'V' day

After months, I am back into blogging. I decided to get into a mind-judo in May 2009 and its been two years exactly.  Some close friends and family members felt, I am wasting time and money to get into this mind-judo. They were actually testing my determination. In fact I had a strong, loud argument that I should not get into this mind-judo and I may be cheating myself.

On 29th May 2009,  I began my journey into MBA at Warwick. I am almost there with my dissertation just remaining. I am quite pleased for the way I have conducted myself and the way I have applied. I tripped many times and I did not even know sometimes... Such was my judo. It is still not over. However I can declare that after those splendid two years, I am ready for the final frontier.

Another 'second' in my life: there is another 'two' happening in my life and expecting him/her in mid-July.

The other two - recently I was 'promoted' to No.2 at my office and this was confirmed on May 2nd. Its another landmark in what went past.

To celebrate the three twos, I had been to 222. Ramesh a good friend of ours has been saying to us about this restaurant for years and today came the opportunity. An out and out veggie in London. Very nice and I had a sumptuous lunch at 222. Fantastic. Even my 3yr-boy loved it.  

Right Decision - Time will say: Times of India acknowledges it...

August last week, after 3 years of mulling on a decision to buy a LCD TV, We made the decision to buy a LCD TV. As usual, I started browsing the net to find an appropriate TV. I remember and often repeat the incident that happened when I began my 'second' life i.e. starting to live on my own after the first job in Satyam. I was enjoying the IT salary class in India and planned nice furnitures, TV, bike etc. I got a nice Honda Passion motor bike and that gave me a 'freedom' of driving! I decided to buy furnitures to decorate the empty house - Gyan Darshan. I actually was staying for no rent at my Sister's place in Chennai. I thought why not decorate the houses with nice furnitures, so when my sister returned to India, I could leave them as 'presents'.

Anyway, my friend Shiva known for his saving abilities stepped into decision making on buying new furnitures.We also had to visit my maternal uncles' place in Beasent Nagar for helping some problem in his PC. Discussion turned to my idea about buying new furniture. My uncle who has traveled a lot, stacked some good ideas and thoughts too. My Uncle and Shiva influenced me heavily to reconsider my decision and made me buy a used Diwan. I would have spent a minimum of 10,000 Rs, but ended up spending up 1,300 Rs on buying the nice Diwan and 100 Rs for transporting the set. Shiva saw the ad on Adayar Times and thats how we ended up buying.

It became an important learning that too right at the beginning of my career. So almost every other purchasing decision had this learning back in the mind. The same learning influenced me. In the case of LCD TV, my wife was not keen too. With the little boy and my MBA, we had little time to spend on entertainment. However as i was about to finish my papers by Nov and the little one became manageable, buying a TV and Sony's offer convinced us. The climax was yet to play.

We found a nice 40 inch LCD TV, 100Mhz, Wifi, TV Stand, Blue-ray player  etc. from Sony on the web. However when we visited the showroom, Sony offered us a full 3D TV pack for a bit more extra on our budget. We withdrew and went into mulling. We analysed many things and couple of points blocked us.

1. When guests visit, what do we do for extra pairs of 3D glasses? just one costs around £80 and we usually have a lot of guests.

2. What about health risks? - Its completely a new technology and there wasn't a lot of research on such technologies. Especially what happens to eyes and our brains that are fooled to imagine them as 3D images. Also with young lad around, we did not take the risks and settled for a nice regular TV.

In 3 months time, i have an answer. Check this out..."3D TV can make you really sick"

Right Decision - Time will say: Times of India acknowledges it...

August last week, after 3 years of mulling on a decision to buy a LCD TV, We made the decision to buy a LCD TV. As usual, I started browsing the net to find an appropriate TV. I remember and often repeat the incident that happened when I began my 'second' life i.e. starting to live on my own after the first job in Satyam. I was enjoying the IT salary class in India and planned nice furnitures, TV, bike etc. I got a nice Honda Passion motor bike and that gave me a 'freedom' of driving! I decided to buy furnitures to decorate the empty house - Gyan Darshan. I actually was staying for no rent at my Sister's place in Chennai. I thought why not decorate the houses with nice furnitures, so when my sister returned to India, I could leave them as 'presents'.

Anyway, my friend Shiva known for his saving abilities stepped into decision making on buying new furnitures.We also had to visit my maternal uncles' place for helping some problem in his PC. Discussion turned to my idea about buying new furniture. My uncle who has traveled a bit is also known for his saving skills. Both Shiva & my Uncle influenced me heavily and made me buy a used Diwan. I would have spent a minimum of 10,000 Rs, but ended up spending up 1,300 Rs on buying the nice Diwan and 100 Rs for transporting the set. Shiva saw the ad on Adayar Times and thats how we ended up buying.

It became an important learning that too right at the beginning of my career. So almost every other purchasing decision had this learning back in the mind. The same learning influenced me. In the case of LCD TV, my wife was not keen too. With the little boy and my MBA, we had little time to spend on entertainment. However as i was about to finish my papers by Nov and the little one became manageable, buying a TV and Sony's offer convinced us. The climax was yet to play.

We found a nice 40 inch LCD TV, 100Mhz, Wifi, TV Stand, Blue-ray player  etc. from Sony on the web. However when we visited the showroom, Sony offered us a full 3D TV pack for a bit more extra on our budget. We withdrew and went into mulling. We analysed many things and couple of points blocked us.
1. When guests visit, what do we do for extra pairs of 3D glasses? just one costs around £80
2. What about health risks?

In 3 months time, i have an answer. Check this out..."3D TV can make you really sick"

‘It’ has morphed into ‘She’

New Year has been quite hectic for various reasons. Partly health and rest other stuff. MBA has been keeping me on the hooks too. But that was my desire, so can't blame it. What has been highlighted very clearly is investment on health. I have not done much in the last few years. When I came into UK, I was around 67Kg and now just above my BMI. I don't prefer new year resolutions, anyway this year without even wishing one, I lost a few kg coz' of Noro. Then the flu… I did want to do a bit of jogging and I am now planning to start it soon. My son is just blossoming and he takes a bit of time and fat as well. His naughtiness doesn't get on my nerves, but his whining does. He has been like that only in the last few weeks very simply coz' of his health (at least my wife says so, I think it's his new found habit, trust me not from my gene). I mentioned about my missus, bless her. She is driving it carefully and has been affected by the cold as well. We keep debating about the health if it's because of humidity or poor investment or laziness or too much 'eat-out' or is it because of her cooking style etc. etc. I think it is because of the investment in health.

With spring around the corner, I wish to spring back to good health and wealth (!). Yeah I bought a new car – Kuga. My first new car, first SUV, a first Ford (as if I had hundred diff cars before), a first diesel, a first six-geared (I once forgot to use the sixth gear for quite a few miles in the motorway) and a first 'Chill' colour. The colour of 'Chill' reminds of a conversation I had with my friend and his wife. It was a discussion on the colour 'mauve'. It was a funny discussion though… Both are strong opinionated and hence you can see how the discussion can go. But it was nice and finally we gave up that a colour 'mauve' did exist! So what's this 'Chill' colour? It's a mix of silver, gold and gazke. Gazke is a secret ingredient very similar to what my wife uses in cooking. So looks like Ford has added 'Gazke' to its SUV colours and has made it special. Anyway if you really wanted to see the colour in person, please go to a nearby showroom (don't come over to my place – coz' the car would have been old and you really cannot see the 'Chill'). We took the 'Gazke' added Kuga over to temple, garlanded it and welcomed it to our family. It has become 'She'. Now you know the title of the blog. My dear Honda Accord was given a warm send-off, however 'She' did not turn into 'it'. By the way, we do we feminise ships, cars, buildings, counties? I am not a female chauvinist. I don't know why? I will tell, I am a happily married man and I am still enjoying life (though I had to put of my sanyasi plans – not coz' of latest revelations on Sun TV). May be opposite poles attract each other and since the car attracts me, psychologically I am associating with an opposite polarity. I don't know if Freud has theories about this.

In the meanwhile Sachin hit a double in ODI, as like with many, I had a gut feeling that day. I preferred Dravid coz' personally I liked Rahul's style (No I am not talking about the Rahul who dines in huts and travels in Mumbai metros). He is not around in the media these days. May be he is swimming somewhere with fishes showing his human side to him. I tried showing my human side one day by dropping a coin to someone in Paris airport (what was I doing in Paris, that's for a different day), but no media channels cared for me. Anyway I teased our Tharoorji on twitter; he did not fall for it. He has got a clout in twitter but not sure if he will be a Rahul. Anyways enough of my thoughts…

PS: The insurance company and creditors recorded the 'Chill' Kuga as 'Silver' J

Who controls me?

Happy new year to all! Its been a nice start to the year with snow and all the nice stuff. But this means the work is going to pile up and replay later. Its just that goal post is slightly moved... Ah about the title of this post: I am being controlled for sometime now by someone... Normally i always drive things (note: I am not a control freak). There are always situations that you can't control but you have ways to manage and get along... Guess who's this someone who is trying to outsmart or in other words keeping me in toes? No not my wife or my manager or my neighbour or my parents (they relinquished it long back)... as i mention my parents, you would have guessed, its my 2 year 2 month old son! He is all pervasive and omnipresent! The one who keeps me fully on toes, I plan something, he keeps coming up with new challenges... I have run teams of different sizes and challenges... This guy is a one man transformation programme. One thing for sure, I am getting better every day and gives new meaning everyday... He is oozing energy and i am sipping it rather than tiring out... I understand his dynamics and learn to interact with a two year old, i should proudly say 'he controls me now' not in the actual sense of controlling me, but he is just shaping me up as well as getting chiseled! Life is a beauty...