Three weeks ago i ordered some TT equipment from a retailer. One of the item was partially damaged and i emailed the retailer with a picture of the damaged item. I requested for the details of the exchange process. I got a chastising email about opening packages, with a hidden sarcastic apology and a store credit for the item.
I didn't catch the sarcasm for a long time and accepted the store credit like a sucker.
The point here is, i still don't get sarcasm so nothing has changed since my first year.
Bacchu, Milan,Arvind, HP and Harish
Bacchu, passed away a few years ago. But he is remembered for his kindness and passion. I have been lucky to have known him and a few others who kept adding fuel to my passion for the sport in the most positive way.
These past two years, i got more fit - physically and mentally. I have dedicated more hours to playing and exercise. My phone calendar just reminded me of my Birthday. I put reminders on my phone and to back it up, write it in my diary. So one way or another, i remember unless i forget i have a phone and i have a diary. That would mean, i am under no pressure, not stressed about time and no where to be at any time. I know, a lot of you might be thinking, that would mean amnesia. But no, that would just mean, Life is good. Aah, the joy of debunking :) Fortunately i haven't developed memory loss yet but my vision does play tricks with me.
Table Tennis has been a big part of my life these past few years and thanks to that, i have done a few good things and i hope to continue contribute positively. I continue to benefit from my association with the senior center. I have come to know some very nice, humorous, giving seniors and that in turn is rubbing off on me, to a good extent. I am happy beneficiary of their wisdom.
Another part of me left me for the heavens last year. If i am starting to look like my older sister -Gayathri, now, soon i will be talking like my younger sister - Damayanthi. My older one left 5 years ago and my younger one parted ways 5 months ago. Damayanthi or Damu to many lost a hard fought battle to Cancer. Though she was my cousin sister, she was more a baby for us in the house. Having seen her grow up and then get married and have her own little one was surreal for most part because, it was hard to digest that the baby had grown up. She was smart, sweet and very lovable. But she wouldn't spare me when it came to arguments. She would give me more than just a piece of her mind and shred me to pieces. She would be the grown up, at times to show me the way. She was generous in kind and mind. Its a loss for everyone who knew her and those who could have known her. For me,its a double whammy but i am hopeful that i can emulate some of their kindness but i can never be them. I miss them.
Travel, family and friends are all part of my continuing journey. India, Canada, Panama, YMCA (its one of the most frequently visited place). Meeting my school buddies and college mates, during my trips to India and now Canada too, is a highlight and i really appreciate them taking time to come and meet me and share food, fun and laughter.
Time stops when we meet because it feels as though we never moved on :) Our kids look at us oddly when we burst out laughing loudly and high five each other. They have the look that says "GROW UP" :)
Family has been great. They continue to put up with my moods and tantrums and hormones. They have resigned to the fact that i am who i am so they make the adjustments. Spending time with my mom, my brother, my in laws, chasing and playing with my little niece is beautiful. I am truly blessed to have them all in my life.
Every year there are a few firsts for me. I have been a member of YMCA for years but was a no show until a few months ago. Thanks to a close friend, i put the membership to use and it has become a frequent destination. The trainer along with the other folks there are cheerful and motivational. I learnt the use of a lot of the equipment, for the first time. Never too late to learn something new.
Those who know me, know, how i feel about driving. I am the happiest passenger but a very forced driver. But last year saw me driving for 4-5 hours straight. I drove not just once but a few times on holiday road trips. Before that 4-5 hours was the maximum i would drive in a whole week. That was a first. But i am still a very "driven person".
I also graduated to being a High School Mom now. My son is having an annoying time, with me, trying to act cool.
I still drive my CRV and take care of it like a Ferrari. Haven't shopped at Harrod's yet but Amazon and some TT retailers have made much money out of me. I still like Birthdays and the wishes that come along with it and i welcome chocolates and gifts as well.
This year, i hope to read more, cook more, eat less, stress less, smile more, play more!
I didn't catch the sarcasm for a long time and accepted the store credit like a sucker.
The point here is, i still don't get sarcasm so nothing has changed since my first year.
I missed writing the blog last year. I was hoping to write about someone who really had an impression on me and my passion for the game. I wanted his picture and after much searching, I was finally successful last summer. I found an old ill lit, faded picture of him. He was Gopalan, Bacchu to most of us. A generous man who was passionate about Table Tennis and someone who flaunted his passion with utmost truth and love. I started playing Table Tennis a bit more seriously on a regular table in a club over summer of 1984 and those were also the time, when i would love to sleep until mid morning but Bacchu had other idea and he would walk by my house and get my folks to send me over to the club for practice at 6.30 am. I loved to play but just not at that time of night ( for me). But i was a bit selfish back in my teens and because Bacchu used to lure us not just with promise of practice but also treated us to a nice breakfast as well. I would grudgingly show up along with a few others. I am sure everyone there was there because of the food mostly. But somehow with his generosity along with my mother's persistence, of not letting me spend my time loitering the streets of Matunga, Table Tennis got ingrained. I still remember the day my mother handed me the racket with a smile. She had just set a stage for an obsession - of a good kind.
Bacchu, passed away a few years ago. But he is remembered for his kindness and passion. I have been lucky to have known him and a few others who kept adding fuel to my passion for the sport in the most positive way.
These past two years, i got more fit - physically and mentally. I have dedicated more hours to playing and exercise. My phone calendar just reminded me of my Birthday. I put reminders on my phone and to back it up, write it in my diary. So one way or another, i remember unless i forget i have a phone and i have a diary. That would mean, i am under no pressure, not stressed about time and no where to be at any time. I know, a lot of you might be thinking, that would mean amnesia. But no, that would just mean, Life is good. Aah, the joy of debunking :) Fortunately i haven't developed memory loss yet but my vision does play tricks with me.
Table Tennis has been a big part of my life these past few years and thanks to that, i have done a few good things and i hope to continue contribute positively. I continue to benefit from my association with the senior center. I have come to know some very nice, humorous, giving seniors and that in turn is rubbing off on me, to a good extent. I am happy beneficiary of their wisdom.
Another part of me left me for the heavens last year. If i am starting to look like my older sister -Gayathri, now, soon i will be talking like my younger sister - Damayanthi. My older one left 5 years ago and my younger one parted ways 5 months ago. Damayanthi or Damu to many lost a hard fought battle to Cancer. Though she was my cousin sister, she was more a baby for us in the house. Having seen her grow up and then get married and have her own little one was surreal for most part because, it was hard to digest that the baby had grown up. She was smart, sweet and very lovable. But she wouldn't spare me when it came to arguments. She would give me more than just a piece of her mind and shred me to pieces. She would be the grown up, at times to show me the way. She was generous in kind and mind. Its a loss for everyone who knew her and those who could have known her. For me,its a double whammy but i am hopeful that i can emulate some of their kindness but i can never be them. I miss them.
Travel, family and friends are all part of my continuing journey. India, Canada, Panama, YMCA (its one of the most frequently visited place). Meeting my school buddies and college mates, during my trips to India and now Canada too, is a highlight and i really appreciate them taking time to come and meet me and share food, fun and laughter.
Time stops when we meet because it feels as though we never moved on :) Our kids look at us oddly when we burst out laughing loudly and high five each other. They have the look that says "GROW UP" :)
Family has been great. They continue to put up with my moods and tantrums and hormones. They have resigned to the fact that i am who i am so they make the adjustments. Spending time with my mom, my brother, my in laws, chasing and playing with my little niece is beautiful. I am truly blessed to have them all in my life.
Every year there are a few firsts for me. I have been a member of YMCA for years but was a no show until a few months ago. Thanks to a close friend, i put the membership to use and it has become a frequent destination. The trainer along with the other folks there are cheerful and motivational. I learnt the use of a lot of the equipment, for the first time. Never too late to learn something new.
Those who know me, know, how i feel about driving. I am the happiest passenger but a very forced driver. But last year saw me driving for 4-5 hours straight. I drove not just once but a few times on holiday road trips. Before that 4-5 hours was the maximum i would drive in a whole week. That was a first. But i am still a very "driven person".
I also graduated to being a High School Mom now. My son is having an annoying time, with me, trying to act cool.
I still drive my CRV and take care of it like a Ferrari. Haven't shopped at Harrod's yet but Amazon and some TT retailers have made much money out of me. I still like Birthdays and the wishes that come along with it and i welcome chocolates and gifts as well.
This year, i hope to read more, cook more, eat less, stress less, smile more, play more!
4 comments:
HP,you must write more often! Your story took me back to many pleasant memories. So glad to see you doing all the things that you love :)
So well written Haripeas....can just visualise you in the flow of your words. Keep writing, bare it with your words and resolve it with your acts.....waiting for your next blog yaar!!!
Thanks. Fond memories. :) those were good times.
Thanks Jo. 👍
Post a Comment