The High School Experience

Been binge watch 13 Reasons Why since morning, so I guess this write up has something to do with it, inspired by it.

Being sick means you have some good time to yourself, to ponder and reflect on the direction your life is taking. Watching 13 Reasons Why kind of made me rewind back to school days.

High school can be a real bitch sometimes. You want to conform to a set of made up rules, be seen with and as the cool kids at school. It's all a popularity contest. Anything unique and you'll be seen as an outcast. 

Kids can be real cruel. They'll make fun at your imperfections, call you names and tease and poke fun at you. They can be unforgiving and relentless. Sometimes you eventually let these things get to you. You just want to run away from this bullying and teasing. Don't want to run into them. 

Thus you start wearing a mask, putting up a front to shield yourself from the things they throw at you. You don't want them to see the real you. You want to be seen as cool and popular, thus loosing sight of yourself. In order to be accepted you become somebody. You know one slight mistake will not be forgotten. 

You try and hang out with the cool kids, or at least hang around with them, so that you can seem to fit in. Do the things they do, no matter how wrong it may seem. Your every actions and every decisions is influenced by your friends, what would they do, what do they do and why you can't do the same? This is not peer pressure but conforming to a set type often going along with pranks that may not seem right. Thus loosing your identity and uniqueness.

And this doesn't stop here. It continues to follow us in college and our career. We butt kiss, suck up, hang around, socialise, all in the name of climbing up the social and career ladder. Once again loosing ourself, keeping our true self hidden. We are sure that if they get to know an aspect of us, people will never understand, cause that aspect doesn't conform to set principles. 

We turn our backs on people who really care about us, genuine friends and lovers, who love us for who we truly are and not what we put up. We just ignore them or turn them away, because we don't want to accept ourselves, to be ourselves, and we have difficulty in accepting them cause we do not accept ourselves and our lives. Thus making our lives empty and superficial.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, is all about our need to be loved and accepted. To be admired by one and all. We put our lives out there for people to like, love and judge. For people to stalk and jerk off. It's our lives in the open. Again another way of trying to conform.

I am not too sure if things will ever change or if we could live our lives as who we truly are, open, proud and free. Not conforming to any standards and rules, not being bracketed in life. I really hope it comes soon.

P.S. 13 Reasons Why continues to show how bad our and backward Hindi shoes are.e

Round and Round We Go: Experience of a Runnaholic

Going round and round in a circle is not my ideal race to run. That being said, last year witnessing the 12 hour team relay really made me want to participate, be a part of a team. It also left me feeling a bit sad that no team thought of asking me. Not that I am a bad runner, and I know I would be an asset to any team, so was kind of surprised at not being asked. But then what was done was done.

This year, I eagerly waited for some team to ask me. When the moment presented itself I eagerly jumped at the opportunity. Irrespective who asked, I knew I wanted to give it my best. But then due to a goof up and a really foolish situation, I was left with this annoyed and sad feeling.

A week to the run, and I resigned myself to the fact that once again I was relegated to the role of cheering. But a chance  call brought the hope back again and not wanting to miss the opportunity, I immediately agreed to it. 

So here I was, all set to run the last slot for my team. A little nervous, a little wary knowing that the temperature could get hot and humid during the slot, nevertheless excited. Didn't think I needed to prepare cause had run for two hours and above. Hence felt there was nothing to be worried.

The day arrived and I decided to reach the venue well in advance so that I could cheer my friends and at the same time avoid the railway mega block. The first thing i noted when I reached the stadium was that it was one humid cauldron. As I made my way to the stands to greet my friends and fellow runners I told myself I was prepared for this. 

So as the slot kept going and runners ran, felt the tinge of nervousness building. Admired the various running forms and runners and picking some valuable running tips. It rained for an entire slot bringing some respite, but then it stopped and the temperature returned to being humid. As it drew closer to 3 pm the nervousness was pretty palpable. I quickly changed into my running gear and started my stretching.

As we waited at the line up, met my good friend and running Diva. We decided to keep pace together as we did not want to push. We were then joined another really good runner who decided we all will pace together, at least for the first half. So when we started off the three of us joined together, running steadily down the track, passing photographers and other runners and being passed by other runners. There was a slight breeze which disappeared after a while. Sipping water and passing it on and supporting each other and our runner friends. 

After a while, going round and round and the weather seemed to get to me. Wanted to just stop and walk. But didn't want to as I would seem like a wuss. So kept going. So when we were over an hour mark, we decided to break away and run at our individual pace. Briefly walking brought some respite. Then it was back to running steadily. Played with the idea of doing something I have never done before. I removed my running vest and handed it over to my friend and ran bare chested. Felt nice and light and cool. 

As I kept passing the clock just waiting for it to hit the two hour mark. By this time I decided to walk to the water station at every round, drink water and pour it on myself to keep my body from overheating. And it seemed to work, was able to up the pace. It is always a morale booster when you heard your friend cheering and egging you on, offering you water and fruits, teasing you by asking if they could pace you. 

So we finally entered the last stretch and I decided time to sprint, assuming this was the last lap. Alas there was time for one more. Here I felt like a spent force, I decided to go on one more lap, Ans walked for a while to catch my breath. Then as I reached the last bend seen people trying to pace their friend, decided to give it my all and began my sprint to the finish. When I finally finished, pumped my fist knowing I did what I set out to do. Covered well over 21 kms in those two hours in the hot and humid weather. 

As I received the medal from my friend, who was eager to put it on my neck and posed for pics, I knew it was now an experience to treasure. All I wanted to do is find something to drink and fall flat and rest.

All in all an it was an experience to savour. Although it left me feeling a hell lot drained, couldn't asked for it any other way of trying push the limits to see how far you can go. So left the venue with a sense of pride at what was achieved, individually and most importantly for the team. 

The Mohammad Ali Experience

The holy month of  Ramzan always necessitate a trip to Mohammad Ali Road to partake in a sumptuous meal that the season has to offer you.

As you make your way down the crowded narrow streets, dodging people and handcarts, making sure you don't step in a puddle or dashed by a vehicle, you are just working up your appetite. Slowly and steadily you glance on the lit up minarets of the mosque and what follows is a true feast for all the senses.

As you approach Minara Masjid you are greeted by carts and carts of vendors busy frying nan-sandwiches, egg rolls and various kebabs. The whiff of tandoori chicken, malai chicken slowly filling your nostrils causing your now worked up tummy to begin its growling. You have Hyderabadi Haleem and chicken biryani, Kichda and various chicken dishes just stacked there calling out to you, tempting you, causing a small puddle to form in your mouth as you drool like Pavlov dog.

Every where you glance upon you can see people gorging down their food, savouring it. Sellers beckoning people to their stalls, offering you their air conditioned seating arrangements, in case you are looking at a way from escaping the heat. 

You have the office goers, teeny boppers, the enthusiastic photobloggers and photographers clicking stories and pictures for their blogs, families, people of various faiths and not just the Muslims. This is a place for everyone.

If you are one of those who are bothered about hygiene and how your food is cooked, then be prepared to go back empty stomach as this place ain't meant for you. In a way have you ever been to the kitchen of a 5-star restaurant? Also, all your calorie counting will go out of the window. If you don't want to enjoy good food then you need to leave your calorie concerns behind. Look at this way, you are giving yourself more calories to burn. One thing you do need to be concerned about is those who are not here for the food.

All in all, a trip to Mohammad Ali is a true feast for the senses, along with the feast for the stomach. It is also a good reminder of the cultural melting point that is Mumbai, where people will come together and celebrate in harmony not bothering about religion.

Confession of a Runnaholic

What's your running story?

Why do you run?

How did you start running?

How can you wake up at such ungodly hours just to run a couple of miles?

How can you run so much?

How can you pay so much just to run a race for a silly medal and some snacks?

These are few but familiar questions that a runner constantly faces. Truth be told, we really don't know the answers to most of them, and on this Global Running Day, we don't think we would be able to answer them. How do you explain to a non-runner the passion behind this mad addiction? Very often we don't remember why we started in the first place. It seems like eons ago that we started running, and now it has become part of our being, the life we live.

We run because we can, because we were born to run. We have been built for running. For our ancestors running was a way of living, a way of surviving, to avoid starvation or being the next meal. But over the years, thanks to progress, we have forgotten to run. Not anymore cause running is back with a bang. We are the running addicts, the runnaholics, who cannot do without running a few miles or kms.

Running knows no age. A true runner doesn't bother about pace or distance, give them a road and they will be content to run for a lifetime. There's no particular age to start running. 

There are many inspirational stories of runner, just waiting to be told, to inspire, to be heard. All you need to just scroll down to read their stories in their own words. Meet runner and listen patiently.

Running is not just a form of exercise, it's a way of life. It would not be an exaggeration to say that for a runner, it is as important as breathing. In running it as important to give back as you receive. To cheer and support as much as you receive, sometimes even more. For a non-runner, this would be difficult to understand and we don't think they ever will. But we are runners and will always run.

The road of life goes on and on

Out from my doorstep 

Into the great beyond

Where it will lead us 

No one knows

But down that road 

I shall go

With a spring in my step

And a smile on my face

The road of life goes on and on

Dream a little Dream for ME

Dreams are your window to what you can be, who you want to be, what you are capable of. Sometimes you may give up on them, but they have a way of never giving up on you. Just when you least expect it, there they are standing in front you, smiling at you, with that "I told you so" look (not the sheldon kind). Dreams have a way of coming true. 

I have a dream (not the MLK kind), or I had one, or I still have one (so confusing). I wanted to be a model (ok, ok, I can hear the snickering). I even got a portfolio done, matter of fact two them, one quite edgy and the other standard, met coordinators and even went for an audition. But then circumstances and Home Loans would have it, felt that modelling was something not for me. Look at me, I don't look one and neither do I have a physique like one. I knew I couldn't possibly be one. But somewhere at the back of head there was and still is, a yearning to do something. Especially when you see and help with shoots.

But just when you least expected, you get a DM asking you if you would be interested in being part of a photoshoot for a sports shorts. At first, i was wondering if it was true or just someone playing a prank on me. Even so i decided what was there to loose, so agreed to do it. Got a call Pravin, the co-founder of Athlos, who explained to me about the shoot and the concept, and from that I was on board.

Was pretty stoked about it since the brand was active wear and excited about the concept too as it had to do with running... so double wooohooo! And so the day dawned, but before I could don the hat of a model, I had take my job of a runner, a pacer, at the MRR run, cause I wouldn't want to miss it for the world, well not for June. I actually dared to purchase a full sleeves active combat gear so as to insure I didn't get a tan. So did a good 21 kms in the sweltering and humid Mumbai weather, greeted my friend, waited patiently for my dearest Jennifer To show up, wished and then was off to get ready for my shoot.

Tired and stoked are two things that don't mix well, but they were what I felt as I travelled to Seawood, Nerul, the location for the shoot. Picked my friend Saagar on the way and then we were off. Reaching there had to first find change for the cab, which made me hate the 2000 rupee note even more. 

At the gate met Pravin, who then introduced me to Shruti, the co-founder and the art director, Krutika (who was part of the Athlos team) the junior photographer and our photographer, Himanshu. Shruti ran me through the shoot board which she had prepared for the shoot (really began to like the way she worked). So the shoot was all about running and gymming, which was right up my ally. She then gave me the products, awesome black shorts (what they were promoting) and an equally awesome blue crew neck tee. So had two colours I loved. I even quipped that they matched my blue Pegasus shoes. Shruti further noted that the orange in the shoes would match the orange tee they picked for the next change. 

As we waited for my fellow model Rahul to reach, it was decided to move to the first location and begin the shoot with my solo shots, so that when Rahul came, his solos could be done then. So off we went to what I'll refer to as Seawood Lake. This was beautiful and scenic lake with a trail running around its border. It was hot and there were quite a bit of couples and college students (who seemed to have discovered a DSLR and how it could help their profile pic). While travelling, I noted that the short felt nice and light, almost as if they were not there. 

So Shruti explained to me what they were going to capture, Himanshu directed what he wanted me to do, and then it off to running back and forth, more like striding, while Himanshu and Krutika captured it. At once I knew I was in for a long and tiring afternoon (as I had run 21k in the morning). We captured some running pics and some while acted as I stretching looking at the lake (thank you Simtha and Giles sir for all your stretching sessions, they. Cam in handy). In the meanwhile, Rahul arrived with Pravin. At once I knew I was going to have an immense complex. Rahul is a sprinter who coaches at SAI training centre at Kandivali. Here was this guy who was a bit shorter than me, a little dark, but totally ripped and lean with chest and abs I could only wish for, at least for now.

So once I was done with my solo, it was time for Rahul's solo. Once Rahul's solo was done, we started with duo pics. Now since Rahul is a sprinter and I am a kind of long distance runner, we needed To match the pace and stride, this also gave me some time to get to know Rahul better, so we could have a natural chemistry for the pic. So we captured pics on the trail and couple of pic under an underpass. By now we were attracting the attention of group of teenagers who were clicking pics. And then we proceeded to the front of the park. Since I really wanted to some feedback I asked my friend Saagar what he thought about how it was going. Much to my relief he gave me a thumbs up.

So we reached the front of the park. On the way learnt about brand Athlos, about their products, how they positioned themselves and marketing strategies, which quite impressed me. Now the next shot needed us to to relax on the grass with one of us having to take off the our tee. Obviously that had to be Rahul, come on the chappy had abs and I had something that was not abs, but definitely not quite flab. He certainly gave some abs and chest goals. We clicked a couple of pics relaxing on the grass and then it was time to move to the other side of the lake.

Now here, since the light was not capturing the reflectors, Himanshu proceeded to use a couple of flashes. Unfortunately for me, my bunny rabbit or t-Rex hands came to the fore and I had to find a way to correct them. So we clicked a couple of solo pics and a few group pics, with Pravin joining us in the background. While clicking the duo pics there was a branches that came in the way which unfortunately needed to be rid off. We clicked a couple of more pics on the small path between the park and the road and some on the trail by the lake, especially against the girders of the bridge that supported a water pipeline. 

Once done we finally proceeded back to clubhouse from where we started. As i was already a bit drained from all the running, I managed to catch a quick wink in the car, as only I can do. Once back in the gym, it was a great relief to be indoors, away from the heat and sun and in an air conditioned environment. We took a couple of pics in lunges and squats and stretches to highlight the comfort the shorts provided as a gym wear. 

Once we were done with the gym there was a quandary of whether to take a break, as the light outside was harsh, or proceed with the last location, the steps. Once out it was decided to check the last location, to see if the light was good enough. For our good luck, it was. So we proceeded with the last segment of our shoot, the stairs. Now this could be quite tricky as the stairs were narrow and you needed to maintain your footing, especially coming down. But then we both did our shots and took a couple of shots of casual stretching, and with that it was a wrap. 

So now that shoot was a wrap it was selfie time, to capture the moment, to record Insta stories and post them. Both Rahul and I changed into our normal clothes, giving me time to pick tips from him, and we all headed to Subways for a well deserved sandwich, or subs. Over sandwiches we got to learn a little bit more about each other, where we lived, how we commuted (and survived to tell the tale of our travels) and bit more about Athlos. Once done it was time to book a cab, to head home and rest the weary body, with the experience of the day as a memory to cherish. A promise to help in more shoots.

I really like to thank Athlos, Shruti and Pravin, for choosing me to be a part of their brand campaign even tough I am not a model ( I can hear Saagar do a face palm at this), to Himanshu and Krutika for all the capturing, for my friend Saagar for agreeing to accompany me and lastly Rahul of being an awesome model. It was really an experience, and not to sound cliche, a dream come true. A day where I was truly a model, not playing one. Can't wait to see the output of the pics. So all in all don't dream it's over... cause you'll never know when it will come true.

Memories

Memories you're so gentle and kind 

Falling gently on our mind

But then you are cold and cruel 

Often making us feel

Like a lovesick fool

You give us hope

And at the same time 

You fill us with an aching hope

You are the holder of 

Not only moments we cherish

But also moments 

We rather forget

You make us long for

 Bright and sunny days

When the world seemed so 

Happy and gay

But then you remind us of 

The dark days

That filled our lives with pain

Your walls are imprinted

By people that inspire

But then there are imprints

Of people we love and cherish

Who we Long to see again

How often you put a smile on our face

Remembering sweet moments of yore

Longing to go back in time

And relive them all again

You bring a tear to our eyes

Knowing we will never have them again

You capture a moment in time

Like a photograph hung on your walls

Giving us moments to hold on to

That are never easy to let go

Though we try

When people cease to exists

When they are no more

They continue to live on in you

Never ever to fade away

No matter what you bring to us

Whether a smile or tear

We will always love and cherish you

Because in you we will live

Forever more

Life just like this

We've been reading books of old, 

About legends and their myths. 

Listening to the fairytales being told, 

About men with super-human gifts. 

About noble heroes on a noble steed. 

Rescuing the maiden in distress. 

With a passionate kiss.

Clearly we saw ourselves on that list.

We wanted to be the hero 

Riding on a steed, 

On a quest to save the princess 

Who has been cursed into a sleep. 

To slay the fiery dragon and 

Climb to the highest room 

In the tallest tower, 

To awaken the princess 

With a true love kiss, 

Then ride into the sunset, 

In a fairytale bliss. 

How we wanted our lives to be like this.

But then truth be told, 

Life is far from this. 

There's nothing like a fairytale bliss. 

No superheroes 

Just a silly myth

We are just ordinary humans 

With no powers or gifts

There are no princess, 

 Or supernatural beasts, 

Just myths we read about and 

We want to believe in. 

We wear no super suit, 

Beneath our ordinary clothes, 

We can't take off into space 

To keep the world safe. 

We are ordinary humans 

Capable of the extraordinary if we wish, 

But we won't find our names on any lists, 

Still we want a life like this.