I was proud of myself … I had finally managed to plan my Friday such that I could get home at a decent time .. I would leave office at around 530pm, take 1 call in the car, and the last 1 at home, and I’d be ready to start my weekend at 7pm! Perfect … if things actually went according to plan, that is …
I got to the office parking lot only to find that I had a flat tyre! .. Thats ok, I thought .. I’ve done this at least 5times in the past .. Let me time myself to replace the flat in 20mins this time … And so I started… Bolts made loose, Jack in place, car up, bolts off, spare tyre out … but whats this, the tyre wouldnt budge… A helpful security-person had come to assist … Each of us huffed and puffed to get this off… This made absolutely no sense… So I called a colleague to see if I was missing something here … and then contacted my mech-consultant (read: my dad). No one had more advice than - ‘just give it a little shake’ & ‘get someone stronger to help’(!!).. By this time, more ppl had gathered… All giving it a try, and failing!.. I was left with no option but to call Hyundai-help… They’d take 1 hr at least, they said, and would do it for Rs400/-! I had no mind to pay that much to change a tyre, so I huffed and puffed some more… 45mins into the ordeal, I would try anything now.. I opened the car-help-book for the 1st time in 2yrs, while I went through the instructions there! To cut a (1hr)long story short, the last suggestion we had was to lower the car & get the car’s weight to hopefully wiggle this tyre out of its jammed position.. And so I did… 10mins later we had about 8 of us ‘Wuhuu’ in unison, when the tyre finally gave way!!
There’s a certain sense of helplessness & dissatisfaction while fighting with someone who doesnt respond to what you say/do… its like arguing with someone who doesnt bother to react! .. In that 1 hr, that sthoopid tyre sure had its way! and it took about 5 ibmer’s & 3 security staff to change a tyre! :)
This’ll be my entry to ‘Ripleys Believe it or not!’ !!
I am having a serious case of the hiccups!! I dont remember when I had it last. I’m sure it was very long back! .. I find this oddly amusing .. Who could be thinking of me st this hour!!
I happened to be at a hospital recently … its amazing how hospitals can change your perspective on everyday things .. I was sitting at a lounge outside a lift-area .. and noticed that not everyone who came there necessarily pushed the lift-button .. Thats how some people live their lives, isnt it? Some come to the lift, hope that the lift door will open at some point, they get in, and hope that it will take them to their destination.. some of them change plans mid-way when they realise the lift is going in a different direction than they wanted it to … And then there are others who will come to the lift-lobby, push the button to indicate where they want to go, and get there!.. Both kinds of people know their destination.. but one hopes for opportunity to open its door while they wait, the other plays an active role in getting to their goal!
“It doesnt matter if you win or lose … It matters if I win or lose!” :)
It isnt everyday that the loser wins everyones respect .. But Sunday was one of those days … I, personally, think that Roddick has matured so much since his early tennis days, when his temper was short, and his attitude, difficult! But on Sunday, i would have actually been ok if he won .. Dont get me wrong .. I’m a big Fed-fan .. But Roddick deserved to win at Wimbledon’09.. and all of centre court with many other convinced viewers, would have applauded in unison!! It was especially fulfilling to see a 5-set Grand Slam after a long time!!
I’ve tried e’thing .. I held my breath .. i had a drink .. I even tried to scare myself.. But I still have those darn hiccups! Its interesting how a hiccup can break your thought in an instant… I suddenly notice the night activity outside my home .. there’s a kazillion insects outside, that I can hear without having to strain my ears .. I wonder if these were once familiar sounds, that I’ve pushed so far back, that I need to create new memories when I hear it now …
Its going to be a long night …
After almost a week of no-internet, a bus ride to Dar and a flight via Dubai, I am now back in India after a fantastic month at Dodoma ..
This has definitely been a month of memories I will cherish for long ..
Thanks for sharing this experience with me!
I caught a bit of the ‘Mistress of Spice’ on the movie channel today..
When ur away from India for 2wks, you tend to appreciate even an Ash movie … The story was weird and different .. but it was ok to watch once… especially coz the photography is excellent!!.. its mainly in an Indian spice shop in the US.. and they’ve done neat stuff with the colours there.. enjoyed that..
On a different tangent … On Friday, the team here plans to go to Mikumi National Park .. This will be my 1st safari… The place is about 5hrs from our hotel .. We leave at 3pm and I dont plan to carry my laptop .. So dont get worried if you dont see blog-posts till Sun night my time … And hopefully I should take more pictures than I have already ..
