The Mirror

I look in the mirror

And what do I see?

A strange looking person

That cannot be me.

For I am much younger

And not nearly so fat

As that face in the mirror

I am looking at.

Oh, where are the mirrors

That I used to know

Like the ones which were

Made thirty years ago?

Now all things have changed

And I’m sure you’ll agree

Mirrors are not as good

As they used to be.

So never be concerned,

If wrinkles appear

For one thing I’ve learned

Which is very clear,

Should your complexion

Be less than perfection,

It is really the mirror

That needs correction!!

Edmund Burke

1729 – 1797, Irish Philosopher.

Four Years It Is!!

Phew!! And what a journey it has been! Got up this morning and spent a few minutes on the edge of the bed recollecting the last 4 years. It almost felt like, wow, I incubated a baby. (I am sure a lesser feeling, but felt good).

We've been through tough times, easy times, fun times, sorry times. A plethora of emotions; and not one emotion that I would have wanted to miss. The possibilities of conjecturing are manifold; so have always refrained from giving comparisons; "oh, this would have been better or that might have been." But will take this one exception today. I don't think I would have been able to have such a self-evolving experience had I been anywhere, anyplace else.

Not only does it feel good to be able to "create employment" and see; in however infitessimally small manner it may be; the direct impact of value creation; and all those big things. The bottom line is; that Phonon has been with me and me with Phonon these last four years; and what more we've stuck it through. And we've stuck it through a lot.

Wishes to everyone who has been associated with Phonon; well-wishers, vendors, present and past employees, customers, seniors, friends and all those who have ever associated themselves with Phonon.

Soak in the moment, touch wood and move on now. There's a long road ahead and its back to objectivity.

i don't wanna close my eyes,

i don't wanna fall asleep...

:-)

Goodbye Blue Sky...oops, Yellow Racquet

My five year old Dunlop squash racquet finally gave way at the court yesterday. Well, it did go through a lot of wear and tear over the last five years.

Made me learn to respect the racquet (no violations on racquet abuse on this one). Though it probably stayed with me through countless heat the ball sessions on court. Time that would help me block myself of from everything else and just keep hitting along the wall drives; warming the ball; a wonderful outlet for all the built up energies.

Which reminds me of the times in the last few years where I played sport; then took a break and then got back to sport etc. Its a wise activity to pursue a sport. Not only does all work and no play make Jack a dull boy, but the need for a physically fit body is baser in the hierarchy to a fit and agile mind.

Scientific studies might abound on the benefit of sports but this is what I gain from sport:

• Gives me time-off from the normal worries and block thoughts out. It's better than sleep; or rather I would say it is essential for a good night's sleep. Sleeping after having played at any time during the day feels very different from a normal-non-sport-workday's sleep.
• Removes toxins and all the other non-essential material from my body through sweat. Yes, just as our outer body shines through various beautifying methods that we so frequently abuse; an easier way is to let perspiration do its magic. It's also a wonderful air-conditioner.
• Gives me a good appetite and ensures that a little lesser of the lard builds up around the midriff.

So anyway, mid-way through the game when the Dunlop racquet broke; I switched to my alternate Prince racquet. Good racquet no doubt. Wonderful control; but nothing like the feel and back given by my Dunlop. Call it Pavlovian Adaption for all I care; or getting way too used to something that's been a part of life; but nothing like the feel of a Dunlop Graphite. RIP, buddy.

Reminds me of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. Minnie Me, what would I do if you died? Oh, I would just get another one. But in those ten minutes I'll be inconsolable. :)

Now, here's the problem. No sports shop in Baroda stocks Dunlop squash racquets. So begins the search....

An Excerpt from Kipling

Land of out birth we pledge to thee

Our love and toil for years to be;

When we are grown and take our place

As men and women with our race.

'Land of Our Birth'

Rudyard Kipling

What is it with Dreams these days?

A Dream within A Dream

Take this kiss upon the brow!

And, in parting from you now,

Thus much let me avow

You are not wrong, who deem

That my days have been a dream;

Yet if hope has flown away

In a night, or in a day,

In a vision, or in none,

Is it therefore the less gone?

All that we see or seem

Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,

And I hold within my hand

Grains of the golden sand

How few! yet how they creep

Through my fingers to the deep,

While I weep - while I weep!

O God! can I not grasp

Them with a tighter clasp?

O God! can I not save

One from the pitiless wave?

Is all that we see or seem

But a dream within a dream?

-Edgar Allen Poe

via: Simran Khurana