'Much Obliged, Jeeves' by PG Wodehouse

Better late than never, this could be the expression. I was much eager to read a book by P G Wodehouse. This was to come after a very long time - had once read a chapter from him during the school days. And therefore was waiting for the weekend to come so that I could go to the streets of Churchgate and get a couple of them. I had already got a list of his books, which might be a fraction of actual, from the P G Wodehouse Orkut community. But I was fortunate enough to get one – Much Obliged, Jeeves - from my cousin’s place.

His style of writing really impressed me, wondered how I got too late to board the P G Wodehouse entertainment train, but now once in won’t get down much early. It’s simple, lucid and descriptive. The special ones like ‘….could be the word’ and ‘as the expression goes…’ are too good along with the art of writing ‘a r’ for aged relative. I don’t know “descriptive” could be the word that suits his narration of characters like Wooster’s three aunts, Ginger, Fluorance, Bingley, and not to forget the shrewd, 20 minute egg r (r for Runkle).

The story lingers around the elections of Market Snodsbury. Wooster’s old friend at the Drones club, Mr.Ginger, against his will fights the seat for his fiancée Florance Clarey, a beautiful but a hard to live with lady, who won’t keep the ring if he failed to succeed, as was her past, or custom could be the word, with other candidates in her life. The excitement is kept high till the end and hence the book is worth a read.

Wish to become a member of the club that reads - Everything by P G Wodehouse.

The MAFA Syndrome

A few months back we, the members of Vivekananda Seva Mandal, had gathered to celebrate the anniversary what is called as “Vardhapan Din” of our social organization. Fortunately the meet was also attended by Prashant Joshi, an IIM-C alumni, and now a renowned personality in IDBI. Being of such a high caliber, he is a man with simple language, simple attire but high level thoughts.

When asked to deliver his thoughts to the gathering, he explained to us the MAFA syndrome. MAFA stands for Mistaking Articulation For Action. Many a times we think of doing a thing and think so much about it as if we have successfully done it, without having done it actually. Almost many of us are victim of this MAFA syndrome. The things were easy to comprehend when he explained the fact with a few analogies.

Well, this MAFA syndrome story has installed a warning trigger which, to a much extent, warns us from being a victim to it. Whenever I think that we have achieved a target in an unexpectedly less time, the first step is to check for the MAFA kind of thing. Then only is the time to celebrate.

Hindi Audibles in Yahoo Messenger

For getting Hindi audibles in your Yahoo messenger, go to yahoo.co.in and download yahoo messenger beta version 7. Install the new version of application from the downloaded exe file and guess what, you would have audibles in HINDI. Just go for it and have fun ........... Kalmoohe!

Weekend with the family..very unusual !

Last weekend we had an outing at a place called Surya-Shibir, Pune.

It was fun to be there with 42 family members. Had a bus from Pune early morning. While some had to go by other car, since the bus could not accommodate all of us. Bus madhye barich maja keli. "Gangu geli paaNyaalaa .... tithe tila bhetlla koN.... " , mag jyaala bakra banvaaycha asel tyacha naav aaNi relevant song, asla prakaar chalu hota.

Then it was time to shift the vehicle. We left the bus and all integrated to move through the boat,"launch" is what they call. Reached Surya Shibir in about 20 minutes time from there. Had a breakfast of "kaande-pohe", jyaa varun mala nantar trip bhar khup pidhla. Then had a lecture on the purpose of that project "Surya-Shibir", after which came the much awaited swimming session. We had a football ( the one meant for small children) and hence enjoyed water polo too.
After lunch, some went to take rest while some were having a chat "kaay ga" aaNi "kaay re " prakaar. Some of us rested for a few minutes and moved to play table-tennis.

From there some of us moved to see the "Anandvan", place where one of my uncles own a piece ( and peaceful too ) of land. The scenic beauty here is amazing. AabhaaLaat dhag bharle hote, it was just the time to rain. I have one silly suggestion - Once he builds a house there, I would ask him to develop a portal wherein we can put in request to have it for a day or two :)). Later moved upwards to see the club house which was amazing, with the Sinhagad at the backdrop, and a nice swimming pool. Some time later we are planning to have the experience of this place too.

It was almost dark when we left Anandvan, and moved to Chintu mama's house to have a nice limbu sarbat, having which I departed to one of my friends house. We, my friend and me, had reasons to celebrate pizzas and something else too to chill out !