Work, work and more work ensures that a simple person like me doesn’t get time to blog. So, here’s a post that summarizes the last two weeks of my life.

Team dinner

Every quarter the teams out here go out for dinner. Last quarter we went bowling and had a quiet dinner. This time work pressures ensured that we skipped the bowling and just went for the dinner directly.

Dinner was at Jalsa, which is in Marathahalli. I had originally inteded to take the bike to work, but dropped the idea. But, we had enough of bikes and so there wasn’t a problem.

Regarding my bike, the Bajaj service centre really seems to have screwed something up and the pickup has dropped and so has the top speed. Now, am hunting for a local mechanic out here. There are a few in Bellandur and Sarjapur area where I intend to give the bike. Let’s see…

Jalsa is a moderately priced place, designed in a very Indian setting from the times of the kinds of old. I stuck to starters as I usually do when I am out for dinner. Who wants the non-chicken part, right?

Got a lift back home thanks to a colleague who was passing this way.

Weekend Movie and Shopping

Last week, Vincent and me made up our minds, bought the tickets and headed off to watch G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, which turned out to be a good movie to watch. Bernard, who was bunking with me for the month, also headed off back to Mumbai, so I once again have my room to myself.

And, last Sunday, we went over to Oasis mall for lunch, followed by shopping at Spar. Whenever we go shopping, we end up spending a bomb

We picked up tonnes of stuff resulting in a very well stocked fridge. Also, got myself a tin opener finally, so its cheese time as well. We picked up a packet of pork sausages as well, but they weren’t as tasty as the ones I get in Mumbai.

Pizza Hut and shopping

We decided to go off to Pizza Hut today as well. Owning a visa card ensures that we get our pizza really cheap and within 600 bucks you can get a pizza, drinks, garlic bread and a Caesar salad.

We dropped into Star Bazaar as well and I have realized that it is a better place to shop than Spar. There are better offers and the prices are lower as well. We did a fair bit of shopping, especially for extension boards. The ones we had already were with two pin plugs resulting in no ground, which isn’t really good for electronics like laptops etc.

Am also hunting for a low end microwave, only for heating purposes. Unfortunately, Chroma didn’t have it either. Any suggestions for those who are from Bangalore?

Tomorrow I plan to get some work done from home. But, tonight, I need to sleep!

Had a Mock FMS exam this morning. From what I have been told, the FMS paper is extremely simple, but you have to literally fight for time!
This was the case today and I am not happy with the performance
Lots of solving is still needed to build up speed.

I had given my bike for servicing yesterday and she came back looking all shining and almost brand new. Had the battery changed as well since it was giving problems. Things look smooth so far. I’m happy.

Had a wedding mass in the evening. U. Conrad had to rush so he asked me to play the final tracks. The couple’s photographer decided to exhaust all his roles in the church itself, or so it seemed by the marathon photo session!

After this our ancient boring priest decided to come and grumble at us for playing the music. So we grumbled back and told him it is his job to ensure that the couples finish on time. Then again he wouldn’t understand that considering his long boring sermons! Thank God I don’t go for midnight mass X(

Have a Mock CET tomorrow morning. Plan on working on this blog’s look a bit. Lets see what I can churn up

This past week has been rather tiring and in some ways busy. That has been pretty much the case since Dad came down

Anjali came over on Monday morning for a bit of CAT studing, while in the evening I had to go for choir practice. We have been learning a few new hymns and the different parts for some old ones.

Tuesday was uneventful, but Wednesday made up for it.

Now that I am at home, my sleep patterns have changed drastically. I seldom go to sleep before 2am and unfortunately I have to get up before 8am!

Wednesday was no different. We had to go to three banks and so was ready before 10am. Set off first to HDFC bank in the area. I don’t really like the bank policies of HDFC, but I will admit their customer service is a lot better than most banks I have seen.
Have decided to keep my account with them only because of this. Then again… you never know!

Next stop was to Union Bank. Being the festival of Ganpati, they had puja in the morning (or so I assume) and so we got modak.

All our bank gallivanting lasted for more than three hours. Reached home mid afternoon and managed to get two hours of sleep before going for mass in the evening for the Novena.

Mass was great . A lot of us turned up and the singing was quite good.

Forgot to mention that I gave my bike for servicing in the afternoon because the engine seems to be heating up. Found out that the back wheel was jammed resulting in extra pressure on the engine. So got the bike serviced and picked it up after mass.

However, I don’t think the problem seems to have been solved because today the engine heated up again. Will have to get him to look into it tomorrow.

Today we once again set off for the Mahim clinic in the morning. Stopped over at my other grandmom‘s place in Khar inthe morning and then we headed off once again back there.

Had to wait for the report (which we didn’t get in the end) and so to kill time we paid a visit to OM in Sunmill Compound in Parel.
Picked up a few good Praise and Worship VCDs and DVDs.

Have finally got down to blogging today.

Have a few articles that I plan on writing about. Do keep reading.

Didn’t do much of that on Sunday when I went for my AIMCAT. Had thought it going for me when I attempted the verbal, but the quant and DI made me change my mind. Checking the results later convinced me that the verbal was also as bad as the other two!

Anyway, headed straight home after the paper. Was really zonked, because Dad had arrived in the morning, resulting in my sleep being cut shot. But no complains at all

Went for the 6pm mass as usual. Mass was short and good

Didn’t do much for the rest of the evening.

Set off Monday morning with Dad for his medical and then to a few banks for some work.

The engine of my bike has been getting hot and so took the bike off to my mechanic for some checking. Changed the oil, but the “problem” still seems to be there. Have decided to give it a few days and a few long rides and analyze the same.

Spent the rest of Monday at home. Monday night was Pizza Night.

On Tuesday morning too I was official bike chauffeur This time locations were several banks.
No complains on the riding bit, because it sure has been a while and I simply love riding my bike.

We also paid a visit to a local dealer of DishTV, which is a Direct To Home TV via Satellite.

dishtv is India?s first direct to home entertainment service that has digitalized Indian entertainment to bring to your home the best in television viewing through the latest in digital technology. It not only broadcasts high quality programmes straight from the satellite to your home, but also gives you absolute and complete control of what you watch and what you pay for. It is almost like having your own satellite up in the sky.

Their competitor in the business is Tata Sky, but they are still new and have a long way to go in terms of channels.

However, both these work out much better that your local cable operator, because you don’t have to rely on him for the channels and even better, the quality of the signal is a lot better (being digital).

Going now… have to do some studing today.

Was on my way to the bank and was just leaving my building when the front disc brake of my Pulsar jammed and the next moment I was falling off the bike.

Thankfully, I was on first gear and so was able to land on my feet, though the bike had a spill.

The brake was jammed so tight that it could not be moved at all. With the help of my watchman I managed to drag the bike away from the entrance of the building and then set off to my regular mechanic’s garage.

He immediately came with me. On checking he confirmed that the jamming was extremely tight. The brake rubber had worn out and the brake itself was rusted.

I’m glad this didn’t happen on a highway, because then I don’t think I would need just a mechanic to look at the bike :O

Have given the bike for servicing and getting it ready for the monsoon (which has already set in).
As for the bank work. Mom has volunteered to do it.

My beloved bike is now two years old

Didn’t go to Mahape on Thursday and Friday because of the Effective Business Communication programme. Since I reached home early on both days I was able to give the bike for servicing. Got it fixed and brand as new

Spent whole of Saturday at home, a good part of the morning and afternoon cleaning around the house and with computer work.

Spent Sunday morning at home glued to my TV (something only one programme can do). Went over to Melody‘s place in the afternoon and spent the rest of the day there with site work.

Met up with Cloreisha for a while before I head back home.

Went over to Melody‘s place on Sunday morning to complete the work on her new computer.

Bowling

Elvis loves to go bowling whenever he is down and so after lunch me and Melody joined Elvis, Delilah, Clint and Alisha for a round of bowling at Fun Republic in Andheri W. They were already playing when Melody and I reached there.

Fun Republic is one noisy place. Added to the noise of the people there, you also have to bear blasting music. Telling them nicely didn’t help until we fired the guy.

This was one of the longest rounds I’ve played of bowling, since there were six of us. I suck and bowling and I don’t know why the folks think otherwise. Lost once again in the last round when Delilah overtook me by four points
And when I say lost I meant I don’t consider Elvis or Clint who are experts!
The pic on the side shows our final scores.

By the time we finished bowling it was past 6.30pm and then we started off towards Bandra. But…

Bikes

… Flame (my bike) decided to disagree. I need to get the battery changed and the only option now is to kick start the bike. However after several kicks the bike just refused to start. On checking I found that petrol was leaking. I’m not an expert on bikes and so my dilema!
Took it to a mechanic in the area who got it working. And Melody was really click happy as you can see!
But the problem just wouldn’t get solved. While we were stuck in heavy traffic in Juhu, I once again got the smell of petrol, only to find it leaking again. Thankfully turning off petrol via the lock stops this outflow!

To make matters worse, I was on reserve so was hoping I wouldn’t run out of petrol. Filled up two litres at a pump and managed to get the bike started again. Petrol continued to drip! But, atleast I wouldn’t run out of it.

Traffic, bike woes ensured that we reached Bandra only by 7.30pm.

I had plans to meet up with school friends, but had to cancel them

Bingo, Booze and BBQ

Bandra Gym had the 3Bs night running, viz. Bingo, BBQ and Booze?
Didn’t get the Bingo, the BBQ wasn’t tempting enough and I don’t booze. But, I love to dance and so did jive a bit. Melody was in her “irritate Ajay” mood (as usual) and refused to follow!
Alisha says she was new, but followed well enough.
I didn’t have my regular jive partner. Plans on for Wellingdon soon (?).

Independence Cafe

After Bandra Gym, we went over to Independence Cafe on Hill Road for dinner. I haven’t been there before and seems like a nice joint.
Food was good but the Sun Shine Splash was watery!

Ate almost a complete roast chicken. Was helped by Melody, Elvis and Delilah to finish the mashed potato and vegetables surrounding it

Yesterday was a tiring day at work. Some module related issue needed to be sorted out. I haven’t worked on the module for over a year and being a lesser used one, no one else has either.

Spent the entire day down in the shopfloor working on the module and the setup and just when I was getting ready to stay late, the module worked around 6.05pm.

Wrapped up immediately and left for the day

Reached home past eight and was really zonked. My bike still needs repair (story about this coming later). Hope to do it today.

Well, I’m exhausted!

It’s been a week and once again I haven’t had the time to blog. Last Saturday, the 4th was a rather eventful day. Something that will remain in my memory for a long long time. And I won’t mention why

In the evening had the “Fiesta Night” in church. The legendary band Crimson Rage were called to play. The only reason I went was because I heard that they mainly play ballroom music. They didn’t give me reason to complain.

The music was simply fabulous. Unfortunately only till 10.30. Food was horrid, but then you can’t expect much for 150 bucks, can you?

Took a walk with Anjali (who was my date for the dance) after the dance before saying good night.

Sunday was devoted to the love of my life. Yes, you are right my darling Flame. Had neglected her for quite a while and made sure I made up in full

Got the bike serviced locally (I was totally fed up of Sai Service) and the guy did a fabulous job. Got the bike diesel washed, polished and also got the seat cover changed and laminated (the pic is before I did that).

This took up pretty much the most of the day. Went for the wedding mass in the evening and then went out with Austin, Grenda, Anjali and her cousins and some friends to Bandra. Went to Adi’s near Mt. Carmel’s for kababs. It’s a small joint but good stuff.
Dropped Anjali home after this and went to bed in preparation for a long week ahead.

The long week was long indeed. Couldn’t make it for choir practice or prayer meeting. Took an off on Wednesday, was able to go home early on Thursday and stayed past 8pm on Friday!

Went with Melody to watch Fun with Dick and Jane. Visited the Pizza Hut in Lokhandwala before the movie for a quick pizza. And I finally found someone who eats more pizza than me! :O

Reach home at 2am and was so zonked that I actually thought I would fall asleep on the bike! I-)

Woke up around 8am as usual. Anjali came over in the morning for a while and after she went I fell asleep again. Slept for more than four hours. And finally got down to blog.

No clue on what I will be doing tomorrow. I really need get up and go out !