The last letters I penned last week were , " I hope that the next week isnt crazy " . It turned out to be true , but alas , the "weekend was bad " .
The week did not start on a bright note. Soon after i finished blogging that sunday night , I experienced severe ear pain . I decided not to go to work on Monday . Luckily , saw the doctor who diagnosed it as middle ear infection . She prescribed "amoxycillin " and ear drops . Even before I had taken a dose of the medication , the placebo effect took effect and I was busy driving to Schaumburg to get to Kaushik's place . I meandered on my way to go to Subaru of schaumburg to inquire about the vehicle title and also went to Elgin to check out an Ipod interface. All wasteful activities . I finally managed to meet Kaushik's parents around 3:00 , who thankfully were able to provide some great home food . By the time i returned home around 4:00 pm , i missed the plumber .
I managed to cook something that nite . Also i managed to hit a few balls with a guy named Mike who places great tennis .On the office front , one of my colleagues sent out a mass email , explaining how they needed to update their calendar if they were taking the day off and not put others into incovenience . Big deal i thought to myself .
The rest of the week was ok , I had a few issues from France , and had to get a critical code change integrated .
Friday was my birthday . I wore the shirt that Arthi bought for me . After lunch my friday was not a happy day anymore . Right after lunch , my boss asks me to look into yet another issue . Also our releases are blocked due to an issue. We start troubleshooting the issue around 4:00 pm and this quest for the root cause , extends well past 7:45 . Most of the day is gone . Wasted on a quandry issue. The day which was exclusive to me was frittered away is some obscure issue . The only saving grace came from my colleague who had placed a pack of chocolates at my desk . I effusively thanked him and am still surpised as he was the only guy who gifted me anything that day . I must reciprocate this act of his .
Kaushik's mom had invited us for Dinner that nite . Arthi was back home with an attack of fever and we also invite Bala .
We all meet around 8:30 at our place . Bala drives to Schaumburg . Its a great dinner . All this summer we have eaten a lot at their place. I hope that we get a chance to return the favor . we talk for a while and around 10:30 pm we decide to return home . Bala stops for a while at our place and we had some small discussions , that included some funky weird code discussions too ! End of Friday . 29 years and counting . My Birthday has ended without a whimper !
Some days are meant to be days where you personal preferences are forced out of the way . Saturday was one such day . I got up early expecting the plumber to show up . we have a bath tub that doesnt drain too well . The plumber comes , inspects it and finds that it works ok . he runs the snake and confirms the same . Arthi isn't doing too well , with her fever . I go to play some tennis and get a chance to hit with Drew. The session is good . All of the morning I have been logging into the office network to check on the issue that two of my colleagues were troubleshooting . I managed to gather the courage to ask them as to whether they were able to troubleshoot the issue . I guess , I managed to piss em off rather than help them . I really wanted to help , so was constantly in touch with the engineers all afternoon . Finally they found a possible cause . Due to this change m they needed a new build. I agreed to build . I was eager to help and this was a chance i didnt want to miss . All of the build process continued until 7:30 .
I decided to play some tennis . Guess what , amidst the bunch of people who are having a tennis gala ( ignoring the rules of the courts and not being senstive to people waiting outside ), I spot Drew who obliges for yet another session .This one is better . I am able to focus on specifics such as cross court angles and being in the rally . It all ends at 9:15 after which i had "zero" energy to do anything else . I watch some TV and was back to some browsing . I stumble upon some Indian Railway videos , especially of the Rajdhanis and Shatabdis . I am engrossed in that until 1:00 am after which I hit the sack . I get up around 10:00 am , go to DOMINICS the first thing in the morning to get some milk and raisin bread as my stomach isnt doing too well.
Kaushik's parents are leaving today . We go to Schaumburg , and help them go to the airport . While at Schaumburg , i manage to pick up an overgrip and a replacement grip for my prince OG .
return home and find someone I know hitting at the courts . I get ready and come . Its sad as I have to hit with one of these girls i see . All they know is brute power . Seems that they dont realize the nuances of the game in terms of angles , stroke mechanics , match play etc . All they do is hit from one end to the other , with all the brute force they have ( not to mention their ooooooooooooooooooooooooversize rackets ) . The girl does' nt even know who to properly feed the ball during a rally . I was pissed . wanted to blast out at em but managed to keep my trap shut and walk back home .
We decided to attend a concert by Anoushka Shankar at Millenium park . we decide to drive . While riding , we encounter a lot of congestion towards downtown . We manage to get some UG parking near MP .
We manage to get some good seats and boy , isnt MP wonderful ? Karsh Kale is in the house , spinning some tracks . Initially it was tough to recognize him without his goatee and long hair , but with the due progression of time it was certain that KK it was ! This was confirmed , once he started playing tracks from "Broken english" his latest album .
KK was amazing , engrossed in his world of mix n match .
Soon it was the time for the maestro , Anoushka Shankar to arrive . The ensemble was composed of Tabla ( Tanmoy Bose ) , Flute , mridangam , Flemenco piano , bass guitar and Laptop ( speciale electronic sounds ) . Unfortunately my man Karsh Kale didnt play with Anoushka . I was hoping that KK , being a tabla virtuoso , pitch in too . The concert was a beautiful blend of fusion , with classical Hindustani music . the Percussion was the "works " with both Tanmay Bose and the mridangam player supplementing each other .
It's a scintillating performance and we slowly leave MP . It's a quick ride back home . Nice weekend but have the grudge that my B'day and Saturday were wasted .
Finally , I dont have the guilt that I didnt pitch in when couple of my colleagues were slugging it out . Thats the only consolation this weekend . Hopefully , my ear gets back into shape . I am looking forward to the coming weekend ( I only look forward for weekends and not weekdays ) . I am travelling to Columbus and Cincinnati for the tennis open . Hopefully i can take half of Friday off . Hope that nothing comes along to disrupt yet another beautiful summer weekend !
Adios .
