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Does it not always happen with you?
When you are late at the bus stop the bus is on time and when you are ontime the bus never arrives on time!
Well, it happens regularly to me. Worst thing being that I find myself late not only at the bus station but also in other walks of life too.
For example, there was a recent Gold Price drop(in Mumbai that I know of). I sat on my buttocks and did not move a muscle. Then one fine day, it stuck Einstein(aka Me) that my folks should shop for the Gold now. I quickly ordered my Mom to do some shopping. My mom took off at the earliest and still we ended up noticing a price rise of 2k per 10 gm.
Next thing I encounter, the price hike on the booze. I asked my good friend Gautam to get me some Whisky, Rum and Vodka for my wedding. Even here, I was a tee bit late. There was a price hike in store for me here too. Even though the price hike was marginal if not negligible, it makes me wonder. Am I always late? Or is it just plain bad luck?
Another perspective is, Prices of commodities keep increasing every other day, but our monthly income rises only once a year(Hopefully!!!), unless we decide to loot a bank some weird day. So somehow we got to manage, not only with the constant income but also with the timing of heading out to buy those commodities.
Believe me, good timing can save some buck!!!
Cheers,
Ashley
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Quietly.
Chetan Sharma must have never really thought that Miandad would hit him for a Six of the last ball.Similarly, Dhananjay must have never really imagined me hitting a homerun during our game of scrabble on facebook.
For the record, I have never ever seriously played scrabble. My past record was 0-2 against Dhananjay. And today was no different. The same pattern continued.
I get off to a rollicking start. Make some good words and I look to be in control. Then like a seasoned pro, Dhananjay starts making inroads. Word by word he inches closer, then overtakes me and finally leaves me staring at the board.
But today was different. It was time for Miandad to play scrabble. So after the usual start, the climax was something like this. I had 7 tiles left. None left in the bag. My score was 263 and Dhananjay was 296.
Some more stats. The highest scoring word I had made so far was 39, using 3 tiles.
Also the longest word I had made was 5 tiles long.
So, assuming things went normally, I had no chance of winning this game. But the 7 tiles I had were magical. They were QUIETLY magical.
Yes, I was able to make the word Quietly on my last turn. Use up all my tiles, and even get a triple word score for this word.
And, I made an astonishing 129 points for this word. Final score, Ashley-400 Dhananjay-288.
Makes me believe that one should never give up. Miandad did not give up hope that day and won an astonishing game. Today, I felt a little like him.
Below is a memento of the amazing game!
For the record, I have never ever seriously played scrabble. My past record was 0-2 against Dhananjay. And today was no different. The same pattern continued.
I get off to a rollicking start. Make some good words and I look to be in control. Then like a seasoned pro, Dhananjay starts making inroads. Word by word he inches closer, then overtakes me and finally leaves me staring at the board.
But today was different. It was time for Miandad to play scrabble. So after the usual start, the climax was something like this. I had 7 tiles left. None left in the bag. My score was 263 and Dhananjay was 296.
Some more stats. The highest scoring word I had made so far was 39, using 3 tiles.
Also the longest word I had made was 5 tiles long.
So, assuming things went normally, I had no chance of winning this game. But the 7 tiles I had were magical. They were QUIETLY magical.
Yes, I was able to make the word Quietly on my last turn. Use up all my tiles, and even get a triple word score for this word.
And, I made an astonishing 129 points for this word. Final score, Ashley-400 Dhananjay-288.
Makes me believe that one should never give up. Miandad did not give up hope that day and won an astonishing game. Today, I felt a little like him.
Below is a memento of the amazing game!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Warm People! Really?
This is a mystery, it baffles me. May be I have always been at the wrong place all my life. I genuinely hope that is the case, but it sure amazes me, how the same set of people can leave 2 contrasting impressions on 2 different set of folks.
Since childhood, I've always been left stunned by watching/listening to International celebrities speak so lavishly about India's warmth and care. The people being so nice and caring towards them. How they like India so much and they would like to visit the country again and again.
As a child, I never knew what the outside world looked like, so I presumed the backyard for the people from foreign states must have been awefully evil.
Reason being, lets look at it from my perspective. Back home, people on the road never smile at each other. At the traffic junction, people are waiting to run you over. The bus conductor never waits for you to safely board the bus, even if it is completely empty. The people in my society(building) never smiled at each other, unless you knew them personally. The shopkeepers would never give you change. A thank you would be as rare as finding a polar bear in Mumbai. Cops will never help. And atleast another millions incidents where nto warmth but hot-headed behaviour is on display.
Ok, so may be the people that I mentioned above were not really interested in knowing me or treating me with a smile. Ok, so we did not share any common ground, and that may excuse them from being courteous towards me and their fellow beings.
But, what really caught my attention was the people I worked with. At work, clustered with another 4000 odd other engineers, in a small 10 acre campus, things did not change much. I even changed to another campus and still no difference in the attitude.
There were so many people I used to see everyday at lunch break. Pass them when walking to the canteen or sit on a table next to them during lunch. Some of them, I must have seen on my floor for 3+ years, but that smile of comradrie or being a part of one organisation never came. Infact, people at work used to look at each other with a more ferocious look than I've ever seen. Call that peer pressure or what, it sucked. Peer pressure with folks at the same level is understood, but what about managers. The attitude that used to ooze out from some of them was, if I look at it today, was funny. I mean, what was he so proud about? That he sends across estimates which are made by a poor Analyst like me and just negotiates the project dates, which again are made by me. Suckers I tell you, those Infosys managers.
So where was that loving, caring, smiling, i-will-take-care-of-you India? Or does that India arise only if you are a celebrity or a foreign national or someone who can buy respect with lots of dough?
May be, may be not! My interaction since childhood, has still to seriously come across a scenario where, in a single day i meet more friendly people than rude ones.
Over here (States I mean), things are so different. People smile, are polite and make sure they have a kind word or two to say even if you are COMPLETE strangers. Let is be the bus stop, apartment complex, grocery store you will in all certainty be treated with a smile. At work, things are different too, infact very different. Almost everyone smiles, managers included. Still, the western people find our hospitality and scream on top of their lungs about it. Wonder what I missed and where?
Just to understand the situation more clearly. In a country where people of one state will beat people of another state, for no rhyme or reason, I really find it tough to find warmth.
As Black Eyed Peas say:- "Where is the Love?"
Cheers,
Ashley
Since childhood, I've always been left stunned by watching/listening to International celebrities speak so lavishly about India's warmth and care. The people being so nice and caring towards them. How they like India so much and they would like to visit the country again and again.
As a child, I never knew what the outside world looked like, so I presumed the backyard for the people from foreign states must have been awefully evil.
Reason being, lets look at it from my perspective. Back home, people on the road never smile at each other. At the traffic junction, people are waiting to run you over. The bus conductor never waits for you to safely board the bus, even if it is completely empty. The people in my society(building) never smiled at each other, unless you knew them personally. The shopkeepers would never give you change. A thank you would be as rare as finding a polar bear in Mumbai. Cops will never help. And atleast another millions incidents where nto warmth but hot-headed behaviour is on display.
Ok, so may be the people that I mentioned above were not really interested in knowing me or treating me with a smile. Ok, so we did not share any common ground, and that may excuse them from being courteous towards me and their fellow beings.
But, what really caught my attention was the people I worked with. At work, clustered with another 4000 odd other engineers, in a small 10 acre campus, things did not change much. I even changed to another campus and still no difference in the attitude.
There were so many people I used to see everyday at lunch break. Pass them when walking to the canteen or sit on a table next to them during lunch. Some of them, I must have seen on my floor for 3+ years, but that smile of comradrie or being a part of one organisation never came. Infact, people at work used to look at each other with a more ferocious look than I've ever seen. Call that peer pressure or what, it sucked. Peer pressure with folks at the same level is understood, but what about managers. The attitude that used to ooze out from some of them was, if I look at it today, was funny. I mean, what was he so proud about? That he sends across estimates which are made by a poor Analyst like me and just negotiates the project dates, which again are made by me. Suckers I tell you, those Infosys managers.
So where was that loving, caring, smiling, i-will-take-care-of-you India? Or does that India arise only if you are a celebrity or a foreign national or someone who can buy respect with lots of dough?
May be, may be not! My interaction since childhood, has still to seriously come across a scenario where, in a single day i meet more friendly people than rude ones.
Over here (States I mean), things are so different. People smile, are polite and make sure they have a kind word or two to say even if you are COMPLETE strangers. Let is be the bus stop, apartment complex, grocery store you will in all certainty be treated with a smile. At work, things are different too, infact very different. Almost everyone smiles, managers included. Still, the western people find our hospitality and scream on top of their lungs about it. Wonder what I missed and where?
Just to understand the situation more clearly. In a country where people of one state will beat people of another state, for no rhyme or reason, I really find it tough to find warmth.
As Black Eyed Peas say:- "Where is the Love?"
Cheers,
Ashley
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sacrificing phase!
The definition very apt for Sacrifice (in my case) is:
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
In the above definition, in my context:
Highly valued = Rice+Soad+Pizza and more
Greater value = Wedding
Giving up orkut turned out much easier than giving up rice! :)
Brought up on a pure rice rich diet, gobbling it since I started to eat solid food, to suddenly give up rice, is a tough ask.
But I am somehow coping upto it. Its been almost a month since I have given up rice for lunch as well as dinner. Add to that, Soda too. Never had an aerated drink for almost 4 weeks.
Also, slowly am avoiding oily stuff too. So those fried samosa's that my roomies enjoy, are a NO-NO for me. Period!
Why am i torturing myself you ask?
December 28th 2008!!! I dont want to be a ball rolling down the aisle. I want to be a decent human being, made sophisticated by the tuxedo, walking down the aisle. I want Lourdes, to stand besides a manageable fellow, who is atleast visually palatable.
It surely is tough, I tell you. 5 pounds in almost a month, current weight loss. Lets see, how much of a change I can bring about until December.
What I am worried is about the post-marriage-eating-syndrome!!! Might hog all the things I craved for and end up being overweight for the return flight. Those samosas, rosgullas, onion rings, cheeze pizzas, sodas, rice+chicken curry... might be too hard to resist once it is 29th December 2008.
Tough 3 months ahead and even tougher period after the 'D' day.
Pray for me.
Cheers,
Ashley
Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.
In the above definition, in my context:
Highly valued = Rice+Soad+Pizza and more
Greater value = Wedding
Giving up orkut turned out much easier than giving up rice! :)
Brought up on a pure rice rich diet, gobbling it since I started to eat solid food, to suddenly give up rice, is a tough ask.
But I am somehow coping upto it. Its been almost a month since I have given up rice for lunch as well as dinner. Add to that, Soda too. Never had an aerated drink for almost 4 weeks.
Also, slowly am avoiding oily stuff too. So those fried samosa's that my roomies enjoy, are a NO-NO for me. Period!
Why am i torturing myself you ask?
December 28th 2008!!! I dont want to be a ball rolling down the aisle. I want to be a decent human being, made sophisticated by the tuxedo, walking down the aisle. I want Lourdes, to stand besides a manageable fellow, who is atleast visually palatable.
It surely is tough, I tell you. 5 pounds in almost a month, current weight loss. Lets see, how much of a change I can bring about until December.
What I am worried is about the post-marriage-eating-syndrome!!! Might hog all the things I craved for and end up being overweight for the return flight. Those samosas, rosgullas, onion rings, cheeze pizzas, sodas, rice+chicken curry... might be too hard to resist once it is 29th December 2008.
Tough 3 months ahead and even tougher period after the 'D' day.
Pray for me.
Cheers,
Ashley
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Google made me do it!
As such, I am not a big fan of change. Routine is my inherint principle. Why change? Why new hassles? If the current way of doing things does not give me a headache, i'll continue using it, Forever may be!
But, what google makes me do, is amazing. I am sure most of you, also fall victim to googloomph!
Like many of you, I was a loyal YAHOO customer in the early 21st century. Then GMAIL came with the '1 GB' buzz and I was begging for an invite. Today, I dont even know if my Yahoo account has a million emails or none. The only use of that yahoo account, is for Video Chat, that too once in a while. Thats it.
Personally I prefer Skype for video chat though, but not folks have accounts setup on skype.
Also, during this yahoo era, I also had uploaded some of my pictures on Yahoo Photos. The most memorable picture being this one photo of me with Cyrus Broacha and Rajpal Yadav, when I met them at a party in Bangalore. :) Star Struck!!
Soon picasa came along and today, I dont even know where those photos that I uploaded in yahoo are. Last heard, Yahoo had closed the photo's department. Wonder if they can give my pictures back?
Yesterday, google realeased their web browser 'Chrome'. I have already made it my default browser at home. There are some short-comings which Abhishek and I discussed.:) We even managed to find a few defects/bugs. But, as google has already proven over and over again, its not long before many of the IE/FireFox/Safari/Opera faithful will switch over.
Amazing isnt it? Google comes along with a product and I change my routine. I wish google can open a gymnasium in my apartment complex, atleast it will help me change my routine(sleep!!) and hit the threadmill once in a while.
Being a tad more realistic, waiting for Google Operating System. Thats the only software I use which is not googlelised. As for the rest, there is a googlish feeling in everything I do on the web.
Must say, after a very interesting discussion with my good friend Amit, who works with Yahoo, I realised some of the change effect is because of the 'COOL' factor that google has tagged along with it. Just like how an Apple I POD is more appealing (atleast I think) than most MP3 players, even though they hardly differ in music quality and storage (and are more expensive), its almost the same with Google products today. It attracts you and once you switch, not many return.
'COOL' or no, they are innovative, appealing, fast and simple to use.
Later,
Ashley
But, what google makes me do, is amazing. I am sure most of you, also fall victim to googloomph!
Like many of you, I was a loyal YAHOO customer in the early 21st century. Then GMAIL came with the '1 GB' buzz and I was begging for an invite. Today, I dont even know if my Yahoo account has a million emails or none. The only use of that yahoo account, is for Video Chat, that too once in a while. Thats it.
Personally I prefer Skype for video chat though, but not folks have accounts setup on skype.
Also, during this yahoo era, I also had uploaded some of my pictures on Yahoo Photos. The most memorable picture being this one photo of me with Cyrus Broacha and Rajpal Yadav, when I met them at a party in Bangalore. :) Star Struck!!
Soon picasa came along and today, I dont even know where those photos that I uploaded in yahoo are. Last heard, Yahoo had closed the photo's department. Wonder if they can give my pictures back?
Yesterday, google realeased their web browser 'Chrome'. I have already made it my default browser at home. There are some short-comings which Abhishek and I discussed.:) We even managed to find a few defects/bugs. But, as google has already proven over and over again, its not long before many of the IE/FireFox/Safari/Opera faithful will switch over.
Amazing isnt it? Google comes along with a product and I change my routine. I wish google can open a gymnasium in my apartment complex, atleast it will help me change my routine(sleep!!) and hit the threadmill once in a while.
Being a tad more realistic, waiting for Google Operating System. Thats the only software I use which is not googlelised. As for the rest, there is a googlish feeling in everything I do on the web.
Must say, after a very interesting discussion with my good friend Amit, who works with Yahoo, I realised some of the change effect is because of the 'COOL' factor that google has tagged along with it. Just like how an Apple I POD is more appealing (atleast I think) than most MP3 players, even though they hardly differ in music quality and storage (and are more expensive), its almost the same with Google products today. It attracts you and once you switch, not many return.
'COOL' or no, they are innovative, appealing, fast and simple to use.
Later,
Ashley
See I told you...
Don't recall the exact year and time, but I remember watching a news piece of when this Air-India flight was delayed by more than 18 odd hours and there was no food-accomodation provided to the passengers travelling. Pretty common news for an AI flight, isnt it??
The passengers took refuge at the transit stop and somehow made it back home. Back then, the TV crew made a hay-day capturing the intensely pissed passengers. There was this young lady with her young kid, who blasted profanities on the tele. Could Air-India be really this bad?
After all, the nations premier carrier ought some responsibility to build a image globally and quite logically should look to set achieve new higher milestones rather than receive abuses on live TV.
Keeping this incident at the back of my head, I booked my tickets to India somewhere in early May, for a travel in mid December. That is almost 7 months in advance. I had the option of going for British Airways at a slightly higher price, but I presumed Air-India, in todays highly competitive air-travel industry would be value for money.
Hence i booked what looked like a very good deal. Los Angeles to Frankfurt. A tiny stop for refueling and then to New Delhi. A tiny stop again and then to Mumbai. The return was using the same path. I got the paper tickets too. So I was all set. Or was I?
Today, my agent sent me an email. Saying, Air-India has cancelled flights from Los Angeles to Mumbai via the route I had booked. What could I say? Speechless!
For once, I went against my mind and took a bold decision. Believe me, it was not about $$, but I felt flying AI would be a good decision. And AI has proved that come what may, AI will always remain AI!!!
India may become the numero uno super-power, with all the power and might in the world, but our national carrier will always be a shame. Shame not for other people to laugh at, but for its own people to abuse and make a joke of.
Finally, I rebooked myself on a British Airways flight. And you wont believe this. I got a cheaper ticket. I also happen to be a BA Executive Class member, so the miles added on will enable me to procure one free trip soon.
Things always happen for the better dont they??
Lesson learnt:- NEVER EVER, I MEAN NEVER EVER BOOK AIR-INDIA WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD. ESPECIALLY IF IT IS YOUR WEDDING!!!
Cheers,
Ashley
The passengers took refuge at the transit stop and somehow made it back home. Back then, the TV crew made a hay-day capturing the intensely pissed passengers. There was this young lady with her young kid, who blasted profanities on the tele. Could Air-India be really this bad?
After all, the nations premier carrier ought some responsibility to build a image globally and quite logically should look to set achieve new higher milestones rather than receive abuses on live TV.
Keeping this incident at the back of my head, I booked my tickets to India somewhere in early May, for a travel in mid December. That is almost 7 months in advance. I had the option of going for British Airways at a slightly higher price, but I presumed Air-India, in todays highly competitive air-travel industry would be value for money.
Hence i booked what looked like a very good deal. Los Angeles to Frankfurt. A tiny stop for refueling and then to New Delhi. A tiny stop again and then to Mumbai. The return was using the same path. I got the paper tickets too. So I was all set. Or was I?
Today, my agent sent me an email. Saying, Air-India has cancelled flights from Los Angeles to Mumbai via the route I had booked. What could I say? Speechless!
For once, I went against my mind and took a bold decision. Believe me, it was not about $$, but I felt flying AI would be a good decision. And AI has proved that come what may, AI will always remain AI!!!
India may become the numero uno super-power, with all the power and might in the world, but our national carrier will always be a shame. Shame not for other people to laugh at, but for its own people to abuse and make a joke of.
Finally, I rebooked myself on a British Airways flight. And you wont believe this. I got a cheaper ticket. I also happen to be a BA Executive Class member, so the miles added on will enable me to procure one free trip soon.
Things always happen for the better dont they??
Lesson learnt:- NEVER EVER, I MEAN NEVER EVER BOOK AIR-INDIA WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD. ESPECIALLY IF IT IS YOUR WEDDING!!!
Cheers,
Ashley
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Pre-Marriage Pains - Latest Update!!!
Yes, I do understand that marriage is a very sacred sacrament in the life of a Roman Catholic.
For me personally, it is the the most important spiritual milestone in one's life. But what really pisses me off is the amount of over-heads that the church has brought in. I might be wrong and may be these so-called steps must have been present since a long time. May be my Mom and Dad also had to go through them, but then, we need flexibility, dont we?
Take my case for example. I made a infrequent visit to my parish priest sometime back. Armed with the marriage course certificate(that Lourdes and I had taken together), baptism certificate and other church related stuff I calmly walked in to meet the priest.
I told him, that because I will be arriving just 4 weeks before my wedding, I would appreciate if he can start processing my case right away. With a cold-blooded look on his face he replies, "You will have to come to sign the document!". "What?" I screamt in my head. Does he think US is like next station or something. That I can come over to sign some document. Confused, I asked him again, "Can I sign this document in December?". "No", came a prompt reply with no hint of help whatsoever.
I mean, lets look it at from my perspective. I have a valid baptism certificate. A valid confirmation certificate. I have a valid marriage course certificate. Hell, I could have even produced a certificate that Lourdes and I have been courting each other for more than 5 years. So, who is he to obstruct me now. So instead of helping me, all he can think of is planning an impromptu trip to India for me, just to sign a document. That too, in the internet age, where everything is faxed, signed and scanned.
Doesnt 'Catholic' mean Universal? If so, then can I sign the document here (in California), at the parish where I currently am a member of?
It pains me to see that instead of helping, people will add more obstructions and unnecessary decrees to a process that can be streamlined and have its exceptions in place so as to handle various scenarios. And here I dont consider the parish priest as people, he is family. A very important member of my spiritual family. Can't he not understand that I have a limitation and it's not really possible to sign that document before December 2008.
For example, what if a person who is a shippy wants to get married. He comes home only once in 9 months. So does he need to leave his ship and swim back home to get this document signed.
'Change'- We can Believe In. Yes, thats what the church needs to look at. Lets be a little more flexible. More understanding and considerate towards our brothers and sisters.
The latest is that, the parish priest has changed at my place. My Mom is going to visit the priest on saturday. Lets see, what happens. Meanwhile, Lourdes has been told that her NOC certificate will take more than a week to arrive. Wonder if the church has a FBI like database where they will match the names to check for defaulters.
Whatever it is, God please save me!!!
Hoping the church does not compound me with more wedding planning headache. I have my hands full already. :)
Update:
My Mom did visit the parish and it so happens that the new parish priest is a bigger pain than the earlier one. He was rude and not ready to help one bit. Makes me wonder is that what Christianity/Roman Catholic all about. I'd rather move on rather than be a part of this community. Believe me, that priest is lucky, if I was sitting across the table, there sure would have
been a heated argument.
Lets see whats in store.
Next Update:
So finally Lourdes got her NOC from her Irla parish. I got my NOC from my Orange county parish. So the next step was to go the St.Anthony's Church, Malad and book for the wedding mass. Lourdes and her Mom reached there today, with the NOC saying that the Irla Parish has no objection in the mass being held at the St.Anthony's church. But is so happens that this church now has a freaking problem. The priest, like all his other brothers does not believe in helping and understanding problems. He fails to understand that travelling from Irla to Malad is not possible in 1 hours time. So if we have the mass at Irla, as this &^&**$%$ priest says then we reach for the reception at 8 PM. This, hoping the traffic is bad and not horrible. I mean, it baffles me, how disconnected the entire church system is. One church X says Ok, you can have the mass at church Y. Church Y says, i dont care about church X, i will not allow you to get married in church Y. WTF is this?
Dear Priests,
You think this is some kind of a joke. Lourdes is running about from Irla to Malad and back to Irla, just because you smart folks are dumb enough to understand a simple protocol between yourselves. She is alone, I am not around and poor thing had enough of headache already. And what I supposed was the easiest of tasks, getting a mass booked is turning out to be the worst hassel of all.
You wonder why people leave the church, this is the reason. Your egoistic attitude and self-belief that you are the ONE makes you turn people away from your doorstep, instead of helping them and understanding their problem.
Once the mass is booked and everything is settled, which I hope is posssible, I will personally make it a point to meet both the priests. My parish and this priest from St.Anthony's. I will make myself clear, if needed even show you my blog and how frustrated you so-called 'God's Servants' made me feel. For once, do you even think, that what you do is service for the Almighty. There should be no reason why I cannot get married at a particular church. You needed a NOC, i got that, now what? Why tell Lourdes you cannot have it? Whats the reason? Ego, supersmart, pain in your ass?
My idea is simple, if I believe in one christ, all churches are the same and I should have the privilege to get married anywhere on this planet, as long as I am not previously married to someone else. That prickly priest in Malwani cares nothing about me or Lourdes, he is just satisfying his ego by putting across a point of how important he is and that I need him at this moment.
FU!
Cheers,
Ashley
For me personally, it is the the most important spiritual milestone in one's life. But what really pisses me off is the amount of over-heads that the church has brought in. I might be wrong and may be these so-called steps must have been present since a long time. May be my Mom and Dad also had to go through them, but then, we need flexibility, dont we?
Take my case for example. I made a infrequent visit to my parish priest sometime back. Armed with the marriage course certificate(that Lourdes and I had taken together), baptism certificate and other church related stuff I calmly walked in to meet the priest.
I told him, that because I will be arriving just 4 weeks before my wedding, I would appreciate if he can start processing my case right away. With a cold-blooded look on his face he replies, "You will have to come to sign the document!". "What?" I screamt in my head. Does he think US is like next station or something. That I can come over to sign some document. Confused, I asked him again, "Can I sign this document in December?". "No", came a prompt reply with no hint of help whatsoever.
I mean, lets look it at from my perspective. I have a valid baptism certificate. A valid confirmation certificate. I have a valid marriage course certificate. Hell, I could have even produced a certificate that Lourdes and I have been courting each other for more than 5 years. So, who is he to obstruct me now. So instead of helping me, all he can think of is planning an impromptu trip to India for me, just to sign a document. That too, in the internet age, where everything is faxed, signed and scanned.
Doesnt 'Catholic' mean Universal? If so, then can I sign the document here (in California), at the parish where I currently am a member of?
It pains me to see that instead of helping, people will add more obstructions and unnecessary decrees to a process that can be streamlined and have its exceptions in place so as to handle various scenarios. And here I dont consider the parish priest as people, he is family. A very important member of my spiritual family. Can't he not understand that I have a limitation and it's not really possible to sign that document before December 2008.
For example, what if a person who is a shippy wants to get married. He comes home only once in 9 months. So does he need to leave his ship and swim back home to get this document signed.
'Change'- We can Believe In. Yes, thats what the church needs to look at. Lets be a little more flexible. More understanding and considerate towards our brothers and sisters.
The latest is that, the parish priest has changed at my place. My Mom is going to visit the priest on saturday. Lets see, what happens. Meanwhile, Lourdes has been told that her NOC certificate will take more than a week to arrive. Wonder if the church has a FBI like database where they will match the names to check for defaulters.
Whatever it is, God please save me!!!
Hoping the church does not compound me with more wedding planning headache. I have my hands full already. :)
Update:
My Mom did visit the parish and it so happens that the new parish priest is a bigger pain than the earlier one. He was rude and not ready to help one bit. Makes me wonder is that what Christianity/Roman Catholic all about. I'd rather move on rather than be a part of this community. Believe me, that priest is lucky, if I was sitting across the table, there sure would have
been a heated argument.
Lets see whats in store.
Next Update:
So finally Lourdes got her NOC from her Irla parish. I got my NOC from my Orange county parish. So the next step was to go the St.Anthony's Church, Malad and book for the wedding mass. Lourdes and her Mom reached there today, with the NOC saying that the Irla Parish has no objection in the mass being held at the St.Anthony's church. But is so happens that this church now has a freaking problem. The priest, like all his other brothers does not believe in helping and understanding problems. He fails to understand that travelling from Irla to Malad is not possible in 1 hours time. So if we have the mass at Irla, as this &^&**$%$ priest says then we reach for the reception at 8 PM. This, hoping the traffic is bad and not horrible. I mean, it baffles me, how disconnected the entire church system is. One church X says Ok, you can have the mass at church Y. Church Y says, i dont care about church X, i will not allow you to get married in church Y. WTF is this?
Dear Priests,
You think this is some kind of a joke. Lourdes is running about from Irla to Malad and back to Irla, just because you smart folks are dumb enough to understand a simple protocol between yourselves. She is alone, I am not around and poor thing had enough of headache already. And what I supposed was the easiest of tasks, getting a mass booked is turning out to be the worst hassel of all.
You wonder why people leave the church, this is the reason. Your egoistic attitude and self-belief that you are the ONE makes you turn people away from your doorstep, instead of helping them and understanding their problem.
Once the mass is booked and everything is settled, which I hope is posssible, I will personally make it a point to meet both the priests. My parish and this priest from St.Anthony's. I will make myself clear, if needed even show you my blog and how frustrated you so-called 'God's Servants' made me feel. For once, do you even think, that what you do is service for the Almighty. There should be no reason why I cannot get married at a particular church. You needed a NOC, i got that, now what? Why tell Lourdes you cannot have it? Whats the reason? Ego, supersmart, pain in your ass?
My idea is simple, if I believe in one christ, all churches are the same and I should have the privilege to get married anywhere on this planet, as long as I am not previously married to someone else. That prickly priest in Malwani cares nothing about me or Lourdes, he is just satisfying his ego by putting across a point of how important he is and that I need him at this moment.
FU!
Cheers,
Ashley
Audacious...
Football never fails to surprise me. Year after year, the transfer windown in Europe makes me realise that money can buy anything, anytime!
Take last year for example, William Gallas, a true Chelsea player so far. He had given his all to the club. On the other hand, Ashley Cole, a Gunner to the core. So far, I have never imagined both these players quitting their respective clubs. Come August 31 2007, boom! A swap and Cole comes Chelsea way and Gallas heads for Emirates. Surprise, Surprise!
So come August 31 2008, I was again eagerly awaiting the last day of the transfer window. And this years surprise was much bigger than last years.
Picture this:
Robinho, Brazil's wonderkid and star player organises a press conference, asking for a transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea. Chelsea had offered around 28 Million Pounds for this transfer. The deal was almost through as per all the leading tabloids and Robinho was on his way to Stamford Bridge.
Come Monday, the Abu Dhabi United Group gets a major stake in the Manchester City Football Club. And what is the first thing the new owner, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim does?
Tables 4 bids for 4 different players:
30 Million Pounds for Berbatov.
32.5 Million Pounds for Robinho.
And 2 bids for Spanish player D. Villa and Germany M. Gomez.
Both the bids for Bebatov and Robinho were accepted. Can you imagine what Manchester United and Chelsea were thinking at this moment. Just 12 hours before they were the only players int he race and must have slept thinking the deal is almost through. And here comes the Billionaire from the Gulf and hits their plans for a home run.
Only thing is that Berbatov decided to head for Man U, even though his club had accepted the bid from Man City.
Robinho did not do any favors for Chelsea though. He signed for Man City. A scoop that Chlesea management folks will remember all their lives. A player stolen from right under their noses.
So what does all this mean? Well, Man City have loads of cash now. Their next target, as expectedly, Christiano Ronaldo. Asking Prices, hold your breadth. A little more. 250 Million $$!!!!!! And that Al-Fahim has said this is an OK price for Ronaldo.
Money can buy anything, hence proved.
This weekend in the English Premier League, Chelsea Vs Manchester City. Can you ask for something better?
Can't wait for the weekend, as always!!
Cheers,
Ashley
Take last year for example, William Gallas, a true Chelsea player so far. He had given his all to the club. On the other hand, Ashley Cole, a Gunner to the core. So far, I have never imagined both these players quitting their respective clubs. Come August 31 2007, boom! A swap and Cole comes Chelsea way and Gallas heads for Emirates. Surprise, Surprise!
So come August 31 2008, I was again eagerly awaiting the last day of the transfer window. And this years surprise was much bigger than last years.
Picture this:
Robinho, Brazil's wonderkid and star player organises a press conference, asking for a transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea. Chelsea had offered around 28 Million Pounds for this transfer. The deal was almost through as per all the leading tabloids and Robinho was on his way to Stamford Bridge.
Come Monday, the Abu Dhabi United Group gets a major stake in the Manchester City Football Club. And what is the first thing the new owner, Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim does?
Tables 4 bids for 4 different players:
30 Million Pounds for Berbatov.
32.5 Million Pounds for Robinho.
And 2 bids for Spanish player D. Villa and Germany M. Gomez.
Both the bids for Bebatov and Robinho were accepted. Can you imagine what Manchester United and Chelsea were thinking at this moment. Just 12 hours before they were the only players int he race and must have slept thinking the deal is almost through. And here comes the Billionaire from the Gulf and hits their plans for a home run.
Only thing is that Berbatov decided to head for Man U, even though his club had accepted the bid from Man City.
Robinho did not do any favors for Chelsea though. He signed for Man City. A scoop that Chlesea management folks will remember all their lives. A player stolen from right under their noses.
So what does all this mean? Well, Man City have loads of cash now. Their next target, as expectedly, Christiano Ronaldo. Asking Prices, hold your breadth. A little more. 250 Million $$!!!!!! And that Al-Fahim has said this is an OK price for Ronaldo.
Money can buy anything, hence proved.
This weekend in the English Premier League, Chelsea Vs Manchester City. Can you ask for something better?
Can't wait for the weekend, as always!!
Cheers,
Ashley
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