Expectations

Of all that happens in relationships 'expectations' are by far the ones that set predicaments. They arise out of nowhere and sometimes for no reason. Aren’t always based on past experiences either. When they pop up, they are tricky and more often than not leave certain bitterness in the parties involved.

Not a day goes by when one isn’t faced with it. Everyday then becomes a struggle to meet or exceed, leading to a vicious circle of frustrations, ill feeling, regret and sometimes happiness. As with everything else that is difficult to handle, expectations can’t be made to go away. They are what keep the wheels running.

Those of us who have learnt to handle it to their advantage live an enriched life. The lesson to be learned is that we need to set the right ones in the first place. Having none could mean that we are like the frog in a well. Setting none in others could lead to a life that is less purposeful.

So here is to expectations, and to meeting them head-on.

Years...

Do the years that go by hold any significance? When I look back at the last two there sure have been significant happenings. Year 2008, my son came along, towards the end of 2009 I took the decision to take a new job and shift from Chennai to Coimbatore.

2008 ended a lot sooner than I expected and 2009 took its own sweet time. January 25, 2010 found myself in Coimbatore, away from friends but closer to family.

If I take it back a little longer then things look like  they were destined to happen. My mother tells me that at the age of one, I was in Coimbatore with my parents. I came to Coimbatore after my son turned a year, a month and four days. Coincidence I guess.

I really haven’t been keeping a good track of the years and the events that took place in each of them. Maybe it suited me better that way. All of a sudden I am so aware of each day. It is also seems a lot more meaningful, with purpose now than ever before, surreal as it may sound.

Every moment must count, as will then the years.

What it takes to change

I think it clearly has to do with mindset. Some among us dont take feedback in a positive sense. Instead of analyzing what others have to say it is ignored. I am not one who thinks others should decide what I do and say. However I also do not want to be someone who is misunderstood and mistaken all the time. Those who are persistent are almost always taken as those saying - My way or the highway. It isnt true. One has to be persistent yet open to change.

Michael Jackson - I thank you

Had it not been for Thriller I may never have started to listen to pop. When he sang and danced he gave millions undeniable solace.

Incomparable, irreplaceable, may his soul rest in peace.

MJ...thank you.

Tenant or house owner

I have been moving from one rented house to another since 2000. One big difference from then and now is that house owners have lost all traces of common sense.

Earlier there was a clear relation between the size of the house, facilities and the rent for the place. Now just the opposite is true. The owners alone cannot be blamed though. Tenants are more than willing to compromise for the sake of staying close to children's school, spouse's office et al. Thanks to tolerant tenants and money hungry owners rent these days are really at unbearable, unspeakable levels. What one gets for 5k a month is just acceptable but it is still sometimes 2BHK which is two bedroom, hall, kitchen. In most bathrooms and rest rooms are almost non-existent. Talk about compromises.

My pick for worst second hand car dealer

The sales guy/manager at Sundaram Motors division for selling second cars is the best - when it comes to saying things that arent true that is. I had the misfortune of buying a car from them and its an understatement to say I am disappointed with what was meted out. To call the people at this dealership names would be to degrade any of the nice things that most of us can think of when pissed off. One thing for sure they are shameless and care a hoot about customer satisfaction. They are also solely responsible for giving Fiat a bad name. A job they truly did well!

Try any other second hand car dealer, go to Sundaram Motors at your own risk knowing you have been given fair warning.

My pick for worst e-mail and telephone support

Beyond doubt this goes to Royal Sundaram Insurance. Their online insurance payment works like a charm. I got my car insurance done in no time and received an e-document for it, everything good so far. Days after the promised time for the hard copy I receive the insurance document with my name spelled incorrectly. I tried number of times to get the right person over phone, wrote to their e-mail support, no use. Totally frustrating. Please stay away from this one another Sundaram company which is a major pain in the wrong place.