My Evolution

I never knew what I wanted to be ever since I was a kid. I remember my first ambition was to be a Pastor, then that changed to a Scientist, then I wanted to learn Martial Arts and teach Kung Fu. And then I got into senior high school and it changed to an Economist which evolved to a Chartered Accountant and I remember in my High School graduation speech I said I wanted to be a Mathematician (I don't think I impressed anyone). After a while I decided that music was my line, but that didn't last very long either, so I switched to wanting to be nothing (maybe that's why I flipped a coin to decide what to take in college Arts or Commerce, talk about smart ideas).

I really don't remember much of my college days (I don't think there was much to remember except a few very good friends Mafela, Hminga RIP. Salim Khan, Johnte) but in my final year of College my English professor suggested that I give Advertising a try. Imagine the excitement on my face, but I didn't know anyone in the advertising industry, definitely not any Mizo. So the genius in me decided that getting an MBA in marketing was the best way to get into Advertising. And like 'Joseph' would say every time we made a wrong decision, “everything was fine until you decided to be smart”... I decided to be smart and wasted 2 years and ended up working in the finance department at Samsung. WTF? How the hell did I get from the dream of being a copywriter to Finance, with a Marketing degree?

But fate has a way of messing with you before getting you to where you're meant to be. Because just when I was at my lowest point, I got a shot at MRM (McCann Worldgroup thanks to Rahul Mathur & Kush Grover and not to forget the rest of the team Pranay, Ritu, Titu). Joined as an intern for close to a year for a measly Rs. 6000 PM, but that didn't matter, coz I was later confirmed. I was there, finally reached my dream. I had never been happier in my life and as I sit here writing about it, I can still feel it, and to be honest I think that moment will stay forever in my head as my proudest moment.

The Aftermath

Working with brands like Hero Honda, Airtel, MetLife, Nestle, Videocon, Mobil etc. was exciting. But as time goes by, you find yourself in your desk from 10 am at 6 am way too often, you find yourself completely drained out, defeated, unmotivated and pissed off almost all the time (Sometimes I actually wake up angry, I don't even know what I'm mad at, but I just wake up angry). But every once in a while you experience “Joygasm”, I call it that because the joy you experience when you see your work, design, idea out there, appreciated... it feels good as the second half of the word, it's Jizz wonderful.(bad joke but I like it)

But the truth is that once you've fallen in love with the advertising industry, there's no 'getting back to how you were before you met', it's one relationship that lasts a lifetime. It changes the way you think, the way you look at problems, it makes you stronger and gives you confidence, but most of all it teaches you that the truth is not out there its in you.

The Big 'O' in India - Part 1

You vile, dirty minded beast, if you're reading this post just because of the title, you should be ashamed of yourself. I cant even imagine what you must have googled to get here, but now that you're here let me welcome you to my blog. Stay a while read along and you might just find something you like :-) (that's a smiley if you didn't know)
Anyway, getting back to the big O, I have often wondered why every other car branding in India ends with an 'O' eg. Xylo, Alto, Bolero, Scorpio, Aveo, Figo, Vento, Punto, Brio, Santro, Eeco, Estilo, Rio, Nano, Sumo, Montero, and the list goes on. I would not be surprised if the next MUV is named 'Homo', Why you ask? Well because its a sedan that looks like an SUV and it can take in a lot of luggage from the back (sick joke I know and I apologize).
But seriously, Is this where our creativity begins and ends, why the O? Did somebody do a research on it or maybe they all went to the same pandit/guru to name their car (which reminds me the Glycodin Tvc), I don't know, and the best part is I don't even know why it bothers me so much. Maybe its because I've owned a Santro and now a Figo and would like to buy a Polo some time in the near future. Now if you put all the names together they would sound like names of siblings.
Now I'm not saying it's bad, all I'm saying is can we have a little variety?

Kuchh Nai Delux Scotch Whiskey Review

I am what you would call a self proclaimed amateur whiskey connoisseur. After almost 15 years of drinking almost anything that is slightly reddish in color and can give you a high to some of the finest whiskey available, my evolution to where I am now has been a bitter sweet experience.
Enough of my drinking history and lets get straight to the subject in hand 'Kuchh Nai Dlux Scotch Whiskey'. I first heard about this strange whiskey/scotch from Charles Darkim (lets not get into details about him) ever since he told me about it, I've been looking in vain for it at almost every Theka (Liquor Store) I know in Delhi. And who would have known that a dry day in Delhi would lead me to the infamous Kuchh Nai at a tiny Theka (Liquor Store) on the outskirts of Gurgaon J (everything happens for a reason).
Looking at the bottle took me back to the first time I bought a Gi-Joe action figure (so happy sniff sniff..). A bottle set me back Rs. 1300(Gurgaon) not too bad. Quickly drove back to my house in Darya Ganj (a grueling 30 km drive) rushed to my dining table for the moment of truth.

About Kuchh Nai:
Blended and Bottled in Scotland
40% alcohol by volume
Available in 750ml bottles

Owners: Kuchh Nai Marketing, Lion House, Bridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB2 4AB
website www.kuchhnai.com

1.Bottling: Could have been better, but I've learned to look beyond the bottle.
2.Opening Aroma: Creamy, hints of vanilla but not too strong (so far so good J)
3.First Glass - without water: Quite confused, the hints of vanilla and caramel disappeared as fast as they came, sweet but short after taste, the spirit is overwhelming.
4.Second Glass - on the rocks: The ice really brings out the flavors in the first few sips, but as they melt the flavors are lost way too soon.
5.Third Glass – a dash of water: Not impressed at all.

Verdict: hmmmm... didn't live up to my expectations (though I had no idea what to expect). Kuchh Nai is one of the strangest whiskey I've had, its confusing, lacks texture and flavor but not very bad at all. If you smoke then I'd suggest you smoke lights with it, regular or strong cigarettes would kill the faint flavors it has to offer. I'd also suggest drinking it on the rocks, 2 rocks max for a 30ml drink any more that that and you would probably want to slap yourself (nobody likes tasteless colored water).

You could probably get better blended scotch/whiskey like Black & White, Dewar and Jameson etc. in the Rs.1000 to 1500 range but I wouldn't go so far as to say that Kuchh Nai is exactly what the name says (Kuchh Nai means - Nothing), it is definitely worth a try, at least 'Once' in your lifetime.

Now getting back to Charles, If you're reading this, come over and lets finish this damn bottle together. I have to give u a piece of my mind!

Swept Away

Like a house built on sand the mesmerizing glow on your face swept me away like a tsunami. You engulfed me with your charm, humor and beauty. Now I realize even had my foundations been built on stone with re-enforced concrete, I never really had a chance, I would have fallen and still do every time I see you.

Hard Times

Sometimes you can find friends in the people you hate
Find love in the coldest hearts
Find peace in the midst of war
Find hope when all hope is lost
Find light in the deepest darkest pits
Find ourselves in our darkest hours
Find strength in our weakness
Find Answers in the questions we ask
And then there are times when everything is messed up and nothing makes sense. Every road we take leads us only to another crossroad.
Some say it’s only a quarter life crises and it shall pass, but then again where one road ends another must start and you find yourself looking at a midlife crisis.

Who Am I?

Who am I?
• I’m the guy who’s going to tell you how wonderful and beautiful you are every morning and night (and maybe a few hundred times in between).
• I’m the guy who’s going to hold your hand and never let you go.
• I’m the guy who’s going to watch soppy and dramatic tv serials with you(if you promise to watch and support Chelsea).
• I’m the guy who sees thru your eyes and see the sadness and hug you and tell you everything’s gonna be ok.
• I’m the guy who’s gonna make sure there isn’t a single lizard in our house (we might have to discuss the cat situation tho).
• I’m the guy who you’re gonna sing with everyday you play the piano and I’ll play the guitar(we can even write songs together)
• I’m the guy who’s gonna fight and argue with you just because I like to pamper you to make up for the fight.
• I’m the guy who’s gonna make sure we visit every country in Africa, Europe, Asia and America (one of my dreams is to travel the world, and it would be so much better with you)
• I’m the guy who’s gonna say ‘babe you already have way too many perfumes and shoes’ but buy you 1 anyway, just coz I like to see your eyes open up and glitter when you see them.
• I’m the guy who’s gonna stare at sexy women as they pass us bye in the mall, not coz I like em but because I feel sorry for them (they simply do not compare to you).
• I’m the guy who you can read and study the bible with every day (it builds relationship).
• I’m the guy who’s going to love and respect your family.
• But most of all I’m the guy who’s always gonna be there for you and love you regardless…
I want to love you forever, and maybe that’s not long enough but I always like to aim low, so we can start with forever and see how we go once we reach our destination.

My Delailah

I’ve heard your name a thousand times before
stories of your deception in ancient folklore
Never did I imagine you haunting me
Oh Delilah the life of Samson in me I see

For gold and silver did you trade your heart
Looking back I should have seen your intentions from the start
But my eyes went blind from your charming ways and fragrance
now a helpless victim of my own ignorance

Now they say you’ve mended your ways and found Jesus
A new found happiness and chants of prayers for all of us
But what becomes of us, that you have broken and shattered?
Is your remorse enough to mend what you have battered?

Oh Delilah of the ancient and the present
Never has your stories felt so real and indecent
Many a men have u deceived over time
How many locks will you cut, before you finally draw the line?