Twisting Thunderstorm

What a day it had been.While on my way to  Workshire country side, I bumped into Catherine.I saw her after a decade and  recognized her at once as time must have stood frozen for her. It seemed she had not aged a day and looked amazingly young for her age. Before I could know, I had almost spent two hours chatting with her. I could have continued if it had not been for  few appointments so we decided that we will meet after ten days. Now I am eagerly waiting for her visit to my place. This is what Anna was telling about her evening to her husband Victor. Victor Wishbow  was a vicar in the church nearby.Victor did not heed much attention to the conversation but he knew that Anna was unstoppable.

A day passed and Anna started again with Catherine's talks. Now it was unavoidable for Victor. He asked her to at least have patience till the time her dear friend would be visiting them. Anna was kind of embarrassed with her obsession about Catherine. She just gave a little apologetic smile to him and continued with her chores.

Finally the day arrived. The dawn turned into dusk but not a sight of dear friend Catherine. Victor teased Anna about her excitement and a damp squib the day finally turned into. She blabbered few words about the uncouth behavior of her friend and wrapped up tasks and went to sleep.

 She tried taking Catherine out of her mind but all in vain. There was this charisma about her which got Anna back to her time and again. Anna tried to recollect the two hour chat she had with Catherine. She could recollect the fleeting mention by Catherine of her residence. She told her husband that she would visit Catherine's place the next day.

After wrapping up chores the next day, she told Victor that she has to run errand and will be back soon. He let her go. He knew that Anna was definitely going for searching out her long lost friend. The moment Anna reached the place mentioned by Catherine. She was taken aback. A dilapidated colonial house, long unkempt grass in the lawn, cobwebs, creaking voices, graveyard near by were few things she could see. A perfect set up for a ghost story. This is what she thought when she crossed that dark street on that fateful day.

 She was trying to gather herself but then came a loud sound from sky and she was stuck in a thunderstorm. Now with no option left, she took a shelter under tree. It was struck by a lightening bolt but Anna survived miraculously. Now it was getting difficult for her to stand. She thought of moving towards her home but it was not a nice option either.

Finally she heaved a sigh of relief because she caught glimpse of Catherine. She called out to her but Catherine seemed to be unaware. Anna decided to run after her. Anna was already out of her breath when she reached Catherine. The moment Catherine turned her face towards her , Anna could not believe her eyes. Catherine was looking like a wrinkled old lady, the far cry from what Anna had met few days before. The old lady understood Anna's predicament, she at once blurted out that she was Catherine's aunt and  Catherine died years back.

The moment she said so, Anna could feel her heart stopping and she collapsed. The old lady checked Anna's pulse and ensured from every angle if she is alive or not. After checking, the old lady called
someone from the corner of street. That someone also checked Anna's pulse and gave old lady a smile and removed her make up.
Catherine and Victor went back hand in hand while Anna laid on the ground---- a victim of thunderstorm.

"Morning Run" is always an effort

No matter how long you have been running, getting up in the morning and going for a run is always an effort for most of people. I am also one of those "most of people". Getting up and heading for a jog is always like a case fought in court by me against me!! I am the Judge, Prosecutor, Defense lawyer and all other fancy words of  legal jargon.

List of  arguments by "Lazy Me" which my "Not So Lazy Me" have to counter-

• Argument #1 :  World is not going to end if you don't go today.
• Argument #2 :  Why baby why? You don't want to be a model.
• Argument #3 :  Are you participating in Olympics?Then why?
• Argument #4 :  Are you not feeling pain in your feet?
• Argument #5 :  Today should be the day of rest.
• Argument #6 :  Tomorrow is the new beginning. 
• Argument #7 :   Listen to your heart

My "Not So Lazy Me" does rise above all these arguments in 80% of cases but it requires lot of cajoling, coaxing and coercion. Actually only coercion and not cajoling or coaxing. Some people would like to use motivation in lieu of coercion. I prefer using COERCION because this is what it is !

Step by step guide for successful coercion-

• keeping  alarm clock/mobile phone at least 10 steps away from bed.
• Not to mention about the alarm tone. It should be sure shot winner of any cacophony event
• Keeping running apparel with the alarm clock
• Fleeting thoughts about other good looking and fit friends ( Now my fit friend would know that how often I remember them )

I do follow all the techniques but  of all these, keeping my alarm clock away from bed works in most of the cases.

What about your struggle with morning exercises and your coercion/motivational techniques ?

Whats your name?

Name is what you are.People start associating name with the personality. Some people make names desirable with their deeds while there can be few people who bring untimely deaths to names. Parents play an important part in giving that unique name to their kid but sometimes end up giving quite thought provoking (read embarrassing ) names to kids.

For bearers of embarrassing names, only solace is the quotation of "Bard of Avon". They find a lot of strength in "What's in the name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet". Needless to say that they can't thank Shakespeare enough for providing them this light in dark alleys of names.

Parents spend a lot of time in giving that unique and striking name to their kid but their intelligence just goes away while giving them nicknames;). Most of nicknames can be quite embarrassing and may be actually opposite of what your personality is.

 In India, atleast the Northern part, one will find child named "Golu" in every second household . I can vouch that if some combing operation is done in a square mile area, we will have quite a population of "Golu(s)" in all likelihood. For the benefit of those who do not understand what "Golu" is, it means chubby. By the way all the "Golu(s)" have alternate formal names which are used in very rare situations. Though that is a entirely different thing that few "Golu(s)" grow up to be perfect spheres thereby maintaining the sanctity of their names but few "Golu(s)" do turn up traitors and  grow up to be lean and fit. Whatever the case may be but once a "Golu" always a "Golu". This is the unsaid rule followed recklessly in the part of world where I live. Just spare a little thought to handsome looking fellow who meets his aunt after ages and the first inevitable dialog which comes out of her mouth is - "Oh My God, Golu ...you have grown so much'. Now tell me what Golu is supposed to think ! 

By the way whats your nickname  and are you the esteemed contributor in name game for any of your near and dear ones ;) ? If yes , do share (if share-able :p)!!!