Had a Great Day!

Since I worked over the weekend to prepare for Tuesday's meeting, I had a lot of time on my hands today.

I met with two folks that I havent seen in a long time. Met Svet at her Hamilton Lane office and then we walked to get some coffee. She told me of some positions that were open in the San Francisco office and promised to put in a good word for me. I told her I'll get back to her at some point.

I also caught up with Nitin over dinner. Poor guy couldnt even have dinner in peace on account of the several phone calls and emails that keeping flying in while we ate at this Italian place. Anyways, we did manage to catch up and he told me about how things were going at UBS.

And now to bed cause I have an early morning tomorrow....

I Love Pink!

And this is one of her best songs; Dear Mr. President.

Powerful...

Lamar, the $150Billionaire

I'm mentoring this kid through the Big Bro/Sis program. Once a forthnight I do something social with this new friend of mine. Last time we went to Trump National for Sunday Brunch. For $35 its steal and lets everyone have a piece of the glam life. Especially an aspiring kid, who needs all the dreaming he can get.

Lamar was super happy last fortnight when I brought him back. But this morning he was a visibly peturbed about something. After some small talk, I ventured to ask him what happened. I'm supposed to report any domestic issues to the people who run the program.

It's nothing, Lamar said. Really? Come on, you can tell me dude, remember its all no foul, no fault. No foul, no fault basically a policy to foster discussion that includes controversial topics and under complete confidentiality.

Well, SharG, you know the place we went to last time? Yeah, what about it Lamar? People like me dont belong there, he said. You've seen where I live, and for you to take me there. I dont know what it is but it depresses me. That brunch is half a day's work for my mother. He had read the menu and remembered.

I didnt know what to say. Is there a place you'd like to go today Lamar? You can pick things to do too, y'know!

Let me think, he said. For the next 10 minutes he just looked out of the window. And I thought to myself. Oh great! Now what do I do to cheer this dude!

Then, he turns his head. You remember when you told me about yourself in college. When you didnt have a lot of money to do things. Take me somewhere you went when you were broke.

I was close to the Adams exit. Sure Lamar, I'll take you to this place called Chanos. I think it should be open, lets give it a shot.

We ran through the drive through. I told him a couple of stories about the place. How this was the place to eat after a late night of homework or an all nighter at SAL. Or after a night of clubbing, though I rarely did that after my freshmen year.

We got our food, I drove him by the house that I lived on Orchard, the place on Severance where mah gal used to live. I parked by the Christian Science church on Adam and we began digging into our food.

What did you dream to be as a child? Lamar asked. You know Lamar, I had very strange ambitions. So take this with a pinch of salt. When I was 4, I wanted to be a locomotive driver. Then when i was 7 I went to an airshow and saw these big jets flying around. So, at 7 I wanted to be a fighter pilot. When I was 11, I saw this movie with my friends where this guy managed a club of cabaret dancers. So at 11 I wanted to run a club. Dont tell Judy (program administrator) about this, ok.

At 13, I began to enjoy computers, games and programming and ever since I wanted to be a Computer Engineer. When I got to USC though, I wanted to do something big, something that makes an impact, something that can change the world. I wanted to work for the United Nations or Doctors without Borders to help people who didnt have as much as us. But I also need to make money and get a job. So I started working, and now, I want to have a net worth of $2M by 30. If I get there, then I can go follow my dream of working for a non profit.

But your dreams keep changing? Is that because you gave up?

Man, can you believe this? A 14 year old kid was into these profound subjects of life. At 14, all I thought of was games, comics and girls.

Its no so much as that I gave up. I think everyone can dream and achieve what they want. But sometimes, one has to figure reality into the situation too, and just wait a while longer to get to their dream. Yeah, it was a bull shit answer. I couldnt think of anything else.

Do you think if I dream about something I can? Seriously?  I think you can be whatever, whoever you want to be Lamar. But you have to work for the dream. Life's tough, people can be mean, you may not get what you want, but if you focus you still have your dream. No one can take that away from you and you have every chance at it, jsut as good as the next person.

Yeah, yeah. I saw the pursuit of happyness too...

We laughed. I got on the road again. I had promised Lamar a game of miniature golf. Which he called put-put. I must say I learn a lot about American culture through this kid. A lot about inner city culture. A lot about poverty. I'm so grateful for the comfortable life I've had.

My dream is to be a billioniare Sharjeel. Like 150B. Is that a lot of money? It's a lot of money for sure Lamar. What would you do with it?

I'll give you a billion cause you're so nice to me. I looked at him, visibly touched. And what about the rest Lamar?

I'll give it to all the poor kids like me, so that they can spend more time with their folks,  have a house where everyone has a room. And so that everyone can go to college. So that everyone can feed their family. That's what I'll do with it.

Amen to that Lamar. Amen to that!

San Francisco, Miami and Sin City

I love my job. Why you ask?

Take this as an example; Next week I am in San Francisco, attending a tech summit on Monday and Tuesday. Then I go to Miami and address a bunch of business leaders on the business of technology and how my company is at the forefront of innovation. On Friday, I pack my bags and head out to Las Vegas again to address a gathering of business leaders on the opportunities in education that are being created through technology.

And all the while I am doing this, I must admit, I will find time to have some fun. Meet with a couple of friends in San Francisco, hit a couple of clubs in Miami and Las Vegas. Love it when I get to play.

So... anyone interested in kicking it in Vegas next weekend? Gimme a shout yo!

Why Dont You Do Something About It?

Somebody ever asked you that question? A and some of her friends moved to the South Bay area a couple of weeks ago. And we've hung out fairly often. It's just easier too I dont have to drive to LA or Torrance, where most of my pals have sought residence.

It's fun too. Always have a good time doing different things. Pour exemple, I always wanted to decorate my place. Somewhere in the middle, with the constant possibility of a move and the sheer economics of buying expensive things to make my townhouse look trendy, I lost steam. But helping A and her two friends move in has been fun. Trips to Ikea and Pier 1, painting the place, installing cherry floors etc with these gals made me feel really involved with interior design at their new beachside apartment. Actually, I feel more at home here sometimes than I do at my place. I've got a nice place, but its always lonely and its just nice to come back from work and kick it with a couple of people.

Today was a sort of informal housewarming party. Just the three gals, our mutual friends Mira and Anu. Everybody brought some food and there was shrimp and steak that was marinated two night before by us and ready for the grill. I took a bottle of wine instead. A has a thing for dessert wines, so I took a special Asti that I picked up from a wine store that is run by a good friend and drove to El Porto straight from work.

A was happy hosting and getting the evening started. We've known each other for about 4-5 years now. She was an intern at Disney, were introduced at an intern event where we saw a movie that totally tanked on the box office. A and I were sitting next to one another and substituted the otherwise boring flick with our own commentary to regale other members of the audience and ourselves. We snuck out early when someone shushed us, went to the sub place in Westwood and had a Diddy Reese's ice cream sandwich. We've been really really good friends ever since. She left for NY for a couple of years, worked for L'Oreal and then moved back to LA. And she moved literally down the street. I've always wanted to have a Friends like set-up where there are people next door that you can go and hang out with if one needs company.

I met Mira through A. I'd always see her when A and I were doing big group activities. Mira and A are very close from what I gather. And she was the first of A's friends that I met before being introduced to other friends. (Read "that" friend.)

An Asti eh? Mira asked. It looks good, do you mind uncorking it? Sure Mira. And off I went to uncork and pour out the libations to get the evening started. Mira came by when I was working on the cork.

Do you like her? Mira asked. Who? A? Yeah, I like her was my response. I mean, do you like her, like her repeated Mira with a wry smile. For a moment I saw Wendy in her plaid skirt from the Wonderyears. That was such a good show. Sharjeel, answer the question, she persisted.

I guess, I mean, I do. And I really do like her, because she's always been real and totally DTE with me. Why dont you do something about it then? Mira said. It came out of no where. I just diverted the conversation on the pretext of finding a wine glass to pour her Asti.

Sometimes people say things and it echoes in your head. At the table, my eyes fixed on A, vivacious as always and super attractive in a black and red floral printed dress she was wearing. Chatting with everyone, giggling, shaking her head, her wavy brunette hair following. And all that while Mira's words kept reverberating. Why dont you do something about it? Why dont you do something about it? Why dont you do something about it?

At the conclusion of dinner I brought my dishes to the sink. You were a little out of it today huh? Yeah, I was A. Just a long day at work y'know. She put her hands on my shoulder and gently rubbed them. That was so good. I think I'm going to leave a little early, have an early start tomorrow. You sure? You can sleep here if you want to stay longer. Thanks, but I have some work to do too, I told her. I'll be out of town for the next two weeks, we'll go to Goodstuffs when I get back for breakfast.

Fo Sho, she smiled. Well, you be a good man and get some rest tonight. She said. Then walked me to the door, down the stairwell, gave me a hug, rubbed and patted my back and waved goodbye.

As I drove back I mulled over what Mira said. And am still thinking as I write this blog. And over my bergamot and cigar, that I just finised I decided that I'm not going to try. If something has to happen, it should without deliberate effort.

Right as I'm wrapping up, the Tivoed episode of Boston Legal plays on my flat screen. A Dean Martin song in the background ...

You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
You're nobody 'til somebody cares
You may be king, you may possess the world and it's gold
But gold won't bring you happiness when you're growing old
The world still is the same, you never change it
As sure as the stars shine above
You're nobody 'til somebody loves you
So find yourself somebody to love

The world still is the same, you never change it
As sure as the stars shine above
Well, you're nobody 'til somebody loves you
So find yourself somebody to love

(And last night I was with this friend, who has somebody that loves him and he just dont seem to care. Funny, this world is...)

Sperm Warfare

Last night I watched Sperm Warfare with a friend at the Matrix on Melrose. I thought the play was funny but very over the top. Then again, having acted two plays a year through high school I realise that overdramatization is also a theater technique. And especially in the case of this one, where there's marital discord, the director may have just opted for that.

My favorite part of the play, besides the humor, was the scene wherein this buxom nurse takes her shirt off to encourage the main actor of the play to contain his sperm in a plastic cup, because his wife is in need of an IVF child, having hit her 40s. There were many folks who gushed at her beautiful buttery skin and silken blonde tresses that fell on her near perfect shoulders. Not to mention her beautiful green eyes that always seemed set upon you.

Dont believe me? Take a look.

Her's was the most accomplished performance last night.

After 1.5 hours of watching a play, my theater companion and I decided that we had seen enough theater and needed sometime to hangout and catch up. I hadnt seen her for nearly a year.

We went to Urth Cafe. If you havent tried it out, you must go. Got our hot drinks, some thing to nibble at and started yakking. The place was really crowded. There were these two hot russian gals sitting next to us, with a guy who was trying hard to put the moves on both of them.

Both of us were talking pretty loud, but who really cares right? Its just a conversation between two strangers to the other folks at the cafe. I was suprised, this russian girl from the other table walked over and seated her on our table. You guys are having such an interesting conversation, can I join you guys. I looked a at Jane, Jane looked at me and out of common courtesy were like sure, please do. We were going to leave in a few minutes anyway, we had chugged down most of our drinks.

Her name was Elena. She was actually very pretty. Long slender legs, amazing hair, and blue eyes. That was probably why we didnt mind her joining us. Strange how one's looks provide an unspoken advantage. Anyways, she was a dentist, told us that she came here in 1996 from Russia. And we generally started talking. She would ask Jane a question, but look towards me. And Jane would respond and she would ask another question and then Jane would respond again. I knew what was happening. I just smiled at her, occasionally wrapping her perfect physique with my fixated gaze.

Her friend joined us too. You could easily make out that she was the wingwoman. She tried to initiate conversation with Jane, which was perfect. Elena and I were looking at each other, smiling, and generally enjoying each other's presence without speaking a word. For a moment, two strangers were being intimate with each other, by only baring their eyes, smile and imagination to one another.

Sharjeel. SharJEEL. SHARJEEL!! Jane exclaimed. I looked at her slightly dazed, as if she had woken me up from a beautiful dream. She gesticulated with a turn of her head that we should leave. I obliged and off we went.

I need to see her once more. I turned in the general direction of where we were sitting. She was on her chair and had turned her body around to watch us go. I smiled, she smiled and waved back. And thus we parted.

As I walked Jane to her car, we talked. Why didnt you get her number? No, it was nothing like that, I responded. You were looking at her as if you'd make her clothes melt, Jane said laughingly. Have a good night Jane. It was good to see you. The customary hug and Jane sped off.

As I passed by Urth Cafe in my car, I thought of going back in to see if Elena was still there. I didnt. I loved the moment we shared too much to go back and spoil it with number exchanging akwardness.

Keyshia and Diddy crooned on 102.7. I could see it in her eyes, all crying out with nothing to say. May be she was looking for a real connection, just as I was and we wanted it without trying.

Only You and Me...

So a couple of days ago, on April 5th, I turned 25. It was a sobering feeling. I talked to a peer who was 40 and who just came through a mid life crisis by her own confession. Just a random conversation on my birthday, turned into one about age, and she said something that struck me as rather profound. "You know, getting old makes you wonder how much time you have left. It makes you want to go out into the world and do/experience things you've always wanted. Because you never know when your clock stops."

Personally, I like to think of myself as the energizer bunny (pun intended.) The one that goes on and on and on. But even if I take her seriously, I have a good 50-60 years of battery life left in me. And I made a list of some of the few things that I've always wanted to do that I'll get done by April of 2008.

On another note.

You always know the people who really care for you. They know of things important to you, they ask about the things that matter to you, they help with anything they can and they always remember your birthday.

No, and that doesnt include people who depend on a facebook alert or a birthday reminder to make that pretend call to wish you a happy birthday. That's why I dont put it on facebook or other "social networks" that I'm on.

But some people do remember. My folks. My true friends. And for that I'm really grateful.

Surprisingly, at 11:30ish the night of my birthday, I got a call from T. Since 2003, we've talked only 2-3 times a year. To exchange greetings on occasions that mattered to us.

She wished me a very happy birthday, asked me the usual questions to see how I was doing. And then she said, in a sort of cracked voice. Do you remember 2001?

How could I forget. That night we went to Newport Beach. We had just finished dinner. She brought a backpack with her and I didnt know what it had, but would soon find out. We walked to the beach. She asked me to find some drift wood. She put it together, pulled out some lighter fluid and set it on fire. Then took out a muffin, put a candle in the middle, lit it up and smiled. Her hair flowing in the ocean breeze, her face lit up by the flickering candle flame - it was probably the most beautiful sight I had ever seen in my life. The muffin soon disappeared, we kissed, cuddled and spent the whole night talking until dawn broke. It was one of the best birthdays I've had.

2001? What happened in 2001? I replied. You dont remember?, she asked. It was only you and me.... Nevermind! I have to go, I'm being paged. And the call ended.

It's amazing how one can go through life with memories. It's a really powerful phenomenon. I couldnt muster the courage to tell her, I remember, only you and me. Didnt want to talk abou it. At the time we thought we'd spend the rest of our lives together.