The more things change... Part II

 I wrote a 10-year review post ten years ago and given all that has transpired since then, it seems like a good idea to revisit the theme...

Reading that earlier post, I smile, because what seemed like big leaps then, turns out to have been the first few confident steps in this funny journey called life...

A lot has happened in these past 10 years...

Bought a house in 2012. Vowed never to undergo that horrifying experience again. And like everything else that I told myself I'd never do, went ahead and bought another in 2018 and sold the first. At a notional profit and a real loss. 

Dreamt I would no longer have to deal with idiot Mumbai house owners and those cunning real estate brokers. Ended up in a rental after buying the first house anyway. Moved houses 4 times in this decade alone, and ended up in a place where I have told myself that I will stay put for the next decade and a half. Let's see how that pans out.

Went on my first foreign vacation. And then followed it up with many more, once I realized that meeting people and going to different places were more fun than I had imagined. Briefly became that irritating idiot who spouts the 'collecting experiences and forming memories are more important that accumulating stuff' nonsense while doing both anyways. But I did form some good memories. And some hazy ones because I had imbibed too much spirit to remember stuff. 

While I am usually careful with my money, vacations are my kryptonite. I started my first one with a detailed note on every cent spent, but over time, I have ended up splurging like a millionaire, with only a vague idea of who ripped me off. Have told myself that I shall continue to wander because as the last touristy knick-knack I bought reads "We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us". Let's see how that pans out.

Ran a few half marathons. Dreamt about a marathon. But I soon got bored of it. Tried exercise, but I simply don't have the mental discipline to stick to a proper workout regime. As I grow older, and with a hereditary history of diabetes (or what we call parambarai sotthu), I have promised myself that I will get fitter. Let's see how that pans out.

Changed jobs without changing my company, and worried about it. Then changed company without changing my job, and worried about that too. Stepped on to the Board of some portfolio companies, and worried about that too. Joked about attending 'bored meetings', as humour is nothing but a mask for underlying worries. And learnt that I tend to worry about stuff I can't control, when it comes to work and jobs, and it is time that I learn not to worry. Let's see how that pans out.

Dealt with the loss of my father. The emotional low point of this decade. I promised myself that I will do him proud. Still struggling with this, but I have made a small start. A few kids got their college fees paid, and they would never know that it was to honor the memory of a fine gentleman they never had the fortune to meet. And that is the way he would have liked it. I have promised myself that this is something that will grow much bigger in future. Let's see how that pans out.

Used to rant on V-day, whining about how girls were so myopic that they failed to see my charm. And then, gloated about charming this wonderful girl into marrying me while secretly being grateful that she was myopic enough to not see how great she was. The emotional high point of this decade. However, have told myself that I shall continue the V-day thing, because, tradition. Let's see how that pans out.

A lot has changed. Some things remain the same.

It's been an amazing ten years. Bring on the next 10! Happy New Year!