Rome, here I come!

Finally, the summer vacation has arrived! A much needed and well deserved one, after probably few of the most hectic months of my life. And yours truly will be flying to Rome tomorrow, hoping to spend some time there as well as in Venice. Those are two places I always wanted to go see since, well, ever since I wanted to go there. Roman Colosseum is something that always amazed me, so is the wonderful city - well I think it is wonderful - of Venice. Can't wait, though I'd be glad if I could skip the twenty or so hour plane ride. How cool would it have been if I could just disapperate and apperate like Harry Potter.

Will be staying at my Aunt's place there. Despite being relatives, they are actually so nice people. Defies all logic, I know, for 'nice' and 'relatives' aren't two words that usually you can put in one sentence unless you throw in a 'not' there. But there are exceptions sometimes, and consider this one of them. Will also get to meet my favorite cousin sister after a long long time. When we were back in Sri Lanka we were like so close friends and couldn't really be separated, so, am eagerly waiting to see her again.

OK then peeps, I'll be off blogging for a while, but will try to come back as soon as the vacation is over. Until then, goodbye all and have a nice weekend!

Of Friends and Circles

Do you have a circle of trust, or more accurately, circles of trust? I think we all do. They are concentric circles right? That is they all share the same centre point but are of different radius. Normally the outer most circle contains most of the people you know, obviously other than the ones you don't trust. They are outside the outer most circle, in case you're wondering where they are. Then, the ones you trust a bit more, among those people are in the next inner circle, and so on. The inner most circle contains the people you truly trust, the ones you trust your life with. Bigger the inner most circle, luckier you are, it is said, though if your girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife happens not to be in it while others are, your luck might change to no luck at all before you know it. So obviously you need to be careful so as to with whom you share your circle information.

Usually I'm very much an outgoing person, somebody who can get along with almost anyone bar the odd lunatic, perhaps because the north poles of two magnets cannot be brought together. Ever. I do have a lot of friends, and I easily make friends too, everywhere I go. But, among them, there are only a handful, very few people, whom I really trust and for whom I'd do anything. In other words, my so called inner circle is very small. They don't come easily, sometimes it takes years to trust someone, to be able to call them true friends. And you should not try to haste it. Once I learned the hard way why you shouldn't treat them that way until you really get to know them. Because, once you trust someone that much it is hard and painful when they finally chose to show that they are not really that trustworthy.

Gosh I'm straying away. Right, back on track. What I wanted to say is, those great friends don't come easily and once they do, you better not let them fall apart. However great friends they are, still they're human and humans do make mistakes. And they are bound to hurt you, maybe not intentionally, but still they will. At least most of them. Somewhere along the line. If and when they do, if you are prepared to be tolerant, if you are prepared to accept that those mistakes are not intentional, if you are prepared to forgive and move along, then most probably you'll be able to keep your inner circle from being reduced. Sometimes I feel that I'm not tolerant enough, maybe I am or maybe I'm not, it's just a feeling that I get. Who knows.

Also it'd be a great thing to actually let them know, rather than keeping it to yourself that how much you value your friends. Just imagine what your life would be without those few people you really care for. And, I wish that none of you will have to endure that, but you might not get another chance to tell them that. Don't let yourself regret it for the rest of your life. So go ahead, pick up the phone, or email them, or whatever the way just take a minute to tell them what you feel about them and what they are worth to you.

Those few people truly make my life worth living, and for that I am so grateful to them. So, in a way, this post is for them, for making my life a better one. Thank you guys, for being there for me all the time, not just in joy but also in sorrow. You are truly special.

Oh, and everyone, a happy week ahead!

Goodbye Vaasy

You've been a treat to watch. Thanks for all the memories!

Back at Work

This post was meant to be published on last Tuesday, as suggested by the title. Not Monday because the last Monday was a holiday for us (yes these Japs take more holidays than us lazy ass islanders) and if I published this then, the title wouldn't have fitted really. Not that it does any better now though. It's just I was a heck of a lot busy - no I'm not trying to sound important and all saying this busy thing all the time - and didn't have time to put up a post. Didn't even read many blogs and feeling very much Kottucatchupiness, as a certain old drummer would say.

Alright. Saturday, went to see those fireworks stuff I told you people the other day. We had to be there by 3.30 in the evening to see the fireworks show that was to start at 7.30. Hell these Japs are so good at breeding I tell you. But it was worth the wait as they were so A.W.E.S.O.M.E. The fireworks I meant, not the Japs or their breeding. Was thinking of posting some pics, but now I'm at work and can't be bothered really. Maybe on the photoblog.

Then, Sunday was my cricket debut in Japan. It was such a spectacular one though, I'm not sure if my career would end with the debut itself. Let me tell you about the first (and perhaps the only) over I bowled. First ball, juicy full toss on leg stump and a Sikh with a beard (are there any without one?) hit it for a six. No worries, that could happen to anyone. But that followed by two wides. Still cool. A certain Fernando bowls more wides. Then a single. I think. Then another couple of wides, another boundary before finally I got a wicket. That too because the guy hit it so well it went so long but since the boundary was longer than that of the MCC it was caught. Maybe I should concentrate more on my batting. Oh and I forgot to tell you that I dropped a sitter as well. Debuts don't come more interesting than that. Only bad thing is that Solomon got a couple of wickets, even though it was more due to luck than good bowling, and bettered me. Which is not a good thing because he might bring up the subject on FB. I'm not worried though. If things go out of control I could always bring up his age and silence the guy.

Oh and now I'm at my new workplace. Things are good. And travelling is a lot less. Life is good after all.

Happy weekend fellas.

This and That...

Today's my last day at my current workplace, the head office of our company, which is very close to Tokyo. We're moving to a new location and start work there from Tuesday. Packing and unpacking is always a bitch, but no complaints this time though. Because, to and from my current workplace it takes about two and a half hours everyday which will be reduced to like thirty to forty minutes from Tuesday. Who can complain? Also there are a lot of Sri Lankans there in the new place, so a lot to look forward to.

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Tomorrow I'm hoping to go to a fireworks festival. No not a festival organized by Adobe Fireworks, but a real one where they set up all kinds of fireworks so... err... people can watch. These Japs have too much money I tell you. But it's kind of nice too. Must take some photos.

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Does anyone of you play BarnBuddy on Facebook? It's fun isn't it. Only, it takes too long to move from one level to another so I cheated and created another couple of accounts. Now I'm moving ahead much faster. Also stealing is fun baby. Specially if they have a dog and still you manage to steal a couple. Ha!

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Oh and almost forgot. Sunday, I'm hoping to make my first class cricket debut in Japan. Bah. OK OK not really, but I met some guys here who play leather ball cricket so gonna join them and play a game or two. Hell it's been thirteen years since I last played a hard ball game, and would be lucky to get a few runs under my belt. Still, think I will enjoy it. Wish me luck people.

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Alright then, gotta go.
Happy weekend fellas!

Sleeping with a Hot Chick

Not what you thought though. Sorry to disappoint if you came here for a detailed account of my latest sexual encounter with an oh-so-cute Jap chick. I wouldn't want to do that. Describing part that is - not the having sex part. Someone recently told me that having sex is like working out, so you ought to have sex more if you want to work out more. Wish every girl thought like that. Wishful thinking I know.

Last night, there was this company party and naturally I was drunk on my way home. Not a lot, let's just say slightly. Guess that most of you guys know by now that I travel by train, and even that I run into trouble on them from time to time. Anyway, I have to take three trains back home, of which the second one takes the longest. Somewhere around 25 minutes. I didn't really want to be standing that long with the condition I was in, so, waited for the next train and got myself a comfortable seat. Doesn't mean that there are any different seats, they're all the same, it's just the seat felt so comfortable. With the iPod playing Hotel California (Oops, sorry RD, but you can't really listen to Britney if you wanna chill, can you?) and the lightheadness as a result of alcohol, you just can't help falling asleep. Before that I vaguely remember a hot Jap chick, wearing probably a 6 inch short - yes we guys usually do notice things like that even if we're drunk and about to fall asleep - taking the seat next to me. And then I fell asleep.

Ten, fifteen minutes must have passed by, and I woke up with a jolt. Takes a second or two for things to dawn, that I'm still in the train. I was sort of leaning back on my seat, so tried to straighten myself up, but my left side felt strangely heavy. Turning left I see a sight that, well, any guy wouldn't mind. Every guy except gays, I must say. The said chick is soundly asleep, leaning against my shoulder as comfortably as she could get so that our heads are bumping into each other. For a moment I stay confused. Then the confusion increases. Should I stay where I am letting her sleep. Or should I wake her up. But what's the point? She'd probably say sorry fifteen times and bow thirty times before getting away from me and I'd have to bow back thirty times. Not a good idea if you're half drunk. Or slightly drunk. Whatever.

But then I catch the smell of her breath.

People, listen. Even when you're drunk, it is not a pleasant thing to catch the breath of another drunken. And it doesn't help if the said person might have eaten raw fish, probably a snail or two as well, while getting drunk. I just made my choice, within a fraction of a second, and straightened myself practically throwing her off the seat.

Luckily the train arrived at my station while we were through only fifteen bows.

Rhythms

We had a 'Paduru Party' last Saturday. A lovely evening among friends, blended with wonderful Sri Lankan music is always something special, but when you get Maiyokka with Pol Sambol for dinner, you just can't ask for more. Especially if you live thousands of miles away from home.

Towards the end, music was so good that people got up and started dancing, to the rhythms we islanders are so used to. We just have it in us, don't we? I took a few photos, and one of them turned out really well, probably one of the better ones I've ever taken, me thinks. It just contains the music and the rhythm in it, trust me even if I tell you. Here it is.

10,000! Cool eh?

You see that little hit counter to the left side of this blog? You need to scroll down a bit to see that. Last night I noticed that it showed a figure over 10,000! I was like, "WOW, I've come a long way, have I not?". To be honest, it felt good. When I started this blog, I had no idea what I was going to write about. I just started it for the sake of it. My good friend Damith introduced me to Kottu, and things were never the same again. And now I have 10,000 hits. Which means, at least people found it not boring, if not interesting to keep coming back here. A big thank you to everyone - all my fellow bloggers and also the other good friends who are not bloggers but spent a minute to read the crap I write - for helping me along the way. Your reading this is truly appreciated.

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Sri Lanka just pulled off a miracle win. When the day started Pakistan needed only 97 runs to win with 8 wickets in hand. Seemed it was only a matter of time before they bag it. But it wasn't to be. Both Thushara and Herath bowled prolly the spells of their lives to a miraculous win and an invaluable 1-0 series lead going into the second Test. With Murali set to come back, things can only get better for us. This win is awesome in many ways. First, we were down and out before our second string bowlers turned it around - remember we were without Murali and Mali - brilliantly. To put things in perspective, this is our only the fourth win in Tests without Murali since he started playing Test cricket. That is just four wins without him in 17 years! Sanga too showed he's got it in him to make a great captain for Sri Lanka. With a bundle of talent at hand, he should be a good leader to lead us in the coming years. Also we have never won a series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka. They are definitely our bogey team, if you know what I mean. Now we have a perfect opportunity to set things right. Way to go boys!

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Weekend, I went on a trip and on the way went to see a butterfly zoo, if you will. And saw a butterfly being born. Just thought I'd tell you. Must upload those pics to the photoblog.

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Do you know how annoying it is when your mom tells you that you should get married, every single time she calls? No? Lucky you. Take my words for it, it's a no win situation. You know these Sri Lankan mothers right? They take offense at the slightest hint that we're not ready to follow their orders - yes, they are orders, not requests - and get all emotional and make a big scene. Any good advice how I should escape this without getting killed by her? If anybody can gimme a reliable one, I'll write a post in honor of their name. Promise.

Three Songs You Hate The Most

Alright people. Let the tagging begin. Again.
Usually it's positive stuff that's being passed around as tags, but hell with it, this too should be fun. This is simple. Mention three songs that you hate the most, and don't forget to give a little reasoning as well. Then tag three people, or more if you feel like.
Here we go.

1. Oba Apple Malak Wage
I don't know why, but I just CANNOT stand this song. There's something about it that so drives me up the wall, in case I happen to be in a room while listening to it. Stupid enough I still have it even in my iPod, but the second I hear that silly bell-like music I just skip to the next song.

2. Almost all of them by Elvis Presley
OK OK there were so many millions of fans, and no offense to them, but what the hell, I don't get his songs. They all sound the same and the music is crappy more or less. I fail to understand why people were so crazy for his songs. But hey, this is just my opinion.

3. Oops I did it again
Well, actually the song is quite alright I guess. What I can't stand is that stupid dialog in the middle. Remember?

"All aboard"
"Britney, before you go, there's something I want you to have"
"Oh, it's beautiful, but wait a minute, isn't it...?"
"Yeah, yes it is"
"But I thought the old lady dropped it into the ocean in the end"
"Well baby, I went down and got it for you"
"Oh, you shouldn't have"

So lame. Every time I hear it I just feel like throwing up. Seriously.


Alright, so here I tag RD, Dee and Jerry.
Let's have some fun boys! And girls!
:D

Niagara falls, Fork and Spoon

Let's hear this joke first. Note the emphasis on the word 'joke', or else our good ladies might very well stop reading this and start chasing me. Alright.

A guide giving a tour to a touring party at the Niagara falls:

I welcome you all to the Niagara Falls. These are the world's largest waterfalls and the sound intensity of the waterfall is so high that the sound of even 20 supersonic planes passing by can`t be heard! Now may I request the ladies to keep quite so that we can hear the Niagara Falls.

OK, so who can tell me the one other thing, or noise, I must say, that can beat even those ladies? You can't? Let me help. How about the buffet time in Sri Lankan weddings? Now I see your grin. I'm right, don't I? I was always amused at the noise we make at weddings while trying to eat our rice and curry, even perhaps including papadam. It reminds me of a medieval battle, more than anything else, with all the clutter and all. Come to think of it, it is a battle that we do with the meal, trying to make sure your chicken leg doesn't try to jump into the neighbor's plate or pieces of papadam doesn't fly to the next table. The noise is so intense that you can't hear what the person next to you say or what the band is playing.

Jokes aside, I always wondered why we chose to eat our Sri Lankan food with a fork and a spoon, when they are never meant to be eaten that way. Almost all our food are meant to be eaten by hand - that's the only way you can eat them so you get the real taste. Still, why do we consider it's a shame to it with our hands, and opt for fork and spoon, when most of us are very inept at it? I seriously don't see the point. It's a perfectly simple matter of providing each guest with a finger bowl at dining tables - can't be that much of a problem for the luxury hotels that we chose for our weddings isn't it? I see no problem with eating western food with fork or spoon. Most of them are meant to be eaten that way, just like most of the Japanese food are meant to be eaten by chopsticks. Come to think of it, I never see here Japs trying to eat their food with a fork or a spoon, except the western food such as spaghetti, macaroni etc. Makes sense, it is harder to eat those things with a chopstick rather than with a fork.

But we choose totally unsuited tools to eat our food and make a mockery of ourselves in front of everyone and still be proud. I've seriously contemplated the idea of eating with my hands in weddings, but only one thing have prevented me so far. Honestly, I don't give a rat's ass about what other people might think of me - that they might think I'm a godaya who can't handle them. Being able to do it is one thing, doing it without reason is just plain stupid. It's just, when I'm at a wedding - usually a friend's - almost all the time others say that don't do it cos it's not that good to the groom or bride. I mean, we're their best friends and if his relatives see we eat with our hands it's not good for them. Ridiculous argument, as I see it, but it is not my wedding and I don't usually want to be a jerk in front of the others. That's the only reason why I haven't done it so far. I mean what is there to be ashamed of eating with your hands, really?

What do you think? Is it the reason why most people who choose to eat with them?