I am a Fan of...

 Mostly, non-celebrities, with a few exceptions.

People who have no airs.

Those that have interests in interesting stuff- books, films, plays, music, painting, writing..

Those who express themselves freely on any subject.

Those who like to travel, and are willing to discuss or share the experience.

Those who don't care about the age (mine) or number of years between meetings.

Have been meeting such people now for a few years, and have a Mutual Admiration Society going with most..

Grey versus Black

 In my Black hair days,...

I played cricket. Now, I play Golf.

I went jogging. Now, I walk.

I ate Biryani and had Irani chai. Ditto now.

I had immature friends, like me. Now, I have smart ones, like me.

I was listening to music, and I still do. Karaoke-sing too.

I drove a lot, especially abroad in the U.S. Now, I don't. 

Used public transport. Still do.

Wrote letters by hand. Now I message on Fb and Whatsapp.

Sat in a lot of classes. Then, the tables turned, and I taught a lot of classes.

Was a son. Now, I have two daughters.

Had a sense of humour. Hope I still do.

Friends Made After 25

 College and school friends and langotiya yaars happened before 25. The largest group was at IIMB, as we were 120 students, approx. and many became friends. Some have remained, as the group meets have proved. Ditto, engineering college, slightly fewer. School, even less, due to the time span. 

After 25, I made friends at work, at Clemson University during Ph.D., and then, colleagues at various places where I taught- KIAMS, XIMB, VJIM, PES, IFIM, IMT, IIML, IIMK, IIMI, NMIMS and now, Prestige University- just met one ex-colleague of IMT yesterday! But the largest group would be alums (ex-students) of various places I have taught in. And of course, a music group I am a part of on facebook, called MSMT-short for Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.

All in all, just wanted to say that friends made when you are a grown-up are no less important than the ones from many years earlier. At least in my case, it's very true, and I am grateful to all the friends through the 'ages' - because of my teaching stints, many of them are a third of my age! Some have grown up to half or two-thirds too.

On Keeping a Beard

Why do people grow a beard? This question has haunted me and Gillette for decades. Not sure of Gillette, but my research points at the following-

To save on shaving expenses and pain (sorry, Gillette)

To study the growth of microbes, bacteria in a bearded environment, right under your nose

To look like your bearded hero (who they are eludes me for the moment)

To differentiate youself (a beardo) from a weirdo

To keep the total hair (neck upwards) constant, particularly as you advance in age -heck, I must be in this category now, just had a birthday too.

So what do I do? To grow or not to grow, THAT is the question.