The year that was…

.. or something similar. Because this night, every news channel, every print house, and any damn body (and their uncles) who are in showbiz would be summarizing the essential happenings of this year.
The point is, I don’t want this to be a summary. I don’t want this to be something that everyone does. Like a goodbye to a friend. Because this is not a goodbye. The friends might still come back, the year doesn’t. So what is this going to be? I guess the most logical genre would be – an obituary.
So let’s put it in that style then… and what better time than these wee hours of the morning. When the 31st of Dec 2006 has still not comfortably found its place in its grave, and the 1st of Jan 2007 is still slowly crawling out of its womb…
Let’s look at the dead in a different light. It’s as good as talking about something that doesn’t come to life again. No second chances perhaps. From the profound to the mundane to the purely materialistic...

Like the max educational degree that I will ever attain. The PG from India’s highest ranked B-school, received in the year 2006. And the death of a few chances with it, for not being an elite top-grader therein.
Like one of the highest ranges our sensex will ever attain. And my delays in opening up accounts with brokers to invest in it.
Like the amazing prices Indian real-estate is commanding. And my inability to still ride the gravy train.
Like the visit to US with a stop-over in Paris. And my lack of planning to end up just roaming around only in the airport.
Like the weddings of all those friends. And my strange schedules which prevented me to attend even one of them…
Like the Art of Living session almost behind my house. And my callousness to not attend even an hour of it.

But of course, I have to thank 2006 for introducing me to Mumbai. It's a screwed up city allright, but admittedly, Churchgate, Marine Drive, Bandra, Andheri, Santacruz (even Goregaon and Malad for that matter) have become essential ingredients now...

Well… may the year 2006 rest in peace. And may the early shrill cries of this new year serve as guiding beacons towards a more fruitful conclusion next time.
Until then, cheers to 2007, and here's hoping that 365 days hence, I shall be writing a eulogy for you...