Is this a comeback? Honestly, I’m not sure.

The last time I posted here was... wow, over 7 years ago. Every time I stumble back onto this page and scroll through my old posts, I get that familiar itch — “I really should start writing again.” But then life happens, time slips by, and well, here we are.

Writer’s block is a weird place to be. It’s like quicksand — the more you try to force your way out, the deeper you sink. And let’s be real, the world has changed a lot since I was last active here. Do people even read blogs anymore? Or is everything just short, snappy, and scrollable now?

Most of the blogs I used to follow have gone quiet. Maybe their creators have also moved on, caught up in the whirlwind of social media, trends, and content creation. Maybe blogging just isn’t the thing anymore. I don’t know.

But here’s what I do know: writing helps me. Always has. Especially when I’m overwhelmed or feeling off. Putting words on a page has this strange way of untangling the chaos in my head. It’s never been about chasing likes or views — it’s always been about clarity, catharsis, and connection (even if it’s just with myself).

So, am I alone in this? Maybe. Maybe not. But if you’re reading this, and it resonates — hey, maybe we’re in the same boat after all.

Don’t be a Sucker

In 1943, the US government created and distributed an anti-fascism PSA that showed a man realizing the danger in fascist propaganda and hateful rhetoric. At one point he says, "He's talking about me.” This is the world we live in today. Until it is about us, we do not think. We follow what we are told and believe in it. We get manipulated easily - Until it affects us.

Before today, I did not knew about the existence of this film or the video. I think it is very relevant in today’s hateful world setting. If you have the time, do watch this clip which is less than two minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVK7LdI4ao

Is this our legacy? It is up to each of us to answer this question and introduce change.

“You too, Brutus……….”

Nothing hurts more than when a person whom you’ve trusted–and even helped and done favors for, turns out to be a complete Judas. So here I am, broken and a little bit bloody, trying my best to figure out how to move forward. I’ve always had a motto: Everyone is a friend until proven otherwise. The problem with that is sometimes "friends” ingratiate themselves for a period of time until an attachment is formed, and it hurts more when you discover they weren’t friends, they were…well, "otherwise.”

Backstabbing friends are a part of life, and the act itself happens to nearly everyone at some point in life. The betrayal of a trusted friend or colleague inflicts pain and hurt.

Behaving like your best friend with smiles, a helpful attitude, and promises of loyalty and trustworthiness, the backstabber waits for the right moment and then turns on you with a vengeance. The backstabber’s ways are manipulative as they uses low-ball tactics that make you appear to be a liar, a thief or someone not to be trusted.

People who backstab tend to be insecure. Dr. Les Parrot, author of High Maintenance Relationships, lists these adjectives to describe a backstabber: "vindictive, revengeful, deceitful, conniving, resentful, and angry.” He also adds passive-aggressive behavior as another trait of the backstabbing friend or coworker.

Reasons why people backstab others range from cowardice to a need for power. The sole purpose of backstabbing is gaining the upper hand and garnering power. Backstabbing is not limited to one individual or another. One of the most famous examples of backstabbing comes from ancient Rome where Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times by members of the Senate and his friend, Marcus Junius Brutus. As the blows fell from Brutus’ dagger, Caesar’s last words, "You too my child?” underscore the disbelief he had that a friend could backstab him.

"Sometimes friends who feel unsuccessful will drift away or cut you off when you have the success they’re longing for. Most jealousy arises when someone feels insecure or threatened — that someone will get the attention they wants. The most important thing you can do is to remember that when you handle jealousy properly, it does not have to be a disaster.”

The Magic of Belle Isle

You certainly know when you have watched a good one, and this is what I would have to say about 'The Magic of Belle Isle'. Being a Morgan Freeman fan, I have read some of the reviews about this movie and they were not all positive. I believe if one sticks to their own styles and start to judge other styles are non-impressive, then this approach will be the result. Perhaps we all fall prey to this attitudes at times.

What first may appear to be predictable may not end in the way it will seem at the outset. This is a movie of the heart, one that has the power to tug tightly on the emotions of those who are prone to love these types of films.

I think I will watch this movie once more. This movie is not about the picturisation, acting talents or directorial excellence.(That said, I am not neglecting Morgan Freeman's or the actor's performance). To me, it was short sequences that were too real to be in the film. The dialogues and some times the monologues as well were interesting. This film is about the power of imagination, creativity and inspiration, but it is also about the way human beings depend upon each other for that magic we call a good life, a life worth living. This is one of those little gems and if you are an imaginative person, you will definitely enjoy this movie.

Back from Hiatus

Just to say I am now back, and was glad for the time off,
but equally glad to be back.

As you are all aware, I haven't blogged for quite a long time. The interval between this post and my last entry would be considered way too long by any blogger. It's not that I choose NOT to blog, but more like, I did have a few posts which for one reason or another just started off and never reached completion due to every excuse you can think of. No excuses this time. I mean to be back.

Will have food for thoughts ……………….

Boom Boom, yeah… I passed.

So, have you guessed what this post is about yet? As you may have gleaned, I did indeed pass my driving test. WOOOO HOOOOOOO! Was a bag of nerves all day, but the moment I got in the car, I became strangely calm. I managed to pass my driving test despite old ladies, couple of school kids and a lone dog conspiring to step out in front of my car at the most inopportune moments during the test itself. Thank God, I did it!

Why does passing this test feel so important to me? Probably because I started driving in India and had picked up a lot of bad habits as per the European standards. Well, now I have managed to eliminate those and adapt myself to the European standards.

I had a bit of freak out about the whole thing this morning as I was convinced that I would fail again by only one bad mark! But thankfully, that wasn't the case. I did manage to rack up five mistakes but they were all in Grade 2 (minor ones), and nothing too serious, more down to nerves than anything. I did have a bit of a brain melt with the questions at the start, was somewhat slow and took a moment to figure out where the back window demister switch was, though I was pointing straight at it.

I believe it was not just my motoring skills that enabled me to acquire a European licence. I couldn’t have done it without God’s grace. Now I need to drive without acquiring penalty points. A huge thanks to Anju my wife who kept encouraging me and my instructor Stephen Norton of Alert Motoring School without whose patient training and instruction, I would have failed.

Now I can drive on the motorways, hire a car in foreign parts and generally cause mayhem on the road.... :)

I have some tips for those who are about to take a test:

1. Don't rush it. Get as much practice as you can and only apply for your test when you feel confident that you are safe. If you're worried about the theory test, ask friends and family to test you to familiarise yourself with the questions and have a go at the probable test questions on rules of the road, and go through the road signs a couple of times.
2. Book the first available driving test of the day (Unless you indicate that you are available to take a cancelled slot). If you take your test early in the morning you will have less time to worry about it.
3. Don’t tell your friends the test date. If everyone knows you are going for the test, you create the additional stress of trying to live up to your friends expectations. It's OK to let your parents know, I am sure they will give you all the support you need.
4. Don’t listen to ‘horror stories’. There are many stories about failed tests. Some may even be true. Just concentrate on your performance.
5. Get the timing right. Take the test at the right time. Try to book the test so it does not coincide with other stressful events (just prior to school exams or in the middle of wedding preparations etc).
6. Go to the right test centre. No good going to a test centre were your friends have all failed. This will only lose you confidence. Go to the centre were they all pass! (Kidding..)
7. In your last two lessons, ask your instructor to concentrate on the manoeuvres you find most difficult.
8. Do a practice run or a ‘Mock Test’. The instructor should be very realistic and the student must take it reasonably serious. (I wanted to do one with Stephen, but he was all booked up so I didn’t get a chance at it).
9. Practice in your head It's been proven that you can improve your ability to perform coordinated tasks by imagining doing them.
10. Examiners are only human. Your test is one of possibly eight on the examiners sheet that day. Don’t try to please him/her.
11. You do not need to be perfect. Concentrate on the essentials. If you make a mistake, keep calm and concentrate on your driving. The mistake may not result in failure.
12. Don’t worry about silence in the car. It can be daunting sitting beside a stranger, who seems to just grunt: 'turn right, turn left'. Avoid thinking the examiner doesn’t like you. If there is a little chit-chat, be happy, but don’t expect it.
13. You will pass. Both instructor and pupil must be convinced that the result will be a pass. An attitude ‘lets have a go at it’ may produce a pass, but is exhausting on the nerves.
14. Don’t take pills to calm your nerves. This only slows your reaction and performance.
15. Get a good night's sleep before the test.

12 THINGS TO DO ON THE DAY OF YOUR TEST

1. Think positively. As soon as you get up in the morning, tell yourself that you are going to get through the day calmly.
2. Make sure you eat a good breakfast. Even though you may be nervous and have lost your appetite eating breakfast is very important. Research has shown that your brain needs food to concentrate, so give yourself some food for thought!
3. Dress comfortably Make yourself feel good.
4. Arrive in plenty of time You should be present in the test centre at least ten minutes before the appointed time of your test. If you are late the test will be cancelled, and the fee will be forfeited.
5. Drink Water just before you enter the test centre - but not much. Just enough to relax. Drinking water helps you relax and provides oxygen to the brain. This helps you stay focused. But don’t drink too much of water or you might feel the need to make use of the toilet.
6. Just before the test Relax by taking a few slow deep breaths. Clench and then relax your muscles to relieve tension.
7. Remember that some nervousness is normal and that it can improve your performance.
8. Listen carefully to the examiner's instructions Act on them in good time, and ask for them to be repeated if necessary.
9. Give the examiner a beautifully smooth drive, one that both of you can enjoy. The examiner just wants to see what you would normally do - nothing that you do not already know.
10. If you make a decision that you think could be misjudged by the examiner, explain your reasons while you drive.
11. If you come across a new situation Hold back and assess it carefully before you decide to proceed - and be prepared to change your decision if necessary.
12. Say your prayers if you believe in God.

Do everything you can to get to the highest standard possible before going in to take your test – extra lessons, lots of practice and time spent reading the road as a passenger will all help you raise your game and feel more confident about your test.

By the evening before your test your instructor will have taught you all he can and believe you’re ready to pass. You are ready to pass. All you need to do is believe in yourself and by this time tomorrow you’ll be the proud owner of your very own driving licence! All the time, money and stress will have been worth it.

If I could do it -then anyone could do it. I remember Renjith, Aswin, Aloshi and Chinnan holding on to their lives when I started to drive back in India. :)

Ramblings of a Lazy Mind

Wishing all my readers a belated Happy New year. Hmm, I must be the last person on earth to wish someone a happy new year. Well,

I’ve been so lazy about this blog recently. I promise I will do a proper update soon and then try and keep it a little more regularly.

There’s so many things I want to write about so I’ll try and get them sorted in my head and scribble them down. As for now, all my thoughts are concentrated on my Irish Driving Test tomorrow. I am cent percent confident, but the tester needs to feel confident that I could do it. Fingers crossed……

Wish me luck please.