Sunday

As usual missed my early morning running resolution (have been planning this for a month, over Saturdays and Sundays), by the time I woke up sun had traveled half the distance. Had to clean the bike (cycle) due to all the rains and muddy routes to my office (and faulty mud guard :D ). Went alone for an hour long ride after ages, keep burning those carbs !!!

Its not about the Bike : Disappointing

Thought of Picking up some book for motivation. "Its not about the Bike" was lying in to-read section for a long time. After my refound love for bikes this became the obvious choice.

Here are my 2 cents, The book starts off very well. Armstrong love for bikes and journey on the saddle is well narrated. Armstrong's fight against cancer is the most interesting and touching part of the book. This gives insight into a persons psyche suffering with cancer and lying on a death bed. Out of Armstrong's literacy about the cancer book gives good knowledge about the symptoms, course of treatment and how it is mentally, physically and emotionally challenging. One learns that a sportsmen not only fights against the disease or injuries but also faces issues like team support, sponsors and reporters mis-interpreting the situations.

His journey back on the bike is not very well written, it appears that he fought back just because of his sheer ability and good people around him rather than his willingness to do what he loved the most. His wife (Kik) come out as a real hero through her personality. How she backed him just after recovering from cancer, how she became the source of inspiration to him, how she sacrificed her personal life to let Armstrong achieve his dream to win the tour and be the father after diagnosed with testicular cancer and tumors in his brain and lungs.

Final journey to the tour is written with fine details but does not attract a "sportscenter" fan like me. The books grabs the attentions through initial section and the cancer part, it becomes tame in-between (which i anticipated to be the most interesting sections of the book), and in the end the tour part of the book good. Over all book is interesting only in patches, Kik's character stands out among all. Book also paints classic American family, where Armstrong refuses to talk to his real father, having issues with stepfather, having to live with his step-siblings, etc.

Couple of days back I stumbled on the Lance Armstrong's wiki page. Got to know Lance and Kik filed divorce in 2003. And that's how disappointing the book is.

Buying some time for self

Work is only a small part of our life, there are other things which make it complete. Balance is what we miss some times. It was a similar time i faced during last few days, all work no fun! Finally decided to shy away from the world around and hide in the corner. Needed some time to find myself and the inner peace, catch some fresh air and freedom. And there started my journey to see life.

Whats better than Goa to visit in the early days of August. Goa is well known among people who like clubbing and partying, but its also a quiet place which is close to nature. Started my trip to Goa in my most preferred way, the roadway. Running 4 hrs late and bad bus quality made the start worse. But woke up to the exuberance of Goa greener surrounding, small and zippy roads (so called national highways) just made all sufferings worth it.

Next 3 days were just heavenly. Just the quality time i needed. Walking on the unknown paths with moist soil. Standing still in the rains without trying search a place to hide. Waking up to the holy sunrise and looking straight into the gorgeous sunset. Having no restrictions, no rules to follow (no meetings, "social networks", and limited access to phone network). Made me think, when did i last heard the sounds of night insects, when did i saw a falling star. The beauty of those 3 days is beyond my limited vocabulary.

Packing bags never felt so difficult. Started for Mumbai via Kolhapur, Pune to catch some family time. Mumbai was as good as always. Found it more and more difficult to keep pace with Mumbai life. Got time to catch few old friends, sadly time is never enough (ended up not meeting many as always :(). Back to Bangalore, all batteries charged up, 21 deg is such a pleasure.