Today evening was made special with friends and I had a nice evening with friends. Thanks to Ishaan Puri and Nikita Garg for hosting a great dinner.
28 April 2023, Gurgaon
Conflict are a natural phenomena of human interaction, and some days can feel particularly fraught with tension and disagreement. A conflict-ridden day can be emotionally exhausting, leaving individuals feeling drained and overwhelmed.
Today was one such day, with friction and arguments. It can be summarized as a day which was the polar opposite of path of least resistance. Keeping a calm mind and balanced attitude is difficult on such days. Another day. Another step.
Petrol pumps are rent seeking businesses typically owned by influential old families - politicians, business families and similar. You need a big piece of land, typically on the main road and earn a meager return per sale.
A fair & just petrol pump makes Rs 2.90/litre on petrol and Rs 1.85 on diesel. In other words the commission varies between 2%-3% and they make ~Rs 100 on every 40L filled (typically full tank).
Things appear better in policies than execution. So, as per policy, you should get Washrooms and Free air on every petrol pump. But, in practice, you get neither - at least not consistently.
Typically you would pay Rs 10 for getting the gas filled. While meager, it is 10% of the margin and an astute petrol pump manager will solve for it.
Around a month ago, I took the initiative of giving feedback to Bharat Petroleum about the lack of air facilities, especially in the morning. I had forgotten about it and of course, they did not act upon it. I was reminded about unprofessional retail business practices again this morning when no one was there to fill the air. At the end of the day, I will find an alternative that will be a bit more professional than the usual chalta hai attitude.
In time away from Gurgaon, the first thing to be disrupted is the morning routine. It is primarily because of two reasons - late nights with family/friends and absence of a go-to swimming pool in Jaipur.
I have a new found respect for an early morning schedule. A late morning schedule is inferior compared to an early morning schedule for the following reasons:
The whole of the last week was spent in Jaipur and I ended up getting up much later than the usual 5:30 am. I am a creature of habit and the morning routine of swim, stretch, meditation is something I missed dearly. It feels nice to be back to the routine of ending the day by 10pm and reading for 30 minutes each night.
The second half of a man’s life is made up of nothing but the habits he has acquired during the first half.
Today, I got to know about the accident of my cousin's car around Gajraula. Thank god, he was safe and unharmed after the accident. This is the third accident in my extended family around the same area within Uttar Pradesh. In all the three incidents, the airbags were deployed and the car was noticeably damaged.
Typically, a front airbag will deploy for unbelted occupants when the crash is the equivalent of an impact into a rigid wall at 10-12 mph. Most airbags will deploy at a higher threshold — about 16 mph (~25 kmh) — for belted occupants because the belts alone are likely to provide adequate protection up to these moderate speeds.
Road safety has been poor in India since I have been driving. Blatant disregard of traffic rules and poor driving etiquettes are common in cities. The new expressways are a lot better to drive upon with clearly marked speed limits, modular flow of traffic, appropriate exits and better lighting. All said, in India, it is your responsibility to anticipate the other person's fault while driving.
Road Accident - Pradeep Parashar - April 2023
Today, I met Parth and Divya - a lovely warm couple. Parth is my friend from school and a terrific salesperson. We regularly catchup in Gurgaon over chai and today we met over dinner at his newly setup home - an apartment on the 10th floor, overlooking a water fountain. Creating a home that reflects your personality, lifestyle, and values. Like themselves, they have also setup the home tastefully and kudos to Divya & Parth for the work over the last few months.
A house is made of bricks and beams. A home is made of hopes and dreams.
We enjoyed pizzas for dinner, listened to a variety of music genres - Punjabi pop, Punjabi deep house, electronic music from UK. We discussed the recommendation algorithms of Youtube vs Spotify. We ended the evening with a drive nearby and saada pan. A perfect end to a lazy Sunday.
I started the week with a resolve to run 10km in one session. I ended up doing 30km run in 5 sessions. I feel super happy about it considering it has been my first week of running in 2023. I can feel that I have built stamina, thanks to swimming.
Running on treadmill is different and harsh on the knees. But in the heat of Jaipur, it is the best bet unless you are running at 5 am each day.
I ended up running the following:
Sunday 16th April 2023 - 5 km in 34:28 Monday 17th April 2023 - 5 km in 34:01 Tuesday 18th April 2023 - 5 km in 34:52 Wednesday 19th April 2023 - 10 km in 71:48 Thursday 20th April 2023 - 5 km in 29:23
I am glad that I took the weekly pass and ended up initiating a new exercise. I hope to have atleast a few more weeks like this in 2023.
Max, is our niece and is exactly ~ 6 years old male labrador. He is our first dog and has been raised primarily by mom and dad. As a pup, he would enthusiastically fetch a tennis ball, tirelessly running back and forth, tail wagging. Labradors are also known for their gentle and patient nature, making them perfect companions for children and senior citizens.
Max is intelligent and at times manipulative to get us to do what he wants. He has been a part of our family and our neighborhood. The kids like him and he loves them back. He greets me with the same enthusiasm even after months.
In the last 2 years, he has grown up, occupied in his routine and set in his ways. He enjoys lazying around and spending time in the garden. Today evening, I caught him enjoying the sunset, lying down and barely turning his head to give a nod acknowledging my presence. He has always been gracious and elegant, fearless and caring. It is indeed impressive to see him live life in the moment, doing things that he wants and caring for those he is around.
Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished.
Location: Google Maps
It was my fourth visit to Jhalana Leopard Safari and it has always been exhilarating. To add, the safari is 2 km away from our house in Jaipur. In the middle of the Aravalis and the jungle, Jhalana Leopard Safari is a must visit and you can book following the steps here.
Embarking on a leopard safari in Jaipur is a thrilling adventure that promises an up-close encounter with these elusive and majestic big cats. Set against the backdrop of Rajasthan's rugged Aravali hills, the safari takes you through pristine wilderness and dense forests where leopards roam freely. As you navigate the winding trails in an open-top jeep, guided by expert naturalists, you hold your breath in anticipation, eagerly scanning the trees and rocky outcrops for any sign of movement. The adrenaline rush peaks when you spot a leopard stealthily stalking its prey or basking in the golden rays of the setting sun. The sheer beauty and grace of these elusive felines in their natural habitat leave you in awe, as you witness their untamed world up close. With each passing moment, you realize that this leopard safari in Jaipur is a great experience that you will want to relive soon.
At the start of the week, I had set a target of completing a 10km run on treadmill. I was had locked in three things in advance:
Observations from 10km run today:
not let the mind trick you into stopping.On a goal setting methodology:
