Road to resignation

Its done. Finally I can breathe a sigh of ultimate relief. It took a lot of effort but on a glorious Wednesday afternoon I made one of the most important decisions of my life - submitting my first resignation.
Making the decision to resign was easy. I had made up my mind months before. The only problem was to have another job. Like ... hello ... obviously ... who the hell is gonna pay for the INFINITI?
As it turned out God kinda likes me which is contrary to what I thought. Not because I have done something wrong out of the blue, but I have always been a regular, continuous sinner. Its not easy to identify "the doing of what kind of wrong" would make things "worse". Its a blessing, as someone told me once. Having identified that "wrong" I have seen things going from bad to "worse" right in front of me. I should have learnt the lesson a very very long time ago - but no. Human you see .... can't help it.
After just a few months of effort in finding a job I realized that there is no point in knocking the online job doors because in my case that is rarely fruitful. So I started knocking the "MOST GRACIOUS AND MOST COMPASSIONATE"s door and within a few days I had a few offers in hand. This knocking, however, did not have any other purpose but to fix my life in general. I guess jobs came in as a by product. You can say "lucky bastered".
As I walked into the room to submit the paper everything looked different. The room was not the same. People around me talked about stuff I was not willing to hear because I did not care. Inside the room the convincing was easy and simple. After walking out of the room I felt something I have never felt before - a void that only time would fulfill, a transition from a stable job to a GAP and then ......... well I am still in the gap so I am not sure how it feels to be out of it.
My experience tells me that the talk should be simple and straight. It is always nice to leave the grudges outside the door and talk about more important stuff like what has been done and how will it work out in the future. Dont have a sad face or sound too happy to leave. Forgiving and forgetting simply makes one a bigger and better person and sets up lasting relationships.

Dubai Rocks !!!

Any average working man goes to work every week planning for the upcoming weekend. There is a strange comfort in the planning. It does not matter whether the plan actually succeeds or not but the planning continues and hope prevails. I was waiting for this Friday for more than two weeks - for the Dubai desert rock festival 2008.

The Desert Rock Festival lasts for 2 days. There are some very famous bands that come and play and some not so very famous. I was naturally excited because I did not go last year as I did'nt really like any of the bands. This time also the only band that was actually worth going for was KORN and Velvet Revolver. However, they both were playing on two seperate days. No problem. My restless spirit confirmed that I would take the two day ticket. My friends however, were sane enough to give me better advice and thus we bought only the first day ticket when KORN was playing. Reason? They had gone last year and realized that one gets too tired the first day itself to actually really enjoy the second day. And not to mention Sunday is work day. Also, I was coughing my lungs out the entire week (I wonder why ?). I thought maybe its not that bad an idea.

I woke up in throat pain, heavy chest and went for Friday prayer thinking all along about the planned night ahead. Ironical I thought.
- Angel: God, is there anyone who can manipulate you?
- God: Ask any human. They always try and I always let them.

I came back from prayer and called up the gang that was planning to go. We planned a little late because there was no point going early and head banging to bands that were not famous. I knew I had to conserve the energy to use it when required especially when I was coughing out half of it. As it turned out, I was right.

So it was time to pick what to wear. I have not been to many rock conerts but I have seen many on television and my laptop. I had it decided in my mind that I can wear whatever I want but it has to be a bit crazy - after all its a ROCK FEST. Opening my closet I saw nothing but clothes pouring out like water from a fire hose. After a bit of an effort I found two shirts to choose from. One was an "Audioslave" shirt that a friend got from Canada and the other - well a shirt I use to scare my 3 year old niece when she does not listen to me. I got it from Mall of America in Minnesota when I was visiting a friend. I've never worn it outside and at home also only if im too lazy. After a little dilemma I decided against the Audioslave shirt. Later, as I walked towards the car I realized everyone was staring at my shirt as if I have breasts. I picked up a friend and followed another friends car to the venue. I was wearing "The Punisher" shirt.

Arriving late at the venue the Rock Fest had already started. I hated the fact that I cannot smoke because I was not feeling too well. We roamed around the Dubai Festival City for a while looking for smokes. This place was buzzing with people. When we entered the actual arena I was taken by surprise.

The stage was huge - typical of any rock concert. People of all ages were attending the concert. Most of them ranged from 15 to 28 (it was actually less than 28 but then I dont wanna be part of the old group) but there were the occasional toddlers and retirees. The first thing I remembered after looking at the kids was "how was it like when I was fifteen?". I had to take permission for everything from my parents. Is there a word "Concert" in the dictionary. These kids on the other hand knew what they wanted. They wanted to have fun and be wild. After all it was a rock fest. They were wearing clothes, make-up and shoes that redefined the word "weird". I obviously felt good here. Why? For one because no one was staring at my shirt.

They were changing bands when I walked in. It is interesting to know that in any rock fest, everytime the band changes the entire stage is changed with it. This does not just include the entire kit but also the overall setting of the stage and the backdrop, lights etc etc. During this time people go around have a drink or two and just enjoy the overall atmosphere. There was a hanging bar as well. You can pay for your drink and a little more, and they will take the bar a 100 feet up thanks to the big crane. I would never do it. I dont drink and I am scared if heights. The band "Killswitch Engage" was gonna play next. Never heard of them.

Killswitch Engage has a black lead singer. Very rare in rock industry. The only one I have heard of is Lenny Kravitz. Killswitch Engage was good except that I could not understand anything this guy was saying because he was screaming into the mic more than singing. But the music was good. It was heavy and it was crazy. Served the purpose.

The next band was "Machine Head". I had heard about this band but never heard any of their songs. After the concert I dont really regret not hearing them before. They were good but it was too heavy for me. After one of the songs the lead singer was told to stop using the 'F' word. What? Its a Rock Fest for crying out loud; that too heavy metal. The 'F' word comes as a packaged deal. Someone having a problem with that should go to Celine Dions' concert. The lead singer apologized for his actions and the apology did last for a little while though.

After "Machine Head" finally, it was KORN. This was the last band for the day. Needless to say, the crowd went crazy, and KORN just worked their magic. It took them the longest to setup the stage and I am sure no one complained about that. The lighting, the lasers everything just gelled so well with the music that it was not just worth listening but also worth watching. Some of their songs got me into the mood and my head started swinging. By this time some of my friends had already left. They did not conserve theiry energy for the best.

Some time during the concert I went to the restroom. It is worth mentioning because the restrooms were VERY VERY CLEAN. I was surprised. Usually at such events this is one thing that is completely ignored but not at the DDRF. There were people all around. Some lying on the ground because they passed out, others just having fun with friends. And then there were those who were too crazy to handle the music and started a mosh pit. This was the first time for me to see live moshing. It was crazy.

As I walked back from the restroom a friend mentioned something very interesting. He said that we cannot get such entertainment back home. Inspite of all the issues and problems people face in Dubai, in terms of rules and regulations, expensive commodities, traffic etc etc there is one thing that Dubai provides to everyone - lifestyle. I guess it depends how you look at it. After the concert however, I agreed.

Lyrics

Misery likes company, I like the way that sounds
I've been trying to find the meaning, so I can write it down
Staring out the window, it's such a long way down
I'd like to jump, but I'm afraid to hit the ground

I can't write a love song the way I feel today
I can't sing no song of hope, I got nothing to say
Life is feeling kind of strange, since you went away
I sing this song to you wherever you are

As my guitar lies bleeding in my arms

I'm tired of watching TV, it makes me want to scream
Outside the world is burning, man it's so hard to believe
Each day you know you're dying from the cradle to the grave
I get so numb sometimes, that I can't feel the pain
I can't write a love song the way I feel today
I can't sing no song of hope I've got nothing to say
Life is feeling kind of strange, it's strange enough these days
I send this song to you, whoever you are

As my guitar lies bleeding in my arms

Staring at the paper, I don't know what to write
I'll have my last cigarette-well, turn out the lights
Maybe tomorrow I'll feel a different way
But here in my delusion , I don't know what to say

I can't write a love song the way I feel today

I can't sing no song of hope I've got nothing to save
And I can't fight the feelings buried in my brains
I send this song to you, whoever you are

As my guitar lies bleeding
(Bon Jovi)