Shariq the Dolphin

Resurrecting a supposedly ideal past is a nostalgic yearning, long cherished by the subconscious mind, which refuses to believe what's gone wasn't the epitome of perfection.  The gym experience from the halcyon days of late 80s was a key element in reversing the weighty cycle, turning my body into the likable figure that was the pride of my living existence in those idyllic days.  Flash forward to over a decade and half, and we find the scouting for a peice of the modern gymming experience. Finally, zeroing on to an ideal setting in the corner of the road facing the corniche, we find a reasonable type of gym, nestled on the first floor of this corner building with ample parking space in the front and side. I walked into this area, fronted by a burly looking coach who showed me around the gymnasium.Apart from the free weights, treadmill, elliptical rides and multigym machines, the space also had shower, steam bath and sauna facilities that my university gym lacked. I thought I ...

Forlorn hope is an overpowering desire, compelling many a men and women to go out there and just do it.  Just do it! Despite the oddities of trail and complexities of traditions, searing challenges have to be faced and overcome in an unrelenting pursuit of glory or regaining the former glory. The crown that adorns the head of the wearer, is simply too enticing, and probably worth it. Its this flame of desire that fires the imagination to try out just that little extra or the little something new, unique and the uneasy.  Passionate fires ignited, I flashbacked on how I was able to pull that splendid feat of slashing down 25 to 30 kgs weight in a few good months. To secure those glorious heights, I planned to do the same rerun, taking a whole chapter out of my late 80s book. Yes, it was over a decade and half, yet the squeezed window of effectiveness is still overwhelmingly enticing. A supreme prerequisite for reenacting this splendid chapter is open field, and a big one too for...

Living is a struggle, and a big struggle if you are striking the dead end of the wall in your movability, career and comfort. Something truely marvellous has to happen to break the rut, otherwise you happen to think being stuck in its neverending nothingness. Sometimes, you need to break the mould yourself, and just get out of the revolving door.  We decided that it was time for a break from the same rigmarole of getting up to chase clientele and business, while my sweet half and the sweeter addition, longed for a spacious existence. The futile attempts at getting the country's driving license fuelled further pent up frustrations. High time to crack this regime.  Moving our residence outside the city and commuting by sharing taxis, remained the only conclusion against a dwindling range of options. So, we took the plunge in shifting lock, stock and barrel to a reasonable and quite affordable, one bedder apartment. Space wasn't a constraint now. However, something else began to ...

Uncertainty riven all over, the year 2000 was worth the stability, choice and aspiration.It was like the rocking boat, out first time in the stormy seas, had stabilised and transformed into a sailing ship. A cute addition to the family was on cards, which led to my heavenly half flying to the homestead.The news was overwhelming and rejoicing, however, it tilted the scales back to the same old groove. Yet, there was a twist to the tale. Home cooking fresh and healthiest option, suddenly was zapped out from my daily living.I had to compromise and strung back to the same drudgery of eating outside 'convenient' food.  It was then, I decided to try my hand to the restricted cooking access that I could muster.I bought convenience food, frozen chicken sausages and bread loaf. Avoided egg for some strange superfluous thinking. Egg may fatten me with all its encumbering cholesterol layering. Dreamed eagerly of getting in my original self. Oh what a pipedream! straight from the dream chi...