24 January, 2009

Saw Ghajini

Yesterday my wife and I went to see Ghajini. Though we were not very keen to see this movie, we went as we just wanted a change. Normally we always go out on Saturday evening. Thanks to malls, we can walk around quite a bit. When our sons were younger we always went out for Saturday night dinner and movie at times.

When movies were shown on Doordarshan, Sunday evening was reserved for it. So we went out on Saturday, that way my sons got to see two movies, sometimes. Also no one wanted to miss the Sunday movie. I think life was very simple those days. Today there are too many expectations and everyone is always in a hurry to get somewhere.

Now when we go out to see a movie, I realize that everything has become too expensive. The tickets itself are so costly. We can't even dream of having too many snacks because of the exoribant price. That’s why I tell my wife we should see morning shows, at least the tickets are cheaper. But the matinee show is the earliest that she wants to attend. I never realized till recently that in today’s multiplexes, morning shows are much cheaper compared to other shows.

In life also when we are young and working, we don’t think of life after retirement. Our retirement plans are sometimes the last thing in any of our plans. Today with a fixed income it is very difficult to live the way we want. I tell my sons, now that they have just started working it is important to plan for the future right from now. With escalating costs, we no longer have the freedom to spend ad hoc. All my expenses are planned. As parents we don't want to take support from our sons yet, but at the rates expenses are shooting up, I have a feeling that in the future we might have to depend on them.

Though they are in their twenties now and in their first jobs still, I tell them to plan carefully for their future. Off course today there are so many private insurance and mutual fund companies that it is easy for today’s generation to look at various options to save for the future. Financial planners always say that savings should start early and cover a spectrum of instruments. We were not so lucky for in our time we only had a few options.
Coming back to the movie, I liked it but my wife found it very violent. But yes, we had a good time undoubtedly.

22 January, 2009

My first post

I am new to the blogging world. My sons tell me it is important to have a blog these days. It is some kind of personal identification!

In our youth we were told to not expose our thoughts to all and sundry. But nowadays one’s thoughts need to be all out for everyone to see or read. Vast changes from what we have grown up with. But change is inherent.

After retirement there is not much to do, metaphorically speaking. In daily life there is quite a bit to do. But everyone assumes that you are old and there is nothing else left to do. I don’t believe in this thinking. My late father retired from work but was active till the very end. I also want to be active and not be dependent. And be free to do to whatever I want. My wife has always supported me and I tell my wife that now is the time to sit back and enjoy.

Having a blog was my younger son’s idea. He told me, “baba, you should do something that you have never done”. So here I am blogging! I don’t have any agenda, maybe I will ramble on, maybe I will write something which will be interesting, I don’t know. I am starting a new journey with the hope that it will be enjoyable.