Re-Union XII: Gill and Liveleen Pull It Off Again
JULY 2011
This chronicle begins on Saturday afternoon when I drove from Columbus to 13 Glen Eagle Ct under sunny skies and among light traffic. A mere 4.5 h compared to 7.5 for Ravi/Sonu/Nirmal and 10.0 for Gang (nothing for a guy who laugh at moguls. When I asked about the scheduled Bazooka's outing the previous light (which I was loathe to miss but could not manage), I got averted eyes and mumbles - deciphered to mean that the event did not happen because of people being (mumble) late, and (mumble) tired. Not sure whether the debauchery was so great that it could not be uttered in the light of day, or whether (I doubt it) - it was really cancelled.
So, Gill met me at the door with Merani and handshaking and shoulder patting and hugs followed. Nirmal joined us and we went to gaze in awe at Gill's new bar (better stocked than many restaurants) with curving granite countertop (I am sorry that words are going to substitute for pictures because I did not take any that evening). Manning the bar was a stately bartender, "Joe", who did yeoman service the whole evening beginning with a vodka martini for me, single malt scotch for Gill, and then I lost track because I was swept up chatting with PK, greeting the Julkas, the Rajats, the Thakurs, the Soods, ...
The men then repaired to an impromptu golguppa bar where Gill expertly punctured the top, ladled in chole, a touch of tamarind sauce, and immersion in a greenish brown liquid that was better than any roadside stall that I remember. Memories were dredged and guffaws were frequent. For a somber moment, we remembered those who had shared our time at IIT but have since departed. It was truly memorable - to me that easy camaraderie and quick-witted joshing epitomizes Mech71 at its best. There was a general sadness at not having the Delhiwallahs etc present. Can you imagine the exuberant festivities if we can pull that off!!
An excellent, lavish dinner was served shortly after. Small groups formed and some watched a sequence of still pictures that Gill had compiled from previous re-unions. He generously distributed copies at lunch the next day. More conversation, more food, more drinks - the ambiance was comfortable, cozy, sanctuary-like.
Immediately after dinner, four couples had to leave because of other commitments - the Soods, the Rajats, the Julkas, and the PKs. There was disappointment at their early departure, but sincere happiness that they had been able to come despite demanding schedules (<- perhaps those who were only an hour away but were unable to come this time could make a more concerted effort the next time...)
Then the remaining smaller group reverted to tradition with Merani and Gill debating the metaphysical and not (respectively). The summary is that neither has changed his position.
The next day, we met for lunch at Taste of India but Liveleen could not attend because she was sleeping (after cleaning up till 3 am....).
The group may have been smaller but spirits were high. Merani gave a lively discussion of how he trades foreign exchange ("forex") including occasional forays into marine biology of sharks and minnows.
Then, quick goodbyes and hugs before lengthy drives...and so ended Re-Union XII
Joyful, heart-warming, rejuvenating...thank you Mech 71 attendees. Words fail me at times - and this is one of them - I cannot express enough gratitude to Liveleen and Gill. Particularly the latter for getting me there.
Cheers, all.
Sudheer Pimputkar
Response by Gill:
Thanks Pimp, for your generous comments. I would like to add a few highlights from the proceedings before your arrival.
The Soods and Guptas were originally planning to drive together and arrive in Buffalo at about 3 PM on Friday. Anil had a sudden emergency and thought he would have to cancel. Rajat and I talked several times on Friday morning as we explored other means of traveling to Buffalo, including flying from JFK. The airport is actually quite a hike from Rajat's house and eventually Anita and he decided to undertake the 8 hr drive themselves.
In the meanwhile, the Soods were able to work around the emergency, and got on the road a few hours later than scheduled. They also faced about an eight-hour journey.
The Julkas had a different challenge. Their daughter and son-in-law had gone on a vacation and left their kids under the care of Anand and Neeraj. President Bill found a brilliant solution. They brought the kids to Buffalo along with their nanny. So Mr. and Mrs. Nanny looked after the kids while the Julkas attended the reunion functions.
Merani perhaps had the most adventurous Friday. His long flight from San Jose, California met with bad weather and was diverted. After about 14 hours in transit, via Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Baltimore he eventually reached Buffalo at 11:30 PM, missing the opening reception. We had brought some wings home from Duff’s, which Merani enjoyed after his long Odyssey.
Pimp had also found a way of shedding other pressing obligations and joining us from Saturday afternoon on. He missed the opening reception, which included an outdoor papri chaat hut. The very same that was converted to a golguppa hut for Saturday.
The Sexys got an early start from Toronto on Saturday morning and arrived just in time to have Sandhya's famous omelets. Sporting a dazzling new ring that had been acquired that very morning from the jewelry section of Starbucks, Sandhya deftly churned out her sumptuous creations at lightning speed to a hungry line of Guptas, Sexys, Gills, Gang, Anil and Merani. To be fair, part of the credit goes to Merani who gamely assisted in chopping vegetables for the omelets. I did my part by mixing Mimosas.
Per the agenda we then piled into cars and headed for Niagara Falls, donned blue plastic raincoats, and boarded the Maid of the Mist. While we were partaking of Sandhya's preparations and enjoying a close-up view of the foot of the falls, Ravi and Sonu Thakur, and Nirmal were on their way from New Jersey and we all met up at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Prudence (and age) prevailed, as we decided not gamble, and returned to our home or hotels, for a little rest before the soiree.
I took a nap while Liveleen got the house ready. The doorbell rang shortly after 7:00 PM and there stood Pimp in the doorway - what better way to start a party!
I think it is a great tribute to the Mech 71 spirit that we brush aside other obligations, and endure the inconvenience of travel, just to keep our tradition and memories alive.
Liveleen and I are so grateful to those who were able to attend. We hope it was worth it for you.
Gill
UPDATE: JULKA'S NOVEL - MONA'S COMPULSION IS NOW PUBLISHED AND AVAILABLE AT http://www.amazon.com/Monas-compulsion-A-family-saga/dp/0615627242
This chronicle begins on Saturday afternoon when I drove from Columbus to 13 Glen Eagle Ct under sunny skies and among light traffic. A mere 4.5 h compared to 7.5 for Ravi/Sonu/Nirmal and 10.0 for Gang (nothing for a guy who laugh at moguls. When I asked about the scheduled Bazooka's outing the previous light (which I was loathe to miss but could not manage), I got averted eyes and mumbles - deciphered to mean that the event did not happen because of people being (mumble) late, and (mumble) tired. Not sure whether the debauchery was so great that it could not be uttered in the light of day, or whether (I doubt it) - it was really cancelled.
So, Gill met me at the door with Merani and handshaking and shoulder patting and hugs followed. Nirmal joined us and we went to gaze in awe at Gill's new bar (better stocked than many restaurants) with curving granite countertop (I am sorry that words are going to substitute for pictures because I did not take any that evening). Manning the bar was a stately bartender, "Joe", who did yeoman service the whole evening beginning with a vodka martini for me, single malt scotch for Gill, and then I lost track because I was swept up chatting with PK, greeting the Julkas, the Rajats, the Thakurs, the Soods, ...
The men then repaired to an impromptu golguppa bar where Gill expertly punctured the top, ladled in chole, a touch of tamarind sauce, and immersion in a greenish brown liquid that was better than any roadside stall that I remember. Memories were dredged and guffaws were frequent. For a somber moment, we remembered those who had shared our time at IIT but have since departed. It was truly memorable - to me that easy camaraderie and quick-witted joshing epitomizes Mech71 at its best. There was a general sadness at not having the Delhiwallahs etc present. Can you imagine the exuberant festivities if we can pull that off!!
An excellent, lavish dinner was served shortly after. Small groups formed and some watched a sequence of still pictures that Gill had compiled from previous re-unions. He generously distributed copies at lunch the next day. More conversation, more food, more drinks - the ambiance was comfortable, cozy, sanctuary-like.
Immediately after dinner, four couples had to leave because of other commitments - the Soods, the Rajats, the Julkas, and the PKs. There was disappointment at their early departure, but sincere happiness that they had been able to come despite demanding schedules (<- perhaps those who were only an hour away but were unable to come this time could make a more concerted effort the next time...)
Then the remaining smaller group reverted to tradition with Merani and Gill debating the metaphysical and not (respectively). The summary is that neither has changed his position.
The next day, we met for lunch at Taste of India but Liveleen could not attend because she was sleeping (after cleaning up till 3 am....).
The group may have been smaller but spirits were high. Merani gave a lively discussion of how he trades foreign exchange ("forex") including occasional forays into marine biology of sharks and minnows.
Then, quick goodbyes and hugs before lengthy drives...and so ended Re-Union XII
Joyful, heart-warming, rejuvenating...thank you Mech 71 attendees. Words fail me at times - and this is one of them - I cannot express enough gratitude to Liveleen and Gill. Particularly the latter for getting me there.
Cheers, all.
Sudheer Pimputkar
Response by Gill:
Thanks Pimp, for your generous comments. I would like to add a few highlights from the proceedings before your arrival.
The Soods and Guptas were originally planning to drive together and arrive in Buffalo at about 3 PM on Friday. Anil had a sudden emergency and thought he would have to cancel. Rajat and I talked several times on Friday morning as we explored other means of traveling to Buffalo, including flying from JFK. The airport is actually quite a hike from Rajat's house and eventually Anita and he decided to undertake the 8 hr drive themselves.
In the meanwhile, the Soods were able to work around the emergency, and got on the road a few hours later than scheduled. They also faced about an eight-hour journey.
The Julkas had a different challenge. Their daughter and son-in-law had gone on a vacation and left their kids under the care of Anand and Neeraj. President Bill found a brilliant solution. They brought the kids to Buffalo along with their nanny. So Mr. and Mrs. Nanny looked after the kids while the Julkas attended the reunion functions.
Merani perhaps had the most adventurous Friday. His long flight from San Jose, California met with bad weather and was diverted. After about 14 hours in transit, via Phoenix, Pittsburgh and Baltimore he eventually reached Buffalo at 11:30 PM, missing the opening reception. We had brought some wings home from Duff’s, which Merani enjoyed after his long Odyssey.
Pimp had also found a way of shedding other pressing obligations and joining us from Saturday afternoon on. He missed the opening reception, which included an outdoor papri chaat hut. The very same that was converted to a golguppa hut for Saturday.
The Sexys got an early start from Toronto on Saturday morning and arrived just in time to have Sandhya's famous omelets. Sporting a dazzling new ring that had been acquired that very morning from the jewelry section of Starbucks, Sandhya deftly churned out her sumptuous creations at lightning speed to a hungry line of Guptas, Sexys, Gills, Gang, Anil and Merani. To be fair, part of the credit goes to Merani who gamely assisted in chopping vegetables for the omelets. I did my part by mixing Mimosas.
Per the agenda we then piled into cars and headed for Niagara Falls, donned blue plastic raincoats, and boarded the Maid of the Mist. While we were partaking of Sandhya's preparations and enjoying a close-up view of the foot of the falls, Ravi and Sonu Thakur, and Nirmal were on their way from New Jersey and we all met up at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Prudence (and age) prevailed, as we decided not gamble, and returned to our home or hotels, for a little rest before the soiree.
I took a nap while Liveleen got the house ready. The doorbell rang shortly after 7:00 PM and there stood Pimp in the doorway - what better way to start a party!
I think it is a great tribute to the Mech 71 spirit that we brush aside other obligations, and endure the inconvenience of travel, just to keep our tradition and memories alive.
Liveleen and I are so grateful to those who were able to attend. We hope it was worth it for you.
Gill
UPDATE: JULKA'S NOVEL - MONA'S COMPULSION IS NOW PUBLISHED AND AVAILABLE AT http://www.amazon.com/Monas-compulsion-A-family-saga/dp/0615627242
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