Thought for the Day - Questions to Ask Before the Big Day

Big match, big day coming up. These are a few questions to ask.

1) Purpose

 Have we got the team purpose clear? (Win)

2) Common goal 

Is everyone clear about the purpose? (Communicate)

3) Process

Is everyone clear about the process?
Has the focus shifted from outcome to process? (Process orientation)

4) Role clarity

Has everyone been told of their roles (what's expected of them in clear terms as in numbers) and told to prepare accordingly? 

Has everyone been told to give their career best performance today?

(Roles)

5) Strategy

Have you analysed your strengths and weaknesses?

 Have the strongest factors, biggest strengths been put upfront - best team, best combination - to get the maximum advantage? 

Are you playing on your strengths? (Or are you worrying about your weaknesses or the opponents strengths?)

(Competitive advantage)

6) Tactics 

 Have all grey areas (weaknesses) been gone through and addressed - areas which could potentially slip up - and plans made to plug those gaps?

Has all doubt, however small, been clearly addressed?

(Adaptability)

7) Group Intelligence

Is everyone in the leadership group in agreement with the plan? If not, have all possibilities been discussed threadbare and addressed until grey areas are covered?

8) Clarity - Courage

Has hope been taken out of the equation? And replaced by plans and processes to follow?

Are we clear about what to do to gain and maintain and drive home the advantage?

(Playing to win vs hoping or playing not to lose)

9) All Together

Does everyone feel confident about what to do and how to go about? 

(Team work)

...

If so, we are ready to go.

Grey areas are areas that we are not clear about. They often show up like a small doubt, something uncomfortable. The wrong person, the wrong tactics, the wrong choices. Such niggling doubts indicate that we are rushing through without clarity, without information. We are hoping it will work out.

 It won't. That's where we will slip up. Spend time on it. Ask the right questions until all doubt is cleared. 

Then, go.

Lovely Talk on the 'Psychology of Winning' Denis Waitley

 It's a lovely talk on the psychology of winners - well prepared, well presented, with humour, stories, experiences, putting himself as an example and well delivered. I made a bunch of points from it but the key is these five principles he puts out. It's a 1987 talk and we can see the innocence of those days come through.

The five principles he talks about are 

1) Self awareness - seeing yourself through others eyes (would others like a partner like me, a team mate like me, a son like  me, an employee like me), break daily routines, meet new people.

2) Self esteem - that deep down feeling of worth/value (internalise your own standard, value, do not compare with others, don't fear rejection, treat failure as learning, learn to take compliments, project value, that feeling that there's no ceiling, take stock, monitor self talk, communicate value))

3) Positive self control - taking control on your life by the choices you make, there's no freedom without responsible action, winners make things happen, you become what you think about, decide to come through (not choke), focus on a fixed outcome, control your time) 

4) Positive self image - set goals because a goal is an image of you in that goal, your goal is how you see yourself, your self talk and self image is important, when you have targets it becomes your dominant thought, goals should be out of reach and not out of sight, get a little better every day, use positive talk like 'what to do instead of what not to do, set goals for all major areas, visualise, learn skills needed)

5) Positive self-expectancy - its self prophecy, you get what you expect, mind over muscle, menu etc, bring on extreme positive, look for opportunities in a crisis, maintain an upbeat outlook, associate with winners, expect the best from others)

Thought for the Day - The Last Three Steps

There is a famous quote that I remember from the movie 'The Walk' in which high wire walker Phillippe Petit (it's his story) says something like - 'most wire walkers die in the final three steps. They think they have arrived but they have not.'

It is true for most things. 

You reach the final, almost reach the end, and take your eyes off the last three steps - with disastrous results. You fall, you lose, you fail. 

The question then is this - why do we take our eyes off the last three steps? 

Most  times it's because we move from process to 'hope'. We 'hope' we will get there without our effort. Instead of keeping our eyes open, being aware and following process we close our eyes and hope. 

Why do we 'hope' in the big moments? The final, the last three steps, the last over.

We hope when we fear looking at reality - at the target, our goal, our desired outcome. The fear of the possibility of losing makes us take our eyes off the target and rely on hope. And when we take our eyes off our target, we miss seeing areas where we can slip up. And that's exactly where we slip up.

A match. A high wire walk. A project. Anything. If we take our eyes off, if we cannot address the grey areas and hope, if we fear losing more than desire winning, we will fall, we will fail, we will lose. 

Like they say, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip. So do not leave important stuff to hope. Keep your eyes open when you get to the last three steps. Hold your fear, force yourself to look at what you want, and go for it with your eyes open.

You might still lose. But at least you have tried to win - not tried not to lose. You have given yourself a fair chance to win. 

Thought for the Day - Why We Escape the Present

Seems like we can't hold the present which is why we run away from it into the past or the future. That way life is always less experienced fully, always vague and cloudy. If the mist goes away, we have to see reality as it is, which we do not want to see perhaps. 

Being present forces us to see things as they are. Being present is about clarity. Being present is not wanting things as we want them to be. Being present is being adaptable to the situation in front of you. 

Scary. Surely.

Easier to fall back on the past and cling on to the known. Easier to hope that things will somehow turn out ok without having to deal with them. Easier to curl up in the cosy blanket of the past, dreaming of stuff.

When we stop running away from the present, we can be present. And when we are present, we can deal with life as it shows up - minus hope, minus clinging to the past - as it is. That's the best way to deal with anything in life. With the clarity of being present. All else falls away except what needs to be addressed and nothing else.

Being present brings clarity to decision making. It makes you aware of what to address and what not to address. It shows the path of least resistance. With the least effort. 

Practice it. Be present. Fully. There's nothing to be scared of.

Curatorial Walk on Indian Miniature Paintings at Salar Jung Museum

On July 25, there was a curatorial walk on Indian Miniature Paintings conducted by Shailka Mishra, Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad. The walk was organised by the Salar Jung Museum and Mukhtyar, who started off as a heritage enthusiast and is now a affable heritage walk leader, sent me the information. I thought I might attend it, Salar Jung Museum is too vast to cover and comprehend in one go and it makes sense to look at sections separately under the guidance of an expert. I asked Anjali if she wanted to come along and she did. Just the museum ticket and nothing else.

We bought the ticket and parked. I could not resist taking a picture of Salar Jung III's statue outside and then his picture inside. At one time this entire length of the road outside the Salar Jung Museum was part of the Dewan Deodi and one wonders how it disintegrated into those small crowded buildings.  

The Salar Jung Museum educational curator Joyoti introduced a small crowd to Shailka who then took us through the miniatures section - starting with the Mughal period miniatures, then Deccani, Pahari, Rajasthani, Malwa and other regions. Some interesting pictures of a wine making process similar to the one we see in Italian movies, one about a boy shooting arrows at a female (wonder why), royal couple listening to music and getting a little cosy etc.

There were portraits of Shahjehan, Jahangir, Akbar, Asaf Jah 1, paintings of scenes, of Krishna, of Hindu Mythology and many others. She pointed out to the work of certain artists who had their unique style.  She conducted the walk fro about 45 minutes and wound up. 

Not too many walk ins. Anjali also wandered off and was later found drinking Pepsi in the canteen. We headed back home after.

A Lovely Gift From My Sister Lakshmi

I got a surprise gift from my sister Lakshmi today - a lovely toy Rolls Royce that cost 1500 bucks. It's so appropriate considering I gifted my pal Koni a toy auto and a toy bulldozer the other day for his birthday. 

I was telling my pal Vasu when we went to buy toys for Koni that I wanted to start my mini toy collection and lo behold - the toy appeared. Someone up there is listening (unlike the government).

 

Have to name it now. Doors open, bonnet opens, lights go on and off. Just as I thought I would buy myself something like this.

Thanks Chanti for such a lovely gift  (that's what we call my sister at home).

Moazzamjahi Market - Slowly Disappearing

Saw Moazzamjahi Market today and realised it's slowly disappearing from view. The Metro has cut right in front of it so any front view of the majestic building is pretty much gone. 

And if that's not bad, a huge concrete structure is coming up behind dwarfing it.

Can see the difference between the two pics. I leave the rest to your imagination.

Thought for the Day - Being Present and Being the Witness

It's a thought. Is being present the same as being the witness? Or does one help the other? I always considered them as different things. But then I thought, there could be a connection worth exploring.

Photo courtesy - Diksha

Being present to me meant keeping thoughts of the past and the future away and staying present to what's happening 'here and now'.

Being a witness to me meant watching my actions and thoughts as if I were watching them and was not the doer. Keeping a distance from the doer.

But then, if I am the witness, I am detached. I am watching the present moment without any attachment. There is no fear attached to the present moment and I can stay present with no effort. 

Just a thought.

Kishore Kumar - The Ultimate Biography - Aniruddha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar

Aniruddha Bhattacharjee has written award winning books - one on RD Burman, one called 'Gaata Rahe Mera Dil'. He is an IIT, Kharagpur alumnus and has written four books thus far. Parthiv Dhar is a Civil Engineer from VRCE, Nagpur, works with IOC and currently lives in Hyderabad. Their love for Kishore Kumar and several years of research resulted in this book that they call 'the ultimate biography'. It's over 400 pages long but quite an easy read thanks to the subject and their research.

Kishore Kumar was born Abhas Kumar Ganguly in a family where law seemed the preferred profession (his father Kumjilal was a lawyer of repute in Khandwa). However his older brother by several years, Ashok Kumar clicked in films in Bombay (the movie industry moved from Calcutta to Bombay in those years thanks to famine created by Churchill during the second world war time - i always wondered why all the Bengalis came to Bombay films). Kishore was the last sibling - Ashok Kumar, Sati Devi, Anoop Kumar and then Kishore. Anoop also tried his hand at films.

Kishore's early years were spent in Khandwa (near Indore) in Madhya Pradesh, mostly playing with his close friends, singing and eating jalebi and gajak. Kishore had a strong affinity to Khandwa all his life. He would sing during those days but was very stage shy - I think he also wrote plays, songs etc. Admission to Christian College, Indore, thanks to his father's reco letter, saw Kishore finding his voice - however he would always sing from behind a curtain apparently. Instances of senior girls conning him to sing for them are mentioned. He was a big fan of KL Saigal and would imitate him. 

When Kishore followed Ashok and Anoop to Bombay, Ashok promoted him as an actor whereas the untrained Kishore wanted to be a singer. He acted in 22 films between 1946 and 1955 most of which were flops and it was felt that he did so because he was not keen on acting. But he brought a refreshing change to the screen with his Danny Kaye antics and worked with all leading heroines of that era. It was during 1955-66 when he was more settled that his films became successful.

His singing career was helped along by his first guru Khemchand Prakash who trained him a bit. Heavily influenced by KL Saigal, a huge fan of Tagore and Danny Kaye, he apparently had their photos on the wall at home and prayed to them everyday! SD Burman also encouraged him and told him to find his own voice and not imitate KL Saigal. In those days he sang songs such as 'Maana Janaab ne Pukara Nahin'. 'Hum Hai Raahi Pyar Ke', 'Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi si' and others. With RD Burman composing for 'Padosan' Kishore sang 'Ek Chatur Naar' effortlessly. He once sang a song for 'Half Ticket' in both male and female voices because Lata Mangeshkar was busy elsewhere that day. So prolific and creative was he that he sang, acted, wrote, composed, directed and produced films. 'Chalti ka Naam Gaadi' was based on their family heirloom.

His voice they say 'hits the mike straight, at its most sensitive point'. He could sing in different voices and modulate his voice to suit the artiste. Much of Rajesh Khanna's success also had Kishore singing hit songs - Rajesh Khanna wanted only him to sing for him. He had his share of run ins with stars like Amitabh for whom he sang 131 songs and with Mithun. He was particular about getting paid and would not deliver until he was paid. Once he was paid only half and he apparently landed for the shot with half make up. Or he would spout a dialogue which asked the producer to pay him the promised amount in the shot. Or go to the producer's house and sing outside asking for his money. At times he would ask producers to do some absurd things to sign him on. He was known for being late or never showing up for shoots, at times coming and going after one shot without telling anyone. Eccentric, but a genius.

Married four times - to Ruma Ghosh who was an actor and singer (Amit Kumar was their son), then to Madhubala who had a heart condition and died after nine years, a short lived marriage with Yogeeta Bali and the last with Leena Chandarvarkar who was much junior to him. He had his run ins with the Income Tax department and most famously, his songs were banned from AIR and DD during the Emergency time because he refused to perform for a Congress party meeting.

Colorful eccentric, sentimental, capable of great love, brilliantly creative - Kishore Kumar will remain forever in movie goers hearts with an amazing number of hit songs that find their way into everyone's fav playlists. Several of them have been remixed, remade. Songs like 'Jaan e jaan'. 'Kya yehi pyaar hai', Musafir hoon yaaron', 'Panna ki Tamanna', 'Meri Soni', 'Rim Jhim Gire Saawan' are on my playlist along with so many more. How can we ever forget him. That apart the book gives many insights into his life that were otherwise unknown to me. Good read and recommended. Thanks Satish for gifting it to us.                 

Orientation Session at Department of Dance

Back to what I love most, teaching at the DoD. This time it was the Orientation Class for the first years. Met Dr Sivaraju and Dr Anuradha and then went to class. Seventeen students from across India - Kerala, Karnataka, Tripura, Bengal, Hyderabad, Rajamundry, Tamil Nadu.

We discussed their aspirations, how to take responsibility for their careers, how to use their two years most efficiently (use their time and energy well - 600 days multiplied by 4-6 hours of work), how to build expertise, the learning mindset approach to take to each day, starting with a clean slate, setting goals academically, performance wise, networking wise (made them write them down), the way to prepare physically, skill wise and mentally. Good fun. 

When I asked them to give me a single takeaway, I got a lot of interesting answers. One that everything made sense, one that it gave a lot of clarity on how to go about the two years, a few about the learning mindset approach etc but the best was what this student from Tripura said - 'I'm from Tripura and this is the first time I'm away from home. My parents are leaving tomorrow and I'm really scared. But now after this class I don't feel so scared anymore'. 

Ah, that made the trip fully worthwhile. I told them all to explore Hyderabad, it's palaces, sights, forts, food etc and make these two years as productive as they can.

Thought for the Day - Stay Present, Beat Stress

Watching T20 games can stress you out. The bigger the game, the more the stress. In fact watching anything where you are invested in the result somehow, stresses you out. One way is to get less invested which is difficult when your side is playing, the other is to stay present. 

Staying present cuts out the stress. Stress is normally your attachment to the result which makes you worry about all the things that could go wrong in the future. By not thinking about the past or the future, you stay present, and just watch the game unfold without stress. 

I tried it recently in one of the crucial games when I could see my body reacting to the stress - sweat, heartbeat etc - and then I decided to switch to merely watching it in the present moment, as it unfolds, without thinking of the future outcomes.

Worked beautifully.

Thought for the Day - Leadership Lessons

 Some leadership lessons

1) Play the best XI for this match - do not play the next match

2) Start strong - open with the best bowlers and best batters

3) Go with your strengths, do not play to the opponent's strengths

4) Seize the early advantage and press on from it

5) Don't hope, fix all grey areas - it needs some thinking

6) Play match ups smartly - don't take chances

7) Take calculated risks that give you an advantage, don't be defensive

8) You cannot win if you are afraid to lose - don't be too defensive 

9) Be clear about what is expected from each member and communicate it to them in terms of numbers

10) Expect the best - don't expect the worst - stay present

11) When you have half a chance to get an advantage, got for it, don't hold back

Thought for the Day - Preparation for the Big Final

There are many ways to approach the big final or the big day. Some get all nervous and stop thinking about it and leave it all to God, some get over anxious and try to cram till the last minute, some say it's best to treat it like any other game - many approaches but what's the balance really.

In retrospect I feel that one should make everyone in the team aware of certain things

1) that it is not another match - it could be the difference between being on the winners podium or the runners

2) that one cannot avoid looking at winning and 'hope' to win - one must go through the fear and look at how to 'win' and not leave it to 'hope'

3) address the gray areas in everyone's minds - one must address their biggest fears and put it out there and rationalise to the mind about their preparation, their strengths, their processes - it must be specified to the conscious mind that the mind and body is ready - this can be done as a collective because we need to hold one another in the arena 

4) look at what if scenarios - focus on doing this, if this happens then we do this and don't just go blank

5) once you have 'looked' at the fears, at your preparation, at the process of how to 'win' - trust your preparation, your subconscious and go in with a blank mind and follow process    

Thought for the Day - Job of the Mentor

Apart from overseeing things, guiding, being there, and making adjustments where required, I realised that I had one more job that I felt I had to assume.

As mentor, my job is to hold the energy of the players so they can leave their fears, doubts and apprehensions behind and play freely to their potential. My job also goes to hold the energy of the support staff, the management and keep it calm and focused on the game.

When I realised it, the way I viewed the games changed. Very interesting.

Anvita Khammam Aces - Thank You Visit to Khammam

We went to Khammam on a day trip as a thank you trip for all the fans and supporters in Khammam. Checked out of the hotel and headed to Khammam at 6am. Stopped at 7 for breakfast. Reached Khammam outskirts by 11.

Chatterjee, me and Gajanan at 7

Vinay, Chatterjee and Samson at the first function hall

An auto with a poster of the team

A rally was organised and all the players and staff got into an open top mini truck and the rally began. Lots of crowds, people cheering etc. 

Visit to the Laxmi Narasimha temple at Khammam

The rally - Impressive

A stop at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and then to SBIT College for an interaction with students. Local boys Sahendra Mallu, Shaik Azhar, Mahesh Vipparla and Baddi Vishal Yadav were felicitated. Ved Reddy got the loudest cheers everywhere as did Sahendra.

Our team in the open truck

Another view

From there we headed to another function hall where we were felicitated and had to answer questions etc and speak a bit.

The crowd at SBIT

The backdrop behind the stage

 This was followed by a nice lunch. It was 430 by the time we were done.

Started back at 5.

Anvita Khammam Aces ends up as Runners

After a 20 day extravaganza, TG 20 finals between Anvita Khammam Aces and Hyderbad eChampions happened in fits and starts - a poor start by Anvita Khammam Aces, a half hour power cut in its 12th over, a decent ending to put up 157 on the board. 

Runs on the board in a final watched by some 30k people in the stadium, will always put the batting side under pressure. 

And so it was - Champions were 6 for 1, and then, what promised to be a good match suddenly went the other way with Anvita Khammam dropping three catches. Still, at 100 for 4 in the 13th over, it looked interesting but Champions pulled it off without further losses.

It was a well organised event with superb crowds, great energy and lots of good cricket. I enjoyed being part of a new experience. Surely, many players will be recognised and called for IPL trials thanks to TG20.

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind - Joseph Murphy

The basic premise of Joseph Murphy's book is that we can use our subconscious mind to find answers, to manifest things in an easy way (and not simply rely only on our conscious mind which has limited functions and abilities). The treasure within us is the subconscious if we know how to use it. The subconscious mind and its power can be used to improve every aspect of life such as health, wealth, relationships and what not. As always I picked some interesting lines from the book which resonated.

Desire is prayer he says (prayer comes easily when we desire something also). One has to unite mentally and emotionally with the good we wish to embody and our subconscious will respond.

We must have a clear picture of what we want in the end and feel emotionally, the joy of having achieved it. It is this process that activates the subconscious. (If we feel scared or fearful or think of the worst outcomes, its almost like asking the subconscious to fulfill that desire. So be careful what you feel your mind.)

Our subconscious mind is the hidden treasure within us. It has all the answers and knows much more than what we think we know. Our job is to tune into it - ideally at night before sleeping (a drowsy state is best) or first thing in the morning and present it with the problem or what we want. If we feed ideas lovingly to the subconscious mind we can get results (all it needs it thinking in that direction so you may as well do it). 

Our conscious mind and the subconscious mind have to be in sync to have a positive result -so convince your conscious mind and believe in what you want to achieve through affirmations etc. (Catch your thoughts going negative. Definitely catch your words going negative. You cannot say things like this wont happen or whatever and expect them to happen. Use positive words, rationalise to yourself how it will happen and put faith in the subconscious mind to make it happen. Basically you must believe that it can happen and its possible to change your beliefs because beliefs are only thoughts. Change your thoughts, change your beliefs.)

The subconscious mind accepts whatever the conscious mind decrees - so choose your thoughts consciously and decree what you want. The conscious mind is the gatekeeper of thoughts so control what it lets it. Use self talk to feed it the right choices of thoughts and words. Whatever the conscious mind believes to be true, the subconscious mind accepts.

All frustration is due to unfulfilled desires. Flow easy. Dissolve conflict by turning over your desires to the subconscious. Instead of anxiety, fear etc choose harmony, peace, health.

Always expect the best. Imagine the happy ending or solution to your problem, the thrill of accomplishment. Improve your imagination. 

For health, he says that the healing power is in your mind. Nothing appears in the body when there is no mental pattern. What you believe will come true. Develop a plan to turn over your requests to the subconscious. You can also pray from the loved ones who are ill through the universal subjective mind.

Desire to accomplish things the easy way. Feel the joy in foreseeing the accomplishment of desire. Th subconscious needs a picture backed by faith.

When the mind is relaxed it will accept the idea. There's always an answer. Remember divine right action is taking place. Avoid conflict between the conscious and subconscious mind.

As far as wealth is concerned, decide to be wealthy the easy way. You don't have to strive or work hard. Build into your mentality the idea of wealth. (Repeat 'wealth' to yourself slowly for 5 minutes prior to your sleep). Keep that feeling of wealth with you always. Your conscious mind and the subconscious mind must agree.

Importantly, the subconscious mind accepts the dominant idea - so choose wealth and not poverty. 

Your true source of wealth consists of the idea in your mind. Your subconscious mind will give you the idea you seek. Get on good mental terms with everyone (no resistance, no resentment). Be bold and claim your right to be rich. Not just enough but abundance, Your subconscious mind always keeps you supplied. Don't condemn money. Repeat 'I like money. I use it wisely, constructively, judiciously. I release it and it returns 100 fold.' Give to receive. There's no free lunch. Impregnate your subconscious with the idea of wealth.

The 3 steps to success are

1) Find out what you love
2) Specialise in it
3) See that it benefits humanity

Successful people possess great psychological and spiritual understanding. Sustained imagination draws miracles from the subconscious mind,

When you have no answers, keep looking for answers from the subconscious and you will find it. Believe you have the answer. Feel the joy of the answer and the way you will feel when you receive it.

The Subconscious mind never sleeps. Guidance comes when you are asleep Sometimes in dreams. So adequate sleep is necessary.

(Hateful or resentful thoughts are mental poison. What you think of others, you bring on to yourself. What you do to others, you are doing to yourself. Your inner speech is experienced in the reactions of others to you.)

Love is the answer to getting along with others. Appeasement never works. Do not be a doormat.

Forgiveness is love in action. Life has no favorites. Your guilt complex is a false concept of life. You are punishing yourself - no one else is. There's no evil in desire, in sex etc. Forgive yourself and everybody else by pouring out love, life, joy and good.

The solution lies within the problem. Habits are the function of the subconscious mind. The only obstacle to your success is your own thoughts and mental image. Your conscious mind is the camera and your subconscious mind is the plate on which you register or impress the pictures. Picture happy endings with confidence.

Master fear. It's a negative thought. It is man's greatest enemy. Counteract fear with the opposite suggestion. Imagine good outcomes. You have only two fear -f falling and of noise. Normal fear is good. Abnormal fear is bad.

When afraid of failure, give attention to success. Fear exists only in your thoughts. Remove your fears. Laugh at your fears.

Your most productive years could be 65-95. You're as young as you think. You grow old when you cease to dream. Remember, you are needed.

...

Interesting book. I got a few ideas that I will practice. I like the thought that I can access the subconscious and make things happen easily. I also like the idea that you tell what you want and let the subconscious figure out how.

   

Acts of Love - Acts of Friendship

To me all love is a high form of friendship. So watching two friends in a vulnerable state is an act of love to me. So many that were visible - an elderly couple walking, a young couple chatting, two young boys going to play cricket, two young girls sharing a moment, three girls on bikes, three kids running in an open space with gay abandon. Beautiful to see.

Each one of an act of friendship. Add vulnerability, the desire to do something for the other and you have an act of love. It's rare to find.

Walk at Tank Bund

So I went today, me and my Tanhaiee, walking at Tank Bund after a long time. I walked a good 3.5 kms either way and took pics of some regular spots and some new ones, like the Butterfly Park which I never noticed before. And some cute acts of love and friendship as well. 

A Butterfly Park,Sanjeevaih Park, Thrill City, PV Gyan Bhoomi, Spoorthi Sthal, Jal Vayu Vihar, Lake Front Park... There's so much to do and see on Necklace Road. Apart from the people and things and sights. And so I bid good bye to Tanhaiee and headed back.