Year end.

First of January 2008. I started this blog about three years back. Deadly that its still running. Number of posts increasing every year. But I wouldn't call myself an avid blogger. (only 80 posts in last 3 years) This post is for a round up of 2007. I haven't ever done such a post before. Lets see if I can recall the bests and worsts of the year 2007.

1. Treks! I trekked to 4 difference places. First happened in June. Two in July and one in October. The last one to Himalaya!!! These days go right into hall of fame of the year.
2. Joined a gym (Dec). And did a short course in Yoga (Nov.). Check out, I am all into fitness.
3. Travelled to Russia. I know I haven't blogged about this. I have as yet avoided writing about my academic visits. That started for a reason. But I think, I am by now more or less comfortable talking about it. So here. I went there to present a paper. Met many interesting people. Managed to interact professionally with many people. Walked around a complete foreign city. Lived on my own. Drowned myself into spirits. Ate amazingly good food. Yes, I loved Russian food.
4. Discovered many many good places in Chennai. Let Chennai work its charms on me. (I like Russian food and I like Chennai.)
5. Did a mini course on Derandomization. Read up a few papers in the area. Never managed to get a good hold of the topic, but at least got a overall view cleared up. (This happened every Saturday for about 3 months.)
6. Have managed to 'finally completely clearly' understand Buss's proof that shows Boolean formula value problem is in NC1. Yes, this does count as something big for never was I totally clear about it till now. Is that a shame? But anyways, I still count it as something positive. (Finally took only a week's effort though)

1. Bode a farewell to Carrie- a small puppy that tried to become part of some people's life. This created a big controversy. I lost some interactions and lost a hell lot of objectivity. This took a huge emotional toll and aged me by 10 years atleast. I know it sounds ridiculous. But this was by far the worst time of my life.
2. Found a bug in one of the proofs. Aah, I don't ever want to go back to that day. But came out with no scars from this one. Only more determined to be extra careful the next time. (This could very well go into the first section for it taught me a lot of things.)
3. Could not spend enough time with Aai Baba. But all the time is never enough. So this will be the crib of every year.
4. Read very very few novels. Yes, I did watch some really good movies and yes I did do all those activities I have listed above. But really, the number of books/novels I have read this year is shameful.

Well, going back to the first list.

7. Listened to some really good music. Rediscovered Neil Young. He rules. Also regained my love for Hindi songs. There were a couple of years when I used to frown over any new hindi song. Himesh Reshmia did that to me. But now again there are a few good music directors here. Like Shankar-Ehsaan-Roy, Rehman with few good changes, Vishal-Shekhar. Things are looking a bit better. Also with some new Pakistani bands and talented singers like Rahat Fateh Ali, Naresh Iyer, Madhushree etc there is some good stuff to listen to.
8. Sat at the bed side of the ill person in the hospital when people counted down for the new year. (Damn could I resist boasting about my good deed. Its like Pheobe who decides to do a selfless act, but always feels so good about doing that it stops being a self-less act. What I am doing is a little worse, I am even boasting about it! )

The lists seem never ending as usual. So let me end it here. Wish you a good year ahead.