Who the devil is ggnath?

Well, Its been some time, since my previous post. Like I said in my previous blog, I thought I would give a brief introduction about myself, before I venture into ideas I would like to discuss.

I have been thinking very seriously about what to write about me. In order to tell you about myself, first I must know about myself. This is where I hit the roadblock. Its not the mysterious, spiritual, "Who are you?" question that scares me. I know about myself. But, every living day, I learn new things and I keep changing. So, rather than telling you, 'Who I am', I think its better to tell you 'Who I was'. Guess, that would give you some idea. But, I am not going to tell you, what I think about me. I will tell you, what I think as some significant moments and stuff about my past. And I would let you draw your own conclusions about me. After all, when I try to present you an idea, what you have left is that - perspectives.

Now, about the topic,

Name: Gokula Gopinath.

Father: Balakrishnan
Mother: Uma Maheswari
Younger Brother: Janarthanan

Born in Chennai. Grew up in Sivakasi during my school (SHNV, Sivakasi) days. Did my Mechanical Engineering graduation in Mookambigai College of Engineering, Trichy. (Honestly, I just visited this place occasionally, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Hardly attended classes on Mondays and Thursdays) Went to Chennai to start my career. Started my career in Coimbatore, then Pallagoundenpalayam, then back to Coimbatore, then to Chennai, got a job in Bangalore, then again to Chennai for a month, then to Pune (what I call 'shithole' - and I am still stuck in it).

Like I said, I would tell you the significant things in my past. Judging by the significance I give to things that has happened to me and around me, I believe you can arrive at your own idea about me.

In my young days, I was an angry and at the same time, active kid. You can say I behaved like a spoiled brat. But, not always. Whenever I don't understand things around me, that would come out as anger. I never hated anyone for disagreeing with me. I only hated those who can't convince me with their way of doing things. I used to respond well, if someone tells me why I should or shouldn't do some things, rather than simply telling me what or what not to do. Always intrigued by the one unanswerable question - WHY?

Part of the anger came from my mother, and some of the antics she had done when I didn't behave - like hanging me upside down. As I grew up, even my mother also grew up, and fortunately for my brother, she didn't try that route of parenting. But, to be fair, he was always well behaved and never needed any of my mom's 'unique' parenting technique. Like many boys, my father was the most influencing factor in my life. Most of my social skills started to improve after I started to carefully notice, how people are responding to my father.

With my brother though it was like most families, I guess. Always fighting each other. Surprisingly, when I look back, my brother is the only person in my life, apart from one incident in my school where I hit my friend, whom I had acted violently and got physical many times.

That was more than a short intro.

Now, about the significant things.

Was a techno-geek in my young days. Still am, but not to that extent.

Love machines more than anything in life.

Nicknamed by my friend in college as 'pattarai'. (blacksmith shop)

Was denied 'hall-ticket' for public exam, for Higher-secondary school, by my teachers for fear of losing 100% passing rate. Got it somehow, and passed it somehow with 77.5%

Was the class-leader from my kindergarten to higher secondary. Forced to not stand for "School Pupil Leader" election by school top brass.

Involved/triggered/lead a school boycott, and still not expelled from school, a very rare thing in my school history.

Within a month of joining the hostel in my college first-year with a strength of more than 90, with students from all over South India, was selected as the 'Student Representative for First Year students'.

Resigned on the same day, when I was supposed to receive my first ever salary, effectively working for that company for free.

After receiving my first ever salary, from the second employer, I threw down the cover with cash and stood over it, stamping my feet on it, telling myself, "Never chase money and never compromise your career for money"

Diagnosed with initial stages of hypertension in a very early age.

Later when I did research and studied more about cognitive science, I realized I had, and may be still have, "cyclothymia".

Comments about me, by my peers/colleagues/friends,

"How do you think this way, talk about these things, and still be happy always?"

"I know this much about you, 'You would make a really good husband' "

"One thing I have noticed with you is, as much as you have strong feeling about any issue, you also have the ability to have a laugh at it."

"You always make the issue at hand, an enjoyable one, even if it is a problem."

"You have a clarity of thought. That's why I always come to you for advice. Unlike many I have met so far in my life, you have the capacity to think clearly, and you know exactly what you want."

"Of all the students we have had here, you are the only one who asks meaningful questions."

"He talks a lot, about many things. But, its hard to understand."

"Please do it for me, ... for us. We have many restrictions in life, such as family, et al. I can't take decisions on my own, as I always have to consider my wife's well-being, about my parents, and so many things. But, with you, I have always noticed the passion for doing things your own way. Please do it for me."

"He always complains about things, finds fault with everything"

"You have a star. You always trigger panic and anger in people. Wherever you go, you seem to attract a lot of controversy"

"You're the type of masculine character, where women would find you easy to move with, but always afraid of getting close to you. Women won't like the way you talk. As much as they say they want it, women don't like straight-forward guys"

"Thats Gokul, intelligent kid."

''Eternal critic"

"Why won't you listen? Don't always see things in your way. Admit that there is an alternative, and it need not be a correct one"

"Just because its you, I am putting some effort, trying to convince you to marry. If its any of my other friends, I wouldn't even bother. For your type, it should be easy to handle anyone, let alone your wife. You are of the patient, calm, cool type, who shouldn't have problem in married life"

When asked by his wife, about why I am saying 'no' to marriage, and whether its because of 'any previous love failure?', my friend laughed out so loud saying, "Love failure?! For who? Him?, Noooooo way....."

I guess, those comments might have given you a brief hint of what kind of person I am. You will know more when we discuss about things/ideas more in the future in my blog.

But, there is one damning comment many people have passed to me,

YOU THINK TOO MUCH......