What Men Want (Apart from THAT)

The other day, I came across an article in the Bangalore Times. It explained how women say one thing while meaning something entirely different. The author went on to give a handy "look-up" table (don't ask me where he got that expression from) which would guide a man with regards to what women want.
That got me thinking. Do women keep a handy table to help them understand what we want? Does such a table even exist? I've never come across an article/movie with the title "What Men Want". Are we that obvious?
Hardly. I personally think we're pretty easy going and that's why no one has bothered to explain our actions. (or the lack of it) We're prepared to overlook a lot of things when we are with women. I think it has something to do with our pre-disposition to act the preux chevalier.
Have I got it right or am I sitting happily in delusion-land? I know that I'm far from simple. If I can't understand myself (after nineteen years of trying) then how can I be predictable? Maybe my better half (if and when she comes along) might need a book titled "What Gulati wants"...
Anyone willing to write it?

Why Do We Complain?

Why do we complain? Some of us have the habit of going on and on and on. Akin to a duracell battery - lasts ten times longer! (OK, OK, I can see the fingers pointed at me. I don't complain. Just plain old ranting from here!)
I understand that sometimes things aren't quite perfect. Anyone living in India ought to know that by now. But, NO. Most urban Indians go on and on about bad roads, traffic, weather, politicians and what not. Stop it! Any city in the world has bad traffic. Ten-lane highways in England get blocked for miles during rush-hour. If you don't like it, go and stay in a village. I'm sure the roads (if any) are empty enough for your liking. As for the bad roads and politicians, not much can be done by your arm-chair observations. If we all view election day as a holiday to be spent lazing around, then what else is going to happen?
Look at the bright side for a change. Compare today's India with the India of ten years ago and you'll find a world of difference. Things are changing. What's required is time and a bit of patience.
Meanwhile, let's stop sounding like complaints' registers and admire the silence for a while, shall we?

Childhood

When was the last time you made a paper rocket? (that innocent thing that transforms a piece of paper into an aeronautical marvel) Or played your heart out in the rain, dirt flying everywhere? Or simply marveled at the outside world? For those of you convinced I've finally gone mad, (arbit ramblings - first sign of madness) NO, I haven't lost it just yet.
A few days ago, my sister asked me what I'd have done in the summer holidays at her age. I told her that I'd have spent it making rockets out of my year's used notebooks, playing with my friends esp. in the frequent rains or getting my hands dirty in the backyard. It was then that I realised that I really missed these things. Nobody seemed to be doing them anymore. The last time I played in the rain was over two years ago. Why? Have I simply "grown" up? I don't know. Maybe its time for me to get in touch with my thirteen-year-old self. I should be in for a wonderful time!