Fun 2.0

It was a much needed break for the project team. A mismanaged project with unrealistic client expectations has taken its toll on every member of the team. If not work then rework has dictated terms for over a year & still counting. Milestones have come and gone but something which has remained constant is... stretched timelines, meeting unexpected deadlines, night-outs, weekend official hours. As gladiators, people in the team are fighting. Many have abandoned. Many like me have been replaced but the fight for completion still rages on. The rubber been stretched to maximum! The fatigue is now well visible!! A break was much needed...

And the break came in the form of a self-managed team outing. Destination: Golden Palm Resort, on the outskirt of Bangalore. The gang was all set to rock.

The wheel got set in motion on the warm Sunday morning and came to a halt at the gates of the resort. The resort spread across huge space is amid lush greenery and intimate surroundings. A large swimming pool in the middle of the resort was captivating. The Stone carvings were picturesque and the green surrounding was soul soothing. The resort has to offer many indoor and outdoor games.  We set ourselves into groups and found in the places of our interest. Tennis, Badminton, Carom, Squash, Snooker ruled the games arena. Beer, Vodka, Whiskey ruled the glasses of some. Tired and exhausted after the games, the only place which beckoned was the large blue lagoon. Splash!!! Most were found in the water. The cold water acted refreshing fresh in the hot and humid day. In water, water volley ruled. It was more of  hit-whom-so-ever-you-can with the ball rather than the game of volley ball. But then it was fun. The sweet aroma of the food dragged our feet out of water towards the pool-side lunch area. The lunch was splendid and Barbeque was awesome. When the fun is for one day, you dont rest even if you want to, after a grand lunch. So back to play arena. The scene changed to customized games. The girls have all planned it.. "Save your balloon but not of others" was very much fun. It was pool time again in the evening. The day closed with the setting of the sun on the horizon. The day just ended but not the fun!!! On the way back from resort, the fun continued in form of "antakshari". With the trip coming to close; the bodies were tired but the spirit was still up.

Playing badminton or carom or even diving into the pool may not be the ideal way of rejuvenation and fun. May be, for some, the idea of fun differs. But Fun is being part of the group. There is a charm when you sit together and click your filled glasses for cheers.  Fun is when you hit sixers not with bat but with tennis raquet. Fun is when you let your partner learn to serve in badminton even when you keep losing the match. Fun is when you throw/pull your friends into water.  Fun is when two teams playing antakshari but all people singing the same song. Fun is when you laugh and giggle together. Fun is when you huddle up in a group and say cheese for that kodak moment. Fun is not doing great things but doing those small little things which brings the laughfter in you and others. So what do you say... Did you had fun?

P.S.: Thanks to Dada for bringing up the idea. Sullibhavi for his negotiating and PR skills. Punith and Rajasekhar for splendidly organizing the event. All others for being part of the fun. For those who missed out, may my writting let you know what you missed out on!!!!