My Pug Marks

Learnings from the day

Label: Abstract, musings, Random Comments (0)

Today was a special day. Some of the same feelings overwhelmed me like they used to in childhood. That feeling of having butterflies in stomach before something important. That feeling of overwhelming regret which comes across when something just doesn't go right and you do not have anyone to blame, not even yourself. Anyway, here are some nuggets of the day in form of some wise cracks from an especially pissed off guy who needs a beer right now, which obviously he can't get his hands on :

1. You obviously think of beer when you are extremely pissed.
2. Not all habits die hard, some just are immortal.
3. Sometimes, when you are screwed - there is a possibility of getting screwed a little further.
4. Sometimes, you cannot tell what/who screwed you.
5. You will forget this soon.
6. It always remains like this - to remind you even if you forget

Can't figure out what is all this? Go be very very upset and grab a beer and read again.

Moments of Importance

Label: Abstract, moments, musings, reminisce, thoughts Comments (1)

Image Courtesy: David J. Nightingale | www.chromasia.com

Big things happen that become small over a period of time. Monday Tests used to be so important that we wasted our entire Sunday evenings on them. Then those exams, those practicals. So many events that shape our lives eventually just fog out in some dusty corners of the mind. When they are recalled, they just stop everything inside for a second - at the point of recall. Isn't it? Greater and more important things always take priority over less important ones - less important, they feel not when they happened but now. That single test, those exams, that moment when you made through (or did not) to the college of your choice, that first backlog that you got and thought it was all over, that first crush you had and thought would be your entire life, that first job at which you thought you would shine like a star, all important moments - all get fuzzy down the constantly abrasive ladder of life.

But that doesn't mean one stops giving importance to these moments and live like a stoic. After all, these moments are the ones that make life worth living. We feel those moments, share those moments, cherish them and store them to reminisce about them sometime later.

7th November, 2009 - I am hoping, would be one such day. Wheels have started turning and I just hope that they take me in the direction I want to go. For now, it is very important.

Swine Flu

Label: fun, Image, Swine Flu Comments (6)

Found this image at imgur. Liked it, so sharing here. Poor Piggy!

I or my Surrogate?

Label: Life, Movie, Surrogates, Technology, thoughts Comments (5)

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

Just came after a show of 'Surrogates' at the PVR in Ambience Mall, Gurgaon. Liked the movie. If we come to think of it, it does send shivers down the spine with all this technologized incentives that we keep giving ourselves day in and day out. My friend Nikki talked about our addiction to web and social networking with hardly anything 'social' left in it for it is behind the veil of cyber names, cyber games and I daresay cyber jobs. I, myself am looking forward to a career in Marketing/Branding/Retailing associated with Social Media and associated technologies. However, there needs to be a line that definitely needs to be drawn to keep it from becoming our madness.

Surrogates takes it a step further - talks about building perfect 'us' as we would like the world to see us. So you sleep and rest in a cozy home all day - hooked into a system and a perfect you, who never gets old goes about doing your daily activities. You can chose yourself to be the brightest, sexiest person on the earth. Everything is customized according to your requirements. Sounds interesting, is it? Don't you see anything missing?

You miss the whiff of the winds that blow through your hair.

You miss the Smell of Soil when the first drops of rain hit the parched earth.

You miss the love of your 'real' family.

You miss that fun with your friends.

You miss those droplets of sweat falling off your nose after a good game.

You miss... LIFE.

A message clearly and beautifully enacted by Bruce Willis, Rosamund Pike and others.

So sit on your computers and type as much as you want but do not forget to go out and have fun and live a good 'real' life!

WHAT NOW, BITCHES?

Label: fun, Verizon Communications Comments (1)

Found this interesting pic. Here is how customers can irritate you if you do the same to them! Take care marketers - deliver what you promise or learn your mathematics well, what else?!

An Act of Good Riddance

Label: Feelings, hills, Poem, thoughts, Wind Comments (3)

Photo Courtesy : Me, myself and Himanshu [I clicked it...grrrr..!]

through the hills

under the lush green canopies

a light wind blows

carrying sounds profound

chilly at times

with the dry leaves in a vortex

crumpling under its force

the memories of yore

they have tales to tell

into the unknown

before they soar

warm at times

dry n scalding

punishing one and all

reminding of the crimes

tortures forsaken

made to self and others

the vows broken

and then it stops

vanishing in the hills

below those canopies

that are almost brown now

weathering the cold and dry

still standing there though

reminding the wind

that it also has limits

unseen forces

control its existence

A unknown act of good riddance

Kiss from Liberia!

Label: E-Mail Frauds, Phishing, Spam Comments (2)

We all receive phishing mails once in a while, ain't it? War in Brukina Faso - want to shift to India with tonnes of money - have no means to do so, so need your help! Will give you commission!

We'll share 50-50!

Hell, come on - you just help me shift - give me 10% of what is mine.

Ha Ha! It is no doubt fun reading these mails and pressing spam button after that. But recently, I received one which demanded more than just passing attention. Here goes the text from a sweet lady called Jasmine:

Tere,
Hello, how is your day,i pray this letter meet you in good health.
How are you and your day my names are Jasmine Awa i am 24 yrs old
,single,never married young girl, searching for a man who is caring
and loving,i came from Liberia in Africa and i am the only daughter of
Dr Wilson Awa. My late father was the director of 'AWA INDUSTRIAL
COMPANY LIMITED' (AICL) before his death from the war going on in my
country .
It was on one early morning attack from hired assasins, killing my
parents on a cold blood as i am the only one left. I managed to flew
to a near by country Dakar Senegal where we are staying now as a
refugee. I was doing my second year in nursing school before the
incident occured,I saw your mail while I was browsing the internet,and
decided to contact you. I will like to know your likes and dislikes
and what you are doing presently,I believe our future relation can
start from here.have a nice day.
I will tell you more about me with my photo in my next mail.
Awaiting to hear from you, God bless you.
kisses from Jasmine.

hope to hear from you soon.

Awesome! Now, they even want to start a relationship! Seriously phishers, you think this is going to be an attractive proposition? Have you made your B-Plan properly? Why the hell would I want a relationship with a Liberian Girl? No. Thank you. [yes, I have pressed the Spam Button, finally!]

reltok...not just talk!

Label: Marketing, portal, reltoK, SIBM, web Comments (1)

No marketer worth his/her salt would want to curb his opinions on things learnt in those marketing lectures. I am no different. reltoK - a portal created by Vineet Rajan - 2008 batch pass out of SIBM, Pune creates an awesome opportunity for marketing enthusiasts to link up and discuss some of the most pressing and relevant issues related to marketing. It also is an amazing platform for people who want to know more from others' experiences. Do follow up guys and register yourself for this amazing knowledge enhancing portal!

Obviously, I could not stop myself. So here is my post - trying to explain 'touchpoints' in retail parlance from a layman's perspective. Click here to read. Thanks!

Death of a Salesman...yet again!

Label: experience, Market, musings, Research, sarcasm, Work Comments (5)

Image Courtesy : http://digitalmirage.net/

'Sir, it will take only two minutes' I insisted. All I got in return was a nice little smirk from the gentleman (atleast that was what I presumed him to be when I approached him). The day hadn’t been really good but it was exciting to be back in field. I was reminded of the times when I was stalking married women for my survey for a specific brand of detergent about a year ago. At times, it got dangerous, the stalking business and it was only my college ID card that came to my rescue to prove my innocence and intentions. I dreaded when I thought of what would have happened had I forgotten to carry it!

It finally was time to put the Marketing Research concepts learnt in class to practice. The only problem – we were more viewed as salesmen selling credit cards and insurance rather than as diligent students pursuing research purely for academic purposes. Having reached this sweet little mall in Chinchwad to carry out our research, we were again woken up with a rude shock. Welcome to the real world - field is your classroom! Warned sternly by the security guards to not conduct any activity involving ‘paper and pen’ even remotely on the mall premises – we had to take to the roads, literally! Standing next to the road, rushing towards any man or woman who himself or herself was in a rush, it almost felt like we were in a great big stalking championship! Some people were nice and agreed to give us five minutes of their time and answered our questions seriously while others bordered from being bored to showing funny signs with their hands when approached. And that is when it happened. The head security officer saw us and came charging. For a moment, I was stunned. It felt like a herd of wild buffaloes rushing towards us to squash us to death. The next thing I felt was a strong tug from my friend on my shirt – we were running towards our car to save our small marketing lives!

Catch of the day – 17 filled questionnaires! We were on a roll. Celebrations happened at a nearby McDonald’s outlet with a happy meal menu. It was not over though. Tomorrow – a new mall, newer sample of people and even better and bigger security guards to run away from!

And people think that the salesmen die only in Arthur Miller plays!

A Survey Poem!

Label: fun, Poem, Random, Rantings, Survey Comments (1)

I didn't know ever that someday I'll do this,

Write a poem on a survey, so that the deadline of my project I do not miss

Here I am then, talking about a simple little survey

Will need only 3 mins, at your computers screens for you to stay!

Here I post the link : http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDJyRGdHTEZRdV9UNXVDTjZoN2l4aWc6MA

Oh, it is long, but all you need is for your mouse to click,

And the sweet little survey will be in front of your eyes in a flick!

Please help this soul, entertaining you here with all sorts of things,

God! What all a marketer has to do, yeah, it isn't just being loaded with bling!

Our very own shenanigan

Label: Abstract, Feelings, Love, Poem, Weird Comments (4)

Image Courtesy: William P Coleman

it was just a look

for a fleeting moment

then the eyes went down

a feigning stunt

more often they met

more times a day

and now accompanying them

was a smiling warm face

and then came the simple words

hey, what is your name?

name told and asked

introductions made

time started flowing

moods started flying

unknown feelings erupting

mind started corrupting

things unexplained happened

and sitting today

one just imagines

how was it all spun

when the heart itself is a shenanigan

Little Ray of Sunshine

Label: light, morning, Poem, Sunshine Comments (5)

Photo Credit: Joko Nugroho

through my curtained window

peeping through the mesh

is a little ray of sunshine

it isn't afraid

of the wrinkled cloth

of the messy nylon froth

it just comes

making its way through

dark space almighty

filled with hydrogen and rocks

they also taking no pity

it just comes

on to my sleepy eyes

it lights them and asks me to rise

that little ray of sunshine

couldn't have been more divine

Tagged - Yet again

Label: Random, Tags Comments (4)

I do not hold any rights over this picture. I do not know who created this pic, but good work mate; I hope you won't get offended if I use it for non-commercial purposes here. Thank you.

I have been tagged to do this funny little quiz by Nikki. As usual, I have no option but to accede! He he...So as I settle back to the hostel life and hectic class schedule back here in Pune, I'll do this bit.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

0730 hours. I hate it but can't help it!

2. How do you like your steak?

I don care as long as it is palatable, hostel does that to you!

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?

Kaminey...aife hi dekh li ya..ya...ya...ar!

4. What is your favorite TV show?

Watching 'that 70s show' these days, really loved Numb3rs!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Wouldn't live at one place then! But if it has to be only one - New Delhi!

6. What did you have for breakfast?

Sambhar Vada and Tea - Hostel menu folks!

7. What is your favourite cuisine?

Indian, Italian

8. What foods do you dislike?

Mushroom with curry, Jackfruit

9. Favourite Place to Eat?

Punjabi by Nature at Infinity Towers, Haldiram's at NH-8, that quaint little dhaba in Kasauli, Oven Fresh at Shivaji Park, Pizzeria at Churchgate. Cafe Leopold at Colaba, McDonald's at Linking Road, Crowne Plaza at the back of my home, Gaylord's at Churchgate...you see, with me, it is all about the great experience!

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive?

Wagon R - love it!

12. What are your favourite clothes?

T-Shirt and Jeans.

13. Where would you visit if you had the chance?

Tonnes of places - Norway, Leh, Rome, Vatican, Prague, Paris, London, San Francisco, Alaska, Shillong, Seychelles, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Auli, Egypt, New Zealand, Israel, Cape Town, Spain, Rio de Janeiro, Portugal, Peru...well, you said I had a chance ;)

14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

I prefer full full - that too a big glass!

15. Where would you want to retire?

Kasauli and New Delhi and Mumbai - can't I have 3 homes to retire to?

16. Favorite time of day?

Night...

17. Where were you born?

Lady Hardings Medical College, near Shivaji Nagar Bus Terminal, Near Bengali Market, Connaught Place, New Delhi!

18. What is your favorite sport to watch?

Badminton, T20 Cricket, Lawn Tennis.

19. Who do you think will not tag you back?

I was coaxed into writing this - won't bully anyone else - all my good Twitter and Blog friends are welcome to take the tag forward! :)

20. Person you expect to tag you back first?

I really don know :P

21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?

Ummmm....:P

22. Bird watcher?

Depends on the rarity of the species you see! ;)

23. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Night is when the lions go on a prowl!

24. Do you have any pets?

A Labrador - may be some years down the line...

25. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share?

I just had 12 days of "sloth-like" vacations and enjoyed Om Sweets Chaat/Gol Gappas/Dahi Bhalle to the fullest!

26. What did you want to be when you were little?

Badminton Player, Architect, Economist, Paleontologist, Astronaut, some geeky Scientist...what not man!

27. What is your best childhood memory?

Just being at school - studying, playing and having awesome fun with my friends! [No, I am not crazy!]

28. Are you a cat or dog person?

I despise cats - I like some dogs :P

29. Are you married?

Will obviously be in a few more years!

30. Always wear your seat belt?

99% of the time...

31. Been in a car accident?

Yes and the paradox is - on the day I was to get my permanent license to drive! And...I wasn't the one who was hurt :P

32. Any pet peeves?

Nopes.

33. Favourite Pizza Toppings?

Cheese, more cheese and capsicum... :P

34. Favourite Flower?

Ummm...not a flower person...can chose good ones though to make that nice bouquet...

35. Favourite ice cream?

Butterscotch/Chocolate/Pineapple/Mango - jo mil jaaye!

36. Favourite fast food restaurant?

Hanuman at Sion, McD at Linking Road

37. How many times did you fail your driver’s test?

None. But I choose not to drive. it's not my cup of tea.

38. From whom did you get your last email?

Nikki

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card?

Crosswords/ Om Book Shop/ Reliance Time Out/ Landmark

40. Do anything spontaneous lately?

Naah, life is too predictable here!

41. Happy with your job?

Give me one please? [ Am an OK student at a good B-School - Hire me?!]

42. Broccoli?

OK...but like the desi version more...

43. What was your favorite vacation?

Kasauli till now - Nainital/Junagarh n Diu in school was great too!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with?

Family at Haldiram's

45. What are you listening to right now?

That idiot who keeps talking on his mobile near my room's window!

46. What is your favorite color?

Purple, red, black and green

47. How many tattoos do you have?

None...

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz?

Zero

49. In What time did you finish this quiz?

Be happy that I finished it!

50. Coffee Drinker?

Yes

Everyone has talent!

Label: Britain's Got Talent, India's Got Talent, Soap, TRP, TV Comments (1)

Images are copyright to their respective copyright holders. I hope they won't have problems - means more publicity for them coz I am not going to write bad about some TV show for once!

All right. Blog has changed looks and this one stays for some time. Minor coding alterations should do the trick to make it look more presentable and aesthetic. I thought it was the right time to begin with some writing. I have grown averse to TV. With an entirely new species of wicked females and little kids getting married at Colours Channel - my hatred quotient seems to be growing exponentially for the idiot box! [ The sweet girl planning to be my wife - beware!]

However, as I returned from a good day's driving on Delhi roads [15th August - empty roads - yay!], I found myself sitting in front of TV and not moving within 2 minutes. Now that was strange. The show that caught my eyes on the channel I just cursed was India's Got Talent. The concept like most of the so called reality shows and non-'I-have-strange-noises-and-females' shows has been taken from the 'phoren' shows like Britain's Got Talent et al. The good thing about the show comes simply from the fact that we are a diverse group of people. We have people in this diverse land who shit daily in fields, on railway tracks and also on warm-till-their-ass-likes-it pots. We have people who brush their teeth with their dirtier-than-mouth fingers, with daatun, with brushes and also with those battery driven rotary hi-tech brushes. Fine! Point driven - everyone to one's liking and income!

This show has some of the most amazing display of music, dances, fusions, performing arts and hence cultures that I have seen in the recent times. All this minus the silly old melodrama one associates with channels who think that those cheap tricks raise their TRPs [actually they do - as I said, diversity - we also have people who do fall for those tricks]. This thing makes the show an entirely different proposition. They come. They perform. Judges rate. Done. Thank you. Cool!

Of course, some promotion does happen but it is still bearable considering other crap that is dished out. And one gets to see different flavours of our diverse cultures. Age no bar. Art no bar. Now that is what makes for a good show with mom's dinner. :)

Alright...WTF!

Label: Irritated, Life, musings, SIBM, thoughts, WTF Comments (3)

Alright people - I am back here!

After neglecting my sweet little blog for quite some time, I couldn't just let it be in the name of work which I in any case procrastinate upon. It hasn't been easy - trust me. A Roller Coaster ride yea, but add to that the dilemma of knowing that somewhere, there is an loose screw on the rails which may or may not fall off when the coaster passes over it. WTF!

Here are the biggest WTF moments that are happening:

1. Surgery in lower back. I mean low low back. Wound is supposed to heal naturally to prevent recurrence. WTF! Why the hell couldn't they stitch it???

2. It got better. Nice. It healed. Very nice. I was happy. I took the bus to the city from my campus. The God-forsaken Sus-Pashan Road [may the builders who stole charcoal from it rot in hell!]. My back could not bear it. Wound resurfaced. WTF!

3. Sem 3. Welcome to the most gruelling curriculum ever. I mean, I know I am in a B-School where we are supposed to slog and study hard, but given a certain ridiculous things happening which I can't really discuss over here - it is hell hard! It has been ages since I have not had a ppt or a case study or an assignment or a test to do the next day! When the hell do we study books? WTF!

4. I take this from Twitter and modify it a bit - If dorks could fly, my class would be an airport! Some of them think they have the smartest pair of asses God has ever given to human beings! Hell no dorks - had that been the case - others' existence simply wouldn't have been necessary. God seriously did not trust you alone with running the world. Use your heads, just in case you have them? WTF!

5. WTF! My blog, despite so much effort and time I took to make it look nice; doesn't look nice. Bricks would be falling soon again. Watch out for the revamped thing!

Phew! That felt nice! :)

Post Awareness Survey

Label: Esha - People for Blind Comments (2)

In India, is it possible to get Braille on your visiting cards?

Yes/No

Do you know of an organisation called Esha – People for the blind?

Yes/No

Would you like to/have u visited the Esha website?

Yes/No

Kindly enter your answers in comments section! Thanks :)

Esha- Be aware!

Comments (0)

"Some where over the rainbow's blue birds fly..." is the famous song one hums early in the morning. We are truly blessed to have the gift of vision to take in the beautiful sights mother nature has to offer us everyday.

Imagine this; one fine day, you wake up and the whole world is black. Nothing but black. No reflections or shadows or anything. Or imagine yourself wearing n eye-patch. Nope. You wont be able to go through your daily chores the same way you go about using both your eyes.

While you can't imagine yourself in such a situation, some of us have to lead our lives visionless. Being visually impaired or hearing impaired, makes it even more difficult for them to face life as it is. Hence, Esha- The Braille Place foundation has come up with an unique idea to make the blind self reliant.

It is an non-profit initiative to empower the blind by making them independent. They aim to do this by making stationery and communications materials in Braille.

Esha has currently three avenues for the Blind and they are:

1. Braille Cards
2. Theatre Workshops
3. Accessibility Audit

So if you want to make a difference, help them by getting your calling cards embossed in Braille. And this will cost you only Re.1!

To find out more, click on http://www.eshabraille.wordpress.com/

Esha Survey!

Label: Esha - People for Blind, Survey Comments (2)

Hello People,

Just a couple of questions, am taking part in a blog survey and my good readers are also included to answer. Kindly answer in comments section:

1. In India, is it possible to get Braille on your visiting cards? Yes/No
2. Do you know of an organisation called Esha – People for the blind? Yes/No

Thanks :)

This one hits and hard!

Label: Love, musings, Nostalgia, Rantings, SIBM, thoughts Comments (3)

They say nostalgia hits. This one does and hard. Roughly an year ago, fresh into SIBM, Pune - we were all gearing up to be special. Literally! Being a member of the Students' Council at SIBM is what I so looked forward to. I got to be a part of the rocking IT Team for Interim and Junior tenures. Needless to say, it was one of the best time I have ever had. With sine curved pattern of work and fun, it couldn't have been better...or may be it could have been. The Juniors have come, taking their shares of responsibilities and teams have been formed. Alas, I am not in council anymore and how I miss it!

I can only imagine how it would have been to be on the other side of the interview table this time, how when finally the teams would have formed - the introductions and 'insider' sessions would have begun. The tales of legends who have passed through the same responsibilities. I sorely miss it. Wish I could make juniors do things which Abeer, Anu and Sheth made me do during the interview..[Can never forget the 'Mickey Mouse is 'old' cartoon promotion!] All I can say in words for now is this:

For my Senior IT Team [Sid, Sheth, Chitre, Abeer, Anu, Shetty, Vineet] - You guys rocked! Love you all!

For current Senior IT Team - You guys are awesome! Make the Juniors sweat ;)

For Interim IT Team - It is your time to have the best time of your life. Good Luck!

It's Time!

Label: Complicated, Conscience, musings, Random, Rantings, thoughts, Time Comments (2)

It is time to pack up.

Initially, I had planned to be at home till 14th June and then go back to my college and begin my second year on a positive note. Same promises as ever that we all tend to make - Will work harder this time, will look forward to managing time in a better way, will take care of health and exercise, etc. etc.

However, as a few of you who may be following my blog would know, things did not turn out the way as intended. I would finally be leaving for Pune tomorrow (it is already Saturday, 0241 hours). Quite a bit has happened in this 'extra' week that I have stayed back at home. Pain in back has reduced for sure, I can now sit for longer durations and am banking on this to attend my classes properly once am there. Apart from these positive things, it has been an extra week of 'experience' gained here. Or may be a week of 'experience' lost from Pune?

I may never know. So, why do we make those promises to ourselves in the first place at all? To improve on things that we want to do? How do we know that the things that we do in a particular way are not good. May be they prove to be good in the longer scheme of things? May be life is intended to be lived the way we live it, no ifs and buts - things come, we chose our course of action and move on. Isn't over contemplation over things happening in a particular way eating the free way that we live? I don't know. I'd leave it for time to decide.

For now, I just have some stuff to start my packing with, rest - will see back in college about what all has to be done. Now that is comforting enough!

My experiments with Twittruth!

Label: Information, Internet, Technology, Twitter Comments (1)

With nothing better to do, I have been doing a lot of random surfing over the net. Registered recently on Twitter, My Space and have been reading about new things happening online. Advent of micro blogging and other stuff they are calling Internet 2.0 and 3.0 et al. It is simply mind boggling! Nascent technologies and their implications on the simplicity of human life are worth a second look. Controversial elections in Iran and twitter becomes a source of information when all other forms of media are blocked. Live discussions happening over a tornado and its course across the US. Information at your disposal - fast, recent and blazing hot!

And where there is information, there is analysis and there is more analyzed information! My mind somehow wanders to that old shepherd in the hinterland, grazing his cattle. He has spent his entire life knowing nothing about all this and in all probability would die without knowing what twitter is. Is his world changing because of this barrage of technological advent? I don't think so...

Meanwhile, this is a lovely pattern that WORDLE displays when I enter My Blog's URL. Cool isn't it?

Talking to you!

Label: Bangalore, Life, musings, Random, Rantings, thoughts Comments (4)

Hi all!

It has been some time and lot of things to talk about since I wrote here last. Here are a few things that have been going on with me, for good and not so good.

I somehow managed to finish my internship at Wipro Technologies in Bangalore. Two month stint was a pretty good experience at office. It was like a two month job, team was awesome and work was good! Bangalore as a city has a very different feel to it. A feel, which I was not used to and don't feel like getting used too. I was putting up at Electronic City there which is like an IT City at a little distance from the main city itself. Something like what Manesar is to Gurgaon or Gurgaon is to Delhi. So, as it happens, a major chunk of IT junta, which is also a major chunk of junta residing in Bangalore get up early on weekdays and move to Electronic City. In the evenings, they go back. Essentially, this city sleeps early and wakes up early too! Quite unlike me. Anyway, moving on. I had to find a decent place for my dinner in Electronic City. Make no mistake, I like South Indian food, but whatever of South Indian we get in North India is South India's snacks or maximum, serves as breakfast. Plus, two months was way too big a time to be off North Indian stuff. To my delight, we had a small restaurant called Yellow Fields which served nice Punjabi food - Tadka Dal, Lassi, Paranthas [which are written and pronounced as Porrottas at most of the hotels in Bangalore that serve the North Indian delicacy]

No wonder my mom was surprised to see me having gained weight despite being on comparatively healthier South Indian food.

Back in Gurgaon, having just managed to submit my report at office on the last day, I did not know that it wasn't fun and frolic like every time that awaited. What was in store for me was a minor surgery, surgery it was, nevertheless. That too the very next day of my return. Getting anaesthesia shots in lower back and then feeling nothing below the tummy is an experience in itself. I daresay I liked it a bit. What I had forgotten was the fact that once those nerves wake up again, they would feel the pain! Ha! Anyway, it has been 6 days now - apart from little pain and silly exercise of going to the doctor daily for dressing, all is fine!

What is still held in my mind is the list of things that remain to be done, workload back in college once I go almost a week later than I should have and some other personal matters to be tended. Anyway, it goes on....as always.

Until next time, until I have something better to write...ciao!

4th June

Label: 4th June, Google, Life, musings, thoughts, Tiananmen Square Comments (9)

It happens at times, that a particular date holds a very important place in your life. The reverence to the date increases if it is just another date - not your birthday, wedding day or any other day which in itself is of importance to you. In the same manner, unknowingly, 4th of June became one of the most important dates of my life. The feeling obviously can't be mutual but I can try to elucidate its impact and significance in my life.

4th June, 2007

It was my last exam of my last semester at my graduate college. Well, as it tuned out, it wouldn't be so. Let us just leave at that.

4th June, 2007

I met someone. Very unexpectedly. Thanks to the cosmic charge and the complex algorithm that google must be using on the click of 'next blog' that my blog turned up, and not that belonged to someone else. Thank you Google - let us just say that you have given me all the pains and pleasures that are important to my life.

And reminiscing a bit...

4th June, 1989

When I was a 6 year old naughty kid and communism in China was turning totalitarian at Tiananmen Square. This image redefined the value of freedom for me and for many across the world.

And if you really think it mattered, you may read this.

It should make you think a bit...

Plain Irritated!

Label: angry, Irritated, sarcasm Comments (6)

Image Courtesy: http://devlog.mahcuz.com/

Alright, I am not used to writing just for the sake, but I guess I can do with some bitching here [last I heard, bitching still wasn't patented by girls...]

So here I go, my blog - my way. I wish to go point wise:

1. I think Bangalore is way too over rated. Mumbai is much better a place for all the fun they said is there in Bangalore.

2. I hate..no wait..loathe..no..despise the auto rickshaw drivers here. Just because you speak Hindi and don't know how to speak Kannada doesn't mean your money isn't hard earned - someone tell them that.

3. People take networking as buttering and talking shit and dung in the name of networking. If that is the way it works - fine - so be it. I refuse to be a part of it. As Hugh MacLeod puts it -

If somebody in your industry is more successful than you, it's probably because he works harder at it than you do. Sure, maybe he's more inherently talented, more adept at networking etc, but I don't consider that an excuse. Over time, that advantage counts for less and less. Which is why the world is full of highly talented, network-savvy, failed mediocrities.

4. Bad stomach infection isn't such a good thing. It is awful. How do you tell your boss that you had to run to the loo every hour and that is why you couldn't go to office?

5. I want to go home. Enough of this 'being alone and independent' mongering around; eating food from hotels and restaurants and office mess however tasty that it may be.

6. Hostels are fine. Just not my types...

7. I just don't feel like writing anymore - have work to do. Plus, I suddenly realize again that my blog is more for whatever little I write and think, not for bitching gibberish...anyways.

Peace.

Whose God anyway?

Label: God, Religion, thoughts Comments (5)

Ramesh woke up that day to the cries of "Jai Sri Ram!"

It was a cold December morning. Already, there was something more chilling about it. He opened the dilapidated wooden door which stood precariously over the squeaking rusty hinges. As he looked out with sleepy eyes, he saw men. Men with tridents, hammers, spears and rocks were all running in one direction. Frenzied wide eyes, clenched teeth, jutting veins at forehead. They all seemed to have only one zombie-like purpose. He went on a high instantly. It was like a dose of marijuana put him into another trance after waking him wide open from his sleep. We will do it today, he thought. And nothing could ever stop us. With that insane zeal, he took his trident, tightened a saffron band on his head and ran out hailing Lord Ram. He felt like a warrior to Ram's cause and hit the structure like Lord Ram would have annihilated the devils from Lanka.

"Jai Sri Ram! Jai Sri Ram!"

"Sri Ramchandra ki ..." "JAI!" bellowed the saffron brigade after it was over.

Ramesh was overwhelmed. He fell to his knees and folded his hands. And Sri Ram filled him. He had tears in his eyes. It was the ultimate culmination he were looking forward to for ages. It couldn't have happened in a better way. He felt redeemed. His purpose of life was met. There was absolutely nothing else that he had lived for. It was like meeting the Lord himself. He felt Ram's presence in every stroke of his trident that brought the unworthy structure down. Ram was everywhere. He was present in the chilly air, in the sunshine that blessed him, in every speck of dust and every leaf of every tree. Ram was the essence of Ayodhya and the reason for his existence. Ramesh was happy that he could finally avenge for his Lord.

Asif woke up early that day. In fact, he had hardly slept. He went to the window and looked out. Apart from the waking sun announcing a new day, there wasn't a soul on the street filled with amber leaves. Even in this crazy land, fall seemed to appear beautiful. He remembered the days he used to walk with his father under the arches of the old mosque in his village.The soothing sound of the morning azaan used to wake him. The serene calmness of the mosque with intermittent noises from pigeons used to greet his sleepy eyes every morning. Holding his father's hand, he used to walk daily, to offer prayers to the Almighty. And after that, he used to fondly piggy ride at has father's broad shoulders through the narrow streets of the village. One such day, he heard terrifying noises coming from the skies. And he hid behind his father. Metal shapes moving at high speeds were converging towards them. All he had was his father's kurta to which he held with all his might. A second later, there was nothing but darkness. As he came out from the rubble, he saw his father lying alongside a broken pillar. The mosque was nothing but a heap of stones. A pigeon lay roasted black along side his father. His father's leg was ripped off from his body and there was a pool of blood all around. Asif's father was dead. He did not know what to do next. He squatted besides his father, unable to think of anything else. It must have been hours before someone took him back home. He saw his mother wailing but he did not cry. He could not cry. And now, he was in the very country which destroyed his childhood and changed his life. Taking God's name, he headed for the airport. If his father deserved a death like that, so did they; he thought.

Eric did not have to try to stay awake. Constant rumbling of falling mortar was enough to do so. He and his team bunked and secured a dilapidated building complex for the night. It was to be their home until dawn broke and they could move to the base camp in Basra. Eric was alert while guarding from the window with the shattered glass. As he looked through his night vision goggles, nothing seemed to bother him. The place was completely desolate. Every structure bit dust. And those that stood would not for long. He had a hard day's fight today, with three men from his unit falling prey to enemy bullets. But he was satisfied. He had killed one armed man. And as he entered the small mud hut, he saw a lady wailing next to the man he had just killed. She had a little baby in her arms, who was shrieking too. Unable to think anything else, he killed them both. He emptied his entire magazine into the whole family. Then, he rushed out to join his group. Sitting there on the window with the shattered glass, he remembered the days he used to play ball with his father. Every evening, his father would return from office and take him to the park. He learnt to pick his baseball bat from him. He remembered how his father toiled day in and day out to support the family and how they wanted to see him go to college. He did not want to disappoint him and worked hard for his grades. Until, that dreadful day in September changed everything. His father did not come back from work that evening. His mother died when she heard the news. And a little of him died inside him too. He ran furiously four blocks to the church. All he could muster were a few tears and suppressed sobs. Next thing he knew was a quick application to enroll himself for the army, and two years later, fighting this unknown enemy, which had changed his life forever. Sitting there, and guarding his men, he did not repent killing anyone. If his father deserved a death like that, so did they; he thought.

Manav's existence mattered only to him. It would have been hardly inconvenient to anyone else had he died this moment. He spent his time with other urchins at the flyover red lights. As far as he could remember, he was always like this. Begging for money or earning a bit of it by wiping car windshields with a dirty cloth, his 'gang' used to manage enough money to survive daily. At times, he felt he was similar to the poor rabid dog who slept under the flyover. The flyover was his world. He spent all his time there, in the frantic honking office hours or the desolate mercury lamp orange nights. One day, a man wearing a kurta and jeans with a 'jhola' over his arm visited the eldest urchin in his gang. And soon, he found himself in a big house with three of them sharing a room. It was a missionary residence for the street kids. His life changed ever since. Though he missed the time he spent at the flyover, or did he? With equanimity, he accepted all the changes. He started to read and write, eat at proper time and help with the maintenance and cleaning of the place that was his home now. But he never went to a weird place called as church by the man in white robes who used to come once in a while to take them for prayers. What prayers? He thought. He was the only child who never went to pray, ever! He wasn't prepared to accept that anyone else was supreme. He believed that he was leading his life at his own terms. This idea comforted him. He found himself as an outcast. But it was them who had changed, not him. One day, he decided to run away from there. Where would he go? He did not know. May be back to the old flyover, he thought. At least once, he would go there. It was a cool breezy night that he decided to jump over the large iron gate. Silently, he pushed himself over, to his freedom. Excited by this thought, he ran and ran until his lungs cried out for rest. He ran all night to his beloved flyover, the place which truly had been home to him. Dawn was breaking now. Chimes of bells from the nearby temple rented the air. So did the call from the muezzin to the faithful. He saw an old lady crossing the road. She was carrying fresh flowers in her hands for offering at the temple. But then, oblivious to the sparse traffic in early mornings, she had neglected a fast car coming towards her. Manav ran, and pulled her in time. The old lady, initially irritated realized what had happened. She smiled and blessed him and handed him a fresh jasmine and a rupee coin. He bowed a bit and left her there. The fresh white petals of Jasmine looked lovely. He was enticed by the flower. Every white petal stood out and blessed him for his act. There was nothing more he needed. He deserved it; he thought.

A newspaper van took the sharp turn under the flyover, and Manav was caught in front of it. As he raised his head, the red bumper was the last thing he saw, and his pretty flower trampled under many feet that were surrounding him now. His God lay beside him, trampled and squashed.

Can you smell what I am cooking???

Label: Abstract, inspiration, thoughts Comments (6)

It is just a thought that I have been nursing for a while. I am not going to reveal it, but finally, it is something that I really look forward to doing now. Given the quarter age crises that we quarter agers tend to fall in, I can safely say that I am nursing a nebulous thought for now. It may or may not work, but for now, I don't really care. I just have to work on it. No more. No less. Just wanted to put this on record, coz well, someday...

Dime Rhyme

Label: kindergarten stuff, musings, Rhyme, silly, thoughts Comments (1)

once upon a time

a funny thing happened

as the clock struck nine

there was a chubby little kid

in his home feeling stupid

for want of anything better

he started writing a letter

as it turned out

his inner being gave a happy shout

coz though he couldn't earn a dime

but surely he could rhyme!

thus began his journey lustrous

soon he became illustrious

all people big and sharp

came to him for an autograph

and he thought what fun

as he was an average man's son

he wanted to do something

and earn more than his dad's farthing

thought after day and day and day

to which business should his loyalties lay

finally he reached a meaningful conclusion

when his dud brain was cleared of all confusion

he thought he'll write poems that rhyme

and for each he'll charge just a dime

poems came and poems went

tonnes of dimes to his account were sent

dime turned into quarter and quarter into dollar

till is fame couldn't grow taller

last known he was living very happy

doing what he was best at - rhyming above line with nappy

he had a lovely lovely wife

home with all love and no strife

he had even thought what his gravestone would say

for which only a dime he would have to pay

'man who earned because he rhymed

for each poem he charged a dime'

I Reign

Label: Abstract, Dream, God, musings, thoughts, View Comments (2)

I reign

In the world of the fogged gloss

Dare not the barriers I set anyone cross

Because from one horizon to other

I reign

In the tempest of mind

Beyond any fathomable thought

Are clear droplets of wisdom

Which run my kingdom

My whims aren't fancies

But an elaborate functioning machine

All parts greased

No metal that I ever feign

Come you army of lost generations

With filthy crippled ideas on lose

There ain't any place in this world

Where I'll let penetrate your rigged views

And there you'll all go crushed

With not even a speck left of your credence

To remind the whole world

That it is better with your absence

Off you go

From my lovely kingdom

You insipid blind followers

For the God whose name you say you preach

Is imploring, in His name I beseech.

First year on earth

Label: Abstract, Feelings, Love, Poetry Comments (2)

A cake with a cherry

People making merry

Surrounded with love

With blessings from heaven above

Their child's first year on earth

Should be celebrated without any dearth

Happiness on faces

Loving embraces

Gardens manicured

Tricks by magician

Goof ups from the joker

Small kids allured

The desert winds blow

Making their march slow

Covered faces and blinding storms

As little baby's wailing fails to form

Father comes back to take a look

From the child's mother

In his embrace the baby he took

Open deserts and killing winds

With all its fury nature brings

Their child's first year on earth

Was celebrated without any dearth

Death by Chocolate!

Label: Bangalore, Death by Chocolate, experience, musings Comments (11)

"You can't finish it! No ways..."

"Really, even with an empty stomach?"

"Even with an empty stomach..."

"And what exactly is it?"

"Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate"

That is how everyone I know who is currently in Bangalore talked about the ever so famous Death by Chocolate. I had to find the famous "The Corner House" and have this delicacy. I did, in Koramangala. Ordered one. Rs. 115. Wasn't it a bit too much for an Ice-cream? As it turned out, it wasn't. As I looked around and gathered all the yummy types of ice creams available on menu - in front of me landed a big plastic cup on a tray. See for yourself above.

It was an eclectic mix of 2 huge scoops of vanilla ice cream, lots of brownie crumbs dipped in chocolate which was then again poured over by 4 teaspoons of steaming hot chocolate syrup [directly boiling in front of you on an electric plate]. If that wasn't enough, peanuts sprinkled and cherry put on top - shouted for it to be gobbled up!!!

It was an experience, and yea, I could not finish it all alone!

Here is an interesting print ad I found at the Koramangala Corner House for DBC :

Nevertheless, my experience was ruined at a silly ice cream parlour at the Transit Food Court at the Forum Mall. For Death by Chocolate, costing Rs. 70, they gave me this to eat:

A shitty mix of chocolate ice cream with a small crumb of brownie and chocolate syrup, all mashed together. And here is the parlour, located right at the corner of the chain of food stalls serving at the Transit:

Piece of advice for all DBC lovers: Don't eat it anywhere else except for The Corner House. People do crazy things to earn money. Those 70 bucks don't hurt much, but that bad DBC is what pains a lot!

All is Fine

Label: Abstract, musings, Random, thoughts Comments (2)

All is fine

Everything so divine

Birds twitter as the glorious sun shines

Just too suddenly

For me to realize

Out of nowhere

A little tornado conceptualize

Carrying along

Dust and rags and mud

With the bird's song

It plays around

Ruffles a few dead leaves

As the previous part

Of the dusty road heaves

But it wasn't much time

Like me

The playful tornado was blind

For it got sucked

As behind the clouds

Sun ducked

Into a larger scheme of things

No more tweets to be heard

Nor was recalled

That lovely bird

A huge storm

Blew out of proportion

Dust flogged vision

And brought a few tears

But not for long

As it does not end here

For heavens went gracious

And soaked all the fear

All got wet and beautiful again

And again

All is fine

Everything so divine...

And it happens again

Label: Abstract, musings, thoughts Comments (5)

And it happens again.

The dilemma, the thoughts

Umpteen mental wars fought

The craze and the haze

Unfocussed and dazed

Ideas that lure

Charlatan mind's demeanour

This way or that

Becomes life's meandering path

Skin left behind

With no button rewind

Change is a bane

And it happens again.

Trotting on... A Regal Symphony. Mighty Yawn... Teeth glowering ominously. That aberrated bark... Are my Pug Marks!

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