Political...?

There are some things that something is designed for. If that thing is put to use in anything that is beyond the design, then, that thing would not serve its purpose.

Well... for example, telephone was designed to be an instrument that enables communication. But, when the same telephone is being used like a measures of one's popularity (like, the more the calls I get, the more popular I am!)... that leads to trouble.

Well.. take the other example, which is kinda the point here - the procreational organs in the body have been designed (fine-tuned over millions of years) for a specific function and purpose. And there are other parts (like the arse and the hole!) that are designed for waste management. Now, if these two things get mixed up, they (do not) lead to issues! (pun intended). They, basically, do not serve the purpose they were designed for!!

This is in no way saying how this is supposed to be.. or that I am not in support of gay movement... or that I am a republican supporter... or that I am a prude - people who know me would vouch for it! I think One (or Many) cannot dictate how someone else got to be behaving/doing. And certainly not about one's personal choices - as long as the person does not inflict pain, loss, misery on another - they should be allowed to live free and die hard!!

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Bernard Shaw must've been a gay!

He said "Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?" !!!!

Unn Sirippinil....

Beautiful song... I wanna watch this movie tomorrow...!! (Pachai Kili Muthucharam)
Andrea looks cute..


Un Sirippinil Un Sirippinil

un sirippinil un sirippinil
en manadhin paadhiyum poaga
un imaigalin kan imaigalin
min paarvaiyil meedhiyum thaeya

hmm indru naetru endru illai
yaen indha nilai
hmm unnai kanda naalirundhae
naan seyyum pizhai

un sirippinil un sirippinil
en manadhin paadhiyum poaga
un imaigalin kan imaigalin
min paarvaiyil meedhiyum thaeya

unakkul irukkum mayakkam
andha uyarathu nilavai azhaikkum
idhazhin vilimbu thulirkkum
en iravinai paniyinil nanaikkum
edhirinil naan erigira naan
udhirndhidum mazhaicharam neeyae
oru murai alla mudhal murai alla
dhinam dhinam ennai soozhum thee

un sirippinil un sirippinil
en manadhin paadhiyum poaga
un imaigalin kan imaigalin
min paarvaiyil meedhiyum thaeya

mudhal naal paartha vanappu
thuli kuraiyavum illai unakku
urakkam vizhiipil kanavaai
unai kaanbadhae vazhakkam enakku
aruginilae varugaiyilae
thudippadhai niruthudhu nenjam
mudhal mudhal indru nigazgiradhendru
nadippadhu konjam vanjamae

un sirippinil un sirippinil
en manadhin paadhiyum poaga

un imaigalin kan imaigalin
min paarvaiyil meedhiyum thaeya

hmm indru naetru endru illai
yaen indha nilai
aha hmm unnai kanda naalirundhae
naan seyyum pizhai


But I think Kamalini looked hotter in Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu..

Black or White?

Lotsa thoughts floating around
but no time to pen
newfangled stimulants abound
that it is beyond my ken

color lies in the perception
but it is never seen (for what it is)
'cos grey is a misconception
white or black more one way (than the other) in its gene!!

Some fun stuff!

Aatha, naan 'settle' aayittaen!!

Wheeef!! I am finally getting settled here... In 24 hrs, my status in this country has changed from a hitchhiker to a networked resident!!

I got to know my Social Security Number yesterday (I had to visit the SSA office to know it in person; the card is in the mail!). Next, I went to the Department of Motor Vehicles (popularly known as the DMV) and armed with my SSN number, I could apply for a California State Driver License. They gave me some tests, notably the written test in which I had to score more than 83.33% to 'pass'. I aced the test scoring 94.44% and they gave me a temporary driver license that allows me to drive a car on my own here. I still have to appear for a driving test next week to get my driver license though.

Anyway, now that that was done.. I went and hired a car and also moved into my own accomodation today. And then, I had to spend another couple of hours to get my post-paid mobile connection from Verizon. (Man, how much of a fuss these mobile companies make... they need an SSN... a good credit history (which needs that I own some credit cards and may be, some loans and to be paying them off on time for some months)... security deposit, in lieu of bad or non-existent credit history... and so on....)

After all that, I can finally claim I am settling down here...

Still to come are the credit cards, bank checking accounts, ....

Harleys in Vegas and another Video

Kinda taking a break from all the travel... Nowhere this weekend..
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Here is a video I shot of the Harleys in Vegas... I had to cut it due to upload restrictions, still you get to hear it loud!



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This video is sad yet stunning at the same time... It shows an LTTE woman ona suicide mission detonating a bra bomb...

Warming up...

Its funny how things are different here...

For example, nobody knows what a 'fortnight' is... They only know 'biweekly'!!

People don't hire a car here... they 'rent' it. But the rich ones hire a chauffer!!

Nobody 'talks to you after sometime'... they would 'talk in a bit' or just 'later'!!

At the other end, they are a pain in the f*cking ass... They have not given me my social security number yet.. And so, I cannot get my DL... And hence, no renting a car.... Thats a bummer!!!

BTW, that's not a 'driving license'... its a 'driver license'!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thank you guys for being my ardent fans ;-)
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Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday to give thanks for the things that one has at the conclusion of the harvest season. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada.
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I am at Irvine today and tomorrow. And, in San Diego for the weekend... visiting some of my friends here.
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TV shows.. talk shows... its a totally different animal here...

People literally going at each other, pulling each other's hairs, rolling on the floor hitting one another... that seems to be order of the day in these talk shows... typically, its about a couple and one of them cheating... and then the third person turns up.. some heated discussions follow... or I should say, some heated volleys are hit (you can never hear one full sentence... it will be filled with censoring sounds)... And then Kaboom!!

There is a dating reality show called “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila”... The speciality of this show is that it features 16 straight men and 16 lesbians. The competitors vie for bisexual internet sensation Tila Tequila, a 25-year-old entertainer it seems. I guess it runs mainly on the shock-value!! It is again filled with fights and fisticuffs.

And on another serious note, this guy Hugh Hefner should retire from public life... He looks pathetic in front of the blond bimbettes...

Here you go, Vegas!

As I said, here are the pics from Vegas!


The place we stayed


The slot machines!


Can you guess?


This is where the sports betting go on... And what you see on the screens are the American football games and horse races that you are gambling on!!



The Eiffel restaurant


Which limo is this?

And more here!!

Newport & Artesia!

One of the best aspects of California is the weather and the beaches around. Here are some pics from the Newport beach and Artesia (Little India)












Jumping with joy on eating the Indian lunch at Sri Krishna Sweets "Tirupati Bheema's" ;-)

More pics here..

And here..

Other (incl. Vegas) pics coming soon!

TV ??

TV shows here are quite good.. I don't need to watch a movie for sometime.. I mean, I don't need to rent or download a movie for sometime...

There's one called 'Law and Order'... and some more with names I don't know yet.. Well, I keep flipping channels as usual :-)

And then there are other ones... Like the 'Play girls next door'.. its a reality show with Hugh Hefner and his play girls... These blondes are a li'l obnoxious... But man, this old guy is having all the fun!!

There are ones in the format of 'who wants to be a millionaire' (our Kaun Banega Crorepati)... its called 'are you smarter than a fifth grader?' ... And if you lose, you have to declare yourself (on camera) to be NOT smarter than a fifth grader... I heard something abt another 'are you smarter than a second grader' today.. let me check that out!

--------------
Oh.. I found out.. one of them is called the 'Nip/Tuck'..

Read the storyline and see for yourself..
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361217/plotsummary

Vegaland!

Vegas Rocks!! Man, there is so much here that I need another couple of visits before I can say I've explored this place well!!

I spent my time doing what Americans love doing (since I'd gone with my Amru friends/colleagues).... boozing, gambling and watching American football.... I wandered off by myself sometimes leaving them to their betting and football matches... Man, words are not enough to describe the experience.. I need to upload some pics soon ;-)

It is a marketing extravaganza, no doubt, enticing and addictive... Otherwise, why would hundreds of thousands of people fly-in every week, shed their money and fly back? I had seen tens of limos in NY... But here it is easily in the hundreds, may be thousands... Ever seen a Hummer limo? You can find that and much more (Ford Expedition limo, anyone?)!!

We were staying in this hotel called the Monte Carlo... Its a huge one with so many casinos, food courts, and stuff... There are atleast 10-15 such big hotels. (I'm not looking at the small ones at all) And some 5 more are being built...

I think the casino table hosts have some remote control... Anyways, I made some money and lost more money on the Roulette... did not play blackjack... that would be for the next time... got to learn fully before that...

Enroute.. we passed through Edwards Air Force Base... thats where the Columbia and other space shuttles land, it seems... Its in the Mojave (pronounced, Mohave) desert... Just around the place there is this aeroplane junkyard too, where we could find old and discarded jet fighters and passenger planes...

We passed adjacent to the death valley (supposed to be the lowest and hottest place in the US) and this place named Zzyzx (wonder why they named such!!)

We also saw Area 51 (or the UFO center). Area 51 is actually a part of the Nevada Test and Training Range and is owned by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Air Force.

Area 51 contains an airfield whose primary purpose is believed to be the operation and analysis of enemy aircraft and weapons systems, and secret development and testing of new military aircraft. Many of blackbird and stealth flights have been created here and the entire area is 'highly classified'. Until a couple of decades ago, nobody knew about this place. It did not appear in any of the maps and the US govt. did not acknowledge the existence. It required the highest govt. clearance to access even the details related to this base.

Area 51 is the frequent subject of UFO conspiracy theories. Its secretive nature and undoubted connection to classified aircraft research, together with reports of unusual phenomena, have led to the popularity of Area 51 and it being a focus of modern UFO and conspiracy theory. It was believed that this was a storage, examination, and reverse engineering center of crashed alien spacecraft!!

So much for one visit... more later!!!

BlackJack

Its that time of the year to undertake pilgrimages and I am going on one tomorrow... Well.. I told you already!!!

Anyways, so here I am getting ready... I need to know some stuff, right? I am learning the rules and tricks of BlackJack... After all, that is supposed to be the only game that involves some skill in a casino... The odds are 7 to 3 in my favor, or is it?!

I would update the pilgrim's progress when I get back... bloggin' from Vegas would be so geeky and wasteful ;-)

Life @ Calabasas..

.. is groovy baby!!!

I don't have my camera, otherwise I would have posted some pics already... I am loving this setting... mountain ranges around (some burnt from the recent forest fires)... beaches (Malibu!) nearby... Hollywood round the corner..... And Vegas not too far away!!!

I saw this guy.... Michael Clarke Duncan (of 'The Green Mile', 'The Whole Nine Yards', 'Scorpion King', 'Sin City'.... fame) last weekend... He was just behind us in the Whole Foods market!!

Mez going to Vegas this weekend!!!!!!!

Singapura!

Blogging from Singapura.. I got a visa on entry here and I'm going to be seeing some parts of this beautiful city before I catch my connecting flight to LA.

This place looks good... free broad roads, nice cars, great ambience, and better still neither as desolate as Austin nor as populated as New York.

more later!
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My friend picked me up at the airport (poor thing, she had to get up early on a Saturday... but then I told her she would not get to host a VIP like me often!) After catching up on the intervening months and some rest at her place (and some bloggin'... that's where I wrote the above), we left for the Boat Quay. There were the national triathlon championships and dragon boat races that day. We had lunch overlooking the races and then proceeded to the Orchard road. It is the MG road/Champs Elysee of Singapore... Had a brief window at Takashimaya plaza before we caught the metro to get back to Changi - the airport.

Short yet extremely sweet stop!!

Does Modi have balls?

The Tehelka expose on the Gujarat riots of 2002 and how they had been masterminded by the various (so called) Hindu fanatics post Godhra, has proved what a lot of humans in their right frame of mind have long suspected - That the riots of 2002 are not actually riots but cold strategic mass murder.
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main35.asp?filename=Ne031107Conspirators.asp

You would understand why I say '(so called) Hindu fanatics'.. B'cos these guys are just people who have gone nuts and use religion to cover up their madness. They are not doing it for the Hinduism 'cos Hinduism never stood for murder of innocent people.. Hinduism (and that is true for any religion) has never and shall never advocate cutting off one's own balls.

What happened in Godhra was a calculated instigation, most likely with the roots across the border. And then, these fools just fell into the trap.

The burning of the Hindu activists on the train was gruesome. But these jokers, including Modi, did not have the balls to acknowledge that their intelligence had failed. The political and police machinery did not have the courage to accept their responsibility for the massacre of innocent men, women and children. Instead, these bu**ers instigated the others who call themselves the Ball-less Rang Dal & Vasectomized Humanoids Personified and tried to push the blame on the hapless Muslims living in the state.

Such ball-less bu**ery needs to be stopped immediately and the perpetrators of the false revenge brought to the books. Surprisingly, not many media have come out in cry against the injustice after the Tehelka expose.

I suppose it is time for us, the bloggers and the new age media, to contribute our mite in restoring justice and making sure we defeat these ball-less imbeciles.

To quote Dina
"My request to everyone who is blogging this, or writing letters online, or even putting up content around this on Flickr or Youtube or Social Networks, or any other place that permits tagging, is to please use common tags:

Technorati tags: gujaratriots2002, prosecutetheguilty, narendramodigovernment, manmohansingh, lkadvani, humanrights, takeaction
Del.icio.us tags: gujaratriots2002 narendramodigovernment prosecutetheguilty humanrights

These tags will ensure that our collective voice rises up and is heard strongly. Smart mobbing, but we need to keep it going on a sustained basis."

Dina Mehta's blog. http://dinamehta.com/blog/2007/10/27/gujarat-2002-tehelka-expose-what-can-we-do-as-citizens/


A press statement has been released by Citizen for Peace requesting all citizens to:

1. Write to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister demanding that they take immediate steps to prosecute the culprits of the carnage.
2. Write to all national political parties in India asking how and why the constitutional crisis, of a dysfunctional judicial system in Gujarat, is allowed to persist and urging them to address this grave threat to the idea of India with utmost urgency.
3. Write to the BJP, impressing on them that this is their chance to dissociate themselves from those responsible for these crimes, and to help this country make a new beginning towards justice for all.

Text of letters by Citizen for Peace are available here: these posts on our website.

I would say that the best punishment for these BBs (ball-less bu**ers) would be to put them into life-long rigorous imprisonment and get their daughters married off to forgiving Muslims.

The count is 5..

Only by late evening today, I started to feel that I'm undertaking a trip... That is when I started packing my first suitcase.... But even then, the mood is 'just for a few months' type...

Its like 'I'd spend a few mths (maybe a few years) and then I'd be back - after all, what would I do in that place filled with strangers' and 'let me take some things that would make my stay easier - stuff I cant buy there and stuff I wont need to buy there' and 'I'm still an Indian earning an Indian salary (well, not from next month!)' and ...... Anyways, I had been to the US on two short trips earlier(3-4 weeks each) and I guess 'been there.. done that'!!

But then, at the same time, I am preparing for a long haul... saying good bye to people I know but not well enough to come back and say hi again... saying good bye to people I know well enough and wondering if I would get to meet them again... saying good bye to my own people and still wondering if I would get to meet them again... and so on...

Getting send-offs from friends... one who arranged an inpromptu (thats what she would want me believe ;-) party/get-together [thats so very sweet of her; and she would want me believe she is so by birth!!]... another who was the guest of honor and initiated my shopping binge.... parties with cousins [one at the Windsor Manor with Champagne and all... that should be a separate post!]

So, here I am with 5 days to go and unsure if I would come back... "To Bangalore and all the lovely folks I shared this place with!"
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"To you sweetie and D apple of ma eye!"
-------------------------------------

One big task done... finalized on the suitor to my Ford Fiesta.. He seems a nice guy and I think he would treat her well.. "To you my darling and to all the rides we have shared!"
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First suitcase... man... it seemed so empty, but it is already quite heavy... need to check the weight tomorrow...i'm filling the case with all kitchen related stuff... a small cooker.. utensils.. some oil... sambar masala... rasam masala... custom-made masala/powders... ready to cook stuff... And I still need to decide what more to add based on the no. of kgs left...

Any tips??

Shopping of a different kind

I'm getting busy shopping.... But before I get to do the shopping for stuff I need to carry along... I am doing a different kind of shopping... actually, searching for a shared accomodation....

With the internet and with Craigslist, its much easier these days without having to be there physically... So, I hope to short-list some 4-5 good places before I even land there... And then, the same day I can finalize my place of stay... High hopes? let me see....

One more thing I want to do is to find the suitor for my beautiful lovely Ford Fiesta 1.6 ZXi.... Before leaving this place, I would say 'En kannayae un kitta oppadaikkaraen... indha kanngalil ini aanandha kanneer dhaan varanum' [nevermind!!]

Dumble....

It seems.. Dumbledore is gay....
What the hell do I care, any which way??!!

Here you go!

Once upon a time there was a small settlement by name Calabasas. Indians, explorers, squatters, and bandits are all part of Calabasas history. The Chumash Indians led a peaceful life amidst the rolling hills, making their homes in canyons where streams and springs ensured a plentiful supply of wildlife. The Indians living closer to the ocean foraged into the area for acorns, berries and small game.

Settlements of Chumash Indians named the area Calabasas, a word perhaps descended from the Indian word for "where the wild geese fly." Others think Calabasas comes from the Spanish word for pumpkin or wild gourd.

Then came the spaniards and the explorers... Along came some bandits... blah blah blah....

Today, Calabasas is still a small-time city with just about 23000 people. Los Angeles is situated 1hr away (by road) from here.

But, now that Bhaskar is going to be there, this place is going to be world famous!!

Online support SUCKS!!!

I tried contacting the online (chat) team for something on eBay... And this thing SUCKS big time.... The response times are pretty bad... And then they claim they have a 'slight technical difficulty' and that they 'appreciate my patience' and all that crap....

And on top of that... now I am being transferred to the billing team and have to wait another 10 mins to get to chat with this other person.. My query category was related to billing anyway... why didnt they direct me to the billing faggot directly?

I can imagine what the Dell customers must have been going through if this was their experience not just online but also over the phone... I have known people wait for 30/40 mins on the call queue only to be put on hold by the person on the line while trying to answer some query.... or being transferred around....
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One of my neighbors was doing Ayudha pooja at her home... and she did the pooja for her son's motorbike and placed a couple of lemons underneath the tires (tyres, for you UK guys) to be squashed under. The lemons (squashed) are supposed to ward off the evil eyes or something...

And then she did the pooja for her granddaughter's small tricycle. She also placed 3 lemons underneath the three tires and goaded her g.dau to peddle the cycle. That poor girl... she must be a year old or something... Neither was the tricycle heavy enough to go over and squash... Nor was she big enough to exert the pressure on the pedal to go past the sizable lemons. Then the grandma also joined in pushing/pulling the tricycle so the lemons could be squashed.... This struggle went on for sometime... Man, that was sooo funnny!!!

A Quick Quiz

This place was shaped by Leonis Adobe & Kathleen Beachy..

They have the annual pumpkin festival here in October... And the name of this city also stands for pumpkin..

The City's official logo depicts a red-tailed hawk flying..


Which city am I talking about?!

Vaginal??

What is that supposed to mean... "You are not just grumpy... you are vaginal!"

Read it somewhere.... kinda get the meaning.... but then, what a word!!
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That reminds me of a play that created a hue and cry.. "The Vagina Monologues"... I immediately searched for the script and here it is!

The Vagina Monologues

I read the script... it is amazing... brings out the discriminations and superstitions (if I may call it so) associated with women and her vagina (as a symbol of all those things it stands for... and all those things that are denied)

I am sure it would be even more amazing to see the play... I think Shabana Azmi was in one of the plays... I should check out on the tube...

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Orkut says...

Today's fortune: Society prepares the crime: The criminal commits it

WTF!!!!

Dedication!

Someone dedicated this song to me!! (Creep by Radiohead)



Happy Birthday to you!! ;-)

A trip is all I ask...!

I don't know why exactly... but I have been taking a break from blogs... one the one hand, the bsnl dataone connection at home is so erratic... does not connect and even if it does, it gets cut every other second... it is a pain even to check the scraps in orkut... on the other hand, I finished my book 'The Namesake' and my project engagement also got over... I was in the finishing up mood... Making sure not many ends are loose and all that.... on the third front, the idiots (may be just me) in the US consulate and the passport office, in turn, were reminding me of red tape.. while I was trying to get my visa, renew my passport and send it to the consulate for my stamping....

Now that all of that are coming together and sorting themselves out... I also am applying for my next project in the US of A... Let me see how soon that comes through... Wish me luck, dude!
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The Namesake is a good novel... but somehow I did not feel all that elated as some of my friends did... may be b'cos I have already gone through quite a bit of that in real life... rebelling against a conservative upbringing, searching for my own identity, the turmoil in relationships, etc etc.... not to say that I have reached my destination... just that the novelty factor was missing!

Every man to himself, but... people travel across the world searching for one's identity when they ought to be traveling within!!
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Saw Bourne Ultimatum.... amazing movie... superb velocity!... this guy has managed to keep the fast pace going in the trilogy without repeating too many things... neither stereotyping Jason Bourne nor the stunts... Kudos to the director!!

Weird!!

News of the Weird by Chuck Shepherd
Thanks to CU

->News that Sounds Like a Joke
In July, National Hockey League player Derek Boogaard, an "enforcer" known for his willingness to brawl, opened the Derek and Aaron Boogaard Fighting Camp in Regina, Saskatchewan, to train teenage hockey players in that highly essential skill. [Chicago Tribune-Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 7-17-07]
Sharing of best practices...!

Iran's state-sponsored news agency IRNA announced in July that its agents had broken up a Western countries' "spy ring" that employed more than a dozen squirrels trying to bring "spy gear" of foreign agencies into the country. [Washington Post-BBC, 7-20-07]
How creative can they get...!
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

->The Continuing Crisis
Modernizations: Congregants of Rev. Tom Ambrose, of St. Mary and St. Michael Church in Trumpington, England, met in September to complain of several things about their vicar, most notably that he delivered the Christmas sermon last year (and several since then) using Microsoft PowerPoint. [Daily Mail (London), 9-4-07]
Microsoft and sermon? ungodly!!


One priority of President Vladimir Putin's Nashi national youth movement is procreation to build up Russia's declining population, according to a July report in London's Daily Mail (which also charged the Nashi with inculcating authoritarianism). Its two-week convention in July (with 10,000 in attendance) featured on-site sexual encouragements with not a condom in sight. [Daily Mail (London), 7-27-07]
Guess its a great time to live in Russia...!

And in Russia's Ulyanovsk province, the government again this year promoted Sept. 12 as a patriotic conception day, featuring SUVs and other prizes to couples who manage to time their blessed events for June 12, which is Russia's Constitution Day. [Denver Post, 8-15-07]
Man..I should start floating my resume to Russian companies...!!
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

-> Civilization in Decline
Video Nation: A 38-year-old man drowned off Ocean City, Md., in July, trying to save his two sons from a rip current. Two men from a nearby parasailing boat had jumped in to help and could have used more assistance, one said, except that the boat's passengers declined, with several more concerned with video-recording the drowning. [KMGH-TV (Denver)-AP, 7-25-07]
How pathetic...!!
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->Everyone Has a Button Waiting to Get Pushed
In August, employees at the bar Changes, in Seattle, had to break up a karaoke-night attack by a woman on a man who was singing the Coldplay song "Yellow." The woman had shouted, "Oh, no, not that song. I can't stand that song." She charged the stage, screamed at the man and shoved him (and it eventually took four men to hold her for police). [Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 8-9-07]
What song is that...!!

Megan Conroy, 18, pleaded guilty in Brisbane, Australia, in September, to assaulting a 40-year-old man in May (by kicking him in the testicles) because he had mispronounced her first name. (And if you ever meet her, it's "mee-gan," not "may-gun.") [The Age (Melbourne), 9-6-07]
Say that again...!!

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -
->Least Competent People
Quinton Thomas, 22, inadvertently strengthened the murder charge against him in April when he mailed a letter from the jail in Rockville, Md., believing that the contents would not be read by jail officials. However, Thomas had gotten the recipient's address wrong, causing the post office to "return to sender," and, as longstanding policy, officials inspect all incoming mail (for contraband). According to an August Washington Post report, Thomas characterized his emerging alibis and also wrote about a witness, "This white (expletive) can't make it to court on May 7 through May 12, ya feel me. I don't care what you gotta do, you don't even gotta stink the cracker, he just cant make it to Rockville that whole week, Homie." [Washington Post, 8-10-07]
Ha haa...!!

FRIENDS season 7 episode 14!!

What better way to celebrate this b'day than watching "The One Where They All Turn Thirty" F.R.I.E.N.D.S Season 7!!

Without any more ado, let me get on with it ;-)

Chennai, Here I Come!

I am making another short visit to Chennai.. this time by train only.. So, I intend to catch up on some of my reading... The Namesake.

Did I tell ya.. The last time (2 weeks back) I went, I enjoyed zipping through the golden quadrilateral and I broke my (own) land speed record...170kmph! I lovve my Fiesta... It was pretty stable at that speeds... And of course, the ABS.. I dont know if I would get to test it beyond... Anyways, It was good fun!!

For my previous land speed record, check this!

Handling Irritating Seat-mates!

HOW TO HANDLE IRRITATING SEAT-MATES ON AN AIRPLANE

If you are sitting next to someone who irritates you follow these instructions:
1. Quietly and calmly open up your laptop case.
2. Remove your laptop.
3. Start up
4. Make sure the guy, who is annoying you, can see the screen.
5. Close your eyes, tilt your head up to the sky & move your lips as if praying
6. Then hit this link

(Thanks! Neha)

Job Opening - Director, IT

Cross posted on my Techie Rolls. Check there for more opportunities

This role is for a 1000 Crore Indian engineering group, with the reputation of being one of the fast-growing Indian engineering companies.

As the director for Information Technology, this person would steer the group's growth by envisioning the role of IT and SAP-based support to the core engineering activities as well as the vendor management initiatives.

The person needs to have a strong engineering background and have a hands-on experience in IT strategy. Foresight into IT and emerging trends in IT would be one of the decisive factors. SAP experience would be considered a plus.

Salary comparable to the best in the industry.

Interested candidates with the commensurate qualifications, mail me at bhaskar10 [at] yahoo [dot] com

funny guy..

This guy is pretty funny... sometimes, i just LMAO at his antics!!!

Here's to a jolly good day!!
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This day.. that year...

Many years ago.... this day.... I was at a seminar when I saw one guy (in the corridor) speak endlessly into his hands-free... Some hours later, I heard that some terrorists had attacked the World Trade Center... And that they had flown a plane into it.

(And later, I also found that that guy had one of his offices in WTC and he was trying to get in touch with a few people and track the safety of his fellow employees)

Much later, when I reached home, I joined my roomies glued to the TV seeing the video captures of the debacle. The shock that was!

But a recent report stating that the CIA knew about the (possibility of an) attack... makes me wonder if there could be some sinister American angle to the gruesome act.

Missing Pentagon trillions as potential motive

Some terms demystified...
Warning Notice: Anomalous Mental Phenomena and the War on Terror

Have you seen the Discovery documentary that proved (scientifically) that the attack on the pentagon could not have been done using an airplane?

There is a german book that explores a lot of the 'facts'
CIA and 9/11

You should also see this...
WTC 7 Defying the Laws of Physics

The Intruder, two

Continued from ..one

I moved-in closer to the adjacent room.. There was a faint streak of light shining in through the window and casting a wicked pattern on the bed. Keeping my eye on the light, I took one more step over the edge of the room.

From the corner of my eye, I caught a metal object glistening and moving fast towards me. My reflex took over and in one swift motion, I brought the rod in between the object and myself. It caught her on her forehead, she gasped and slumped slowly onto the bed. I took a careful look.. Thankfully nothing happened to the rod, it was pretty strong!!

She was clutching her forehead and a small lump had already formed there. I bent down to touch the sore area. "Aahh" She gave a shrill cry. I moved towards the switch and lit the room. She was wearing the sexy red saree and the matching frilled shoulder-less blouse. There was a knife in her other hand. I said to myself "She seems to have made up her mind.. to finish it today, one way or the other"!!

Should I continue?!

One post over the edge..

Well... for some reason (I guess I configured the time zone wrong), my blog time is some 8-10 hours behind my local time...

So, here is one more post to push the Aug posts' count over the 12 posts mark ;-)

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Oh ho! I just corrected the time zone and the post has also jumped over to the other side!!

Monday morning..

What am I doing.. blogging on a monday morning? welllll... there is no water at home. Probably the apartment security guys are on a strike or something... Can somebody send me a bucket of water?

The rains have also stopped.. otherwise I could have had an outdoor shower.. What happened to my guardian angel?!

Remember, use water preciously... Save water for a rainless day... Harvest the rain water!!
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Whatever happened to the judicial system... you see, we go by the context of "100 criminals can get away, but 1 non-criminal should not be punished" so... 1 criminal, who is the equivalent of 100, went free recently... And he was non-committal on seeking his cabinet post back, it seems... I suppose you know who I am talking about... These scoundrels... the dhadiwala.. I don't even want to mention his name

The Intruder, one

Had a tough time opening the door.. the lock seemed too tight today.. Finally, after about a couple of mins, I stepped inside. I didn't even have the time to switch on the lights. I had to run to answer the call of nature. While I was on the call, I heard the sounds of bangles clinging in the next room. Am I dreaming? Is it really her? But we just broke up last week. And she promised never ever to see my face again. And she had kept her word till date.. no calls.. nothing. How did she get inside? I had collected the spare key to the house from her. It was still in my office drawer. Was that really the sound of her bangles?

I strained my ear to catch some more of the sound. Ha! The neighbor and his blaring horn... at 11.30pm.. that bl#%dy b@#$%r.. Is he the Nawab or something, so people should keep the door open before he even reaches the gate? Anyways, let me focus... nope, nothing.. I tried to act normal.. Finished all the ablutions with the usual fanfare.. As I reached my shelf to pick up the towel, I also picked up the steel pipe that was small enough to be covered by the towel and long enough to be a suitable weapon of defense.

to be continued..

Pix

One of my school friends recently got married. He is in the US and he married an american. I just saw their wedding pictures. They do make a splendid couple together. Erin has reaffirmed my faith in finding a 'homely american girl' for myself ;-)

Here is a pic from the album... (well.. I havent taken their permission yet.. But I suppose they wouldnt mind ;-)

Arun_Erin

How to talk to Hot Women

My 2 cents in helping attractive BORED women find some fun in life.. (Well, I obviously cannot be there for all of you!! ;-) Credits: David DeAngelo

First, I'd like you to think about the last
time you saw a really attractive woman... you
wanted to go over and talk to her, but for
whatever reason you just didn't do it. I'm talking
about a REALLY hot woman.

Take your time if you need it. I'm not going
anywhere.

Good.

Now, let me ask you something:

Did you ever stop a day or two after one of
these situations happened to think about where
that particular woman might be, and what she might
be doing?

Did you ever stop to think about what the rest
of her day was like after she walked by you?

About the ten or twenty other men that saw her
that day who didn't have the nerve to talk to
her... and the two or three that did...?

About the, most likely, BORING job that she
went to, the same-old-same-old "Wow, you're
beautiful" lines that she heard from the guys who
got up the nerve to talk to her?

Did you ever consider that it might be useful
to take a little time out and consider what it
might be like to be an attractive woman, walking
through life having almost every man you see light
up with the "Whoa" look?

Hmmm...

What do you think we might be able to figure
out if we just took a few minutes to explore what
that attractive woman's PRIVATE life is like?

Here are a few things that I've come up with:

1) Most attractive women are BORED OUT OF THEIR
MINDS by most men. One of the reasons for this is
that guys have NO IDEA what to do when they run
into an attractive woman, so they do the same
default thing: Dumb look, compliment.

2) As I've said before, and I'm sure I'll say
many, many, many times in the future: You can't
BORE a woman into feeling attracted to you. If
she's most likely got a boring life like everyone
else, and you do something that every one of the
other 499 guys she's going to walk by this month
did, then you're probably not going to attract any
special attention.

3) If you just start with the idea of NOT DOING
WHAT OTHER GUYS DO you will be WAAAAYYYY ahead of
the game.

Wow, this is fun, isn't it? Bet you never
thought you'd be thinking like a woman, did ya?

So, what are a few things you might do to?

Maybe NOT be like the other 499 boring,
predictable, "nice" loser guys she encountered?

And maybe BE interesting, attractive,
attention-getting in a way that makes her feel
like you might actually be someone to provide her
with a pinch of spice in her life?

I thought you'd never ask...

And, as you may have already predicted, I have
a few more ideas of my own (but don't let that
stop you from thinking about this on your own as
often as you get a chance).

To start with, you'd probably want to get rid
of the "Wow, you're a beautiful woman, and I'm
just an average guy admiring you" vibe. That's not
helping.

Next, you could take a moment and think about
how a guy that she would feel ATTRACTED to might
act... then choose that style.

My experience is that if you take an attitude
of "I guess fate has good taste putting us in the
same place, now let's see if you have a
personality to match your looks", then stir in a
generous portion of Cocky & Funny, you're likely
to do well.

Here's a variation of something I've used
myself once or twice:

YOU: "Hey, can I ask you a quick question?"
(leaning back and playing it cool, talking cool
and slow)

HER: "Sure"

(pause.. pause.. pause for suspense)

YOU: "Are you single?" (stone cold straight face)

HER: "Well, um..."

YOU: "I'll take that as a yes..." (nodding, sly
smile)

HER: (Laughter)

YOU: "Well, I just happen to know someone that I
think might really like you... if you're more than
just a pretty face, that is... He's funny, has
great taste, and I think you'd like him... I'd
love to sit down and get your life story, but I'm
on my way somewhere... do you have email?" (very
cool, calm tone of voice)

HER: "Yes."

YOU: Great... (takes out pen)... write it down for
me, and I'll have, uh (clears throat) HIM send you
an email."

(Get email and wish the lady a good day.)

Now, let's talk about what just happened here.

First off, did I give her any compliments? Did
I act like the other 499 guys? Did I instantly
communicate that "I'm not worthy"?

HELL NO.

I said, "Hey, can I ask you a quick question?"
in a very laid back, almost too relaxed and
mysterious tone of voice (your body language is a
VERY important component of this approach...

Anyone will respond to that with a "yes".

Next, I did something kind of fun: I asked her
DIRECTLY if she was single.

LOL... I really love this one. It's so fun.
Most guys will say, "Uh, I'll bet you have a
boyfriend, huh?" or "So, do you have a man?" or
some other lame thing.

The question, "Are you single?", takes women
off guard. It's great. And then being assumptive
when she hesitated with an answer... in a cocky &
funny way... magic.

Next, I followed up with a cocky, funny, semi-
confusing little bit about "knowing someone" that
might find her interesting. Now, she might think
that it's really ME, but she won't know FOR SURE
until she gets the email.

And even then you might play with her a bit...
"So, what did you think of my friend? I think he
might like you..." etc.

The point is, I can pretty much guarantee you
that this particular sequence hasn't happened to
her lately.

She's still trying to overcome her sheer awe
about how many guys in a row can ask "Don't I know
you from somewhere?"

This kind of fun approach will be a welcome
breath of fresh air.

Now, I want you to do something. Go back and
READ IT AGAIN... VERY CAREFULLY. Imagine it
happening exactly like it's written. Try to
imagine it in a few different settings. Work on it
until you can clearly see it happening in your
mind's eye. (The reason I can see it clearly is
because I've done it so many times in real life!)

OK, so now you know how to approach women.

So, go on... have fun... but for God's sake, do not compliment her ;-)

Twitter?

I just joined twitter... At the outset, it seemed like just another web2.0 application... but i was intrigued when i got to know that i can enrol my mobile and get updates for free on my mobile. And then, i wanted to follow the 'Lets Go' guys on their Pondy trip this weekend... so, here I am on twitter!

https://twitter.com/sbhaskar77

I shall also check out facebook and billmonk soon...
fyi... facebook is supposed to be the next gen of orkut.. and that much more sophisticated..
And billmonk... allows bills to be shared among friends/room-mates and also to catalogue and track your DVDs

Another day.. Another dollar...

Well... dont ask me about the title!!

Some pics from my Kaigal falls (near Kolar) outing today.. There was not so much of a water falling but it is not so bad either... unfortunately, I didnt capture any uncensored pics of the falls ;-)... Anyways, the climb down was good!! (BTW, thats my cousin's daschund, Milan)

Battle of Kruger - Buffaloes Vs Lions Vs Crocs

Have you guys seen this? This is amazing!!!

This is a battle between a pride of lions and a heard of buffaloes. When the lions capture the baby buffalo, they think the battle is over - but really it's just begun. An army of buffaloes come back in a mobilized front to take the baby back. For good measure, a couple of crocodiles join the foray, but don't make much of an impact.

See the Video!!

Why now??

Why now of all the times....

Why should the dollar to rupee conversion rate come down now when I am planning to go to the US?

Why should the stock market go down now when I want to make some money?

Why should it be raining so much now when I want to go out on some long trips?

Corollary: Why should it stop raining now that I am busy with work?

Why should all the girls start proposing to me now that I am not looking for a serious relationship?

Corollary: Why should the girl that I might be a li'l interested in get a boyfriend now after all these days?

There are so many such whys.... sometimes, an entire lifetime gets spent trying to unravel the puzzles of such 'why's...

Nevermind.. Just for fun!!

The Porn Myth...

"So Dworkin was right that pornography is compulsive, but she was wrong in thinking it would make men more rapacious. A whole generation of men are less able to connect erotically to women—and ultimately less libidinous.

The reason to turn off the porn might become, to thoughtful people, not a moral one but, in a way, a physical- and emotional-health one; you might want to rethink your constant access to porn in the same way that, if you want to be an athlete, you rethink your smoking. The evidence is in: Greater supply of the stimulant equals diminished capacity.

After all, pornography works in the most basic of ways on the brain: It is Pavlovian. An orgasm is one of the biggest reinforcers imaginable. If you associate orgasm with your wife, a kiss, a scent, a body, that is what, over time, will turn you on; if you open your focus to an endless stream of ever-more-transgressive images of cybersex slaves, that is what it will take to turn you on. The ubiquity of sexual images does not free eros but dilutes it."

I totally agree...!!


For the full article...

Tragic

A picnic by the Choral River near Indore turned tragic when two students of IIM-Indore drowned after they went for a swim on Saturday (August 4, 2007) afternoon.

http://www.timesnow.tv/Newsdtls.aspx?NewsID=1810

Really unfortunate an end to two young lives.. I can only pray that their near ones have the courage to get through this.

------------ --------- --------- ---------

Dear Alumni

Since there are many media versions of the unfortunate incident that
took place on Saturday going around , we thought you should know what
happened.

------------ --------- --------- ---------

Two participants of PGP 2, Nitesh Agarwal and Neha Singh, lost their
lives at Choral River picnic spot. While sitting near the river, they
were caught in a sudden flooding which came with such speed and force
that onlookers were unable to fish them out.

Search and rescue operations began at about 6PM, and went on till late
in the night. Their bodies were recovered only the next day, and the
media were behind the rescue teams all the while long. The grieving
families were comforted by friends of Nitesh and Neha, and later by
the director and the PGP chair.

The participants deeply mourn the passing of Nitesh and Neha, and had
organized a condolence meeting to honor their memory on the 6th of
august, a day after the awry incident occurred.

Media and PR committee, IIM Indore

A good drive..

As I said, I spent a quick saturday at my native village, Kuruvi Malai (literally, sparrows' hill) It was a good trip down the memory lane, to the place where we (almost the entire family tree of my great grand mother) used to assemble every Pongal (the festival of harvests in the month of January) in the '80s and early '90s.

There was a puja at the Kaaraikandeswarar temple there and I did catch some of the pics of the country life.












I mean.. of all the things... a cot as an election symbol! ;-) Jokes apart, a cot has a probable aspirational value to the villagers who are used to sleeping on the mud floor.

For more...

One day..

I shall be out on a one-day trip to my native village tomorrow(saturday).
Let me try and capture on lens the beauty and serenity of the place....

Love and Marriage..

For all you guys ready to get married... This is good stuff!!

A relationship coach lays out his 5 golden rules for evaluating the prospects of long-term success. When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50 percent, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding. If you ask most couples who are engaged why they’re getting married, they’ll say: “We’re in love.” I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date.
Choosing a life partner should never be based on love (alone). Though this may sound not politically correct, there’s a profound truth here. Love (alone) is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: You can’t build a lifetime relationship on love alone. You need a lot more. Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you’re serious about finding and keeping a life partner.

QUESTION #1:
Do we share a common life purpose? Why is this so important?
Let me put it this way:
If you’re married for 20 or 30 years, that’s a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful.
You need a common life purpose. Two things can happen in a marriage. You can grow together, or you can grow apart. 50 percent of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work, you need to know what you want out of life ? bottom line - and marry someone who wants the same thing.

QUESTION #2:
Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person?
This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust! i.e. trust that I won’t get “punished” or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings.
A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.

QUESTION #3:
Is he/she a mensch?
A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person.
How can you test? Here are some suggestions.
i) Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis?
ii) Are they serious about improving themselves?
A teacher of mine defines a good person as “someone who is always striving
to be good and do the right thing”.
“So, ask about your significant other: What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic?”
Usually, a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement.
There are essentially two types of people in the world: People who are dedicated to personal growth and people who are dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing.
You need to know that before walking down the aisle.

QUESTION #4:
How does he/she treat other people?
The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give.
By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure. Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed?
To measure this, think about the following:
i) How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc?
ii) How do they treat parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation?
Do they show respect? If they don’t have gratitude for the people who have given them everything, you cannot expect that they’ll have gratitude for you ? who can’t do nearly as much for them!
iii) Do they gossip and speak badly about others? Someone who gossips cannot be someone who loves others. You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly will eventually treat you poorly as well.

QUESTION #5:
Is there anything I’m hoping to change about this person after we’re married?
Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to “improve” them after they’re married. As a colleague of mine puts it, “You can probably expect someone to change
after marriage … for the worse!”
If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you aren’t ready to marry them.

In conclusion, dating doesn’t have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues.

Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don’t want to find yourself in trouble because you didn’t do your homework.

India thro' Chinese eyes - 2

I told you I would get better!!

India Thro' Chinese eyes!!

The first video is shot by a Chinese student at IIM Indore (part of the 2007 students' exchange program at IIMI)... The first half is on India and the second half on IIM Indore. Enjoy!!

PS: My crude attempt at embedding flash videos here... I shall get better!

Pleasures...

Hah!! The pleasures of reading a book.... a goood book at that... and finishing it!! yeah... I finished my book.... but then, dont worry, I would read it again and again and again and keep up the promise of reading it for the next 10 yrs ;-)
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Ready to backpack? I just discovered a group of backpackers in Blore... And they are planning for a trip to Pondicherry on Aug 17th night (Back by 19th night)... Interested?
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1, 2, 3, ....... Does that count?
Yeah! Stand up and be counted!!

Thats kinda the message my friend from IIT days is helping spread among the working class of Hyderabad... He is working with some NGOs... organizations that are working on transforming the grass-roots level politics.

His vision is "To create the demand for efficient and honest politicians". When there is a demand, supply would follow.. The problem is not the lack of supply of honest and efficient politicians... but the demand for it...

He has been touring various places and colleges recently and engaging the working class in conversations... getting them involved in various ways in the mainstream Indian life.. getting them to stand up and be counted.

He has been participating in various forums and public speeches. Sometime, I shall get hold of his speech and post it here...

This is just my 2 paisa in acknowledging his commitment.

Some things and a story...

There have been so many people asking me to marry... the greatest of them are my parents ;-) (well... there are others proposing to me.. but then I'm not talking about them now) even the other day, someone very close to me (and whose opinion I value) told me to 'get into a relationship soon'... But, I tell them... life begins at 30.. let me enjoy my life for a couple of years at least! This is the era of 'Kum Chini and Jyada Umar' what say?!
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As you know, I am reading (and would continue reading it for the next ten years ;) 'The Alchemy of Desire' by Tarun Tejpal. And I have also read the 'God of Small Things' by Arundhati Roy earlier. I definitely like both the books (actually 'liked' the latter, 'cos I dont remember much of it now), but I think the former is making quite an impression on me.

May be, for me, the affectation of the body takes precedence over the genuflections at the altar of the soul. I can understand the language of desire and love better than the language of God and concubine (twins) USP..

I am still far away from writing my comments/review on this one... But, I just want to say....

Having loved and lost is better than not having loved at all.. (Though one does run the risk of turning into the eternal 'safe' devadas) After you overcome the lingering bad taste of lost love, you would realize that love tastes different yet sweet the next time again.

"He and Fiza were so perfect together.. They longed for each other in the most animalistic way... Even an accidental touch could ignite a spark (and the ensuing climb up the peak)... Yet, all of that dissipated... dissolved with the arrival of Catherine... who, BTW, was not even 'real'... she was only in the form of her 'tan leather bound' notebooks..."

Even the search for love is another search for 'neatness' - a perfection that you seem to be lacking yourself... It is that neatness combined with the unknown.. the mystic.. the sensual...... Its all just MAYA!! ;-)

I liked this quote... though I might be quoting it out-of-context...."Monogamy is difficult to sustain without the lubrications of Love"!!

Conquer!!

He Came; He Saw; He Conquered....

Aap Ka Surroor!!

They Came; They Saw; They Ran Away!!!!!!!

The Audience ;-) :P

Bangalore Bloggers...

We have another Blore bloggers meet tomorrow.... at BrewHaHa (Near Jyoti Nivas College, Koramangala) between 11am and 2pm. By the sounds of it, seems like a big event...

Shall let you know if I get there in time...

Hogenakkal - Smokin' Rocks

Took a break from all the humdrum... Went to Hogenakkal with my cousins on saturday. What more, we went coracling, got special oil massages and spent almost 2 hours in the water just metres from the gorgeous smokin' waterfalls (quite safely behind the rocks!).




















Its one of those perfect weekend getaways for people in Bangalore. It is about 175 kms, a distance that can be comfortably covered in 4 hours. The route is Blore - Hosur - Royakotta (deviation at hosur) - Pallankode (right turn within 2 kms of the village) - Pennagaram - Hogenakkal.

Roads are good for most part, except for a 7-10 km stretch. Just call up these guys -- Babu, the Masseur (first from the left) - 9443615072 and Muthu (Second from left) /Chandran (not in pic)- the Coracle guys - 9443637950 ; Arrange your package deal for the getaway!

SMS to support the fight ..

SMS to support the fight against poverty...

"Handbag - 32 Pounds; Food for a week - 4 Pounds"
Text AID to ####; Donate 1.50 Pounds

This is what I was talking about.... It seems this has been implemented in the UK already... Lets have this in India too...

Chini Kum or Jyada?

Hind - Chini bhai bhai

This is a phrase that gained popularity during the Nehruvian era. And then, the Chinese made a fool of Nehru by taking over Indian territories and crushing us in the 1962 war (and after taking over all the territories they wanted, they declared unilateral ceasefire!!)

And then, there has been many instances of the Chini masterful tactics...

Off late, you would have heard about the Chinese stockpiling US government securities to the tune of $200-$400 billion(estimated)... No wonder they have some 'real' power against the US.

With all this, I am sure they are not sitting quietly and applauding the Indian IT & BPO boom.

All this is making me think: what could be their sinister/strategic plan now?

Are they buying our IT stocks??

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BTW, did the Great wall make it to the New 7 wonders?

----------------------------------

Looks like it has... hmm.. Chini too have their share of ... idiots ?!

Vote for the 8th Wonder!!

> > > Hey,
> > >
> > > Vote now for the Taj Mahal to ensure it makes
> it into the New 7 wonders of the World list.
> > >

What all crap these people come up with... New 7 wonders.. And then Ultra New 7 wonders....

I should actually campaign for the new 8th wonder... Now, are you wondering what that is? Its a scheme... a Ponzi-scheme to eradicate poverty.... you send 10 SMSes to vote for Taj... And send one SMS to a hungry child! (better the other way!!) The mobile operator should donate the money to the hungry child.

Vote for the 8th Wonder.. Vote against poverty!!

What say?

Bhaskar

we looovvvvve Rakhi!!

Here is my theory on 'why we love Rakhi'... She portrays one of the worse side of ourselves (she does it so well).. and she does it so self-righteously... I mean.. she believes in what she is doing... atleast it seems so!

And then, on a passing note, let me mention... her assets remind us of the good ol' days of Pam & Anna ;-)

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Whats with Rahul Bose these days??! Man, he is turning 40, it seems... And he's still a worthy bachelor... Thank God for such people!!

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For some news on the iPhone, check my other blog ;-)

Light!

WOndering where I am??

I am just about here... been a li'l busy at work.. but I can see light at the end of the tunnel... Could it be that of the approaching train?!

;-)
Bhaskar

Funny Elephant!!

Newton's fourth law of motion!!!

I love this solution

Just 'Like' That! ;-)

Nowadays, I seem to like British women to American! For one, I just love their english and the accent (and probably tired of hearing the american accent(s)). For another, the GB Pound is getting stronger than the US Dollar.. so, it makes better economic sense to like and marry a British (now who's talking of marrying?!)
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Keira is cute!! Drew with a British accent would be cuter ;-)
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There are some things I want to do in India and some others abroad. For example, I want to trek to the Himalayas, perhaps do that Manasarovar Trek. And the white water rafting in the Ganges. On the other shore, I wanna do sky diving and learn flying an aeroplane.

On Your Own

Have been speaking to some people, entrepreneurs and wannabe entrepreneurs... And this thought has been getting louder and louder in my mind... that, if I want to start some venture, its gotta be now!

Time seems right for such things... India is in a flux, poised for bigger things. And there are quite some holes/gaps... offering us the opportunity to fill them.

At the same time, there are lucrative opportunities (at work) in the US that are falling in place... Got my H1B visa and all that... And looking at end-2007 or early-2008 time frame to move.

I dont know what I am going to do...
Neither seems like the road less taken..
But, either way, miles to go before I sleep!!

Quiz Time

You are driving to work on a busy monday morning. What would you do if you see your high school flame waiting to cross the road?

Options
a. Drive-by humming your fav song
b. Stop the car, make faces at her and proceed on your way
c. Stop the car and offer her a lift
d. Bang into her and take her to the hospital
e. Others __________________(pls specify!)

Courtesy

Orkut:

Today's fortune:
Your luck has been completely changed today

What the hell is that supposed to mean?!?!?
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Tarun Tejpal in 'the Alchemy of Desire':

...Sobers real name was Arnab Dasgupta. But in college he had been named after the great cricketer Gary Sobers.

In our freshers' cricket match he had announced himself as an all-rounder. He was short and stocky and distressingly confident. He said he was a leg-spinner and after ten overs of medium pace our captain threw him the ball.

The over went down in hostel history. It lasted seventeen deliveries, as Arnab failed to drop the ball anywhere on the matting. The first ball actually flew off his hand to hit the square-leg umpire. Finally he was encouraged to bowl underarm and finish the over. Later he went in to bat wearing one leg-guard. He turned his back to the first ball he faced and the ball got lodged in his fat buttocks. For a moment no one knew where the ball had gone. Then it fell out with a plop.

Outside the boundary our captain looked at me and said, Chutiya, where did you find this Gary Sobers?

:D :P

Life and times...

Am getting busy at work these days... and the off-work times even busier! What with the rains increasing all the commuting times... and the traffic in blore not getting any lesser inspite of the rain...

I got some new movies like the 'Last King of Scotland', 'Music & Lyrics', 'Othello', 'Border Town', 'The Hills have eyes 2', 'Unfaithful', 'Runaway Bride', '300', 'The Contract', 'The Pursuit of Happyness',..... And my books 'The Alchemy of Desire' and 'Namesake' are also waiting for my time. There also some new movies I like to catch 'Cheeni Kum', 'Shootout at Lokhandwala', 'Pirates of the Carribean 3', 'Shivaji..the Boss'. But then, I have some friends to meet and parties to attend :-)

Concrete Gardens!

Last weekend, you know I was looking out for a break from the normal city life fun... And I took the break before I saw the movie "Life in a.. Metro"!. I went to the ITPL to have coffee at the Barista there. It was the perfect out-of-the-(normal)-world experience!!

It was my second visit to the place (my first time was in 2000-01). It is a concrete garden.. nice and shining and eloquent!! And I should add.. calm and serene.. 'cos there werent too many people around on the saturday.

I did not take a pic of ITPL that day, but here is a link: Check this!
(It seems this guy is from Dell. He also has an interesting collection of landmarks in Bangalore.. check out his 'Bangalore Bliss') (Man... I am enthralled!! Check out his 'Agra - Uttar Pradesh >> Taj Mahal' and other albums)

And about the movie... it is a pretty good movie... With an amazing star cast, and with everyone doing poetical justice to their roles, it is a feast!! I loved KayKay, Konkana & Kangana... And Ms. Shetty... she is so thin and trim!!

The subject is pretty grim, but then,

"Truth sets you free... but before that (setting you free), it pisses you off!!!"

For a complete review, Check this!

The weekend is here, baby!

one of my friends was complaining that Fridays doesn't seem like fridays anymore... what with the friday dressing code being abolished at work. but, dress or no dress, for me, Fridays are Fridays and the weekend is just around the corner!!

I want to get away from the hustle bustle of the city and go someplace just for a day.. someplace calm and serene and yet not too far away from bangalore... any suggestions?

Occasionally!

Last saturday was special in more ways than one. First of all, it was my sweetheart's first year birthday... I made sure that she was all decked up and shining on the occasion... got the checkup and makeup done... renewed her insurance...

And then I took her to the Leela Palace and gave her the best of the companies. Unravelled my secrets in the scenic setting... With the spirit of the Sikandar and the wings of the Garuda, watched the Spiderman extract the venom... Let my teeth take a brushing (bamboo) with the toy train in the background before brewing some coffee beans...

On the way to the airport, my heart skipped a beat!
Ladies in the house feel complete ;-)