Bored out of my mind!

The story of India - Part I - beginnings

2009-03-14T07:59:00.000-07:00

A sweeping documentary that tries to highlight Indian history from the origin of the first subcontinental humans to the rise and fall of numerous great empires and dynasties over 5000 years.

I was a bit skeptical about the concept of being able to do this but this series is amazingly well taken. Michael Wood, a veteran presenter and British historian, is wonderful throughout. A witty and articulate he seems to enjoy his task of presenting that makes him a very likable host. In fact he seems to be learning as much as the people this documentary is made for. This makes him very personable.

I have always been very interested in history. I love reading about the rise and fall of great empires such as the Roman Empire but have limited if any knowledge about my own country and ancestors.

This documentary series starts with the first settlers of India. Wood travels to the beautiful backwaters of Kerela and Tamil Nadu to find ancient rituals whose words have possibly been passed down from these settlers from Africa. These rituals and hymns are said to pre-date languages with every hymn being preceeded and ended by sounds that can only be bird songs. I was boggled by the thought of rituals performed more than 5000 years ago still being performed by the descendents of those first settlers.

Mother India, Wood says, is literally that. Every human who is not of African descent can trace their origins from the migration of humans from Africa to India. Amazingly there are still people in villages in the remote parts of Tamil Nadu who have ancient markers in their genes that can be traced to Africans today.

The Indians owe the British a huge debt of gratitude for it was they who promoted the field of archeology in India and discovered the Indus Valley Civilization only in the 19th century! It was the most populous and largest civilization of its time, says Wood. The civilization was huge ... the ancient city of Harrapa apparently had a population of 200,000 people, which would make it a rather decent sized city even by today's standards.

Much of the civilization was discovered by accident. Wikipedia has a very detailed article about the civilization.

Wood attempts to discover why the Indus valley civilization dies out after having thrived for more than a millenium. Weather patterns and the drying up of the lifeline of the civilization (water from rivers), and a weakened monsoon is one theory put forward in the documentary. It is said that the people of the Indus valley civilization move eastwards into the Ganges plain to become simple farmers again.

The advent of the Aryans and the rise of Sanskrit takes centerstage after this. Wood travels to the Asiatic society in Calcutta. Sir William Jones the founder of the Asiatic society believed unlike his contemporaries that India was not a primitive society, says Wood. He persuaded a sanskrit scholar to teach it to him and along the way made some truly ground-breaking discoveries as he translates the Vedas.

In a revolutionary lecture made by Jones, he points out that Sanskrit has many fundamental words in common with Latin and Greek. He believes that the origins of Sanskrit and possibly the basis for the hindu gods could be from outside India.

He goes on a quest to Peshawar to find the origin of Soma - what the ancient vedic scholars called the nectar of the gods (Soma). He finds that it is still served today in Peshawar. He delves further and finds that since horses are not native to India the Aryans may have come from as far as Central asia. A brief visit to Turkmenistan and a perusal of an archaeological find by a Russian archeologist seems to tie the origin of Soma to these parts of the world.

He then moves onto the epic poem Mahabharat and how much of an impact the story has had on all Indian civilizations that followed. Wood states that Indians believe that this poem is the greatest story ever told and that it incorporates every facet of life within. More than just being a story it contains lessons on how to live life.

A picture of a scroll with a painting depicting the Mahabharat

He tracks down an Indian scholar who believes that the story of the Mahabharat may not be all myth. Using data points from the story the scholar unearthed the ancient city of Hastinapura buried in a hill that bear marks of being destroyed by a great flood.

It's bigger than Troy for the sake of comparison says Wood - 700 yards across, possibly a great citadel in its heyday. Pottery, the legend that named the place and the flood believes Wood could indicate that there was more to the Mahabharat than just being a myth.

This first part about 50+ mins long

Wood will next delve into the Alexandrine invasion of the Punjab, the Golden age of the Mauryans and the rise of Buddhism in the next part.

Taare Zameen Par - A review

2008-01-03T12:05:00.000-08:00

Cinema produced in India can generally be classified into the following categories: Entertaining, Watchable, Bad, Thrash, I want my money back.

Most movies that I have been forced to watch this year (1st day 1 show no less) can be bracketed into the latter few categories. It often pains me when I realize that people spend large amounts of money to film in exotic locations, create elaborate sets, hire some of the supposedly biggest names in the industry and yet come out with movies that I would happily relegate into the dustbin were it a piece of paper.

However there is one movie that I had the pleasure of watching that comes into a category that the Hindi film industry has almost forgotten about. It is called the good movie category. The type of movie that people who end up spending their hard earned movie deserve to watch.

Taare Zameen Par is veteran actor Amir Khan's directorial debut. Amir Khan is one of the few actors in the Hindi film industry whose films regularly check into the good movie category. Unfortunately his films are few and far between. His last venture Fanaa a pathetic venture starring Kajol made people wonder if he could ever capture the cinematic magic of the movie Lagaan again.

Happily he manages to do so with Taare Zameen Par. The movie has all the hallmarks of a great movie. It makes entertains you, makes you laugh, cry and at the same time makes you think... not just about the social issue handled so wonderfully in the movie, but also about the movie itself.

I headed into the theatre thinking it was a kids movie. I bought tickets without knowing anything about it. I had read no reviews nor had I heard any of its songs. I had no idea on what to expect from it.

The first half of the movie is extremely entertaining with lots of "I did that" moments as we follow the misadventures of the adorable Darsheel Safary in primary school. Be it getting taunted by your classmates about not getting test papers signed, or getting into fights, or to being told to stand outside class - there is something that everyone can relate to from their own lives.

Our protagonist - Darsheel Safary or Ishan as he is known in the film is a brat - a complete opposite to his perfect brother who is a topper and tennis player). He does whatever he feels like and has a tendency to lapse into a world of his own and ignore everything that happens around him. He has an unique perspective about the world and is constantly pulled up for being a misfit in a conformist world. He is a wonderful artist and uses his wonderful imagination to its fullest, but other than his brother and mother finds few other admirers. His family loves him dearly but are often left wondering what they can do to with him.

Ishan's many misadventures that include walking out of school and loafing around the whole day end up with his over-achieving father packing him off to boarding school to get disciplined.

However boarding school transforms the carefree brat into a recluse. The rigors of boarding school life causes him to withdraw completely into a shell. He struggles to cope with the loneliness thrust upon him and misses the love of his mother who despite his many transgressions was the one person who stood up for him. Ishan's condition goes from bad to worse and he becomes withdrawn ... unable to express his despair to anyone around him. Slowly we see a boy whose spirit has been broken. A boy who looks like he has nothing more to look forward to from life.

However just when things look their darkest for Ishan, along comes temporary art teacher Mr. Ram Shankar Nikumbh. Ram Shankar is refereshingly different from the other teachers in the school. He does not tell his students what to do .. rather he encourages them to think outside the box and bring out their inner artist from within. All his students love his style of teaching and have a blast in his classes. All except Ishan who does nothing but stare blankly. Stumped by his behavior Ram Shankar investigates and discovers that Ishan is dyslexic. As somone who was dyslexic himself, he takes it upon himself to help Ishan.

Taare Zameen par is an emotional rollercoaster. Grown men wept unashamedly as Ram Shankar manages to bring Ishan out of his shell to help him regain his shattered self-image.

I would gladly go out on a limb to state that this movie is possibly one of the best movies I have ever seen. Amir Khan, Darsheel Safary and Tisca Chopra (Ishan's mother) deserve to be felicated for a fantastic performance.

The music of the movie suits the movie to a tee. There are a couple of tracks that stand out (Maa and the title track). The speical effects in the movie are one of the best I have seen in a hindi movie.

2007-09-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

The Painted Veil

I really like watching movies. Not a crazy looney having collectables and stuff. Just appreciate good ones. And yes, I do own a reasonable descent collection of good films.

One of the many which has positively intrigues me is The Painted Veil, released in 2006. I’m not much of a fan of romantic movies but, this was an exception. Really fell in love with the mesmerising, elegant beauty of China.

The Painted Veil is based on the novel by Somerset Maugham, set during the most dramatic periods of unrest. It unfurls the love story of a couple at odds, who find solace and liberation in the most challenging circumstances

The story is set sometime during the 1920s. Kitty (Naomi Watts) is an upper class, popular socialite, closing in on marriageable age. Remaining unmarried beyond the marriageable age was considered a blasphemy during those times.

Dr. Walter Fane (Edward Norton), a quiet, young, intelligent, shy and somewhat dull Bacteriologist, meets Kitty at a party. She accepts Walter’s proposal for all the wrong reasons.

They move to Shanghai where Kitty befriends Charlie, a diplomat and eventually falls in love with him. Walter discover's Kitty's infidelity one day. Kitty asks for a divorce, but Walter refuses it. Charlie too does not want to take the affiliation any further. When she realizes that Charlie was ‘just having fun’, she is crestfallen.

Deeply hurt by his wife’s betrayal, in an act of vengeance, Walter accepts a job in a remote war – torn interior village in China hit by a deadly cholera epidemic, and takes Kitty along, endangering both their lives.

This cold, indifferent and loveless relationship amidst an unknown and fatal environment tests their power of endurance. Their journey brings meaning to their bond and they embark on a journey towards self discovery. Kitty is forced to confront the reality of the situation. The wrenched disease gives both a reason to survive. Forgiveness and understanding acts as a balm to the severed relationship.

The movie has many layers to it, love, colonialism, transition…Kitty’s adultery may be considered as an important twist as it opens doors to a new kind of relationship with her husband. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts excel in their parts and make the characters absolutely endearing. The movie has some light moments which are really enjoyable.

I absolutely love the closing lines of the movie.

2007-09-08T02:42:00.000-07:00

Stitch Accomplished !!!
I admit that it is not a neat job, but hey i'm a novice who spent 3 sleepless nights trying to complete it, with all my love.
Will do a better job next time.
You can clearly see how much I made the cloth suffer heeheh.

Disclaimer : ALL CRITICS PLEASE VIEW THE MINIMISED VERSION OF THIS PICTURE TO AVOID FALLING OFF YOUR SEATS.

2007-09-05T23:46:00.000-07:00

Nice Little Insults

One does not really need to use the 'F' word to insult. Movies and television series have made us creatively infertile.

Here are some classy examples from a time gone by, where you can see the clever use of words to insult and yet not a single cuss word.

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire."~Winston Churchill

"A modest little person, with much to be modest about."~Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure."~Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary."~William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway)

"Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?"~Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner)

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it."~Moses Hadas

"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know."~Abraham Lincoln

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it."~Groucho Marx

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."~Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends."~Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend...If you have one."~George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second...If there is one."~Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here."~Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator."~John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial."~ Irvin Cobb

"He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others."~Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up."~Paul Keating

"He had delusions of adequacy."~Walter Kerr

"There's nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won't cure."~Jack Leonard

"He has the attention span of a lightning bolt. "~Robert Redford

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him."~Forrest Tucker

2007-09-04T03:41:00.000-07:00

Stitch

When I want to gift somebody, I usually get down to painting, something, a landscape / geometrical drawings, delicate art and stuff. I am pretty good at it too. I believe that this is more valuable than ‘off the shelf gifts. It feels nice when your art finds its place in the lives of people you like.

I don’t know what got over me this time round, I wanted to do some handwork. Went to the British Council, glanced through books, fuse ideas….and voila, settled down for ribbon embroidery. The art books are fashioned in such a way that they hypnotise you into believing ‘Oh! That’s terribly simple!’ I fell into that trap too.

The colourful pictures enchanted me into choosing a particular theme. Took help from my friend who is pretty good at this work. Went hunting for the raw materials very enthusiastically, choosing colours, textures, decorative details…conveniently forgetting that time is a constraint.

She very patiently showed me how to do different kinds of designs using various stitches. It looked so conveniently easy. I thought I could finish it quickly. When she left, I sat down very obediently to start where she left. To my horror I found I was only good at punching holes. At the end of it all, one corner of the cloth took quite a punch and looked quite dead. Needlework is not my cup of tea I think. I’m too rough for it, I need to haul all my patience and my lost art of handling a needle before I choose such an effortless project next time.

All is not lost though. Other 3 corners are ready to take on me. I shall win over them and modify the original design to hide the battered part. After all you must finish what you started. Good luck to me!

2007-08-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

Marine Drive

Had been to the other office in Air India which faces Marine Drive. The sea looked very inviting, so decided to take a stroll and reach office via Marine Drive. The gusty wind bringing with it tiny droplets of water, the sky dotted with dark grey clouds, the multihued sea extending into the horizon, the waves lapping ceaselessly onto the shore, realms of open space waiting to be conquered…was very exhilarating. But, for some reason it also reminded me of lines spoken by Kind Lear in, the second scene of Act 3 a scene that denotes his despair in absolute state of madness. I know it is contradictory to what I mentioned earlier.

Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!

You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout

Till you have drench'd our steeples, drown'd the cocks!

You sulphurous and thought-executing fires,

Vaunt-couriers to oak-cleaving thunderbolts,

Singe my white head!

And thou, all-shaking thunder, Strike [smite] f

lat the thick rotundity o' the world,

Crack nature's moulds, all germains spill at once,

That make ingrateful man!

Rumble thy bellyful! Spit, fire! spout, rain!

Nor rain, wind, thunder, fire, are my daughters:

I tax not you, you elements, with unkindness;

I never gave you kingdom, call'd you children,

You owe me no subscription:

[why] then let fall Your horrible pleasure:

here I stand, your slave, A poor, infirm, weak, and

despised old man:

But yet I call you servile ministers,

That have with two pernicious daughters join'd

Your high engender'd battles 'gainst a head

So old and white as this. O! O! 'tis foul!

Marine Drive is also called the queen's Necklace. One get the best view from an elevated place, at night. It one of Mumbai's busiest roads & an important artery for the heavy suburban traffic heading downtown. Many five star restaurants and buildings built by wealthy Parsis that sport an art deco look, popular during 1920s and 1930s, line this stretch of the road.

2007-08-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

Scent Of A Woman

Sunday had been a busy day. But managed to squeeze into my movie archive to watch Scent of a Woman.

It has always been one of the many 'talked about moves'. It also finds a place among the list of movies where skin show and sexy women are not really given so much importance.

Scent of a Woman is about Charles Simms played by Chris O'Donnell, a prep school student and Frank Slade, played by Al Pacino, a blind and lonely war veteran.

Charlie has to spend the Thanksgiving weekend, looking after Lt. Colonel Frank Slade, a bitter, friendless, blind veteran when Slade’s family go away for thanksgiving weekend. Charlie has managed admission into the school for the privileged few, purely on merit. To cover his expenses he takes up the arduous task. He embarks on a tour of self-discovery when Slade decides to make an unexpected visit to New York City. Charlie’s idea of a quite Thanksgiving goes for a toss when they head there. Frank wants to live life to the fullest before the last day of his life. Charlie is bewildered by Frank's vociferous antics but his infectious enthusiasm keeps Charlie hot on his heels.

In the mean time, Charles is privy to an act of vandalism and is blackmailed into revealing the identities. He is faced with quite a dilemma to and is dazed about what to do next. In the few days they are together, Frank gives good advice and Charlie takes notice of every word he says.

This maybe yet another movie about human bonds, but the realism with which the characters are portrayed is commendable. The relationship between Slade and Charlie is strong ‘cause they make it work. The movie is not too long. Chris O’Donnell stands his own in the towering presence of Al Pacino.

The dialogues in the movie are vibrant, you just can’t miss the endemic after-effects on hearing it. It resonates even after you’ve heard it. One of the most famous 8 minute dialogue delivered by Frank is truly outstanding. I burst into goose pimples every time I hear it. There was a mention about this in connection to the stuff leaders should be made of, in The Times of India.
Here’s an except from that article.

“ In the climax of the film Scent Of Woman, Lt. Frank Slade, memorably portrayed by Al Pacino, defends his young protégée, Charlie Simms, who’s about to be expelled from his school, Baird, for refusing to reveal the identity of his fellow students who played a prank. Slade’s speech remains one of the finest expositions on leadership in a work of fiction…..”

Trask: Mr. Sims, you are a cover-up artist and you are a liar.

Frank Slade: But not a snitch!

Trask: Excuse me?

Frank Slade: No, I don't think I will.

Trask: Mr. Slade!

Frank Slade:This is such a crock of shit!

Trask: Please watch your language, Mr. Slade. You are at the Baird School now not a barracks.
Now Mr. Sims I will give you one final opportunity to speak up.

Frank Slade: Mr. Sims doesn't want it. He doesn't need to labeled, "...still worthy of being a 'Baird Man.'" What the hell is that? What is your motto here? Boys, inform on your classmates, save your hide. Anything short of that we're gonna burn you at the stake? Well, gentlemen. When the shit hits the fan, some guys run and some guys stay. Here's Charlie--facing the fire, and there's George--hiding in big Daddy's pocket. And what are you doing? You're gonna reward George, and destroy Charlie.

Trask: Are you finished, Mr. Slade?

Frank Slade: No. I'm just gettin' warmed up. I don't know who went to this place--William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, William Tell--whoever. Their spirit is dead; if they ever had one, it's gone. You're building a rat ship here. A vessel for sea-going snitches. And if you think your preparing these "minnows" for manhood, you better think again. Because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills! What a sham! What kind of show are you guys puttin' on here today? I mean, the only class in this act is sittin' next to me. And I'm here to tell you, this boy's soul is in tact. It is non-negotiable. You know how I know? Because someone here--I'm not gonna say who--offered to buy it. Only Charlie here wasn't selling.

Mr.Trask: Sir, you are out of order!

Frank Slade: Out of order, I'll show you out of order! You don't know what out of order is Mr. Trask! I'd show you but I'm too old, I'm too tired, and I'm too fuckin' blind. If I were the man I was five years ago I'd take a flame-thrower to this place. Out of order? Who the hell do you think you're talking to!? I've been around, you know? There was a time I could see. And I have seen, boys like these, younger than these, their arms torn out, their legs ripped off. But there is nothin' like the sight of an amputated spirit. There is no prosthetic for that. You think you're merely sending this splendid foot-soldier back home to Oregon with his tail between his legs, but I say that you are executing his soul! And why? Because he's not a Baird man. Baird men, you hurt this boy, you're going to be Baird Bums, the lot of ya. And Harry, Jimmy, Trent, wherever you are out there, fuck you too!

Mr. Trask: Stand down Mr. Slade!

Frank Slade: I'm not finished! As I came in here, I heard those words...cradle of leadership. Well, when the bough breaks, the cradle will fall. And it has fallen here, it has fallen! Makers of men, creators of leaders, be careful what kind of leaders you're producing here. I don't know if Charlie's silence here today is right or wrong; I'm no judge or jury. But I can tell you this; he won't sell anybody out to buy his future! And that, my friends, is called integrity. That's called courage. Now that's the stuff leaders should be made of. (pause) Now I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. You know why? Because it's too damn hard. Now here's Charlie; he's come to the crossroads. And he's chosen a path. It's the right path. It's a path made of principle, that leads to character. Let him continue on his journey. You hold this boy's future in your hands, committee! It's a valuable future. Believe me! Don't destroy it...protect it...embrace it. It's going to make you proud one day...I promise you.

Shadows

2007-08-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine sent a link from you tube today.

I was pretty amazed at how much the realms of creativity can stretch. Some things, although intricate seem so effortless and striking.

Puppetry has existed in various forms in many countries. Puppetry is basically a figure whose movements are controlled by someone through, strings, rods, or hand movements. Shadow puppetry is one of the many forms of puppetry. It is simply amazing, the things our 2 hands can do… with the right kind of light and a sprinkling of imagination one can create awesome shadows.

I was bewildered at the way Raymond Crowe brought the essence of ‘What a Wonderful World’ to life.

‘What A Wonderful World’ is a popular song written by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, was first performed by Louis Armstrong. This song was released as a single in 1967. It is an amazingly soothing rendition and has positive note. One can sense the enchanting simple joys of life when he / she listens to this song. There is so much to look forward to.

WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

I see trees of green, red roses too

I see them bloom for me and you

And I think to myself,

what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white

The bright blessed day,

the dark sacred night

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow,

so pretty in the sky

Are also on the faces of people going by

I see friends shakin' hands,

sayin' "How do you do?"

They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin',

I watch them grow

They'll learn much more than I'll ever know

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

Oh yeah!

2007-08-23T01:29:00.000-07:00

Wanted!

Never are you made so aware of the way you look and your skin colour until the day you read the matrimonial columns. Colours of skin: to most people there are just 2 types – fair and dark. How dark or how fair is not a matter of consideration.

Why is it that most matrimonial advertisements read out uniformly as, ‘wanted: fair / very fair, tall, slim, very beautiful, professionally qualified, modern with traditional values, willing to work, to be an ideal daughter…’ phew every man / man’s family wants a world beauty contest winner, beauty with brains! Hey not just the men, even the ‘wanted groom’ columns read this way.

No wonder Fair & Lovely & Fair & Handsome has been making a killing in this market. The superiority of the gora chamdi has been itched so deeply in our minds that it will take a complete overhaul to overcome such thoughts to even remotely consider brown as a skin colour.

Now just imagine a place where every second person you came across on the street was a Jessica Alba, Sharon Stone, Aishwarya Rai, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Sushmita Sen…Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Richard Gere…? What a wonderland! But, wouldn’t that make the world a rather uninteresting place? Oh no! Then maybe people would be so sick of it that the so called average beauties would be kept at a pedestal.

A lot of men wage for professionally qualified women, many frown at the prospect of her wanting to work after marriage. Now which girl would want to give up all that she has studied and whished for, just like that. Another very strange wish is for the girl to be traditional yet modern…now that is a very, very difficult combination, more like chalk and cheese! This maybe a reflection of the anomalies between the boy and his parents. Hey make a choice! Things would be rather simple if you know where you stand.

For every parent, his or her child is the most beautiful / handsome person in the whole world. It is they who receive blow after blow to their self confidence and beliefs every time they make an enquiry. We have classes for every damn thing under the sun…it is high time people are trained the communication etiquettes.

Isn’t it a well known fact that beauty is temporary? Why then are such brief highs always valued the most? Isn’t the Dravidian race supposed to possess a darker skin tone? What is so shameful about it then? Isn’t it better to choose a person for his / her zest to achieve, being smart to make the right decisions for progress, his / her compassion, his / her honest simplicity rather than settle for a dashing personality and live in constant fear about you being able to match up to him / her?

2007-08-21T05:20:00.000-07:00

I’ve taken a liking to Indian writing now. Strange how I’ve never read much of it until recently. It started with Mulk Raj Anand’s ‘Coolie’. It was a dark and depressing read about an orphan Munno. The novel does make you fell uncomfortable by the bringing out the crudeness of people in those days. Now I’m onto reading ‘Untouchables’ , written by him. It is a story about the trials and tribulations of Bakha, an outcaste. You do feel sorry for the naive desires and the inability to even dream of them ‘cause you are ‘forbidden’ to ‘pollute’

‘Arranged Marriage’ was a book I picked up during one of the many visits to the British Council. It is a collection of short stories written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I guess the title caught my interest. The stories are based on the woman’s side of marriage.

Arranged Marriage or marriage of convenience is a widely accepted and practiced concept in India. The process has been a bit modified so as to suit the mindsets of today’s generation. Statistics show that arranged marriages have seen a better success level. Maybe ‘cause the spouses get to know one another on a practical level first, looking beyond trivial issues such as beauty or lack thereof. You are not blinded by the physical beauty, but rather look for qualities that would help you sustain a long term relationship.

The language used in the book was effortless and the stories familiar. The characters in the stories could easily be your friend / aunt / mom / maid…Some of the women in the stories are Indian-born US-settled, trying desperately to strike a balance between their hereditary values and modern liberal thoughts; some too Indian or too western to finding it hard to accept change.

1. Bats: is a story that is relayed through the eyes of a kid who doesn’t understand why her mother weeps and hugs her. Why she has bruises on her face. Why she leaves for her uncle’s place only to return…

2. Clothes: is about a person who loves to dress for her hubby and is always eager to please him. Unfortunately, the star of her life dies leaving her to move on and live his dream.

3. Silver Pavements, Golden Roofs: She is excited to reach US and stay with her aunt during her study. But life is far from her expectation. Most people feel that staying away from motherland is a liberating experience. This story begs to differ.

4. Word Love: Every time the protagonist calls her mother in India and hears her plans to arrange a marriage for her, she feels guilty of hiding the fact that she is staying with her boyfriend. She is caught between the guilt of betraying her mother’s trust and her own love of her life.

5. The Perfect Life: Is about a person who is into a live-in relationship where her boyfriend gives her lots of space. Marriage and children are the last thing on her mind until a little kid she encounters gives her a whole new perspective to relationships.

6. The Maid Servant’s story: She is about to get married. Her aunt tells her a moving story about a married woman could not save her maid servant from becoming a prostitute. This story talks about marital limitations and other intricacies.

7. The Disappearance: This story is revealed through the eyes of a husband who is coping with the sudden disappearance of his wife. He searches almost everywhere, but in vain. He recalls his marriage with her. He loved her; but was not sure if she did. They had small differences, which is usual in all marriages.

8. The Doors: This is a story about how compromises and inflexibility could lead to a strained bond.

9. The Ultrasound: It subtlety deals with the issue of female foeticide. The story tells about the acceptance of the baby being a girl in India in contrast to that in America.

The last two stories are the ones that touched a cord. They sort of answered many a questions that have bothered me at different times.

10. The Affair: This story starts with a playful question that is put forth to the wife. It sets her thinking deeply about the relationship with her husband .It deals with the dissatisfaction in marriage the insecurity that one feels when one is extremely extrovert and the other just the opposite. You wonder what is it that he saw in you, that you were chosen over a million offers. It unfurls the different perspectives of the people involved.

11. Meeting Mrinal: It is a story about two long lost friends. One is an average everyday person, who has been deserted by her husband for another woman and the other who has everything going for her, her looks, her education, her career…she is forced to think if it was her mistake that she is not born beautiful?; Is it her inability to ‘satisfy’ her husband that he left her for another woman?; Is it her mistake that the relationship with her son is somewhat strained; would she have been happier if she never married?

An encounter with her childhood friend, who has everything one could only dream of, who had never married, gives her an answer to many a questions that have been nagging her. Mrinal, her friend, talks of emptiness, a sense of loneliness a yearning for a companion, amidst a booming career.

2007-08-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

15th August, the day my friend and me finally completed a much 'wished' trek. Still don't believe we made it! It was fun.

We started from New B'bay at 7 in the morning and drove down to Nagothane. The journey was sprinkled with slight drizzles to heavy showers. It made the drive rather enjoyable. We reached the guesthouse in 2 hrs and started the ascent after changing into trekking clothes and shoes.

Absolute picturesque greenery greeted us, when we landed at the foot of the hill. It was such a welcome departure from the concrete jungle.

The driver led our small group of four towards the waterfall. My sandals gave away right at the onset of the journey. So I walked on barefoot. Though he was swift in climbing up, I was the first one to keep pace with him. The others followed me blindly. It was fun climbing up
the rocks and feeling the softness of the grass soothe the soles after walking on gravel. Felt like I was a monkey! Soon there came a point where we had to make an absolute vertical ascent. The driver had already reached the other side. I started the climb, closely followed by the others, not knowing it was the wrong route. I got stuck at a dead end with nothing to hold onto, except a feeble branch that obviously gave away. We were laughing at the acrobatics we did to keep ourselves steady. It was funny the way the driver held out a twig directing us out of the dead end.

We carried on, with me slipping every minute, thanks to the moss, algae and wet rocks. We were overjoyed on getting the first glimpse of the waterfall that has been hidden away from tourists. The sight of the cool milky white water gushing down seamlessly, set against lush green foliage, was a heavenly treat. We spent quite sometime in the water enjoying every bit of it.

We decided to follow the stream and walk in it during our descent. It was sheer bliss to fell soft water flowing over your feet, every step of your way.

In the evening we decided to pay a Durga temple atop a hill, cloaked by dense foliage, a visit.
The climb was steep and slippery. We were outdone by the locals who made their way up and down in 5 minutes!

I awoke the next day to creaking joints and muscle pain. No complaints, this pain is ecstasy!

2007-08-18T02:31:00.000-07:00

The state of Indian Politics
: How ridiculous does this sound?

Indian PM says opposition prayed for his death

NEW DELHI (AFP) - India's embattled Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, under fire over a civilian nuclear deal with Washington, says the opposition performed religious rituals for his demise.

Singh told India Today weekly news magazine in comments published on the weekend that he was disappointed with the Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) over its reaction to the deal.

"They didn't even believe that I would last the prime minister and some leaders even did havans (Hindu rituals) that I should die on a certain day," Singh told the magazine.

"It (the agreement) requires a big leap in approach and the attitude of BJP is disappointing."
Singh gave the interview in June with the understanding that it would be published only after the Indo-US agreement was reached.

Singh has drawn heavy criticism from both the opposition and the government's communist allies over the pact that was clinched last month.

The agreement seeks to permit New Delhi to buy atomic fuel, technology and plants even though it is not party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but critics say it would limit India's strategic options.

The main opposition BJP swiftly demanded an apology from Singh.
"We cannot believe that a prime minister can make such comments.... It's appalling," senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said late Friday.

"Havans are organised for the well-being and not to pray for somebody's death.... He owes an apology to the nation for such ridiculous comments," the BJP lawmaker told reporters.

On Friday, the Indian parliament erupted in furore after former defence minister George Fernandes accused Singh of misleading the country over terms of the deal and said if it had happened in China the premier would have received a "bullet in his head."

2007-08-14T01:14:00.000-07:00

Old is Gold!

Battered jeans earn big bucks for Sri Lanka

by Mel Gunasekera Sun Aug 12, 4:06 AM ET
AVISSAWELLA, Sri Lanka (AFP) - The denims look tattered and frayed, but shoppers in Europe and the United States are prepared to pay good money for "distressed" jeans and Sri Lanka is cashing in.

In the industrial town of Avissawella east of the capital Colombo, it takes workers around 13 minutes to cut and sew basic five-pocket denims.
They then spend another four days torturing the pants by dying, bleaching, and sandpapering them to get a "distressed" look.

"Each garment is dyed or dipped around 16 and sometimes as many as 30 times to achieve the proper torn, tattered look," explains Indrajith Kumarasiri, chief executive of Sri Lanka's Brandix Denim.

"We earn more money by making denims look dirty and torn, the classic clean look doesn't bring us much," Kumarasiri told AFP during a visit to the 10-million dollar plant, which can make over three million pairs of jeans a year.

Basic denim jeans cost around six dollars to make, but the shabbier "premium" ones cost twice as much.

"In many ways, premium denims are replacing the little black dress as the wear-anywhere fashion staple," he said.

Overseas buyers such as Levis, Gap and Pierre Cardin are now regular buyers of premium jeans from Sri Lanka where they can be made for as little as 12 dollars a pair, and often sell for over 100 dollars.

Buyers have been gradually shifting production out of Europe to low-cost countries such as Sri Lanka, explains Ajith Dias, chairman of the Sri Lanka Joint Apparel Association Forum.
"Retaining the business and growing the order book is tough with India and China competing with us on price and quicker lead times," Dias said.

Sri Lanka's three-billion dollar garment industry accounts for more than half its annual seven billion dollars of export earnings, and it provides jobs for nearly one million people. Nearly all the garments are shipped to the United States and the European Union.

But Dias said casual wear, including jeans, are they key to Sri Lanka's success in the price-sensitive global apparel market, and now account for 16 percent of total garment export earnings.

"We have invested millions to install high-tech plants, develop a sound raw material base and design garments, to ensure we remain competitive, by doing everything from fabric to retail hangers," Dias said.

Brandix, Sri Lanka's biggest exporter with annual sales in excess of 320 million dollars, and MAS Holdings, are also expanding overseas.

In an attempt to get an advantage over the competition, Sri Lanka is trying to position itself as an ethical manufacturer in the hope of getting greater access to the US and European markets at lower duty rates.

"We have high labour standards. We don't employ child labour, we provide rural employment and we empower women. There are no anti-dumping cases against us on trading practices," said Suresh Mirchandani, chief executive of Favourite Garments.

While eco-friendly and ethically-made clothes are becoming increasingly fashionable, their manufacture provides challenges for Sri Lanka.

Big-name brands are now adding organic-cotton clothes to their collection. "The joke is that one day we'll have a shirt we can eat," said Prasanna Hettiarachchi, general manager of MAS Holdings.

He said Levis recently launched eco-jeans using organic cotton, natural dyes, a coconut shell button on the waist band and a price tag made of recycled paper printed with environmentally friendly soy ink. The price tag is a cool 250 dollars.

"We are also working on an eco garment," said Brandix Denim's Kumarasiri.

And when asked what made a perfect pair of jeans, he had a quick answer.

"Same as always. It comes down to how your behind looks when you wear them," grins Kumarasiri.

"No matter how good the wash, the detail or the label, if it doesn't look good on your behind, it won't sell."

2007-08-13T04:36:00.001-07:00

Three days of solitude was quiet a departure from an otherwise dull routine.

Was down with fever and cold, something that is a common feature during the monsoons. It was a welcome break never the less.

I’ve slept my heart’s content and piled on fat in the bargain. Oh! Why the bloody hell can we not have exercise machines like in the futuristic ‘Jetsons’, where you just have to look at person exercising and viola! your sweaty with an exhilarating pulse rate that keeps you on your toes the rest of the day. The medicines that the doctor had given this time made me so groggy that I felt I’d played ‘Requiem for a Dream’ in real life. One good thing I did was to transfer a good amount of movies from my hard drive to DVDs. Burning takes such a long time!

Was out of this state of limbo yesterday when my friend dropped by. Incidentally, she too was having a bad cold. She got me food to eat. A day’s cooking saved. Bless her! Chatted away for some time in Chinese, then walked down to the tailors’. We took a long winding route to be outdoors as long as possible. She wanted to convert a old rugged denim pant into a bag. We went around to all the possible fancy stores possible in search for something that’d make a dull, black denim pant come alive. I don’t think we can ever set foot in any of the stores for the next few weeks ‘cause we made the sales people climb the tallest of the shelves, dig out the boxes from the most incorrigible places and yet did not buy any of ‘em.

Soon it was night, a reminder that the party’s over.

Oh I wish!

2007-08-11T18:56:00.000-07:00

Our Indian film industry showed the kind of originality displayed in these ads. They are so simple... and yet so meaningful. They are not necessarily serious, yet fun to watch.

Oh well I guess movies that actually make sense don't really sell. Heard that Chak de India and Gandhi, My Father are not doing as well as expected because they are not the usual candy-floss piece of crap that generally mints money at the Box Office.

2007-08-09T12:29:00.001-07:00

Been married for 6 months as of today. I thought it was on the 10th, while Swathy thought today was the 8th. So apparently when I wished her in the morning, she thought I had already forgotten when it was.

How do I feel? Day to day life hasn't changed much largely thanks to leading a bachelor's life I suppose. It sucks in sense that I don't have the freedom that I enjoyed as a bachelor (I can't look/talk at a pretty girl anymore without feeling really guilty...). My phone bills have gone through the roof thanks to my India calls, I have had to become more careful about what I say and do, and, well I am sure I will have to clear out my wardrobe as I have been told multiple times that my dress sense sucks :(.

Still all this is nothing compared to the fact that I feel grounded and in love again. I have a sense of purpose in life that I didn't when I was single and so many good things to look forward to. Of course it would have been a lot nicer had I actually spent any time with my wife the past few months, but well we have lots to look forward to when she does come here. If we can get along well over a phone-line I'm sure we'll do fine in real life.

Touchwood we have had a wonderful start to our relationship. I hope that we continue along the same vein to build it into something that we can look back upon during our twilight years and only regret that we couldn't do the whole thing over again.

Love you Swats.

For those of you who can stand to hear me sing :-)... Here's me singing Tere Bin for Swathy at our wedding.

2007-08-08T05:02:00.001-07:00

I’m suddenly attracted to Shakespeare again. It’s like falling in love all over again. He’s an integral part of English literature. Can’t comment about whether he is the best but yes, many of his plays are very relevant even today. Many perform and read his plays even today, eve after 400 years! That is quiet a feat I must say.

I borrowed King Lear and Macbeth from the British Cou

ncil yesterday. All my Lear and Macbeth sessions in college came back to life. Relived old memories, scene after scene. The quotations, the explanations, the debates…

Although Shakespeare wrote about kings, queens and princes, they had a certain common faults and tribulations like every other person, making it easy to relate to them, even after innumerable ‘thous’ and ‘thys’. King Lear's pride, Othello's jealousy or MacBeth's ambition or just plain misunderstandings; these are emotions one may fell at any point in time.

The best part of his plays is that he makes you think after you’ve heard and seen a story unfold. To act in a Shakespearean play or an adaptation has been a dream for many actors and actresses. Even the smallest character is as significant as any of the leads.

I liked the way Omkara shaped up. One decent adaptation of Shakespearean play set in modern times. Maqbool too is said to be an amazingly dark movie. Haven’t seen it though.

Partner - An honest review

2007-08-07T07:20:00.001-07:00

Not being able to get a good night's sleep is a disaster waiting to happen. You can almost feel the deathly grip of boredom descend as one gets bored of surfing and hoping to catch something watchable on cable. After all how many 'Call me nows' from the psychic Cleo and Home Shopping Network ads attempting to pawn off stuff that retail stores were too smart to shelve can you watch? So after watching a couple sparing not flora nor fauna in an attempt to sell a micro blender, I figured I would chance watching a movie online.

Felt like having a bit of a laugh and was thrilled to see that Govinda and David Dhawan had teamed up recently to make Partner. After all I love Govinda's comedies. They are just plain zany... he has such good comic timing that even the stupidest thing he did would have me rolling on the floor. The songs were peppy in this movie as well.. not the kind that you would want to hear when you are looking for some melody ... but good timepass songs.

So I start the movie up, and forward the credits ... and lie back to enjoy the movie. Turned up the A/C and wrapped myself up tight in my quilt.... Little did I know what I was in for! Unfortunately my quilt had become a strait-jacket from which I could not hope to escape from.

It seems that of late hindi filmmakers have pretty much given up on using original stories written by Indian writers. I suppose the writers guild has become kutti with the film guild ... or perhaps with the public in general. Hindi filmmakers have realized that they have to do nothing more than blantantly get "inspired" by foreign cinema. They don't really have to do much. They pretty much copy ever scene from the other movie, mix in a few unnecessary song sequences, and introduce plot changing twists such as making one hero short instead of tall and the other moderately obese instead of obese.

The two heros in the movie are the muscled ape Salman Khan who for some reason bags every comedy in sight despite him being as funny as watching someone shoot themselves, and Govinda who looks like he has eaten everything in sight for the past two years. Movie reviews that I read later claim the movie is genuinely funny as long as you happen to leave your brain outside the door. I say that the only way you find this movie funny is if you trick someone else into watching the movie, make sure their eyes are open using toothpicks and handcuffing them to a seat so the only way they can escape is to chew through their arms (which could happen).

Salman Khan plays the role of will Smith as a Love Guru... only this love guru (judging by his facial expressions) looks like he has a few pine cones shoved up his ass. A bloated Govinda plays the adorable Kevin James who is desperately in love with a woman way out of his league. Unfortunately he whines so much that he is about as lovable as a nice prickly cactus. In real life even his dog would reject him. Katrina Kaif plays the unattainable socialite and is so plastic, that one may be forgiven for wondering how they managed to produce a life size Barbie doll . Lara Dutta who attempts to play Eva Mendes is just plain terrible. She has a son who is probably the only real actor in the real movie. The only comedy worth watching in the entire movie was provided by the genuinely funny Rajpal Yadav who spoofs SRK as Chotta Don. Unfortunately Chotta Don does not get much screen time.

Well long story short throughout the movie Salman goes through the painful process of trying to rid himself of the cones grimacing and flexing and going topless ... while trying to romance Lara Dutta. Govinda whines like a supporter of the BCCI cricket team throughout the movie as he tries to get Katrina to fall for him whilst everyone else in the movie (other than Rajpal Yadav) could have been replaced with cardboard cutouts.

As the movie progressed, I thanked god that I was wrapped tightly in my quilt for god forbid had my arms been free I may have busted my computer monitor. At the end of the movie I realized that I had started to cry... unbridled tears of happiness and sadness knowing that I had just wasted 2.5 hrs of my life that could have been better spent whacking myself on the head.

2007-08-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

The Times of India held a poll that was something similar to the 7 wonders of the world.
The most popular choice was the ancient religious town of Shravanabelagola in Hassan district of Karnataka. Shravanabelagola is a Jain religious centre and one of the most vibrant cultural hubs in the country with an unbroken tradition from the 3rd century AD. The centrepiece is the 17.38 metre high stone statue of Bahubali, the largest monolithic statue in the world.

I do not quiet agree to such polls. Each person has his / her perception of what is beautiful. I believe that each place is unique and comparison is unfair. I liked the picture below. (Shravanabelagola)

A tale of two movies

2007-08-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

Although I had plenty to do this weekend, I still managed to eke out some time to watch a couple of movies. One I watched because I wouldn't have missed it for the world and the other is a demonstration of the crazy things a person is driven to do in desperation.

Watched the Bourne Ultimatum on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Dropped a friend off at the airport in the morning and did some odd end jobs until the matinee show aired. Got there a little late and was forced to watch the entire movie from the second row. But boy was the movie good!

A distinguishing feature of the Bourne franchise is that it goes for substance rather than gloss. There are no stupid witticisms, no unnecessary scenes, no gloss whatsoever. The movie is plain and unadulterated fun. It is so fast paced! And it never fails to make sense. The movie goes about its business with an air of someone who has too much to do with too little time. Our amnesiac protagonist flits between cities as often as a normal person may go to the pharmacy or the grocers. He matches his wits and muscle against bunch of government baddies and their lackeys for whom assassinating someone in broad daylight is child's play. Against impossible odds Bourne always succeeds at his objective... be it beating up a bunch of CIA agents or finding the secret offices of CIA operatives with nothing more than Google and a parchment of paper with an address on it.

Throughout the movie Bourne's actions and robot like efficiency of getting things done can only make you gasp in admiration. The action sequences throughout the movie are exquisitely directed each more spectacular than the other. Bourne's journey from Russia through Europe to New York gave me a major adrenaline rush. Despite the frenetic pace of the movie, there was never a point in time that I felt lost. Although the movie is said to be loosely relevant to the books the storyline is very tight. Every scene has a part to play in the movie. If you like action movies, or, fast paced thrillers, this is the movie for you.

Now for the second movie... Cash. As far as I am concerned ... the movie should be renamed Crap. My reaction to watching this movie can be summed up by the title of one of its songs. Rahem Kare! (Have mercy) Had I not had the option to forward through the movie, I may have gone into depression.

The only reason I watched the movie was because I liked the songs. They are peppy, fast songs that are awesome to listen to in the car or as a pick me up at the end of a long day. And well I wanted to see if the babe in the picture below happened to have any more scenes in the movie. Boy should I have resisted the temptation to watch this piece of crap!

Hindi movie makers have for long been churning out so called action movies that look more like sequences from Bad Video Games Gone Wild! Unfortunately from what I read all these movies are classified as blockbusters. If you like meaningless, over the top, stupid, cheesy dialogues topped off with action scenes that are poor rip-offs of English movies, then this is the movie for you! Some idiot had the bright idea of putting actors who speak English with an accent that would make a Mexican immigrant cringe into a bunch of uncoordinated action sequences that seem to involve every mode of transportation possible with the notable exception of a submarine and possibly a golf cart.

What was the movie about? There was something in there about some diamonds and how everyone in the movie handled them at one stage. However I noticed that the actors seemed more interested in delivering silly jokes that even their mothers would find difficult to laugh at. Everyone was involved in trying to look cool by wearing clothes and sporting hairstyles that they happened to be a few decades too old for.

In case you still haven't decided to watch Crap, here's something that may get you off your behind and into the theatre (to throw rotten eggs at the screen). The movie features Ritesh Deshmukh with a hairstyle that even the orangutans would be offended by, Zayed Khan trying to rap, Esha Deol in tiny clothes (WARNING: you may poke your eyes out watching this), Ajay Devgan in blond hair (talk about blacks on blonds!), and, the terrible Shettys (Sunil - I think he has given up on trying to make a decent movie - and Shamita) trying to act.

I was so happy when the movie ended I had half a mind to wake up my neighbours and treat them all! God forbid what I would have done had I actually paid money to watch this in a theatre! My puny mind shudders at the thought of having to actually sit through this in a theatre!

2007-08-04T02:21:00.001-07:00

B’bay was lashed by incessant rains yesterday. A good enough excuse, to be let off early. Boy, how good it feels to be home early! I got to do many things that I’ve kept pending. Whished it’d rain as heavily today so that all means of transport is disrupted an it’d be declared a holiday…a wish, if came true, would have come as a relief to all those who work 6 days a week.

Anyway, complaints apart, I went for ‘Gandhi, My Father’ yesterday with my friend. It is based on a thought provoking play called ‘Mahatma vs Gandhi’ by Feroz Khan. It gives a microscopic view of a patriarchal relationship between Bapu and Hiralal, his son. At one level the film coaxes you to debate the success of Bapu as a father, and on the other, question the resistance of his son towards his father’s beliefs. This movie is definitely one of the most affecting movies of its time.

I would be surprised if a person does not discuss about the movie after watching it.
The statement “To people he was a father, To his son he was a father he never had” – is the crux of the movie. Bapu’s struggle in the freedom of India is well known, but not many are aware of his personal sacrifices and the stormy relationship that he shared with his son. This is one of the few movies that shows how much Kasturba affected the lives of Bapu and her son. Kudos to Shefali. There are scenes where your heart goes out to the silent sufferings she has to undergo, being caught in the crossfire between two people she loves and cannot disown, being a mother and a wife. Darshan Jariwala as Bapu and Akshaye Khanna as the eldest son of Bapu have breathed life into a one of the darkest parts of Bapu’s life.

Having to live in the shadows of the person the whole world reveres, the constant anxiety to live up to the name that all nation chants is no mean feat. Hiralal’s anger in failing to do so & rebellion is beautifully portrayed by Akshaye Khanna. It leave room for debate about the success of Bapu as a father.

The pre independence era and the overall look and feel has been captured on celluloid in detail. The background music is first rate.

2007-08-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

What would one want from a companion, especially when you know that you’ll spend the rest of your life with him / her? Is it similar traits? Is it subservience? Is it friendship? Is it unquestionable trust and understanding? Is it attractive physical looks? Is it intelligence? Is it love? Is it gentleness?... All of them or none of them? What is it?

It is difficult to pin point anything in particular. Nobody is perfect. It is difficult to expect one not to expect anything from the other. Give and take is a norm in any relation. A denial of change is the first step towards an ominous relationship.

Of course, there has always been a long standing debate that it is easier to be with a person you know already, but what is conveniently forgotten is that before you knew the person, he / she was a stranger. You gave the permission to explore your space, got to know each other and thereby knew whether you’d be comfortable around one another.
Every person has a certain aspiration. Some realistic some idealistic some plain vain.

Some think they’d be attractive if they shake off the rich values and tradition, hum an English tune, sport a piercing, wear funky clothes, speak the most atrocious imitative English possible, cuss India, just echo the mindless words spoken by myriad people who care a damn about anything…Some are too meek to come out of their shells, are so introvert that you’d have to make a journey to the centre of the earth. To strike a balance is the key. To know when to yap and when to keep your trap shut is an art. To give and share all you have is imbibed.

As for my likes and dislikes, I like people who can bring a smile and spread warmth and happiness where ever they go - a people's person, in short. I would like to meet someone who is a go-getter; smart in what he does; flexible, interesting, talented & understanding, with an astute sense of humour, a person who has a modern outlook; who has the quality to accept people as they are; a person with a good mix of modern and traditional values; Someone who is more of an outdoors person, who is not comfortable with an idiot box, a couch and four walls. A companion for life.

2007-08-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Most of the colleagues in my office have either left or have been transferred elsewhere. It feels like you are starting all over again at a new place. It is a stark reminder that things are never really the same, always. Change in inevitable.

Every time I pass the place where they used to sit, a feeling of loneliness engulfs me. Miss the common faces. One would feel the same way in an alien nation. You may not know people around you. You may not talk to them. You may have seen people once, somewhere, sometime, but they are familiar. I guess it gives a feeling of belonging, a feeling of security that is often taken for granted. I kind of agree with the belief that you miss the loved one the most when they are not around you anymore. Once you realize that, you ponder over the many things you would have done that could have brought a tear or a smile.

Until recently, I stubbornly holding on to, ‘why now?’ and I realized how silly & positively negative I’ve been. It is like trying to shield yourself, from air. It surrounds you anyway. It is one of the many things you can’t do without, just like change.

I’ve become absolutely bored with everything around me. I need some spice. Wish one was paid to go globe trotting. If only all wishes were true. Most avid travelers say that a whole lifespan is never really enough to satiate the hunger to see more.

My friend, Sanjana has written a book of poems called ‘ As The Candle Flickered In The Dark ‘. I could read only one poem from the book., titled ‘My Muse’. My favorite lines from it were

‘She is the reason I write
My adrenalin in a fight,
The conscience of what is wrong or what is right,
My burning lamp in the night,
The path from darkness to light,
My muse – my soul’s delight’

I’m really glad her poems have been published. Eager to read every one of the poems in the book. Bravo! Sanjana…cheers to life! Cheers to you!

Still alive

2007-07-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone that still checks this know that I'm still alive. Been crazy busy lately..

Even my waist will agree judging by the fact that I have packed on a few pounds thanks to my current state of busyness!

Got some exciting news and will be out with it soon.

Please do keep checking back and leaving your comments.

The rules of sympathy

2007-04-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

What happened yesterday in Virginia Tech was a travesty. However, I couldn't help but wonder about how society reacts to certain tragedy differently depending on who the victims are. More than a day has passed and as expected news about the deranged shooter, the lives of his victims, and, how the families are coping with the tragedy rules the media.

On the other hand... just yesterday, more than 200 innocents lost their lives in Iraq. The most number of casualties on a single day since the war over 5 years ago. More than 1400 people have died in Iraq this week. So why is it that the world's media is focusing on just the VT killings?

Let me illustrate my point:

TimesOfIndia.com (apparently one of India's most widely read new websites) has featured a picture on the most important news event in India's history... the Bachchan wedding.

CNN has few in-depth articles about the killer and the plight of the victims. NOTHING about the Iraq blasts on its front page.

The NYT has a tiny article on its front page

The Washington Post has a tiny article on its front page about the Iraq bombings (incorrect number of victims and all)

The BBC is the only news media that has actually covered this news with any apparent interest.

Everyone else seems to have a passing reference to the carnage that has occurred in Iraq over the past week.

It made me sad to think that to the world news about innocent Iraqis being slaughtered has become so commonplace, that even staggering figures such as 1400 people dying over the past one week is nothing but a statistic. There are no candlelight vigils. No speeches made to the families of the victims. No 10 hour documentaries about the suffering of the families. No articles about the heroism of strangers in trying circumstances. Nada. Nothing. Just a couple of articles stating that 1400 people died this week in Iraq in various bomb blasts.

Why do we just not care about these cursed people? Are they not worthy of candle light vigils? Did the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers ... people who die in these bomb blasts not have the same aspirations that the kids in VT had? Did their families not love and care for them as much as the families of the kids in VT? Why is it that we the world show so much apathy towards these people who were unfortunately born in the wrong place at the wrong time?

It's not that I think it is wrong for people to care about their countrymen, but why is it that violence and tragedy in one place evokes so much sympathy from everyone, and yet others who are in desperate need of sympathy beget none? I despair when I think of the disparity in sympathy shown towards people.

They say life is unfair. Perhaps my rant will not really do anything at all towards drawing attention to the people in Iraq.

I am but a single voice in the universe... still I would like to state that I will make a daily rememberance for the innocents of the world that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A vigil for the innocents of the world that are sacrificed in the name of religion, greed, politics and so many other things that man uses as an excuse to kill others. A vigil that regardless of caste, creed, color, religion, and, nationality.

Perhaps my vigil does not mean much to anyone else. Maybe it is a selfish act to appease my guilty conscience for not lifting a finger to help anyone out. Still it is heartfelt... to show that I care.

For the love of the game

2007-04-06T22:30:00.000-07:00

I really love the game of cricket. Ever since I was a little kid one of my life's ambitions was to be a cricketer. I remember spurning a budding singing career and then later in life ruining what may have been the start of an excellent tennis career for cricket. And it wasn't even for proper organized cricket.

I just used to love playing the game with my neighbourhood buddies. We played with one single bat, makeshift stumps and tennis balls poached from people's houses, or from my tennis coaching academy. At the time those two hours of fun was what I lived for. It was not that I was any good at the game. I was decent, but never destined to be able to choose it as my profession. However I was good at singing and tennis and if I had showed even a tenth of the interest that I seemed to show for the game of willow and ball, they may have actually evolved into a career choice.

However I didn't and I really regret my foolishness, but well I don't regret the fun I had playing the game. Maybe I don't love the game as much nowadays, but it still has a very special place in my heart.

I was an "Indian" cricket fan. I never thought twice about the fact that the "Indian" cricket team was actually a private enterprise belonging to the "BCCI" and not a national team. The players were actually hired as professionals by a private company, but then what difference did that make? According to me this team was "India's" team.

Until recently I had always assumed that I was always going to be a fan of the "Indian" cricket team, because I considered the Indian cricket team to be the representatives of our country in the sporting world.

Face it, we Indians are not known for our athletic prowess. Sure we've had the occasional Leander Paes, Bhupati, Prakash Padukone, etc. but I cannot remember any of our sports teams being competitive in a global game. I never followed Indian hockey till the 90s and never saw a point in following it since 94). So I followed the game religiously.

I was never really prone to worshipping the players, but I knew that I would love to be a Sachin Tendulkar or even a Robin Singh. To be given the honor of representing my country internationally and make the people back home proud to be an Indian. Above all I wanted to play the game because I loved playing it. I wish I were good enough to be able to play it as a professional, but alas not all of us are blessed enough to do something like that.

So when I see a group of players given the honor of being able to play and represent every Indian in an international arena, I always assumed that they would give it their best shot. It wasn't that they were just playing for the honor though. The financial benefits and other perks of playing for the team were quite substantial. Sure it was a high pressure job, but then who gets paid so much to do something that almost anyone could do?

However over the past two years, I have decided that being a fan of this team of impostors is not worth my time or effort. Playing for honor is not something the current team of prima donnas wants to do. No... it doesn't matter that they are really not as good as they believe, nor that they actually need to prove themselves in any way to remain in this team. They believe that everything that they have achieved during their glory days should be good enough to keep them in the team so they can continue to enjoy the benefits of being an "Indian" cricketer. Since they could not provide entertainment to the masses where they were supposed to, they feel they should do so in another medium with their whingings, and accusations.

When I see this team play I feel that they are not only insulting the game of cricket, but also every supporter of the team. What is the point in supporting a team and an enterprise (BCCI) that believes that their financial well-being and personal agendas come before the game itself?

I think I am better off remenescing about the wonderful times I have had playing this game. Sure my friends and I may not be international cricketers, but we played for the fun.... for the love of the game.

Wanted

2007-03-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

A team to beat these darned Aussies.

Say what you want about them, they are the best ODI team in cricket. They have been killing all their opponents so far. Even the fancied Saffers were trounced suitably.

They beat opponents and beat them in style. They set Federeresque records in cricket that is possibly only going to be surpassed by them alone. Ponting et al may not be the most loved cricketers, but then why does that matter when you win the way they do you ask? But it does matter. At least it does to cricket.

Respect to these amazing cricketers from Oz. But oh how sweet it feels when someone manages to top them!

It's not that I have anything against the Aussies. I really respect them a lot as a team, but, they don't give their opponents a chance to beat them. And like in business it is competition that keeps a sport thriving as well. When one team dominates all others the sport loses its charm. Somehow cricket is losing its soul. The officials of the BCCI, PCB, and ICC are fast killing the game with their shameless Corporate sponsor butt-kissing shenanigans. And then there's the Aussie team that is killing the will of any fan believing in the game. Sports needs heros to make the game big. True noone is bigger than the game, but the game needs at least a few for the fans to believe in the game.

For all their exploits on the field the Aussies are not a particularly inspiring bunch. They do evoke a lot of respect from all, but somehow the game seems so unwatchable ... even when the Aussies make one of their famous comeback victories. I'm sure that even the Aussie supporters must be sick and tired of seeing their team steamroll their opponents in this manner.

As a team they are on a different level. It seems almost futile to play against them. Not a good day at the office for your team? Count on them getting hammered, pounded, thrashed, by the Aussies. Give em a bit of a fight... they beat you. Press them hard and they come back harder at you! I just don't get it. How is it possible for a team to be so strong mentally?

It is not that the Aussies are the most talented, the fittest, the smartest, and nor do they have the most heart of the teams that are out playing cricket today. But somehow they manage to make the most of what they have and just come out fighting and most importantly win.

How much would an Indian fan or Corporate body pay to support a team like the Aussies? I'm sure a lot of people would love to support a team that despite breaking records set by themselves, never seems to lose their appetite for performing. It doesn't matter how many runs they score, how many the opponents score, they are always going out on the field believing that they are capable of beating their opponents.

Perhaps the Aussies should win this WC as well. Just because they are the only team out there that actually deserves it. And yet here I am hoping that for the good of cricket elsewhere among the others there is a team that can stand up to this juggernaut and beat them down.

Fine it would only be for a day as these guys do not take to even losing once kindly, but just for that one day I want someone else to revel in beating the best team in the World.

Sigh India gets booted

2007-03-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

Boy am I glad that I made my peace with this a while back! As I write this the Indian team has shown that they deserve every brickbat that are going to be applied to their pampered asses back home. What a pathetic show!

The so called most experienced batsmen in the world need to learn how to bat again. What a pathetic show! I hope for the sake of cricket followers in India deadweights like Tendulkar, and, Ganguly are permanently shown the door!

Time to rid the team of the so called "experienced" performers who do nothing but play anchor roles and chief architects in the team's demise. Fresh legs and blood are the order of the day. Enough of this nonsense.

I felt bad for Johnnie Walker losing a million dollars thanks to Gibbs. Imagine how all the companies in India with a vested interest in this World Cup must be feeling. I'm sure there are quite a few companies that are going to be ruing their decision to back a team like India in this world cup.

More later. Time for some tennis now. Hopefully I can add another trophy to my case this weekend.

The road to the Super 8s

2007-03-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

I may be a week late in writing this, but then a week back everything seemed so pedestrian in the World Cup. The top teams were steamrolling the minnows and everything seemed to be set for the top 8 countries to make it through without fuss to the next round.

But what a week it's been! This is hands-down the most eventful world cup ever! It has had everything! Drama, excitement, tragedy, heroism ... everything a person would want in a movie or book of their choice.

First we had the juvenile quarrelling between two of the biggest prima-donnas in cricket Ponting and Gavaskar.

Then we had the marvelous Gibbs' etching his name in the annals of cricket with his six 6s in an over.

Then the Irish played in one of the best games I have had the pleasure of watching by tying the Zimbabweans for a tie.

After that was the day when two featherweights knocked out two of the biggest names in cricket! The Bangla tigers rode some fearless performances to upset the insipid Indians while the fabulous Shamrocks created one of the greatest upsets in the history of the game by beating the Pakistanis.

As if that were not enough Bob Woolmer collapsed and died (causes yet unknown) and Inzi one of the most beloved and respected cricketers hailing from Pakistan announced his retirement from all ODI cricket.

As I write this normalcy has been resumed with the top 8 teams getting by the minnows quite convincingly, but with a week left of first round action to go, glorious uncertainties still remain about some of the teams figuring in the second phase of this tournament.

Group A

Australia & South Africa - Although they still have to play each other, they are in the Super 8s for sure. Both teams hammered their hapless opponents so far and have shown that they are probably the best bet for the finals to be held on Apr 28. The Aussies have dispelled all talk of them being in suspect form while the Saffers have done what they always do in the beginning phases of almost every World Cup they have played in - Dominated.

Their match against each other will be very important for both. Not only does the winning team take 2 valuable points through to the next round, the psychological advantage gained over the other will go a long way in deciding the winner in their next matchup in the Semi-finals or the finals.

To progress

Australia - Already in. Beating S.Africa will give them 2 points to carry into the Super 8s
S.Africa - Already in. Beating Aus will give them 2 points to carry into the Super 8s

Out - Netherlands, Scotland

Group B

Sri Lanka - They are in imposing form as well. They have hammered the Bermudans and finished off the Bangladeshis in clinical fashion. With their batsmen in blistering form and with dangerman Jayasuriya looking good, the Sri Lankans look like another potential finalist at the moment.

The thrashing they have handed the Bangladeshis today should be enough to take them through to the next round, but a desperate India awaits them on Friday. Barring a thrashing at the hands of the Indians and the Bangladeshis beating the Bermudas by a margin of ~350 runs, they are through. However the Lankans will hope to repeat their performance today and go into the Super 8 with 2 points by beating India.

Bangladesh - With the Lankans in such imposing form, the Bangladeshis will not be wrong in hoping for the second Super 8 spot on offer today. They should be able to beat the Bermudans easily, however if India beats the Sri Lankans, barring a miraculous effort with bat and ball against the Bermudans, they will not make it through.

The Bangladeshis disappointed everyone with their minnow-like performance against Sri Lanka. They have almost lost all the respect they gained by beating India on Saturday. Now instead of everyone commenting about how much they have improved they will revert back to saying that the Bangladeshis can only pull out fluke victories. They have harmed their chances greatly today. Every Bangladeshi supporter will be behind Sri Lanka when the Lankans take on the Indians in a couple of days.

India - Thanks to a good performance against Bermuda, the Indians hold their destiny in their own two hands. A simple win over Sri Lanka will be enough to propel the Indians along with 2 points into the next round. However after a pathetic performance against Bangladesh and a bad bowling performance against Bermuda, a win against the rampant Lankans looks doubtful. However the Indians have played well against Sri Lanka lately (albeit at home) and a win does not seem impossible. Hopefully the Indians will play to their potential and the bowling attack bowl within their means so that the Indians beat the Lankans

To Progress

Sri Lanka - They should be good as far as the Super 8s are concerned. However they would like to get into the Super 8s with 2 pts. To do this they have to beat India. So they will come out with their game face on as well on Friday.

Bangladesh - Their hopes rest heavily on Sri Lanka beating India. If the Indians win on Friday, the Bangladeshis will have to defeat the Bermudans by a record margin. However going by the way the Lankans are currently playing they should fancy their chances of making it to the Super 8s.

India - Considered to a pre-tournament favorite, the Indians are already facing their first do or die situation. Expected to waltz into the Super 8s the Indians face elimination unless they beat Sri Lanka. If they do they will go into the second round with a handy 2 pt lead.

Bermuda - Believe it or not Bermuda still has a mathematical chance of making it to the next round although it is almost a negligible one. For this to happen, India has to be annihilated by Sri Lanka and they will need to thrash the Bangladeshis by an unheard of margin as well. However the Bangladeshis should ride over them, so they should be looking to play for some pride in their final game.

Group C

New Zealand - They have looked good in patches and not so good in others. However they haven't dominated any team like the South Africans and Australians have so far, so I cannot comment about how good they are. They have made it through to the next round already with 2 points, regardless of their third result.

England - Things look a little dicey for the English. On current form it seems that the Kenyans could usurp their Super 8 spot when the two meet up on Saturday the 24th. They looked a little patchy against the Canadians and just couldn't use the initial breakthroughs they made against the Kiwis in their first game to press for a win.

Still they will go in as favorites against Kenya, but given the course of this World Cup, who knows what lies in store for the English. This weekend could be another "upset" weekend with two more major cricketing nations crashing out the world cup.

Kenya - If they can raise their game they could ambush this English team that seems very low on confidence. A lot rides on the shoulders of their captain Steve Tikolo who almost single-handedly beat the Canadians in their first game. They can make it past the first round like they did in 2003 with a win over England. Given the state of affairs back home over the past few years, even doing this would be a huge achievement for this team.

Out - Canada

To Progress

New Zealand - Already in. Just needs to ensure that they rout Canada to graduate from dark horses to a favourite. A couple of their players such as Lou Vincent who hasn't fired so far could use this game as a launching pad to good form and confidence.

England - Have to beat Kenya. A simple win will do to take them through.

Kenya - Have to beat England to qualify. A simple win will do as well.

Group D

West Indies - Before the tournament started not many would have bet on the Windies topping the group. However thanks to a pathetic showing by Pakistan, they are riding high in this group. They are in the Super 8 no matter what their third result is. However they will be looking to beat Ireland on Friday to take two invaluable pts into the Super 8s.

Ireland - Surely the story of the World Cup so far. They have been the toast of the tournament and been the underdog that every cricket fan (other than Pakistani) loves to support! They are already in the Super 8s, but will look to getting a couple of pts against the Windies to see if they can extend their stay in the Caribbean.

Out - Pakistan, Zimbabwe

To Progress

Both Ireland and the West Indies will want to win on Friday. It seems very unlikely that the Irish can beat the West Indies, but then this World Cup has already seen some upsets. We could be in for another on Friday the 23rd.

My Predictions

Although I think India will beat Sri Lanka on Friday (just because the consequences of losing is too terrible to imagine for the Indian players), going by recent match form I realistically think the Lankans will beat India and Bangladesh will make it through to the Super 8s.

England should defeat Kenya and join the Kiwis in the Super 8s as the Kenyans are just lacking the oomph needed to defeat England unless a lot of things go their way. However, these English are almost South Asian in nature. They seem to throw away a lot of good positions to end up in losing ones. So who knows?

Regardless, this week is going to be a very interesting time to be a cricket fan.

WC week in review

2007-03-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Well I was expecting India to mess up and they sure obliged me. I really am glad that I didn't subscribe to the package and waste money following the games.

However no matter how much I try to distance myself from the game, it just doesn't work. On Saturday morning I was up and about early in the morning. I had a match at 9 in the morning. I made short work of my opponent and raced to see how we were doing driving to a friend's place almost all the way across town! Both of us were frustrated seeing the Indian players bat. I was wondering what was going through the minds of these overpaid, over-hyped bunch of players who fans would give up kidneys to watch them play.

Granted the Indian public puts a lot of pressure on these guys, but then are they really asking too much? All they want them to do is to do their job well. I'm sure if the Indians lost a match occasionally, noone would feel too badly about it. However it's the way these guys lose that really pisses everyone off.

Oh well the really sad part is that the Indian fans probably feel worse about the failures of the Indian cricket team than the players themselves do.

Their performance against Bermuda although passable is probably going to be the only thing for the Indian fan to cheer this world cup. I hope all you watched that game, because we are not going to see anything of the sort for a while to come. I expect the Indian team to pull up their socks and prove all their critcis wrong, but they owe a lot to their public. Nothing less than winning the world cup can make up for this loss to the lowly Bangladeshis.

On the other hand March 17th was an amazing day for cricket. The Irish and the Bangladeshis made their prescence felt this world cup and how! This win must especially be gratifying for the Bangladeshis as they have long harboured ill-will towards the BCCI and how they have been treated by them since they have become a test nation.

The Irish are the biggest story of this world cup. They have shown that they belong among the big boys. Hopefully this is the beginning of the rise of two successful cricketing nations in the world of cricket. An Irish filmmaker is planning to make a documentary of the exploits of the Irish at this World Cup.

Shooting yourself in the foot!

2007-03-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Picture linked from BBC Sport

Yes I'm sure the Dutch are quite distraught that Gibbs decided to repay the kin of the founding fathers' of modern South Africa with his batting, but spare a thought for Johnnie Walker.

Who is Johnnie Walker you ask? Well they are apparently the Official Whisky of the Cricket World Cup 2007. On March 6 Viv Richards (their brand ambassador) announced the Six Sixes competition where any batsman who scored 6 sixes in an over could get Johnnie Walker to donate $1 million to any charity of his choice.

When I first read about this competition I thought... what a cheap way to get publicity! No batsman in the history of the game has ever done this in an international match. I'm sure the advertising company that came up with this contest must have patted themselves on their backs.

But guess what? Within 9 days Johnnie Walker is going to be $1 million poorer. I guess there are going to be a lot of people who are not going to get any bonuses this year! And all thanks to this 5 minute massacre.

Poor ol' Johnnie!

Team Talk - Pakistan

2007-03-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

Warm up record:

Pakistan's recent cricketing news has read more about its players' off-field exploits than on. With the drama surrounding the failed Shoaib Akhtar and new sensation Mohd Asif, the Pakistani players were justified in claiming that their mind was not completely on the job. With an ailing captain and a bowling attack devastated by injuries and the stupid actions of two of their best bowlers; Pakistan arrived ahead of their WC in an unenviable position of having a second string bowling attack. To compound to their problems, their most reliable all-rounder in ODIs Abdul Razzaq was ruled out of the squad due to injuries.

Even on the batting front things looked shaky. Their one-man batting army and captain Inzamam is not going through his best years as a batsman or captain. There are big question marks about is best suited to open the batting and worst of all there is talk about in-fighting in the team.

If there is one thing to cheer about for the Pakistanis, it is that Mohd Yousuf has been having his best year as a batsman and Younis Khan could always be relied upon to be the linchpin of the batting lineup. However overall things looked sombre.

The warm up matches however did much to lift the spirits of the Pakistani cricket team and their fans. First they disposed of Canada in their first game with Mohd Hafeez turning in good performances with bat and ball and Inzi doing his bit with the bat.

The second game was even better. First they destroyed the current #1 team of ODI cricket by 7 wickets with some good performances again from Hafeez, Younis Khan, and, Mohd Yousuf. However the most encouraging thing about the entire game was that all their bowlers got to bowl and they all (except for Shoaib Malik) got some good performances in.

Pakistan will be playing a wounded West Indies team that will be raring to wrong their critics and make up for their performance against India. Pakistan appears to be very weak on paper, but you never know with the Pakistanis. They are dark horses who can definitely play spoiler to some of the more fancied teams.

Key Players:

* Mohd Yousuf & Younis Khan - Both these players make up what is arguably the best middle order of any batting lineup in this World Cup. They are solid batsmen who can win matches and have shared some amazing partnerships. They are both coming off prolific years, esp Mohd Yousuf who has had his best year as a batsman in International Cricket. Both batsmen are vital to Pakistan's success given that the opening looks very shaky.

* Mohd Hafeez - Chosen at the 12th hour as a replacement for the very potent Abdul Razzaq, Hafeez has impressed so far with both bat and ball. He seems to bring much to the table. He may be a player to watch in this World Cup.

* Umar Gul - Gul's career has been wrecked by injury. However in his brief stints in International cricket he has impressed with his incisive bowling. He may not be first choice when Asif and Akhtar are available, but, he is Pakistan's main bowling hope right now. If Sami and the other bowlers bowl within themselves, Pakistan may well surprise many with their bowling.

* Shoaib Malik & Afridi & Danish Kaneria - The pitches on display at the Carribean so far have made everyone predict that teams with slow bowlers will prosper. If this is so then this trio could be potential match winners. However all three are very inconsistent bowling very well in one game and terribly in another. Much will depend on the all-round skills of Afridi and Shoaib Malik. If they play to their potential then Pakistan will be close to unbeatable. However they have been huge disappointments so far. Pakistani fans will be hoping that they will prove everyone wrong and lift their games for the World Cup.

My prediction:

Although Pakistan has played well so far, I find it difficult to believe that they will be able to display the kind of consistency required to make it to the semi-finals. However they will be a very dangerous team and will play spoiler to other teams' semi-final chances.

Much depends on the performances of the under-performing all rounders and middle order veterans. But I doubt it will be enough to get them through.

Team Talk - Australia
Team Talk - India
Team Talk - West Indies

Team Talk - West Indies

2007-03-12T17:34:00.000-07:00

Warm up record:

Match #1 - 19 run win against Kenya
Match #2 - 9 wicket loss against India

The West Indies has been very disappointing so far. They have let down all their supporters with some insipid performances in the two warm up matches. They nearly lost to Kenya and were thrashed by India thanks to a pathetic batting performance that would have shamed any of the minnows of this tournament.

Almost every cricket fan is hoping that the Windies find their groove and perform well in this cup so that cricket sees a resurgance in this region again. As Mark mentioned in an earlier thread, cricket needs a strong Windies back in its fold. It just seems to make the game more interesting and watchable to watch them play.

However for this to happen they need to play to their strengths and use the home advantage to put up some good performances. A lot is riding on the backs of these players and one hopes that they can live up to these expectations and not falter as they have so far.

Key Players:

* Lara - He has to lead from the front and inspire his team to win ala Ponting. He is going to have a tough time getting everyone in his team to play to their potential. However he has had decent run as captain so far and the Windies will be praying that he can transform his team of under-performers into bona-fide winners.

* Gayle - Possibly the most under-rated all-rounder today in world cricket. His exploits as a batsman are well known. After Lara he is the most dangerous batsman in the team. He can get the Windies off to wonderful starts and is a very dangerous bowler. The others need to do their job and use his starts to build a good score and not give the match away as they often seem to do when he gets out.

* Chanderpaul - He is the lynchpin of the Windies batting lineup. The windies desperately need him to support Lara and Gayle to help build a good score. He has often been guilty of not scoring quickly enough or faltering when the pressure is on.

* M Samuels - He has had some good scores of late. The Windies will be hoping that he can continue to score big and help set up/chase down some big scores.

My prediction:

The Windies are on very shaky ground. They should make it to the next round, but the Irish on current form look like they could ambush this team and prevent them from making it to the Super 8.

I will go out on a limb and say that they will not make it into the Super 8 round if they lose to the Pakistanis. So much is riding on this match against the Pakistanis on the 13th.

Team Talk - Australia
Team Talk - India
Team Talk - Pakistan

Team Talk - Australia

2007-03-12T17:31:00.000-07:00

Warm Up Matches:

Match #1 - 182 run win against Zimbabwe
Match #2 - 5 wicket win against England

Australia is back to their old ruthless selves. Like it or not they are the team to beat in this WC. The return of the talismanic captain Ponting seems to have re-energized the team and suddenly they seem unbeatable once again. It doesn't hurt either that by the time they play the Saffers on the the squad will be bolstered by the return of King Roy (Symonds), Gilchrist, and, possibly Matthew Hayden. The only chink in their armour could be their bowling which seems to have halved in effectiveness without Brett Lee, but it will take a special batting performance from the opposition to overcome the Aussies. To beat this "never say die" team will be an achievement in itself. I have ranked the Aussies below the Indians as they were unable to bowl the Zimbabweans in the first match.

Key Players:

* Ponting - He is currently the best batsman in the world. He has single handedly won games for the aussies by blowing the opposition out of contention with his batting. The aussies seem to become inspired when he leads from the front. If any team can think of beating the Aussies they have to get him out early. He is a very good captain as well. He manages his bowling resources very well and somehow always seems to get the best of his players.

* Shaun Tait & McGrath - This is expectedly going to be the opening attack for the aussies throughout the tournament. Without Brett Lee the Aussie bowling attack seems feeble in comparison. However the performance of this opening pair can well decide the fate of the Aussies against the stronger batting attacks.

If Shaun Tait can find some accuracy to go along with his tearaway speeds, the Aussies may not miss Brett Lee as much.

* Micheal Hussey - A case of better late than never, Hussey has arrived on the international scene only recently. However he has arrived in style and has given the Aussie batting line-up unprecedented strength thanks to his being able to bat almost anywhere in the batting lineup. He is currently the best finisher in the game. No score seems to be too big to chase or set when he is in.

He has not made a big splash at this tournament as yet, but then he started out his International career with a duck, and we all know how he has played since then!

* Shane Watson - He is what Irfan Pathan is to the Indians. He has disappointed with his bowling, but has been very handy with the bat. If he can get his bowling in order, he could be a match winner for the Aussies.

NOTE: Due to Symonds returning from a serious injury, I am discounting him from the Key Player list.

My prediction:
I repeat - the Aussies are the team to beat this tournament as well. However they seem far more falliable this time. Thanks to the other teams in this tournament they should get to the Super 8 with ease and reach the semis very easily. However their bowling will have to be on top form to ensure that they progress any further.

Team Talk - India
Team Talk - Pakistan
Team Talk - West Indies

Team Talk - India

2007-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

Warm up record:

Match #1 - 182 run win vs The Netherlands
Match #2 - 9 wicket win vs The West Indies

Much to my disbelief India (and relief) has played really well in the warm up games so far. In fact other than Pathan's wayward bowling and the pointlessness of having Sehwag in the team I can't really complain about much as a fan. They were great with the bat (was good to see Tendulkar hitting some runs in the first match) and devastating with the ball in the second. However I hope that this team does not become complacent as they play the mercurial Bangladeshis on the 17th.

Although I on current form I do not expect them to falter against the Bangladeshis, one has to consider that the only constant about the Indian team is their inconsitency (especially the batting). I hope the Indians take this form with them throughout the cup. If they play this way they could well be the team to dethrone the Aussies for the title.

Based on the performances in the warm up matches and the recent past here are the players I consider to be the Key players for India:

* Rahul Dravid - When he plays well, India almost always wins. He provides a solidity to the Indian batting that seems to rub off on players such as Yuvraj. When he fails India often falters. His captaincy has been very patchy as well. Here is a golden opportunity for him to prove his critics wrong.

* Yuvraj Singh & Mahendra Singh Dhoni - The performances of these two could well mean whether India win/lose their games. Be it on the field or with the bat, when they fire India can blow away their opposition.

Yuvraj is the future of the Indian batting line up. Hopefully he will show some temperment and play to his potential. If he does then no score is too large for India to set up or chase down. His bowling and fielding can prove to be invaluble as well.

Having seen the pitches so far, I am not sure if Dhoni will be able to play as he does in India, however he can clear the fence and can chip in with some vital cameos to help India set up a huge total/ win when chasing totals.

* Irfan Pathan - I am sure he will be selected in the batting line-up despite his indifferent form with the ball. However the pitches here will suit his bowling and he may surprise many with his bowling ala Brian Lara. If he can get his bowling sorted out India will have a bowling attack to be proud of.

My prediction:
Based on the performances in the Warm up matches I think a semi-final place is assured for the Indians. After that if they can continue in the same vein as they have in the last few games, fans such as myself could become believers again.

Team Talk - Australia
Team Talk - Pakistan
Team Talk - West Indies

Post WC warm up match summary

2007-03-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

I don't think I've ever followed warm-up games as closely as I've followed the games this time around.

But then to be fair I suppose that would be because sites that gave updates and tracked the scores did not exist. Nor did I actually ever worry too much about the progress of the other teams unless the match really counted.

However years later, after much disillusionment from the team that I follow, I have grown to appreciate the other teams as well. Probably more so than the team that I wish would always perform to their potential.

The warm-up games were very interesting indeed. Although most of them were one-sided, I for one was fascinated by the implications of these games. Here are my rankings based on the teams' performance in the warm up games thus far.

The Performers so far

India (W2 - L0)
Australia (W2 - L0)
Pakistan (W2 - L0)
Bangladesh (W2 - L0)

For the Aussies it was business as usual as they killed their opponents. However they did not bowl out an under-strength Zimbabwe team so they could have worries with their bowling.

India had a very strong showing in both matches and a ruthlessness that every Indian fan will be hoping will continue into the World Cup when it actually counts.

Pakistani fans had some very pleasant news as their team won both their games in style. This team is severely depleted in the bowling dept but to their credit they out-bowled the fancied Saffers in Trinidad and coasted to a 7 wicket win!

Bangladesh has been the surprise of the tournament so far. They ambushed a surprised Kiwi team in their first game and were clinical in their second performance against the Scots. They look good to cause a major upset in the World cup by potentially looking to topple India and/or Sri Lanka and reach the Super 8.

The underperformers

England (W1 - L1)
New Zealand (W1 - L1)
Sri Lanka (W1 - L1)
South Africa (W1 - L1)
Ireland (W1 - L1)

All the teams above flattered to deceive in the warm up games. They won one game convincingly (generally against the minnows) and yet faltered against others.

New Zealand was shocked by an ebulient and confident Bangladesh in their first match. However they recovered well and bowled out a pre-tournament favorite for a semi-final spot to win their match against Sri Lanka. Lots of issues for the Kiwis to work out - especially with their bowling. The batting seems a little fragile as well as their match against the Bangladeshis showed.

South Africa was very disappointing in the warm up matches. They went in as the #1 team in the ICC rankings but did little to prove this. They were very shaky in their win against the Irish winning on their superior experience and crumbled against the Pakistanis. Their batting has been inadequate as their batsmen seem to be struggling to adapt to the pitches of the Carribean. They will need a much better showing to live up to their name. A super 8 spot looks guaranteed given the other teams in the group, but a semi-final spot looks very unlikely if they continue to play as they have so far.

Ireland could spring a surprise as well! They had a fabulous showing against the Saffers losing due to inexperience despite being on top almost throughout the game. They could a surprise Super 8 team as well!

Sri Lanka was ruthless against Scotland but disappointed against the Kiwis. Muralitharan has not hit the ground running yet and their batting collapsed against the Kiwis despite being in a good position to win the game.

Half-baked

Kenya (W1 - L1)
West Indies (W1 - L1)
Zimbabwe (W1 - L1)

None of the teams above were convincing in their victories and got thrashed in another game. West Indies is a surprising member of this group. Their fans hope that their capitulation against India was a bad day and that there will be no further repeats of such a performance.

Zimbabwe and Kenya can only hope that they do something special to beat their more fancied opponents. Both teams look unlikely to progress to the next round, but with some luck and the opponents having a bad day could play spoiler to a major team.

Just plain bad

Canada (W0 - L2)
Netherlands (W0 - L2)
Scotland (W0 - L2)
Bermuda (W0 - L2)

All the teams lived up to their names. They got beaten by the other teams quite badly and need a lot of luck to make a mark on this tournament.

The World Cup is here!!!!

2007-03-06T16:51:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks back cricket was the last thing on my mind. In fact thanks to India's inept performances on the cricket field and all the pathetic drama that had nothing to do with cricket and yet seems to be ingrained in Indian cricket I had pretty much given up on the whole sport.

But now I seem to be catching World Cup fever as well! I am really looking forward to this WC! However there is one huge difference in me. I have no expectations of India doing well. In fact I won't be surprised if they get knocked out in the first round by Bangladesh, especially after they upset the Kiwis today.

Here's the trophy that everyone is vying for

I am following all the warm up games with my buddies at Cricforum. As always it's tons of fun following all the cricketing action with everyone there. In fact the main reason that I seem to be catching the fever is thanks all the members of the forum.

Unlike other forums like Banglacricket where the sole aim of the majority of the members seem to be bashing India and other countries that are not Bangladesh, Cricforum has some awesome members from around the world who like to get along and have fun.

Anyways the warm up matches have given the Saffers, Kiwis, and the Pakistanis some food for thought about what they should change for the real games. Am happy for the Bangladeshis and the Irish. I wish the Irish had won though. Was good to see India start their campaign well.

I always love it when a David slays a Goliath (except when India plays).

Well anyways the World Cup theme song composed by Shaggy and Rupee is pretty decent. Quite peppy and as with all reggae music incomprehensible (except for the odd line here and there).

I hope India does really, really well but am really not expecting much from them. I'm sure I will be posting more as the action heats up. This post wasn't meant to be a critical analysis... Just a blurb about how I have got caught up in the excitement of the World Cup.

Now I am seriously considering buying one of the online video streaming packages.

1 year and counting

2007-03-06T16:39:00.000-08:00

Wow how time flies!

This blog is now a year old. This is my 101st post on here. I hope that you readers have enjoyed reading blogs from me and my sis Ramya. We have been very busy over the past few months and so have not been very prolific.

Looking back, last time this year I was looking for something to do when I started this blog. A bachelor well on his way to finishing up his GMAT and pursuing his MBA.

I was pretty much sure about what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it. This year I have no clue about what I want to do by the end of the year, other than make sure that Swathy joins me of course.

Now my future looks a little murkier, a little scarier, and yet I wouldn't trade it in for all the security in the world cause of the people I have met and have been fortunate to fall in love with.

Here's to another year of blogging. Hopefully this year I will keep up with my resolutions and concentrate more on my career. Here's to another year of blogging and having my friends visit this site and leave more comments ;).

The things you have done to impress someone you've liked

2007-03-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

Swathy had started this thread in her cousins group asking ppl to state the things that they had done to impress the opposite sex in their headier more foolish days. Kind of brought back memories of all the stupid things I had done in my life.

I have umm...

* In college I had taken a girl and a whole crowd her annoying friends to a movie hall 2 hrs away while they kept screeching and shouting in the back seat of my car over one stupid thing after another. Me being the only guy in the car was seriously wondering if she was worth this effort.

* Then after the 2 hr drive had to put up with them for dinner and ended up paying the dam bill coz i was the only working guy... then decided she was not worth the effort.

* Looked after a girl's bratty brother while the girl went to the shops with her annoying friends. I figured that was easier to do than end up taking them shopping and paying for stuff I didn't want to pay. Actually had lots of fun with the kid... I taught him how to play cricket and he was quite good at it! He taught me how to hate his nursery rhymes tapes. After this ran for my life anytime I saw the girl.

* In school and another time in college played tennis in front of a girl's house ... but she only seemed to come out when I was losing
Same with cricket, badminton and other sports i'm good at... only seemd to be around when i was playing badly. Wondered where they went when I was playing well... but then found out that they were there even otherwise... and that I distracted myself and played badly when I shouldn't have

* Pretended to be a really good palm reader . This was quite a good one actually... although I'm sure everyone has done and most girls have had this done to them.

* In school sung and danced on stage even though i had major stage fright. Then found the girl I wanted to impress hadn't turned up at all! Still at least ppl talked well about it so the girl found out abt it from other ppl.

* In college I took a girl's friend to the hospital and stayed there all night (although the girl who i took to the hospital was also a very good friend - may not have stayed the night though if it wasnt for the girl)

* In office donated blood (although maybe this doesn't count coz I wanted to anyway) and this was a very good way to impress them! Most successful attempt ... coz I apparently impressed many ppl that I didn't intend to impress either! I think I wrote about this sometime ...
http://bharathh.blogspot.com/2006/08/ten-things-that-you-love-about-your.html

* Before meeting swathy I used to volunteer at a bunch of places to pass my weekends... One time there was this girl in the office who i used to like who asked if I wanted to volunteer at one place where I would be put in charge of overseeing some birthday party.

Found out when i got there that I was the only person there to babysit the kids.. Apparently she had told them that I was very good with kids, and they decided to use other volunteers elsewhere. God I had such a migrane after that!!!

2007-02-27T12:36:00.000-08:00

Back

So what have I been upto over the past month and a half? Lots really.

Well there was the New Year ... which I spent with my friends in Charleston. Spent a very good evening playing a card game called Judgement that I rock at, and got new ideas about how to blow money on me own audio-visual room when I actually earn enough money to make my dreams into a reality. Man is it going to be one funky room. When it materializes I may never come out of it unless there is a power cut!

And then of course there was the following two weeks I was crippled and handicapped by this annoying flu that derailed my hunkification project. So I guess I just looked decent for my wedding and not the hunk I could have been. :(

Oh and I got to go to India again to get married and had a blast of a time. My MIL and FIL and parents threw an amazing wedding. Never really been a fan of big weddings, but this one was so much fun I hardly realized the time go by. Pictures of the wedding can be seen here on my web album. Please do not feel shy about leaving comments. Posted some videos of our masti in the wedding on Youtube as well. You can find them if using the keywords Swathy Bharath.

Mehendi ceremony dancing 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecoTxehKeYU

Mehendi ceremony dancing 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiEhb76lPmo

Mehendi ceremony dancing 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijJ03iB1aag

Baarat dancing 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLdeeA8SB_g

Baarat dancing 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x16u1qoSSyM

Baarat dancing 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prHhMuTKj7E

Grahapravesam 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqRkfajO6pw

Grahapravesam 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q867PdtbThE

Went on an amazing honeymoon to Thailand. Did so much fun stuff there that we were both very sorry it ended. After the very public wedding the two of us had, we were very happy to have some alone time and we made full use of it!

Came back to some sobering news. The night we landed Swathy's cousin had a tragic accident in which he passed away. It was a terrible ordeal and I think fate was very unkind to have dealt Swathy's uncle and aunt who are amazing people such a huge blow.

Swathy was a rock throughout and took it amazingly well which really impressed me for dealing with something like this would have I thought been a very difficult thing to handle at her age. But she took it like a champ.

I really didn't want to come back to life all alone back in the States, but all good things come to an end and I came back to the US many times more in love with Swathy than I was before we got married.

Sat and edited all the pics and vids and relived every moment of my time with family and friends over the past week. Uploaded all the pictures and videos online and keep going back to view them over and over again. I suppose it helps a little with the homesickness.

Played my first match in the tennis leagues again and despite not playing too well won thanks to my opponents being very bad. Small mercies I suppose.

Here I am missing home and Swathy a lot again. Figured I had neglected my blog long enough and that I should write more to keep myself busy.

2007-01-05T02:10:00.000-08:00

red black or pink who cares!!! and its under breaking news!

2007-01-05T01:06:00.000-08:00

Vada Pav - Every Mumbaikar's on the move favorite....

Recipe for Vada Pav

Prepare a paste of 8-9 green chillies, 2-3 cloves garlic, 1 inch ginger.
Alternately you can use ready paste as follows: 1 tbsp green chilli paste, 2 tsp garlic paste, 1 tsp ginger paste.
Take 3 big potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed coarsely.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a Pan. Add 3/4 tsp mustard seeds, 1/4 tsp cumin seeds, 1/4 tsp asafoetida.
When the seeds crackle add 8-10 curry leaves and the green chilli, garlic and ginger pastes and let it cook for a few seconds.
Then add 1/2 tsp turmeric and 1/2 cup finely chopped onion. Wait till the onions becoe translucent.
Fold in the mashed potatoes, 1/2 tsp garam masala, salt to taste, 1/4 tsp sugar, juice of 1 lemon and 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro. Remove from fire. Cool.
Make small balls of this mixture, about the size of a ping pong ball. Leave aside.
In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of gram flour (Besan), 1 tbsp rice flour (optional), 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1/2 tsp red chilli powder, salt to taste, a pinch of baking soda, and 2 tsp hot oil. Make a thick batter of smooth consistency using water.
In a frying pan, heat enough oil for frying the potato balls.
Dip the potato balls in the preprared batter and then fry in hot oil till golden brown.
Blot the extra oil on a paper towel.
The potato balls are ready to use.
If you want to store them in the freezer, wait till it is completely cooled down, and then store in airtight zip locks.
Whenever you wish to use these frozen potato balls, thaw only the required number of pieces in a microwave and then toast lightly in a convential oven.
Serve as it is with green chutney and tamarind chutney or
Sandwich between regular buns ( best with pav bhaji bread available in hot breads). Spread green chutney, tamarind chutney and dry garlic chutney on the innner side of the bun and place 1 or 2 potato balls in between. Serve Hot. You can lighly toast the bread as well.

2007-01-05T00:09:00.003-08:00

came across this article in HT today. It is about single women. Made an interesting read. How things have changed....

Cherish Singledom

L IFE IS a celebration for us singles in the city — both the original singles and those who left the fold but are back again by choice or chance. In either case we are one strong growing tribe, making the most of life in the growing metropolis, Mumbai.

Times are changing. There has been a social evolution of sorts.

Babies nowadays respond readily to ring tones rather than rattles and the gentle leisure activity of school kids of making paper boats has now the distinguished designation of origamy. Thus, has emerged the modern Indian single woman with her pay packet that is her password to freedom.

Our group is often eyed with suspicion or expected to wallow in self pity. Is there an undisclosed element of envy too?

Single women come in myriad hues. Some choose to set rules for themselves and try to abide by them while others just take one day at a time.

It’s common to draw up contingency plans — lists of emergency contact numbers, provision for hospital admission and reliable friends who will check on rough and rainy days.

There is a charm about ringing the doorbell and letting oneself in with a loud ‘hello’, having a blar ing television set for company and setting the table for a nice little solo dinner. Of making one’s own plans of not having to apologise to anyone for working late.

It’s helpful to be realistic too — like being careful about supposedly friendly overtures, even as one delights in the gradually changing attitudes of Mumbaikars of nonchalantly accepting different lifestyles.

Going from a rental apartment the single woman is ready to purchase her own. And one in a great job is wonderfully equipped with car and chauffeur as well as retinue.

The independence of singledom grows on you. No tiring family chores, no upsets in one’s routine because someone else wishes otherwise.

However, it isn’t as if the single woman never thinks of changing her status. She sometimes contemplates life in a chummery or a hostel or wonders if she would like to hear wedding bells.

But while keeping ‘options unlimited’, she’s not likely to click any of them, given her chosen life of single in the city, a life she’s grown to love and to cherish.

If you are single and slugging it out in Mumbai, please send in your contributions to mumbailetters @hindustantimes.com

2007-01-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

these 4 songs have caught my fancy...i know they are hardly merry but i dunoo i jus like the tune and the lyrics.

DIDO LYRICS"White Flag"
I know you think that I shouldn't still love you,
Or tell you that.
But if I didn't say it, well I'd still have felt it
where's the sense in that?

I promise I'm not trying to make your life harder
Or return to where we were

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I know I left too much mess and
destruction to come back again
And I caused nothing but trouble
I understand if you can't talk to me again
And if you live by the rules of "it's over"
then I'm sure that that makes sense

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

And when we meet
Which I'm sure we will
All that was there
Will be there still
I'll let it pass
And hold my tongue
And you will think
That I've moved on....

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be

ANNIE LENNOX - "Don't Let It Bring You Down" - American Beauty
Old man lyin' by the side of the road
Where the lorries rollin' by
Blue moon sinkin' from the weight of the load
And the buildings scrape the sky
Cold wind rippin' on the valley at dawn
And the morning paper flies
Dead man lyin' by the side of the road
With the daylight in his eyes

Don't let it bring you down
It's only castle's burning
Find someone who's turning
And you will come around

Blind man runnin' through the light of the night
With an answer in his hand
Come on down to the river of sight
And you can really understand
Red lights flashin' through the window in the rain
Can you hear the sirence moan
White cane lyin' in a gutter in the lane
And you're walkin' home alone

Don't let it bring you down
It's only castle's burning
Find someone who's turning
And you will come around
You will come around

Aimee Mann - Magnolia - 'one'
one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
two can be as bad as one, it's the loneliest number since the number one
'no' is the saddest experience that you'll ever know
yes, it's the saddest experience you'll ever know
yes, because one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
one is the loneliest number that you'll ever know

it's just no good anymore since you went away
now I spend my time just making thoughts of yesterday
(one by one)
because one is the loneliest number that you'll ever do
one is the loneliest number that you'll ever know
one, is the loneliest number
one, is the loneliest number
one is the loneliest number
that you'll ever do
one is the loneliest number, much worse than two
one is a number divided by two(repeat)

Hoobastank's The Reason
i'm not a perfect person, there are many things I wish I didn't do
but I continue learning. I never meant to do those things to you
and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know

i've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be
a reason to start over new, and the reason is you

i'm sorry that I hurt, its something I must live with everyday
and all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away
and be the one who catches your tears, thats why I need you to hear

i'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you
and so I hate to say before I go, that I just want you to know

i've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be
a reason to start over new, and the reason is you
i've found a reason to show a side of me you didn't know
a reason for all that I do, and that reason is you

2006-12-31T01:09:00.000-08:00

awww. what happened to all our visitors! Brat we are back to square one. Commenting on each other's articles :(. I’m still deciding what to do for the new years. Stayed up late and got up late after such a looooooooong time. Felt nostalgic. It is just like college days :) dropped New Year’s wishes to everybody on my friends list, listening to favorite tamil, hindi and english songs. Used to do that before while working on last minute assignments...always wondered why working people said 'oh! I'm starved for time for extra stuff' I used to call them bad time managers. But now I’m party to the very same league I ridiculed. hummm...where did all that time go? A regular day starts at 5 something in the morn, workout session, getting ready for work, travel, work, travel back, eat, half hr or so o idiot box, half hour of orkuting, mail checking and crash to sleep. Sounds so uneventful to me. Anyway the last day of this year has given me a chance to leap back into old times....the prayer still stays brat!

2006-12-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

I rarely open fwds but this one on child abuse caught my eye. A very touching poem indeed!

My name is sarah
I am but three,
My eyes are swollenI cannot see,
I must be stupid I must be bad,
What else could have made My daddy so mad?

I wish I were better, I wish I weren't ugly,
Then maybe my mommy would still want to hug me.
I can't speak at all,
I can't do a thing wrong
Or else I'm locked up all the day long.
When I awake I'm all alone the house is dark
My folks aren't home when my mommy does come
I'll try and be nice,
so maybe I'll get justOne whipping tonight.
Don't make a sound!
I just heard a car
My daddy is back from Charlie's Bar.
I hear him curse,
my name he calls
I press myself against the wall
I try and hide from his evil eyes
I'm so afraid now i'm starting to cry
He finds me weeping he shouts ugly words,
He says its my fault that he suffers at work.
He slaps me and hits me and yells at me more,
I finally get free and I run for the door.
He's already locked it and I start to bawl,
He takes me and throws me against the hard wall.
I fall to the floor with my bones nearly broken,
And my daddy continues with more bad words spoken.
"I'm sorry!", I scream but its now much too late
His face has been twisted into unimaginable hate
The hurt and the pain again and again
Oh please God, have mercy! oh please let it end!
And he finally stops and heads for the door,
While I lay there motionless sprawled on the floor

My name is Sarah
And I am but three,
Tonight my daddyMurdered me.

2006-12-30T03:18:00.000-08:00

I've really succumbed to boredom today. Sooooooo bored. It’s been two days since I’ve been having light work. I’ve been trying to create work for myself for the past two days. Going through files, old excel sheets, updating documents, cleaning my cupboards….all done. Now what? Sitting idle is the worst torture one can go through.
I’ve bought a new phone so I had to update the address book. I tried as much as I could to drag this work today. But no! I completed it at jet speed. Went for a walk with a colleague. Tried to make it as long as possible, but then I walk fast so reached office in 20 mins. Caught up with all the news possible about retail and trademarks. Done that. Been there so many times! Finally a ray of light when I got a ‘you’ve got mail’ sign. Had to make a call and discuss about it with my boss Did that. It just took less than 15 mins. This is the problem with me, finishing a given job early. Damn good for the office, amazing persecution for me ‘caz ‘o every idle hour spent.
Prayer for the new year : GIVE ME SO MUCH WORK IN THE OFFICE THAT I AM NOT IDLE ENOUGH TO WRITE ANOTHER ARTICLE LIKE THIS!

2006-12-27T23:38:00.000-08:00

came across an article on names. A nice read.

Guest Article: Names and synonyms
Padma ThuravilRC&MDecember 28

Last week, my almost three year old daughter didn’t respond to either pet name or her own name. Instead came the pleading request: “Please… not that. Call me Anya?”

I’m stunned into silence. What?The oh-so-innocent look on her face deepens and she reiterates gleefully: “Please call me Anya no?”There… my daughter has renamed herself and insists on us calling her by the new name. I could cry when I think of all the effort, the emotions, not to mention the dozens of baby name books in which we invested… all in vain.

That brings me to the new era of naming er… branding er… whatever…My first tryst with the new era of naming came with an agency called Crayons. Then things that were things started becoming names. The relief was that at least Crayons, as the name suggested, was into doing something with colours, never mind if it was an advertising agency. At least, it sounded good, I thought as I went back to my mundane life at this rocking ad agency.How names have changed since then! Now we have Spinach and Lemon and Tomato and Orange and the latest I saw was Vitamins!!! (A fashion clothing store for girls.)Why can’t people let vegetables and fruits be?

This naming thing has taken an exciting turn… For generations, businesses were always known by their name, or so I thought. The Batliwalas, Daruwalas, Kabadiwalas – take a bow. Then came the traders whose businesses were known by who was running it – Khurana & Sons, Ramnik Lal & Bros, and so on. Then came the trend where just like the joint family became a nuclear family and then just singles, along came names like Preeti Vyas Gianetti, Pritish Nandy Communications – the trend of individuals becoming names becoming brands.

Anybody not from the industry would get confused. Though this was quite the done thing in the US, in India, it was something new and that made us sit up and take notice till we got used to it… and we moved on…But now we have moved on to something more interesting and the movement doesn’t seem to stop here.Now good old spinach is no longer the measly ‘palak’ used to make ‘palak paneer’, it’s a retail supermarket that promises you the elusive, ever fresh vegetables and fruits. Lemon is a creative hot shop. Tomato, which my colleague always assumed was an eatery, is a trendy shopping zone.

What puzzles me is what were the owners thinking of when they thought up these names, unless, of course, they were trying to be desperately different and ran out of options.But I do know what the pubs and the latest in trendy joints were thinking of when they decided to call themselves Amnesia or Velocity or Red Light.Like they say, some names are names and some names are controversy, like the restaurant with the swastika symbol called Hitler’s Cross in the lanes of Kharghar… Poor guy – so much for inspiration.Names need to at least connote what the business is all about, but if the name is the business, or the business is the name, which would come first?

Personally, I feel very comfortable with names that tell me what to expect – Only Parathas or Dosa Diner. But then again, at a ‘dosa’ diner, I know they also offer ‘idlis’ and ‘vadas’ and ‘uthappams’. Maybe the rationale is that the batter is more or less the same. Would it not have been better then to have called it Batter Diner?Gosh! Never knew names were so difficult to rationalise and think up. Anyway, who’s thinking?

Post script: By the way, after my daughter renamed herself, I have decided not to hunt for a name for my second child. After all, what is the point?

2006-12-27T13:05:00.001-08:00

My year in review

was reading one of those year in review articles on a news website when it suddenly struck me how much my life had changed in one year. Every year always brings in changes both expected and unexpected, but I have rarely ever given much thought to any of these. I have always been a firm believer in the adage 'life goes on' and never ever stopped to reminisce about the things that happened to me in the year.

However it really amused me to see how much I have changed over the past one year. I can remember exactly what my priorities were, things that I looked forward to, things I never gave much thought to, things that made me happy, sad, excited etc and how it has changed so quickly. Although my likes/dislikes etc have not changed all that much, what I would prefer to do has changed a lot!

For example last year around this time, things I really looked forward to doing (by order of preference) were:
1. playing tennis
.
.
.
2. eating good food or finding a new favorite restaurant/food item/cricket/hanging out with friends
3. hanging out with my sister (when she's around)
4. finding a date
5. Reading up on current affairs/browsing the net
6. working out/playing some random sport/watching movies
7. reading up on trivia
8. cooking
9. talking to my family on the phone
10. talking to friends on the phone

And now they go something like this:

1. Talking to/being with/daydreaming abt my fiancee
.
.
.
2. Talking to my family and hanging out with my sister (when she's around)
.
3. Finding new ways to save money so I can spend it later when she's around
4. playing tennis
5. working out/playing some random sport/watching movies
6. reading up on current affairs/browsing the net
7. cooking

As you can see my list has been dominated by one person. It is a little weird for me to notice how much one person has changed my perspectives and priorities in life in such a short period of time.... esp given the number of people I have met in my life.

The most amusing change everyone notices (and really tease me a lot about) though is to note how I've changed from being someone who hated talking on the telephone and rarely had much to say for more than 5 mins at a time can now talk for hours and hours about pretty much nothing to just one person. I think I must have spent more money on calling cards these past two months than I must have ever spent on my family/friends/dates/gfs... pretty much anyone in my entire life put together.

My friends I hardly bother about anymore. I do keep in touch but they hardly feature as much in my life as they used to. I feel sad sometimes that I'm drifting away as are they from me thanks to developments in their lives. But for some reason I rarely do much more than the bare minimum to do keep in touch.

I suppose life keeps changing as your grow older and you tend to have new experiences along the way every day, but there are some years that you feel that you've changed more than in others. This has been one such year for me.

2006-12-26T03:39:00.000-08:00

A nice read about the FedEx logo

2006-12-26T03:04:00.000-08:00

I like going shopping. 2 of my aunts and me make a good threesome for a shopping spree. Love to see what's the in thing in the market. Not that I have to buy whatever is the latest. Just that I just like to know stuff, feel and touch things that you can only dream about buying. Well with 'drive and see' schemes you can even hop into your dream car and get a free ride without worrying about money! You can even go into an air-conditioned store on a very hot day, pose as a serious buyer and leave all cooled off :) no strings attached. Oh yes you will see some very irritated faces but that’s okie. They see a 100 customers everyday. Who’s gonna remember a person returning the next year?

The store that comes under my serious shopping list is FabIndia. I love this store. I've harped so much about this store to my friends at office that they too have become FabIndiaholics. Go into the store, and I become so tempted so much so that I've stopped taking any form 'o money with me :)

I basically like wearing clothes that make you feel very comfortable and light. That’s exactly what is provided. High collared long, short and mini cotton kurtas all sans dupattas (man i really hate it) with block print/ hand embroidery. Their clothes give you a nice chic look. FabIndia better give me my cut 'cause no one I’ve sent there left without making a minimum purchase of 1000 :) hurrah to me!

One drawback was that they had very few outlets in India. With the retail boom catching up, you'll soon see a lot many of these stores. Who knows one many open in your city too! cross your fingers!

2006-12-26T02:35:00.000-08:00

Saw Kabul Express a couple 'o days back. I really liked it. My kinda movie, definetly. Man what has happened to hindi cinema. I'm amazed at the kind 'o movies they are churning out. Change for the better! Normally good movies are runied by the forced song sequences. Kabul Express was spared of this torture. I wouldn't call it a heart wrenching story but, somehow it appeals to you. There was a high level of consistency in location & wardrobe. Arshad Warsi got the best lines and ye was the fun attraction. There are many subtle messages given yet Kabul Express doesn't become preachy. This movie somehow reminded me of a photograph i saw some years back at a radhi shop. There are times when you see something and it just stays on in some corner of your mind just to resurface later. I'm sure a lot many people have seen it. That gaze. It makes you shiver and yet makes you look at it over and over again.

2006-12-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

Rants

Sorry for not posting the masti post I have been promising.... having a terrible week. I know it's not terrible as in something bad is happening.. but it's just one of those times when you feel that nothing is going right and things seem real crappy. However I have found out that:

First of all ... and most importantly - Long distance relationships SUCK! Esp if you are not in the same time zone.

Never take Nyquil instead of Dayquil during the day. It really screws your day up (not to mention your driving).

Time goes very slowly when you're bored. In fact it freaking crawls. Every second feels like it's a hour.

Don't ever try to argue with someone with a migrain. It really messes your day/night up!

Oh and long distance relationships SUCK!

:(

I hope this week passes quickly. Definitely one of my worst weeks ever!

2006-12-14T10:51:00.000-08:00

Hunkification of Bharath Hemachandran - Part III

Sorry about the short post but this has been a bad week for Bharath Hemachandran's dreams to achieve hunkification status. He has had to sit up late studying and due to this his daily gym routine and eating schedule has suffered disastrous consequences.

But the never say die attitude shall return very soon (hopefully on sunday after his singles match). Nonetheless here's hoping that all the studying pays off and he passes his exams with flying colors!

See you guys the other side of this weekend!

2006-12-12T08:14:00.000-08:00

Writing styles - Mills & Boons

Every writer has a style. The style that I have always found very entertaining (albeit in small doses) is the one used by the authors of that fascinating genre of books under the infamous M&B banner.

I suppose if you throw in a bunch of overdressed overactors, with overly sentimental, loud and over the top music you get a soap in any televised language.

Getting back to the books... and their writing style, M&B books are so much fun to read. A sure shot cure for any bout of depression or day when you're down. I mean just see how much more interesting life is through a M&B scenario! Unfortunately a guy has to read a bunch of stuff about the heros of the stories who are always unimaginably handsome and feel inadequate about themselves... but nonetheless hope is restored as the descriptions of the unimaginably beautiful heroine ensue.

Take a normal nursery rhyme:

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
and Jill came tumbling after

M&B style:

(First some background on our characters - Jill is a spoilt brat socialite and Jack is the poor cowboy who works on the ranch owned by Jill's father)

Jack's pounding heart raced as he followed the love of his life Jill through forest and over seas. His muscles rippled in anticipation of climbing the hill that loomed in the distance. Although he loved Jill and her heaving bosom with all his soul questions raced through his sandy hair covered head as his mane blew in the breeze like straws in the wind.

Why did she need to quench her thirst with water only from this gosh darned hill. It was so steep! Why was it so steep? Was she wearing a sports bra today? Her bosom didn't seem to be heaving as much...

Jill twinkling blue eyes sparkled as she thought about how much she was making Jack race after her. Good I'm wearing a sports bra tonight she thought as her delicate, porcelain features twisted into a smile that would have made the clouds weep in appreciation. Jill was enjoying making Jack run after her. After all someone with her beauty deserved a little bit of fun. Even though Jack was very good looking (the blah blahs ... i usually started skipping over the male descriptions from here on until the author started on the female again), but was he the one to get her water from the well everyday?

(ok getting a little tired here... so going into fast forward mode)

Little by little, day by day, Jack and Jill got closer to their destiny of drinking water from the well. Jack's muscles rippled a lot in the meantime as his green eyes haunt Jill and her heaving bosoms and delicate and porcelain beauty with a liberal sprinkling of curvaceous figure and attitude threaten to destroy Jack. Despite their deepest desires of getting some water on the well they after much drama sleep with each other.... and then on the way down fall and break their heads.

(Sorry got work to do and have to go to the gym for my own set of rippling muscles... so had to end the last 3 lines quickly. If you would really like me to expand the story please leave me a comment and I will do so in an update)

Well as you can see M&B is fun. It has something for both guys and girls. Isn't writing in someone else's mode of writing more fun? Ideas and suggestions for any more styles?

2006-12-07T07:30:00.000-08:00

Hunkification of Bharath Hemachandran - Part II

Hunkification is an arduous process. It is not for those weak at heart nor for those looking for something of a hobby to do. You need to use both mind and well... mind to trick the hunk within to surface. But the hunk is cunning as well. He will throw obstacles at every turn along the way willing you to leave him alone, but should you give in to the temptation of giving up and letting him be?

Well that would depend on you I suppose... No real answer to this question. Very subjective.

Oh well back to the topic at hand. Did I mention it was an arduous process? Running out of things to write here. :(

Oh yeah I can write about the obstacles that could come up.

Obstacle #1 - Odious emmitonius

The hidden hunk uses this funky latin sounding weapon to devastating effect (both for you and anyone around). While you are concentrating on ridding yourself of the copious padding that cakes your rectus abdominus, suddenly out of nowhere comes this unexpected caveat. The hunk invokes the odious emmintonius releasing the dreaded silent (well loud if you are unfortunate - make sure u are in a crowd then so you can look at someone else and shake your head pitifully) killer killing your mood to lure him out that way anymore. You are forced to cease and desist to pin the blame on someone else, or, well prevent further repercussions for your own well being.

Obstacle #2 - SharpSenseOfFoodSmellonius

Suddenly while you have been good for a few days avoiding anything that can derail your excellent sense of nutrition, you find that your sense of smell increases tenfold. Suddenly you can actually smell the delicious double chocolate chip cookie that someone in a different part of the building is eating. This is followed by your sense of smell pulling in other delicious smells such as butter popcorn being made in the break room, fries being prepared in the canteen downstairs, pizza baked in the store across the road .... This smorgasbord of delicious food smells causes your tastebuds to tingle, leading to much mental dilhelmas about trying to track it down and satisfy that craving that is created by the hunk. Ah the mind games can be quite terrible indeed! A recommends remedy for this is Empty Walletus, which however can be trouble if your car runs out of gas and you need to fill it up.

Stayed tuned for further updates

2006-12-05T13:20:00.000-08:00

Ramblings

Went to Chinar the Indian Restaurant in dt Charleston on Sunday with our Pictionary group as Sandeep and Priyanka were bidding Charleston farewell. Unknown to us Charleston county had scheduled their annual Christmas parade which seemed a little weird considering that there are 3 weeks to go for Christmas.

Nonetheless there was a small crowd collected along the parade route as pickup trucks (often bigger than the floats themselves) dragged hastily assembled floats down King Street towards the Battery.

I guess the best part was this dog dressed up as a rastafarian. Pretty cute. Oh and a before pic of me for those of you who wanted one. As you can see can do without the chubby cheeks.

Thanks to Dhaval who took most of these photos (except for the really nice ones that were taken by moi and Bhadri for uploading them after much persuasion)

2006-12-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hunkification of Bharath Hemachandran - Part I

Approximately 120 hrs ago, as he gorged on his 7th slice of bread with the aloo matter that he had prepared Bharath realized that he only had a couple of months before his wedding. A wedding in which he was going to be photographed from almost every angle whether he liked it or not. Now it's not that he was a complete slob, but there were surely a couple of well padded areas that would unfortunately be exposed to even the not so careful observer. Anyone blind enough to miss it the first time around would of course gather it during the perusal of the copious photos that were bound to result from the various ceremonies.

Even worse Mr. Hemachandran was one of those unfortunate few that cannot sit cross-legged.

The inevitability of having to show his wedding photos and vidoes to the junta sprung him into action. First stop, the thrash can.... to dispose of the half eaten 7th slice of bread and remaining slices of bread. Then sighing he thrashed the delicious aloo matter as well.

Then he consults various body building sites for good workout programs and comes up with one that would awaken the hidden hunk within. Next a search for a suitable nutrition program that would lure the protesting, badly fed hunk to the surface.

120 hrs hence, after having followed the workout routine to the T (not so much the nutrition routine) and endured many jibes, and much leg-pulling with a severe ab-burn, feels that yes... the hunk inside is protesting a lot to emerge. After all the hunk must be suffering a severe case of prisoner's complex having been trapped inside for all these years... 16 to be exact (apparently I was quite popular with the ladies until i became old enough to reciprocate their interest)

So here's to a good start.

Updates on the hunkification process to follow. Stay tuned.

2006-12-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Bored of your run o' the mill carols you have at home or listen to on the radio? I've always listened to carols growing up and used to sing for many choirs as a kid for my schools. However now, hearing the same ol' carols gets to me.

And then I found these renditions by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They are amazing! Apparently they've been around for a bit, but I never knew their songs were this good! They really rock (pun intended) :D.

Check out Sarajevo courtesy of youtube

They have many others on youtube as well. Others I was able to find on youtube were Wizards of Winter, Faith Noel, Christmas Cannon Rock, Queen of the Winter Night, Good King Joy, An Angels' share and many more.

I am def going to their concert if they happen to play in Charleston.

2006-11-30T15:22:00.000-08:00

And so it begins

I have exactly 62 days before I head to India again. I have an impressive number of things to get done before then, but all that I feel is going to play second fiddle to the most important of all.
My 60 day exercise routine.

Now I have always been in decent shape and have no trouble running ~ 4-5 miles, but I've had one big problem... I've always been a little on the chubby side. But all that ends here and now. I figured out a nifty exercise routine and am going to follow it even though it scares the heck out of me! :(

The scary part is the diet I am supposed to follow during that time. Oh well I suppose it will be worth it if I can get those pacs in the abs and be less chubby. So anyways... Here's a before pic of me that I took recently prior to the workout. I will be weighing myself everyday and recording my body fat % etc in a log that I will publish at the end of the 60 days.

For those of you interested here is what my routine is going to be like. It's a 6 day routine where I will be concentrating on one set of muscle groups every alternate day. Since tennis season only starts in Feb again, I can really start pushing myself.

Day 1 - Chest
5 mins light running
4 sets Bench
4 sets Incline
4 sets Decline
4 sets Flys

Day 2 - Shoulder + ab workout 1
5 mins light running
4 sets seated shoulder press
4 sets front raise and reverse flyes
4 sets shrugs/low pulley raise

5 sets of 20 reps on the ab machine
3 sets of crunches (25 reps ea)/hanging leg raises(10 ea - hope to reach 20 by the end of 60 days)
4/5 sets of back extensions

Day 3 - Cardio + ab workout 2
35 mins running/elliptical
5-10 min seated rowing

5 sets of 20 reps on the ab machine
3 sets of crunches

5 mins of cool down running

Day 4 - Back + biceps
5 mins of rowing
4 sets of Lat pull downs
4 sets of pullovers
4 sets of resistance seated row

3 sets of arm curls
3 sets of triceps/biceps curls

5 sets of back extensions

Day 5 - Cardio
I should have tennis practice/ultimate frisbee or some other sport to keep me occupied for one day. Also brings some variation into my routine

Day 6 - Cardio + ab workout 3
10 mins of running
15 mins elliptical

5 sets of 20 reps on the ab machine
3 sets of crunches (25 reps ea)/hanging leg raises(10 ea - hope to reach 20 by the end of 60 days)
4/5 sets of back extensions

Day 7 - Rest

The routine above is going to need some discipline to follow, but I've done 2 days now and I suppose I've got enough motivation to complete the rest.

The scary part is going to be the diet :(. No more goodies. I suppose I've snacked enough. But anyways my diet is going to have to be more day centric. I need to eat a big breakfast, smallish lunch and just have something very light yet filling for dinner.

I hope I can get past the initial inertia. If I do then I should be all good. The first month is going to be hell though. Oh well!

2006-11-27T12:31:00.000-08:00

So how was your Thanksgiving?

Was the most popular question that was being asked around the office today. Generally I just shrug and say in a non-commital tone that it was ok. Of course I always enjoy shopping on Black Friday and am always glad that I can get a couple of extra holidays.

This year however was awesome. In fact it has been a few years since I enjoyed my thanksgiving so much! In fact it was so good that I wish it could have gone on and on and on! I ate so much and enjoyed myself so much that I skipped two meals since I got back from my holiday. In fact my stomach still feels a little full from all that I ate last week.

I visited my in-laws' house and they were everything that you wish they were and nothing they shouldn't! Being with them was just like hanging out with some of my college friends. I really miss just hanging out with friends nowadays. Everyone has gotten so absorbed into their own lives that it is difficult to re-connect with anyone with more than a phone call!

Gone are the days when I would stay awake through the nights chatting with friends, playing cricket or even kabaddi with friends who would drop everything at the drop of a hat. Sigh! I miss my college days so much! I suppose a part of me is sad that I will never ever live like that again. However a part of me is overjoyed that I was able to experience times like those that I will be able to remember all through life.

Just about a year back I was nothing more than a new grad with nothing to worry about in life. In fact life had become a little mechanical since I graduated. This year things have happened so quickly that I find it a little hard to comprehend all the changes! Still I suppose as they say C'est la vie! Time to move on and celebrate the present and the future and retire the past.

So cheers to the good times and here's hoping for many more.

2006-11-20T09:57:00.000-08:00

Being absent-minded

Sunshine's post about being absent minded reminded me about something that happened to me a while back :).

I was sitting in my cube the other day just minding my own business when a cabinet was moved into my cube. Since I am currently without a cube-mate and my dept was switching some things around, they had kept it in my cube.

Someone came to use the cabinet and I heard a beeping sound just as she opened a drawer and then again just as she closed it. And a third one just as she opened another drawer and another just as she closed. I thought it was very strange that we had such a high-tech cabinet and wondered what could be stored in there. Every time she was either opening or closing the cabinet there was a beep.

I watched for around 3-4 mins trying to see if I could figure out what kind of cabinet this was! Now this cabinet looks like one of the safes that you find in a bank. Very compact and solid.

I said to her, "Wow that is one amazing cabinet we have here! What do we store in there?" She looked at me with a puzzled expression and said, "It's just a cabinet.'

I say, "Yeah. But it's a pretty hi-tech cabinet isn't it?"

Her: "Is it? It's just a cabinet you know. Why do you think it's high tech?"

Me: "Well it beeps and stuff when you open the drawers."

Her (amazed): "Really? I've never heard it beep!"

Me: "No really! Try it!"

She did and there was no sound! Now I didn't want to look stupid so I went up to the cabinet and crawled all around trying to find that led or some other indicator that would make it beep. But she seemed to be right.

It was just an ordinary cabinet.

She thought I was just funning with her and walked out still a bit puzzled...

Then I turn around and my computer was off! I looked down and saw that my UPS was down as well. Apparently the sound was being made by my UPS as a warning for my kicking out the power cord by mistake. The beeps were sounds made due to the UPS running out of charge powering my machine off.

2006-11-19T17:06:00.000-08:00

11 weeks to go!

For the marriage I mean. I really am looking forward to it I suppose. Never figured that my temple architecture trip to India would turn into a getting engaged to a budding architecture major. Anyways weirder things have happened I suppose. Just goes to show what a girl I've become. I always thought it was the guys who were supposed to be the nonchalant ones in the relationship, having as much fun as they could before the marriage while their significant other pined away for em.... Just goes to show how the times have changed ;)

Anyways had an interesting weekend - or Saturday I suppose. Watched the new Bond movie... which was very interesting. As far as I am concerned the jury is still out on what I thought about it. I still can't make up my mind! I liked the fact that it was not a typical Bond movie... but also did not like it because of the same reason! It was a little too sappy for a Bond movie, while on the other hand the violence was gloriously realistic and hard hitting (again not Bond like).

Nonetheless it is definitely worth a watch. Then I had a bout of college football with my friend Amit. I was surprised for a second about how much I accepted saturday evening football. I remember 8 yrs back when I first came to the US, I solemnly vowed that I would never like this crappy American wannabe Rugby. But now I like it miles more than Rugby - in fact I've forgotten the rules of Rugby! So anyways the much touted Michigan-Ohio State game was very boring... I thought OSU had wrapped up the game in the 3rd quarter, and Michigan was basically just playing catch up to 'em. Was surprised to hear today in the news that this game is being heralded as one of the best ever games between the two teams! Wow. These guys must have had some boring games!

Today was a very boring day. Slept in much of the day, had a match tonight, won that easily and broke my roomie's racket strings as well. That's the third racket in 3 days that I've disabled :(... Now I have no rackets left and a match to play tomorrow as well. Oh well, I suppose I will have to borrow a teammate's racket and hope I don't break the strings on that as well. Really regret breaking one of my rackets last week. Could have at least used that :(. Had just changed the strings on that, but broke the frame in a fit of anger.

Oh well, at least I'm a week closer to seeing my parents, relatives and of course Swathy again. So even though tomorrow is a Monday, at least there is a silver lining in there. Here's to 11 more quick weeks!

2006-11-17T19:08:00.000-08:00

Ramblings

I realized something this weekend as I lay prostrate on my couch watching the World's Funniest TV Commercials. I've changed a lot. Especially over the past couple of months. There used to be a time when a weekend like this would have been one that I would have looked forward to with great enthutiasm. I mean there's a brand new James Bond movie releasing today (with fantastic reviews); I have my supply of tennis for the weekend; I will be meeting my sister after 8 long months for thanksgiving in a few days.... but somehow the joy of these things seems so mundane - which is probably why I was lying prostrate on my couch watching the World's Funniest TV Commercials.

I mean on a normal day even this would have been something that was worth talking about. I mean come on... some of these commercials were awesome! There were the exquisitely funny and inventive ads, the gross but hilarious commercials, the cute and cuddly spots.... stuff that you would laugh to and go to sleep feeling all better.

However I've discovered that there is no hope for me now. For some reason unless I get to talk to this girl who lives in Bangalore, life seems bereft of any enjoyment. I find it vaguely amusing that someone whose cellphone bills rarely exceeded 10 dollars worth of actual talk time a month can actually spend more than a 150 in a few weeks.

It's not that I don't have things to do. I am busier than ever nowadays! I play tennis almost every day for a couple of hours, I am very busy at work, I have a couple of certification exams to study for (which I haven't started btw), in addition to the usual chores I have to do around the house and in my life. ... and yet I find myself moping around feeling maudlin and lonely - something that I have never felt in my life before. Sure I've had the bouts of homesickness and the occasional "noone loves me" phases, but I've been able to shake them with nothing more serious than a delicious homemade banana milk shake or a super workout at the gym.

Maybe it's coz every moment that I spend without this girl seems like a moment wasted to me. When I talk to her it feels so great! Not sure how one person has become such a huge factor of my life in so little time, and how they seem to command so much even in absentia, but when I talk to her, laugh with her, argue with her, life seems so complete. Not sure why I am feeling what I am feeling though I know there are many who would give up a lot to be in my position in both life and career wise.

Not sure about anything anymore .... other than the fact that I really miss my Swathy :(

2006-11-09T03:44:00.000-08:00

I found these 2 write-ups incredibly funny :D

Kiss and Tell!
Suresh Nair
Friday, DNA, November 03, 2006 22:50 IST

The party season is about to begin and it’s time for some of us to brush up our social skills! Especially when it comes to greeting the host or vague acquaintances whose last name you just can’t remember!

I already dread this season more than our unpredictable monsoon! As I still don’t know how the hell does one air kiss a woman? Or, what do I do with my hands when I lean sixty degrees to make the “mwah” sound close to her cheek? The last time, I had to air kiss someone, I ended up putting my hand around her waist and “mwahing” into her ear!

It’s funny that air kissing is rapidly creeping out of party circuits into our homes and replacing good old “namaste”, though it’s considered in the land of Hollywood as an “insincere and childish practice of contemporary showbiz society” which largely comprises of the “maws” – model/actress/whatever!

Which explains why the sound is sometimes “maw mwah”! The only reason why it’s a widely accepted form of greeting is because those at the receiving end of the air kiss have often spent considerable time on their make-up and don’t want it spoilt by your inconsiderate lips.
So they prefer this near-miss kiss with a sound effect to exaggerate the pretence of a genuine kiss. By the way, I am told the ideal distance between two people during an air kiss is between one to three feet. Anything more than that would end up as a vulgar gesture with your lips!
Greeting someone depends a lot on geography. Cheek kissing is socially acceptable in Russia but frowned upon in Europe. But cheek kissing a woman who is not related to you could land you in serious trouble in the Middle East.

As for New Zealand, some Kiwis still greet each other by pressing their respective noses together. It’s known as Hongi, though people who’ve just got a nose job done are advised to stick to the old fashioned handshake.

The idea behind pressing noses is supposed to be symbolic of sharing the breath of life, which again is all fine so long as the other person doesn’t suffer from bad breath or a running nose!
But this party season, I am contemplating on greeting people in Chinese “kowtow” style –which is by kneeling and bowing so low as to touch my head to the ground!

Male Chauvnist Ponderings
Suresh Nair
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 20:33 IST

I laughed out loud at something I read yesterday. It was about a recent research that suggests men are weaker than women! Do we really need a research to tell us that? It’s an oft quoted adage that God gifted men with something below their waist and something in their head but unfortunately not enough blood supply to run both at the same time. Also, the circulation is particularly weaker to the head when talking to a woman. And, that’s why you often hear men tell women things like, “But that’s not what I said!” or “But that’s not what I meant!”

Whoever said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach was way off the mark. Actually, the way to a man’s heart is a few inches below his stomach. Arguably, that’s why infidelity is not so difficult a thought to entertain for most married men. Especially when he’s following his shopaholic wife around a mall and notices an angel in low-waist jeans that begins way below her navel and a short t-shirt that’s ended a few kilometres above her belly button. Now, if only he could hide his wedding ring, he could have asked her out for coffee to understand her history better and explore her geography further!

But if you wonder why a woman shows so little heart at times, it’s because her heart only weighs 8.8 oz compared to the 10.6 oz heart that weighs down a man. That explains why men are prone to give their heart to more than one woman at a time. Because they simply don’t want to burden any one member of the opposite sex with all that weight! It’s also a fact that the size of a man’s heart is that of two clenched fists, which is why he looks more angry than hurt when a woman dumps him for something like… a new pair of shoes!

While we all know that men are from Mars and women are from Venus, scientists have tried hard to find evidence of life on Mars while never daring to venture anywhere close to Venus. Why? Because most space scientists are men!

Finally, it’s now official that the universe is 13.7 billion years old. So what do you think is the average age of a woman if she is from Venus? Aha! Now you know why women often keep their age a secret?

2006-11-09T01:53:00.000-08:00

Memoir

One thing that comes to mind when you mention B’bay is the unflinching, ever increasing crowd. I got my first dose of the mob about 15 yrs ago. One of dad’s cousins lives in Virar. One fine Sunday it was decided that we should visit them to keep the ties intact. There went a day's play down the drain. I cried, tried making a fuss, hid under the bed, but to no avail.

I had to forgo a day’s play to meet my relatives in Virar. Relatives! We left home early in the morning. Walked to the bus stop in hope that a Borivili or a Dadar bus would come soon. The local train service had not started at that point of time. We waited and waited. I was happy partly ‘cause the more the wait the more the frustration and more the chances of going back home and more the chance of me getting to play! But my happiness was short-lived. There came a bus for Dadar, bursting with passengers. I wriggled through the crowd, mom followed me and dad managed a footboard. After a 40 minute bumpy ride I was glad that I could still felt some sensation though my bum was close to numb. We walked to the Dadar station. To my dismay I found the crowd in the bus no crowd at all! The ticked counter sported gigantic tentacles, the end of which was difficult to determine. Finally my mom did what women do best, getting tuff things done, she got tickets for all 3 of us! The bus travel had exhausted me. I became cranky. I was calmed down by a Frooti. It used to be a big thing then :). We had to needle through the packed station, climb up an open bridge climb down again. Oh! It was so damn exhausting for me. Anyway we did manage to reach the platform where we could get a train to Virar. Soon the train chugged its way to the platform. My dad frantically gave my mother last minute instructions as to where to get down, where they would meet and stuff. We did get into the train. And man! how sorry we were to do so.

We were greeted by the stench of perspiration, fish mongers sporting wry faces refusing to budge, ladies who looked like they were wrestling champions... I looked like a mouse I front of mammoths! The compartment was so jam packed. I was pressed against somebody else’s stomach, my hand in one direction, leg in another like as if someone was wringing me. I hoped with every station passing by that the crowd would decrease. But, it just didn’t. The stink of fishes coupled with the stench of perspiration was too much to take. I felt pukey. Everybody was at their wits end to control their pent up frustration and anger. The atmosphere was more than tense. A humongous lady got in. Obviously she needed space to move around. She couldn't wriggle in like me :) She happened to kick one fish monger’s basket and that’s it. That did it. It gave everybody a reason to fight. There was such chaos, hair pulling, war of words, fist fight, stuff that usually is shown in movies. We got live entertainment. My mother was at her wit's end not knowing what the close, my eyes or my ears :)

The highlight oh the situation was that mom an me got a place to sit till Virar. Good for us. We finally reached Virar thanking our stars that we were still in one piece. By the time we got down our very well ironed clothes were in tatters. We looked like we desperately needed money. By the time we did reach dad’s cousin’s place, it was time to leave. Since that trip, it was decided that all ties can be maintained by something called a telephone. As for me, I got an undisturbed, uninterrupted quota of play time!

2006-11-08T03:30:00.000-08:00

Came across these tit-bits in a reader's digest site.

Four-year-old Emily and nine-year-old Samantha, my two granddaughters, had been saving their money and were anxious to buy something, so I took them shopping one day. Everything Emily saw, she wanted. “Do I have enough money to buy this, Gramma?” she’d ask. “No, you don’t have enough,” I’d reply. Finally, she tilted her head to one side and asked, “Gramma, do you want me to help you spend some of your money?” - Marlene Williams

My sister’s dog had been deaf and blind for years. When she started to suffer painful tumours, it was time to put her down. As I explained this to my seven-year-old son, he asked if Jazzy would go to heaven. I said I thought she would, and that in dog heaven, she would be healthy again and able to do her favourite thing: chase squirrels. Jacob thought about that for a minute, then said, “So dog heaven must be the same as squirrel hell.” - Judy Sutterfield

A very pregnant woman made her way to our nurse’s station in the labour-and-delivery ward. Her mind understandably elsewhere, she explained, “I’m here to be seduced.” My co-worker smiled and said, “I think you already have been.”- Mary Ziegler

Unlike many other professionals, my parents, both mathematics professors, can’t seem to leave their work in the classroom. Recently I witnessed the following conversation. Mom: Has my midsection gotten larger? Dad: Yes. Mom: Since exactly when? Dad: I don’t know. It’s a continuous function. But it became statistically significant about six months ago.- Priyanka Basak

As a business-writing instructor, I read lots of résumés. Inevitably, I run across some students with skills no employer could pass up, such as: • The young paramedic who “makes life-threatening decisions on a daily basis.” • A child-care worker who can “overlook up to 35 children at one time.” • An enterprising young woman who is “flexible enough to perform in all manner of positions if the situation gets desperate.” - Autumn Campbell

2006-11-07T04:06:00.000-08:00

Black and white

Age and experience are two things that are given their due respect in India, socially. In public sector companies, age is directly proportional to seniority in the organization.

However with global and technological exposure, this situation is changing at rapidly. Senior does not mean a person who has crossed 50, has 20+ years of work experience, has grey hair…Performance matters. A fresh perspective, ability to be malleable and to learn on the job is vital. It doesn’t matter if you have years of experience in your kitty anymore. If you don’t posses progressive qualities, you’ll be left behind. It is not uncommon to find a 27 yr old boss now a days.

The scales have tilted and this is unwelcome by the experienced lot, creating friction at the workplace. The experienced lot feel they are too experienced, to take instructions from the incompetent, inexperienced younger generation who have little regard for the elderly. The younger generation thinks the older lot is too outdated in their ideas, unmotivated, and fresh idea resistant.

This conflict arises due to the clash of mindsets. Unpleasant situations can be avoided if we bear in mind certain things while interacting with the elderly people.

The older lot find it much more difficult to change than the younger lot. Nobody likes to be bogged down and bossed over certainly not when it comes to the younger lot. A little patience and sensitivity while communicating with the elderly will go a long way in winning their confidence. who doesn’t feel happy when he/she is made to feel important and to let them know that their experience is an asset to the organization?

Not every young boss is brash, aggressive, prejudiced, and disrespectful and not every older employee is haughty, or closed- minded. A little respect to the older lot will help establish good rapport with them.
The good ‘ol days are what they are ‘good old days’. It can be quite grating to hear about it at the drop of a hat. Being young does not necessarily mean that person is incapable. There should be a convergence of experience and new technology. It could go a long way in establishing rich and fruitful relationships if the channels of communication are kept open.

Ultimately both are working towards the same goal, the greater good of the company. Keeping this in mind will help focus positive energies constructively.

2006-11-06T12:26:00.000-08:00

Women are from Venus, Men are just devious

Every now and again ... I read something that I would actually dare to forward to my friends. The joke that OT from Cricforum received as a forward below would happen to be one of them.

ROFL

I never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.

FOR EXAMPLE:
One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me."

I said "WHAT??!! What was that?!"

So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man." She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?" Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take so I told her we'd just buy them all.

She wanted new shoes to complement her new clothes, so I said lets get a pair for each outfit. We went onto the jewelry department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you...she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis.

I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation she finally said, "I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier."

I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it." Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled " WHAT?"

I then said "Honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"

Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either.

2006-11-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

Ramblings

I had a very late night yesterday chatting with Swathy and her cousins. So sleepy!

Yet I have to wake myself up properly and go play a tournament.

Thank god I only have a doubles match today. Worst part is that it's just a couple of degrees above 0 degrees right now. It always looks so weird when it's freezing and the sun is shining full blast.

O well. Time to go brush my teeth and have a bath. Then off to the Pine Forest courts to try and get my trophy count upto 3 for the year. Ho hum.... so sleepy!

Still have to start studying for my certification exams that are just around the corner. Somehow the knowledge of this fact hasn't goaded me into hitting the books at all.... Just feel sooooo sleepy!

2006-10-31T10:59:00.000-08:00

I found an old article I had written for my uni's newspaper once. A match report for our cricket tournament. Can't seem to find the remaining of the series :( Still awesome memories rekindled by this one here.

Jingalalahoodihoo

Bharath Hemachandran
Guest Writer

The sun was shining, the birds (well crickets… no birds around Sunset Trace) were singing when the players of Jinga-lala-hoo and Hoodibaba woke up early in the morning in preparation for their first intramural match.

Everyone was all set for one of the big intramural games this semester. Things seemed to be going perfectly! The weather seemed to defy Weather.com, the reference point for all intramural games (from this point henceforth). Weather.com had predicted thunderstorms throughout the day, and yet the current state of atmosphere seemed to have dealt a knockout
punch to the web-site’s gloomy predictions. The captains had their team talks with their respective players to ensure that all their players turned up for the match. Hoodibaba’s captain even had the nerve to map out a strategy for the game with his vice-captain, and the
captain of Jinga-lala-hoo was actually up by ten in the morning!

The rains literally poured lots and lots of cold water on the plans via a cloudburst that lasted exactly 10 minutes and 50 seconds. Despondent were the captains and players of the respective
teams over the prospect of there not being a match up, but give up they did not.
On closer inspection of the pitch (which is supposed to be even), it was concluded that they would be better off playing on the crater-filled surface of the moon. However, again the enthusiasm of the players and the prospect of an open revolt resulted in hasty decision being made to actually manage on this pitch. And so, the game was about to begin, with everything
in order, with the bowler ready to start the game, and with the batsmen, umpires and fielders looking keen to begin.

Alas! It was not to be. The Florida weather gods figured that we were too eager to play and decided that they should break the whole thing up with a neat display of lightning accompanied
by lots of rain. So, beaten and very wet, the captains and umpires could come to only one conclusion:
the match had to be abandoned and the points split. Stay tuned for more match reports on this exciting and funfilled ICO Champions Cricket Trophy.

2006-10-26T09:24:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken about 10 years back in a unassuming place called Krishnapuram, Tamil Nadu.
We always talk about Leonardo, Raphaeal, Berne....the sculptures back here, at home are no less talented. Each of these sculptures is a masterpiece in it's own rite. This article is a tribute to all the unsung artists of our country. Unlike marble these stones are extremely difficult to carve on.

Note the intricate designs and the way the shoulder cloth
is thrown over the shoulders of the male figure

Rambha on a swan. Each strand of her hair is visible. There is a hole in her nose that is just enough for a nose ring!

You can count the ribs on this sculpture!

A goddess, the finger nails are realistic and sharp. The ornaments are detailed and you can put your hand under each one of them.

THis depicts a wild goose chase. A hunter is carrying away the princess. A minister chases him on a horse and strikes him with a spear. The part where the hunter is injured is reddish in colour

Veerabadra, wearing a garland of skulls. The statue is balanced on one foot. You can put your hand under the sole of the foot on which he is standing!

The face cream lotions have cometition! I bet no one can match the smooth surface of this sculpture. The cheeks are as smooth as silk

Arjun dressed as an old man

Yudhishtir

The god of love, manmathan with his bow of sugarcane. A needle put through the top of the bow will come out through the other end of the bow.

2006-10-22T04:14:00.000-07:00

A fun Diwali

I had the best Diwali I've had in about 12 years. Usually Diwalis in the US consist of waking up in the middle of the afternoon, finding out about the day being Diwali from other people wishing you, getting dressed in the night and go and have some food with a few friends at some lame function.

However this year was different. I really had a blast this year. Woke in the morning and tried caling everyone on my phonebook list to wish them a happy diwali. Unfortunately most people seemed to be busy doing the same or hadn't woken up as yet. So well I talked to a bunch of voicemail programs expressing my wishes or hastily cut the line after wishing the sleepy uns a happy diwali. No point in drawing curses for waking ppl up y'know.

Well anyways I had more food that I can care to name, burst firecrackers after 12 years, breathed in the smoke from the firecrackers that reminded me of being stuck in an auto on the roads of Bangalore, oh and did I mention all the food???

2006-10-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

Finding the malfunction in YOU - Secrets to a more successful and famous life

Forget what you have been told by every person who felt qualified to give you advice. Nurturing your true talents have nothing to do with how successful you become in life. The true path to fame and fortune lies in finding which of your talents you can cause to malfunction in life. What I am trying to say is take your best talent (even a mediocre talent will do just fine), cause it to malfunction and you will find yourself in a whole other plane of success, fame, and fortune.

I have performed exhaustive research into this intriguing hypothesis and am giving you enviable people the prologue to my ground breaking novel.

Finding the malfunction in YOU - Secrets to a more successful and famous life

Let me start with the most obvious type of malfunction. That caused by mistreated accessories, and articles of clothing that go on strike when needed most..... Or is it all a highly calculated strategy employed by people that are indeed smarter than they look?

Ever since Janet Jackson's strap decided to "malfunction" in front of millions of people, we have seen so many different clothes deciding to make a statement for themselves by going on strike. Coincidentally it only happens during major public events and to little known/struggling actresses desperate for some publicity. Nonetheless look at what it has done for their careers.

Those poor hot bods confined within clothing that was at least one size too small to be called clothing, rightly celebrated their right to freedom by conspiring with their captors and causing them to strike. Sure we got the baleful smiles accompanied by the "OH MY GOD!"s and "HOLY !"s, but what was the end result? It meant that despite the clothes wanting to prove a point for themselves the actresses' celebrating hot bods ensured they got the fillip their careers desperately needed.

Being the researcher that I am conducting exhaustive studies on these malfunctions and sparing no photograph covering these incidents, I have concluded that having malfunctions are a good thing. In fact I have even noticed that it is not just the wardrobe variety that can lead a person to fame, fortune and success.

Take the wildly successful rise to success of the multi-talented man Himesh Reshammiya. In an industry where singing success was measured against the yardsticks of the Rafis and Kishore Kumars, this man has defied all logical odds to eclipse each and every one of these singers.

What is the secret behind his success you may wonder? Well wonder no more. The secret is his malfunctioning voice. There are people who have been thrown out of music classes or offered consolation prizes for horrible singing before, but this musical genius has cunningly synergyized his wildly malfunctioning voice with his hyperactive nasal passages to give us music that has wowed his audiences.

It is not the quality of his songs as much as the fascination associated with this synergy that has dumbfounded his critics and captivated his fans. Himesh has had such a profound impact that even elevators that previously announced floors with a crisp beep have been reprogrammed to beep with a heavy nasal intonation.

Now can Rafi with his perfect voice ever claim to have influenced the mechanical world in such a manner?

Even his malfunctioning face and body have inspired enough people to thrust him into the role of a film hero as detailed by this article.

So my friends, all is not lost. Do not despair. You still have time to find that one talent of yours and cause it to malfunction. Who knows where your malfunctioning talent will take you?

I have seen glimpses of my true path to fame and fortune coming from my mediocre writing. I am still pondering on how exactly I can make it malfunction to reap the kind of success the subjects of my studies have. But I have already set on the path to success. Isn't it time you do the same???

2006-10-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

Which country am I living in?incidents like this sound so weird.

16-yr-old weds hill in Jharkhand
By: IANS October 16, 2006
Ranchi: A 16-year-old man in a Jharkhand village got married to a hill so that his mother could “clear herself of a curse”.The marriage of Robin, a resident of Bordih, with Laxmi hill was solemnised with great fanfare. Robin garlanded the top of the hill and kissed it. Laxmi hill was also decorated by the villagers. A grand feast was organised on October 10 for 400 villagers.Robin’s mother, Keswari Devi, once injured herself while climbing the hill. She believed that she had been cursed by the hill, which should be appeased at any cost.“The hill goddess came to my dream and she asked me to get my son married to her,” she said.Said Robin, “I married the hill to help my mother get rid of the curse. I have accepted the hill as my wife.”

2006-10-16T01:19:00.000-07:00

An interesting game show on the lines of the stock exchange will be aired on Sahara Filmy. Quite innovative I say. This is a perfect example of a 360 degree participation. Great going Filmy! This artilce i came across, will give you details about the game.

Box office punters

Sahara Filmy, the Hindi movie channel from the Sahara stable has launched a new game, Filmy Stock Exchange (FSE).Based on the principles of a regular stock exchange, it will reflect the share price of a filmstar at any particular time.FSE is available on the mobile and the internet. The user has to register in order to play the game. In the beginning of the game (on registration), the contestant will be given 1,000 Filmy Rupees - registration is free - to create a portfolio of his chosen celebrity. The stock prices change every hour on the basis of the trading trends - the actor's box office performance, industry news and gossip. The gamer can use the initial amount to buy or sell designated shares on the Exchange.
The game has a brand endorser in Arshad Warsi, who is in the news for his recent performance in Lage Raho Munnabhai. Warsi will introduce the game to viewers of Filmy. "Arshad's current standing at the box office makes him the right choice for FSE, because he is a star who is perceived to be young and successful at the same time," says Shailesh Kapoor, head, marketing & content, Filmy.If the game will be promoted by the channel why has it been not introduced as a game show on the channel rather than being introduced on the internet and mobile? "The basic idea was that FSE can be played 24X7 any time from anywhere," explains Kapoor.The channel will have constant updates on Filmy in the form of 30- or 60-second promos, which will keep the player updated on what's happening in the FSE. In addition to this, the promos will also give the players tips and tricks to play the game better.Once the portfolio, created by the user, crosses 1,200 Filmy Rupees, the surplus amount can be redeemed for a prize. The prize list includes automobiles, bikes, television sets, watches and mobile phones. Filmy has partnered with MSN India for the game to be played on the Internet. On mobiles, the user can play it by messaging a short code to 9090. Why was this game launched? Says Kapoor: "We wanted to extend the Filmy brand experience off-air - to other media like mobile and internet. In today's competitive environment it is important that the viewers can experience the brand in many different ways, and FSE is designed to achieve exactly that."

2006-10-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Pic of Swathy and me taken on our engagement day

2006-10-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

Confusion abounds

Reams have been written about how two people completely disconnected from each other suddenly happen to meet one fine day and things change for them..... fast. As a guy I strictly kept away from these candy floss stories about a guy and a girl meeting and then suddenly accompanied by many more strangers they run around trees and bushes, scale unnecessary heights and find the most beautiful fields that one could ever hope to find by chance to express their love for each other.

All this is very farcical - until it happens to you. Ok fine I never did the chasing in the presence of the flora and fauna, nor did I scale any heights, nor come across any beautiful fields.... but what I did come across would be cause for the authors of this genre to lick their lips in appreciation of a good story.

Enter the protagonists.... A boy who had just gotten used to living by himself whose only loves in life was his tennis, work, parents and house. A girl who was single-mindedly focused on completing her architecture degree and partying with her friends as much as was possible in infrastructurally challenged Bangalore, and, the parents who were spending much of their time online; sifting through horoscopes of potential grooms and brides for their wards.
Now it's not that the neither boy nor girl had anything against their parents doing the whole matchmaking thing. It was only that the two of them expected the entire process to take at least a couple of years for anything to happen. Both expected to be introduced to potential matches soon, but then they had both expected to say a firm no to anyone that had the misfortune to meet them.

So the boy goes back to traffic challenged B'lore after a looooooooooooooooong time all charged up to make visits to some old temples he had seen on a discovery channel show. After all who knew when he would have the time to do such things again? After taking the first couple of days to get over the mind-numbing jetlag he is asked to dress up for the evening. Further enquiries result in him being told that someone interested in me as a potential groom was paying us a visit. Smirking the boy dresses up pitying the parents. The potential in-laws pay a visit and confuse the boy. Apparently they liked their potential in-laws a lot (the boy's parents). He thought they had come to see him.... instead they seemed more interested in knowing about his parents.

Nonetheless another rendezvous is made where the boy gets to talk to the girl. The very confused potential groom pays a visit at the assigned time and location in the company of his parents where he talks to the girl. And talk they did.... for about 4 hrs continuously. Now the boy is very, very confused. He had come to politely decline the interest being shown in him and yet here he was talking to this immensely likable girl who seemed to share a lot of common interests which included a desire to go skydiving and loving insane roller coasters.
Nonetheless... deciding to play it safe the boy and girl (much to the disappointment of their parents) decide to ask for another week to make up their minds. So a third rendezvous is decided on, and this time around the very confused girl (who went through similar emotions to the boy until now) pays a visit to the confused boy's house.

Suddenly all the confusion disappears and both boy and girl decide that they can't do without each other and that they should get married. There was no confetti, no dancing angels, no harps and violins (or veenas and tamburas for the Indian version).... only a distinct feeling of completeness for both boy and girl.

Over the next two weeks the formerly confused boy and girl discover that they had wasted a whole week trying to decide whether they actually liked each other, and proceeded to make the Airtel phone company, assorted restaurateurs in Bangalore, and, taxi companies bless their impending union courtesy of the windfall that was put their way.

However all good things must come to an end. So the boy departs to his abode after a whirlwind engagement with a heavy heart knowing that it will be a few months before he can see the girl again.

The boy and girl are getting married in Feb 2007 and are hoping that the rest of their lives can be even one half as exciting and amazing as the past two weeks have been for the two of them.

2006-09-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't stop laughing when i received this!!!!!

A man and a woman were asleep like two babies. Suddenly, at 3a.m., a resounding noise comes form outside...
The woman, sort of bewildered, jumps up from the bed and yells at the man:
"Shit!, that must be my husband!"
So the guy quickly gets out of bed , scared, and naked. He jumps out the window like a crazy man, smashes himself on the ground, runs through a thorn bush, then he stands up and starts to run fast to hiscar.
Just a few minutes later he returns and tells the woman:
"I'm your husband, you slut!!!"
The woman answers:
"Oh, yeah?!! Why were you *@#%#*@ running?!! You ass****!"

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A father and son went hunting together for the first time. The father said: "Stay here and be very QUIET. I'll be across the field."
A few minutes later the father heard a blood curdling scream and ran back to his son. "What's wrong?" the father asked. "I told you to be quiet."
The boy, bless his heart, answered; "Look, I was quiet when the snake slithered across my feet. I was quiet when the bear breathed down my neck. I didn't move a muscle when the skunk climbed over my shoulder. I closed my eyes and held my breath when the wasp stung me. I didn't cough when I swallowed the gnat. I didn't cuss or scratch when the poison oak started itching. But when the two squirrels crawled up my pant legs and said,
'Should we eat them here or take them with us?' well, I guess I just panicked................"

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A very distinguished woman was on a plane arriving from Switzerland. She found herself seated next to a nice priest whom she asked: "Excuse me Father, could I ask a favor?"
"Of course my child, what can I do for you?"
"Here is the problem; I bought myself a new sophisticated vibrating hair remover for which I paid an enormous sum of money. I have really gone over the declaration limits and I am worried that they will confiscate it at customs. Do you think you could hide it under your cassock?"
"Of course I could, my child, but you must realize that I can not lie."
"You have such an honest face Father, I am sure they will not ask you any questions", and she gave him the 'hair remover'. The aircraft arrived at its destination. When the priest presented himself to customs he was asked, "Father, do you have anything to
Declare?"
"From the top of my head to my sash, I have nothing to declare, my son", he replied.
Finding t his reply strange, the customs officer asked, "And from the sash down, what do you have?"
The priest replied, "I have there a marvelous little instrument destined for use by women, but which has never been used."
Breaking out in laughter, the customs officer said,
"Go ahead Father. Next!"

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A man went to the dentist because his tooth was hurting. The dentist told him after the examination that he needed a root canal. The man replied, "O.K. lets do it." The dentist told him he will feel a pinch when he gives him the shot of the numbing agent. The man says, "No, Doc, I am allergic to that." The doctor tells him, "O.K., then, we'll give you nitrous oxide." The man says, "I am allergic to the gas." So, then the doctor gives him two pills with a glass of water and the man takes it. The doctor comes back in 10 minutes and the man says, "Doc, will those two blue pills kill the pain?" The doctor replies, "No, that was Viagra." The man says, "Viagra? I don't need that! What's that going to do for me?" The doctor replies, "Well, it'll give you something to hang onto."

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A mother and her young inquisitive son were flying Singapore Airlines from Singapore to New York. The son (who had been looking out the window) turned to his mother and asked, "If dogs have baby dogs and cats have baby cats, why don't planes have baby planes?" The mother (who couldn't think of an answer) told her son to ask the pretty flight attendant. So the boy dutifully asked the flight attendant, "If dogs have baby dogs and cats have baby cats, why don't planes have baby planes?" The flight attendant responded, "Did your mother tell you to ask me that?" The little boy admitted that she did. "Well, then, tell your mother that there are no baby planes because Singapore Airlines always pulls out on time. Now, let your mother explain that to you."!!!

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2006-09-20T16:33:00.000-07:00

A Bon Voyage - Part 1

Sorry for the long break ppl... but it's been quite crazy over here. I have too many things to write about so I figured I'd start with the trip.

I had a very eventful trip to India this time around. Wasn't all fun, but it did make it one to remember nonetheless.

I have always had a knack for packing. In fact ever since I was 17 I have discovered a method to pack one and a half times a normal person. So added to that my knack for procrastination as well, I kept my packing for the last few hours before my flight. It was an early morning flight. I was supposed to be out of the house by around 5 in the morning to meet the 2 hr buffer that is generally required for International flights. Being the night out champ back in college, I figured what the heck, may as well stay up until around 2 and then start packing. So I browsed the web, listening to songs, and generally killing time until around 1 in the morning... Then for some reason I felt really sleepy! So I figured what the hey.... may as well catch a few Zs and wake up all refreshed for the flight.

Unfortunately I forgot to set the alarm clock! So I was blisfully sleeping until my house-mate who was supposed to drop me off at the airport came stumbling up the stairs to see if I was ready to leave. I can't remember exactly what happened next. I remember running around a lot, jumping up and down trying to remember where my suitcases were (they were in the garage)... and then cramming everything into a suitcase. Unfortunately not everything would fit in one suitcase, so I had to pack everything into 2 suitcases.

Anyways all's well that ends well and I was able to get out of the house at 5:30. Got checked in suprisingly quickly given that it was an international flight and went inside to board the flight. Sleep came to me in tidal waves as soon as my butt touched the seat. I can't remember exactly how I boarded the flight. Given that I had a seat to myself it was all well and good. I slept the entire way to Dallas without stirring an inch!

Anyways when I reached Dallas I had a few hours to kill. I was up now and needed something to do. So I figured let me go to the gym a while. I had brought some workout clothes after all, and the airportgyms.com site said that the nearest gym was only a ten minute ride. So I get out of the airport, catch a taxi and started speaking in my broken spanish to the driver.... only to discover that he didn't know any Spanish :(. I always like to impress ppl with my Spanish and then nonchalantly tell them that I was from India and no I did not stay in Honduras for very long and yes I was very smart to pick up so much Spanish so quickly. With the poor guy not understanding any Spanish (nor English) we commincated using my version of sign language, much to the amazement of some bystanders on the road.

An unfortunate side-effect was getting lost before finally stumbling and bumbling our way to the gym. The rogue cost me $35 just to get there though. Anyways I figured since I was already there, may as well work out properly. So I had a wonderful workout in my work shoes (I found out that I had forgotten to pack my workout shoes) drawing a lot of strange looks as soon as people happened to glance at my feet. I suppose they supposed that I was one of those crazy freaks that just happen to crawl out of the woodwork. Wasn't able to run so I used to sauna for a while just to sweat a little. I fell asleep in the sauna (It was so nice in there) and luckily someone woke me up before I dehydrated away into oblivion. I rushed into the shower drinking as much water as
I was using to clean myself, jumped into my clothes and then caught a taxi back to the airport.

It was then I discovered that even going back to the airport was a pain! It cost me just as much to get into the airport as it did to get out. Damn taxi drivers in Dallas really know how to squeeze your wallet dry as well. You can't haggle over the price either so well couldn't really do much about the sneaking suspicion I had that I had been nicely cheated out of $10.

Went into the airport and ate at a Taco Bell because I figured at least I could minimize the damage with some cheap food. I was schoked to find out what normally cost a couple of dollars outside the airport cost 4 times as much in it. I was too hungry to not eat, so I just kept cursing the swindlers between mouthfuls of my burritos. May their dollars wilt and catch the umm... fungus I guess.

The flight to Chicago was just as uneventful as the previous one. I had successfuly tired myself out enough to sleep the entire 2 hrs into Chicago.

to be contd.

2006-09-20T03:05:00.000-07:00

It’s been quite a while since I’ve been transferred to the Retail department. I kind of like this place a lot more than the department I was in earlier. I can relate to the people here much better than I could earlier. I like my boss the best of all but, he seems to be kind of a mystery to me. I’ve not got a chance to interact with him for a long duration as yet. People working for him always have something good to tell about him. He’s got this really cute impish smile that makes the most hot headed person forget what he was angry for in the first place. He must’ve been quite a ‘much in demand guy ‘in college, :-). One of my colleagues is really fida over the manner in which he conducts himself. Most top bosses are particular that they be called sir, but this guy is cool with being called as Rahul! Some even have this ‘mein bada admi hoon’ attitude. They go to any length to make you feel small and intimidate you by talking rudely and not responding immediately. Such people only earn the wrath of their subordinates. Well I can vouch for my boss. He hasn’t acted so rudely, not as yet :-).

2006-09-14T17:12:00.000-07:00

Ramblings

Today was in essence a bad day. It started out with a flat tire, India losing like wimps to the Windies in cricket, a really boring day at the office where I couldn't seem to get anything done, and of course no time for a workout.

I always feel a little cranky when I don't manage to sweat a bit. An unfortunate side-effect results in my being too hyperactive to do anything worthwhile.

Although I cannot wait to get to India... wait I will have to. Oh how I wish we had those teleporters that could get us from one corner of the globe to another in the blink of an eye! I shouldn't be complaining too much I suppose. This trip is not going to be as bad as some of my other trips back home.

I only have 2 stopovers to make; neither longer than 4 hrs each. Although the wait between flights will be a little on the boring side, I have some opportunities to do something more than visit all the restrooms and shops in each terminal.

I found this awesome site called airportgyms.com which lists all the gyms around the airports that I can go to before my next flight. Since my layover at Dallas is going to be a little on the longer side, I figured I could just as well do something healthy and spend a few dollars to workout a little.

After all I have to be cramped up on the plane for long enough... so why not tire myself out completely and ensure that I get some shut eye on the next couple of flights. Unfortunately none of the movies that American Airlines is going to air during my 15 hr flight to Delhi seem to be any good. And with my luck in travelling companions, I'll either be sitting next to a lady with a crying baby, or an old person looking to get drunk on the complimentary alcoholic beverages.

The good thing is that I have a work laptop this time around, so I will be able to download some e-books onto my computer for my reading pleasure. Unfortunately I'm sure my eyes will go on strike if I read too much. So workout it is.

I have a few hours left before I actually catch my flight... so any hints on what I can do during the long flights?

2006-09-14T16:29:00.000-07:00

And so it begins!

When I woke up the calendar stated that it was the 14th. The day before my date with an American Airlines flight that would take me to my beloved country.

It has been 4 long since I've last visited India. I've done so many things since then! I've graduated from university. I've got a couple of Master's degrees. I've started working, bought a car, a house and yet I feel like a kid again.

The same kid that seems to awaken within me everytime something momentous is about to happen. The kid in me that refuses to go away. The excitable little un that keeps reminding me that no matter how old I grow, I will always have a little part of me that will always be excited, joyous, wonderous of everything. One that will keep me company when all around me starts to look tired and jaded.

I'm not really sure why this trip feels so momentous. It just does.

So India ... here I come!

2006-09-07T16:19:00.000-07:00

You'll be an Agassi, my son!

Superstar, Loser, Pariah, Average Joe, Hero, Legend ... he donned 'em all.

When he first burst onto the international tennis scene people hated him. In fact it was quite fashionable to hate the man who claimed that "Image is everything". A man who heralded himself to be bigger than the game and all it stood for. A man who defied convention for nothing more than win popularity with his showmanship.

And yet 21 years hence when he decided to lay his racket to rest people couldn't stop their eyes from becoming moist with tears. Grown men sobbed without abandon and the same people who wished him ill-will, uttered heartfelt prayers willing him to beat his opponents.

The world has superstars aplenty. They come and they go - each hogging their few years of fame and adulation; only to be relegated into the annals of anonymity by time. Agassi seemed to have it all. Hero worshipping groupies, fame, public adulation, money.... He was seen at the right places with the right type of people. He dated a woman that most men would have happily given up their left arm to be seen with, let alone go steady with. And yet he plummeted into the depths of failure. His failure in love transformed him into a loser. A man who crashed and burned like so many others before him did and will in the future.

He did not matter anymore. Bereft of his skills on the tennis court he was cast aside like an old glove - his magnificent achievements no more than mere statistics for trivia buffs to recall. When the high and mighty fall there is a certain satisfaction that everyone receives on seeing them fall. They say you make many enemies on your way to the top and Agassi met each and everyone on his way down. The papparazzi took great joy in dissecting his broken heart with up to the minute pictures of his freefalling ATP rankings, his drinking binges, and, bulging waist line. Men who would have waited in a line for days for his autograph were taking him to the cleaners in tennis matches.

Then suddenly he was making the news again. Agassi was back. He had shed his famous flowing locks for a bald look. People laughed at this portly bald man who was attempting to make a name for himself again. Others doubted him. After all what was he other than a fallen superstar? How many more self-destructing ex-famous people did the world really need? And yet, he did not give up.

The man fought against all the odds to reclaim his rightful place among the best in the tennis world. Everybody had something that they identified in him - something that everyone knew about - failure. And yet he was so much more than just a mere mortal! Humble in his losses and even more so with his victories. No more did he claim that "Image is everything".

Soon he was among the elite again. But Agassi had changed. No more was he just a superstar. He was someone who laughed in the face of adversity and yet fought valiantly to overcome. A Hero!

Despite the adulation he merited with his famous performances, he stayed right here - his feet firmly on the ground, head bowed in appreciation for his support. In his final interview; almost a religious experience for me as a viewer, I almost cried when I heard him quote:

"The scoreboard says I lost today, but what scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years I have found loyalty; you have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams; dreams I could never have reached without you. Over the the last 21 years I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life."

After all - how many people can claim to have received a standing ovation not only from his peers, and, his fans; but a nation that only loves winners?

Rudyard Kipling may well have ended his poem differently had he written it last week.

© Getty Images

2006-09-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Anand Chaturti in Navi Mumbai:

The 11th day of the chaturti celebrations is a must see. The passion the lezhim dancers exhibit is absolutely infectious. It is a treat to see a variety of Ganesh idols being taken to the lake to be immersed. I went to see the procession of the Ganesh idols yesterday. I'm posting some pics I clicked don my mobile.

People sitting on the main road, waiting for the procession to cross.

The entrace through which all idols must pass to reach the lake

A boy dressed as a sepoy, leading on of the floats

A boy waving the saffron flag

The professional band

2006-09-06T03:04:00.000-07:00

My Pre-Tennis game ritual

This one's an oldie - couldn't think of anything funny of late and figured this blog needed some humor after a long line of serious senti stuff. If you have read this pls skip down and read the fabulous article Rams wrote about the Siddivinayak temple.

John: "Hey Guys. This is Bart. He will be playing #2 singles tonight"
Craig: "Hey Bart, I'm Craig"
Bob: "Bob"
Me (being stupid): "Hey guys. Pleased to meet you. I'm Bharath"
Jack: "Baaraaat?"
Me: "No Bharath"
Craig: "Burut?"
Me: "No Bharath"
Bob: "Please don't take offence Bart. I'm just trying to pronounce your name properly."
Me: "No really! It's fine. I understand. You can call me anything that sounds like my name. No offence taken!"
John: "We just call him Bart"
Me: "Yeah. It's fine. I know who you mean. I always call myself Bharath.... but I don't expect you guys to pronounce it properly. So no worries. Shall we start then?"
Craig: "Braaath?"
Me (sighing): "No well... it's more like ba as in barter, ra as in rabies, ith the way kith ends"
Bob (with lighted eyes): "Baraaaaaat?"
Me: "Yeah that's fine"
Craig (suspicious): "That's not the way you pronounce it though is it?"
Me: "No really! That was great!"
Bob: "Oh cmon Bart. How do you pronounce it?"
Me: "It really doesn't matter. As long as it sounds like my name, I don't really care!"
John: "Yea! We tried too. We just call him Bart."
Bart: "Did someone call me?"
John (giggling): "No we were just trying to pronounce Bart's name"
Me (giggling): "Yea. Go away Bart!"
Jim: "You guys haven't started your game yet?"
Craig: "We're just trying to learn how to pronounce Bart's name. But he won't tell us. We don't want to offend him y'know"
John: "Yea we just call him Bart"
Me: "I really don't get offended! I understand!"
Bob: "Barut?"
Me: "I got a new can of balls. Wanna do the toss now or later?"
Craig: "No Bob... It's more like Barith right Bart?"
Me (Beaming): "Right on the money bud. So W or M?"
Bob (Beaming): "Burith? I knew I would get it right!"
Me (Beaming): "Yeah. You guys are so good at pronouncing it!"
John: "Hey guys! Lee just told me that Tim is playing Bart tonight."
Me: "Oh ok."

Tim: "Hey Bart! I'm Tim"
Me: "Hey Tim! I'm Bharath. Do you want to practice a bit first or toss?"
Tim (interested): "Barat?"
John: "We just call him Bart."
Me: "D'oh!"

2006-09-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

A Change

When I hear this comment, ‘Oh! My God you haven’t changed at all….’ I always wonder what that person is talking about! How can a person not change? People change. Situations change. Looks change. People around you change thereby you change a little. People don’t always behave the same all the time.

A person may be known for his sense of humour, maybe be for his/ her temper, for his reserved nature, for his/ her being very shy, for being talkative or vice versa. The situation in which you meet the person matters a lot. He/ she may turn out to be very different from what you imagined. Prejudice really kills the growth of any relationship.

I have always been known to people as a very reserved person, terribly quiet, shy…stuff like that. In the present office, I am known as a very bindas, talkative, kiddish sometimes; humorous, unpredictable, very cordial….person. The list just goes on.

I guess a new place, new people, the exposure to another environment; a need to do things by yourself all plays a very important part in how you behave. Some people change for the best and some otherwise. I’m glad I am changing for the best.

2006-09-05T18:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not a big fan of prose. In fact I hate prose.... those lying poets promising people the moon and stars when they damn well know it takes more than a space shuttle to even get close to one let alone drag the damn thing back. I mean what will their beloved do with stars anyways? It's not they can collect them or something.

On the same lines, I'm not a big fan of song lyrics. When I listen to a song, it's more about the tune than the actual song itself. Which probably why I can never really remember the words of a song when I try to sing along to them. I always sing the wrong words!

But occasionally there comes a song that I fall in love with. Not just the tune, but also the words. Words that enhance the actual the beauty of the song itself. Take the song Tere Bin from the movie Bas Ek Pal.

Gorgeous! I've been listening to it all day.

tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin
tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin
lekar yaad teri raaten meri kati - 2
mujhse baaten teri karti hai chaandani
tanha hai tujh bin raaten meri
din mere din ke jaise nahi
tanha badan tanha hai ruh nam meri aankhen rahe
aaja mere ab rubaru
jeena nahi bin tere
tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin
tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin

kabse aankhen meri raah mein tere bichhi - 2
bhule se hi kahi tu mil jaaye kabhi
bhule na mujhse baaten teri
bheegi hai har pal aankhen meri
kyun saans loon kyun main jiyu
jeena bura sa lage
kyun ho gaya tu bewafaaa mujhko bata de wajah
tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin ...
tere bin main yun kaise jiya
kaise jiya tere bin ...

Why do songs evoke such feelings? When I listen to a song it's more than a medley of sounds and words. It is almost a religious experience. Not only do I hear the song, but somehow the entire moment seems to get imprinted into my mind forever.

I get so nostalgic when I listen to songs. When I hear the Alai Payuthey songs, I recollect all the things I did on my trip of 2000 to India. The crazy impersonations of Madhavan on a bike, or maybe the numerous bus rides I took to and from Airport road on my way to my internship at IBM. Or my visits to all the bholi stalls in Mambalam.

Others transport me back to road trips I took with friends. Those 14 hr odysseys to Austin, New Orleans, Key West, the Smoky Mountains. The songs seem to personify my memories in ways that can only be described as penseive-ish (think Harry Potter). A magical slideshow of bittersweet memories that often end in my smiling wistfully. And then.... I hit play again...

2006-09-04T01:11:00.000-07:00

Siddhivinayak

I went to Siddhivinayak temple yesterday. It being the season of ganesh chaturti, the temple was littered with people from all over the city. What is it with this temple that it manages to attract scores and scores of people all year round? This question made me want to find out more about this popular temple. I'm sharing this information with you.

The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Mandir, one of the most revered deities in Mumbai, is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra. Known history of the temple dates back to early nineteenth century.

This temple is on the corner of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg and S.K.Bole Marg in Prabhadevi, which is facing heavy vehicular traffic It was built by a professional contractor, Late Mr.Laxman Vithu Patil as per the financial support and instructions of Late Mrs.Deubai Patil, who was a rich lady of Agri Samaj from Matunga. Although she was rich enough, she had no child. It looks that she was dedicated devotee of Lord Ganesh, who prayed a lot to have a child and in turn promised an oath that on the fulfillment of her wish, she would build a temple of Lord Ganesh. By sheer misfortune, meanwhile, Mrs.Deubai’s husband died. Being an ardent devotee, her thoughts and promise prevailed in her mind and actions. She continued her regular praying and decided firmly to go for the temple as she oathed. She gave the instructions to carve the idol according to the specimen of the calendar picture of Lord Ganesh, hanging on the wall of her residence. Perhaps the picture of the calendar is that of the idol at Banganga, Walkeshwar, Mumbai, which is 500 years old.

The idea of the construction of the temple struck to Late Deubai during the prayer time, she humbly requested Lord Ganesh and said, “Although I cannot have a child, let other ladies who are childless get the pleasure of child on visiting the temple and praying you”. Looking at successful subsequent history of the temple, it appears like the Lord Ganesh nodded to this humble request and pious thoughts and deeds of Late Deubai Patil. It is, therefore, this Siddhivinayak is famous for it and known as “Navasacha Ganapati” or “Navasala Pavanara Ganapati” in Marathi (Ganapati bestows whenever humbly genuinely prayed a wish) among devotees.

The temple was ground floor structure (see picture no.1). It had 450mm thick brick walls and old type dome, again of brick with a Kalash above. Around the dome, a parapet walls with grills was structure of the temple. The floor level of the temple and road level were also same.

The temple has a small mandapam (hall) with the shrine for Siddhi Vinayak. The wooden doors to the sanctum are carved with images of the Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha in Maharashtra). The inner roof of the sanctum is plated with gold, and the central statute is of Ganesha portrayed with four arms, bearing respectively, a lotus, an axe, modakas and a garland of beads. Ganesha is flanked by two of his three consorts (wives), Siddhi and Riddhi. . Because of these two deities along with Lord Ganesh, this temple is known as the Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple. These goddesses signify sanctity, success, wealth and prosperity.

Most icons of Ganapati depict the elephant faced God with his trunk curled towards his left. Siddhi Vinayak in Mumbai,Siddhi Vinayak at Siddhatek in Maharashtra as well asKarpaga Vinayagar at Pillayarpatti in Tamilnadu are depicted with a trunk pointing to the right (Valampuri). The trunk curled towards the right is a very very rare feature.

Around 125 years ago, Shri Akkalkot Swami Samarth’s great disciple, Late Ramakrishna Jambhekar Maharaj, who was also ardent devotee of Lord Ganesh and Gayatri Mantra was blessed with Assyssinian ( Siddhi ). One day Swami Samarth asked Shri Jambhekar to bring divine idols. Out of the idols, except two idols, Swami Samarth told to bury in the front courtyard of the house of Swami Samarth’s another disciple Shri Cholappa, where Swami Samarth used to temporarily reside. Shri Jambhekar was also told to inhume remaining two idols in front of Lord Ganesh that he usually worshipped. During his attendance with Swami Samarth, Shri Jambhekar foretold that a Mandaar tree would grow on the place after 21 years, Swayambhu ( Swayambhu ) Ganesh would appear on the sacred place. From that onward people’s devotion would grow in leaps and beyond.After few years, Jambhekar Maharaj whose Math is near sea-shore at Dadar, Mumbai, asked Late Priest Govind Chintaman Phatak to look after, perform regular religious pooja etc. of Shree Siddhivinayak Temple. The predecessor of Priest Phatak, there was Late Namdev Kelkar performing priest-wood job in the temple.From the available information and records, the land of the temple complex was around 2550 sq.mtrs. There was a lake towards eastern and southern side of temple admeasuring approx. 30 x 40 sq.mtrs. This lake was built by Nardulla in early 19th century, to overcome the scarcity of the water, faced by the area. The lake was, later on, filled up, and now it is playground and a part of Kakasaheb Gadgil Marg.There was also a rest house, sought of Dharmashala and a pair of beautiful 3.6 in high, stone masonry “Deepmalas”. There was also a dwelling unit for the owner of this complex. In the earlier days when there were not many structures of residential and commercial type in its neighborhood area. The devotees in large numbers started visiting the temple only after 1952 and the long standing Q’s were seen in 1965 onwards.Since the owner had divided the original plot and subleased it to different parties and naturally the space available around this old temple reduced and became quite small. After 1975, the number of devotees visiting the temple started growing by real sense of Geometrical Progression. It became difficult to enter the temple or even to have “Darshan” of Lord Ganesh, the devotees were finding it quite troublesome to enter through the two small doors.

The temple is very popular with the most common man and the VVIPS. Thousands throng this temple all through the year. During Angaraki and Sankashti Chaturti days there is a continuous stream of visitors for as long as a 24 hour period. People wait very patiently in a queue for hours together.

History of the Hanuman Mandir

(Ye there is a Hanuman temple too!)

The Hindu religion encompasses various deities for worshipping. Devotees put their faith in the diety they worship. For instance, Shree Samarth Ramdas was a devotee of Shree Ram. He made worshipping Shree Ram his sole life duty. Sant Eknath was ardently devoted to Shree Dattatreya.

Shree Ganesha being the primary diety is always worshipped prior to worshipping of any other diety.During the road extension project of Sayani Road near Elphinston Road in Mumbai the workers of Municipal Corporation unearthed an idol of Shree Hanuman.

They placed it on the roadside and continued with their work.
Devotees coming to Shree Siddhivinayak Temple brought this event to the notice of the then head priest Shree Govind Phatak. He immediately brought the hanuman idol and built a compact temple for its. This was around 1952.

The renovation has given the Hanuman temple a new look and the present temple as it stands today. From dawn to temple closing hours, the Hanuman Mandir has its own schedule of pujas, naivedya & aartis. Every Saturday Devotees are supplied with the traditional offerings of oil and Rui garland at a minimal cost on coupon basis, a day when many devotees flock to the temple.

2006-09-03T23:03:00.000-07:00

The climbing wall

I found out a new fun activity today...the climbing wall! I've never really climbed before. Although I've never been strength challenged, I've always been a little inflexible - so I never really gave climbing much thought.

But it's really fun! Fun doesn't get much easier than this. You just strap on a harness, a helmet and then all you do is climb. Doesn't get much simpler than that!

I was volunteering at the County Parks and as a volunteer I helped their staff manage the kiddie line at the climbing wall for a private party. Hoardes of kids kept lining up to scale the walls. Although I've always loved kids... four hours of getting them to get into harnesses and slapping on helmets makes for some pretty intense physical labor. Give me a couple of hundred sacks to lug around any day! Not to mention that a lot of them were quite excited about being able to climb the wall and so wouldn't stop shouting and screaming!

It was cute in the beginning, but got old very quickly! My ears are still a little hard of hearing when one girl of about 8 started shrieking to her parents about how excited she was to climb and how they should watch her make it to the very top! And all this with my poor eardrums a mere 10 inches from her open mouth!

Well anyways, the harness changing for the kids was really worth it, coz at the end us volunteers could go up and down the wall for free. I really wasn't planning on climbing the wall, but after seeing all the kids go at it I figured why not give it a go. So it didn't take a couple of other volunteers much to get me to get strapped in and doggedly swarm up the wall. It was surprisingly easy and even more fun! And I actually managed to do the second most difficult climb. Coming down though was my favorite part. Once you get all the way to the top, you just lean back, keep both hands on the harness and rapel your way down. I was a little disappointed to find that we had to pack up. I envied the little kids that kept coming back again and again to climb the wall.

I know I'm going to volunteer again for the county parks so I can try out some of the other climbs on the wall. Hopefully we'll have to serivice some playboy centerfolds this time instead of a bunch of screaming kids.... not that there's a difference... I mean it would just be so much more fun getting the former into harnesses and making sure they had the harnesses on correctly. :D. (If not playboy centerfolds, even the local cheerleading team will do. After all for us volunteers it's our work that comes first)

2006-08-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

The Great Indian Train Journey

Sunshine's posts about her experiences with the buses and some conversations on cricforum with my friends made me reminisce about my favorite mode of travel. The train.

Most of my journeys on the train were made as a kid. Before our travel time became too precious to waste on a train journey, the train was my family's modus travellandi. :). Be it Delhi, or Agartala, no place was too far for a train journey. Happening to be a kid that loved to travel and see new places, I used to adore our journeys on the train. The majority of my travels used to be with my mom, or patti as I escorted them on their journeys from Madras to Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore, Mysore and all over the south.

What is it about the train journeys that seemed so magical to me?

Was it the food, the bunk beds in the 3rd tier and 2nd class AC, the chai and coffee wallas who served up this nectar that had you smacking your lips, the other travelers who hailed from all parts of India and spoke with strange accents or languages? Or could it be the joy of being able to wander about the train compartments knowing that you were ambling towards your destination? The possibility of being able to observe people from all walks of life on the train getting from pt A to B?

The poor bachelors used to be at the beck and call of all, old and young to get the most menial tasks done. Whether it was getting suitcases out of the storage places, or running out onto the platform to get everybody's water bottles filled.

Was it being able to watch other people at work in the paddy fields or on their way to and from office as you were on holiday? Perhaps it was the feeling of being so fast that you could outrun any car or bus on the road, the telephone and power poles rushing past you as the train rocked you to sleep.

Then again maybe it was those wondrous Western Ghat tunnels that peppered the tracks and interrupted the breathtaking views afforded to a nature starved city boy.

Or could it be the hawkers that went up and down the trains selling everything from masal-wadais to spinning tops. On the other hand, nothing could beat the feeling of achievement that I felt when I made it across those spooky joints that connected the train compartments from one corner of the train to another.

How about the feeling of awe and fear that I felt when the train made those huge booming sounds as it passed over the rushing waters of the Godavris, the Narmada, Krishna and other rivers that stretched as far as the eye could see!

Train trips were also a time to read new books and get away from the grind of doing homework or other mundane things that seemed to become so tedious to a small kid. It was a time to see the scripts of the posters on the walls change from Tamil, to Telugu, to Kannada, Devanagri and many others that I could not name. A time when your ticket collector would start off speaking Hindi and before you knew it would ask you for your ticket in Bhojpuri.

Did I mention the food? Why did everything taste so much better on the train? The Frootis tasted fruitier, the bondas and bhajjis tasted more delicious, the masal-wadas spicier, the pongal warmer, the chutney - well chutnier than any food at home or hotel ever could aspire to. I remember waiting desperately for our home-cooked food to run out, so I could could gorge on the greasy train food served in those aluminum foil tiffin boxes. I felt so important when I got to order the kind of food that I wanted.

However nothing could beat the feeling of getting to your destination often greeted by the people you love as they come to collect you from the belly of the metal beast that brought you to them.

Why did I love train journeys so much? Maybe it's time I found out again.

2006-08-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

Youth vs Experience

Our team was the team to beat. We had not lost a single match to any of the teams our region. We first pummeled and then rolled up our opponents in style. I was a big part of our success in our previous seasons. I had lost only one game out of all the games that I had played. However, when the going is that good, it is the humble that succeed. No doubt I was good, but thanks to my victories there was the little matter of becoming over-confident. Still it seemed to make no difference to my game. I was winning games everywhere! And then fate decided that it was time for me to come back down to earth.

It was the second match of our season. Faithful to our reputation we had just rolled over our previous opponents and were looking to walk in and out to record our second victory. After all we had thrashed this team the last time we had played them. It was full of old guys who weren't expected to hold a candle to us.

I was told that I'd be playing this 60 year old guy. I smirked and asked a teammate of mine if he was sticking around so that I could practice a little with him after I was done with this guy. We made some jokes about how these old guys were making our games so boring. I mean we weren't playing professionally or anything, but playing these old guys who could hardly move around was just taking the fun out of the game.

My decrepit opponent shuffled up to me and we introduced ourselves. The first thing that went through my mind on seeing him was that he seemed to look like a turtle! His face was all shriveled up and he was hunched up a little making him look like he had a mini shell on his back. I sighed thinking what a waste of energy this was and we warmed up. He took awfully long! I was sympathetic and figured I may as well give him a little fun. So we traded blows and after an eternity decided to start the game.

He won the toss and floated a serve across the net. I almost fell over laughing. I smacked it with all the power I had and watched it zoom back to him. I expected him to fall all over himself trying to avoid getting hit by it. However to my amazement all he did was get his racket to it ... and it sailed over the net for a perfect drop shot. I could have got it easily, had I not been rooted to the ground, mouth open in shock! He grinned at me and said, "Great shot!", and then shuffled over to hit the next serve. Another floater, another boom as I smack it, another lovely deflection, followed by the grin and shuffle. I couldn't believe it! Two returns that any pro would have been proud of and I was two points down!

I then decided I would make the bag o' bones run a little. The next serve was another floater, but somehow he managed to put it in the one spot that I couldn't reach even I had dived after it. He had aced me. I didn't have to look up to see the grin on his face. I could almost feel it!

Game after game, he out-thought me, making me run and play the kind of game that he was most comfortable with. I did win the occasional game and point, but I was completely unnerved. I would not have been able to recognize the game this old guy was making me play. Game after game, point after point, the grin-shuffle kept coming and going, until I couldn't stand it anymore. My captain who was watching the game walked up to me and asked me why I was playing the fool. All I could do was shrug. Another sly grin formed on my opponent's wizened face when he heard this. I managed to make a mini-comeback and win a set but in the final set he had wrung every bit of energy from me. And somehow he was still standing. Here I was, a strapping 25 year old in the form of his life toyed with by a man almost three times his age!

At the end of the game, he walks up to me and handed me his hand gingerly said, "So your friend still sticking around for that game you wanted after you thrashed me?" and ambled off into the darkness.

All I could do was stand there with my mouth open.

In order to win, ability alone does not count. In the fascinating world of sports, you could be faster, stronger, more competitive, more talented, and able. However, unless you respect your opponent you could get schooled by your opponent. Never again will I doubt someone based on their appearance or age.

2006-08-28T03:26:00.000-07:00

Blow, Blow, Blow away...

I've been having a miserable day at office today. I've been walking around with a Vicks inhaler, blowing consistently into a thick handkerchief oblivious of who is around me. My nose is red with a trickle of water trying to escape to freedom. I'm trying my best to avert this embarrassment. My mouth is half open as though I would sneeze any minute. My hair is a total mess as if the wind has blown it out of place. Every step I take is like as if I were under sedatives. People around me are getting bugged with that gruesome sound I produce due to my blowing the nose every now and then. Funny how nature can make you look dopey so effortlessly. Mind you it ain't funny when you can feel your sensory organs going for a six one by one.

First the nose gets blocked. Hey God has foreseen this problem so he's provided us with an alternative. The mouth. Well unfortunately when you breathe through the mouth the throat becomes parched so well you end up with a sore throat. The blocked nose and a heavy head exert so much pressure on your ear that you end up having partial hearing. The constant want to sneeze and heaviness in the head irritate your eyes so much that they turn red and watery. The icing on the cake is that I get to sit in a centrally air-conditioned room, that sees to it that I feel worse by the minute. On the whole I'm sporting such a totally shaken up look that I've managed to draw reactions like 'hey you look sick!' (pun intended) , 'you better go home', 'awww God! don't blow your nose here!', 'yuck!!!'....

God! bloooooooooooooooow! I ain't bloooooooooooooooow! feeling my...blooooooow! Excuse me guys i've gotta rush to the wash room!

2006-08-25T17:45:00.000-07:00

Ten things that you love about your life

Being miserable about things in our life is the easiest thing to do in the world! Think about it. How many things can you name that you hate about your life? I can bet that you can list a 100 problems in the space of 5 mins. Car and house payments, gardening (maybe that's just me :) ), feeling underpaid at work or overworked, losing out in love, the situation in Iraq, et al. Now name 10 things that you love about your life.

Go on ... take your time.

Too hard?

I was astounded when I could not think of 10 things that I loved about my life. 10 measly things.... I mean even after I separated my family out to occupy one item each I barely got to 10. How many times do you count your blessings? How often are you happy for the fact that there are people you love that love you back? That you have never had to worry about starving or are in good health? That you never have to worry about scrounging for money to go see a movie or order in that pizza you love to feast on?

Why do I have so few things to be happy about? It was a question that I was only able to answer when the American Red Cross came to our office for blood donations. I volunteered at their booth to get a break from my office routine and then found out what I was missing. Giving. Giving without expecting back in return.

To cut a long, sappy story short, I signed up on the spot and donated a pint of blood as well. Maybe it was the lack of blood rushing through my body, but suddenly I fell in love with life again. The feeling of satisfaction I received from knowing that something that I take for granted everyday can be the difference between life and death for another.

Sure I've volunteered before. I've helped build houses, take pictures of dogs for the local SPCA, stood and run in mini-marathons for CRY, cancer etc etc.... but I always wanted something back in return. I realized when I gave blood that there is so much more to life than just taking all the time.

Today on Amit Varma's blog Indiauncut I read a post that directed me to this plea by Balaji. I followed the links until I got to the page where I learnt about the fate that awaited these patients for lack of something that I have no problem producing. I am going to make an appointment to see if I can help any of these people out in any way. I'm not saying this to make you think that I'm special. It is an indirect plea to everyone out there to start giving. Maybe you may not want to donate your blood or bone marrow. Do something else. Give without expecting anything back. Trust me. You won't need ten things to make you love life again.

P.S. To the guys. At the blood drive I got 8 telephone numbers from drop dead gorgeous girls that wouldn't have bothered to give me the time of day otherwise.

P.P.S Don't worry mom ... I didn't call them (yet! :))

2006-08-25T04:47:00.000-07:00

The fastest of 'em all?

Which is the only car that can outspeed a Lamborghini, Evo, Audi TT, and, a Corvette?

The Mahindra Jeep. How? Check it out for yourself! Sometimes as they say it's good to be mysterious. :)

2006-08-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

Holy Orkut!

Google has the Midas touch. It really does. I mean take almost anything that they ventured into (software wise). They have an astounding rate of success - because their products are amazing. I was coerced into joining Orkut (Google's version of Myspace). With much reluctance I got past my inertia for these public forums where people fall over themselves to give out information about themselves to strangers. And I'm loving it!

You can join Orkut by invitation only... which means that there are far fewer spammers that can get onto it unlike other similar sites such as hi5 and Friendster. The layout and tools supported rock! I was especially astounded by the super speedy page loads and times taken to upload pictures from your machine. There are few kinks in the system... and the network there is amazing. I suppose they have used Ajax to the max on these sites. Ajax is awesome! It is revolutionizing the web industry! Ok... sorry enough geeky stuff :).

Getting back to the site... I have found friends that I had completely forgotten about! Just the other day I was going through some digital pictures of mine and remenescing about the wonderful people that I have met in my life. I wished that I had been more proactive in keeping in touch with the people who had been a big part of my life at some point or the other. Living in Charleston playing tennis to fill my time is great... but I miss my college friends and other friends who made my life complete!

I must give a big thank you to Orkut and the people that made me join. There are too many ppl to thank for that... so well u know who you are... And if you are not reading this, then well you don't deserve to be thanked in the first place :).

So well I have been Orkutting since day before evening at home, in the office, when I get up in the morning and before I go to sleep at night. So well if you have an Orkut account I'd love to hear from you.

If not you should try it out!

2006-08-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Parijatam: Unnai Kandein...

Unnai Kanddu nan aacharya pattu poitein! Each and every shot in the song Unnai Kandein...has been captured so beautifully that you wonder how on earth was a old timer like Bhagyaraj, who has had many forgettable movies in his kitty, was able to extract so much from the cameraman. Hats off to the person who visualized and shot this song!!

The freeze effect in the song Unnai Kandeine takes you to another dimension altogether. This technique has often been used in fight sequences. Directors like Shankar spend helluva lot of money in such techniques. Bhagyaraj has given a whole new dimension to the freeze effect. The end product doesn't seize to amaze me! The visual effects in Unnai Kandein... are a treat to watch. The clear distinction between the actor's facial expressions and the rain. The colour contrasting, the choice of costumes, the minimal set, two refreshing faces, a melodious score, all add up to an absolutely delightful 5 minutes.

2006-08-24T05:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Brat! came across this really insightful blog about Iyer lads. check this out!

2006-08-24T00:02:00.000-07:00

Absolutely hilarious! Ye Kalyug hai yaar! Yahaah to kuch bhi ho sakta hai!

All that fuss over a little condom
Daily News & Analysis, Monday, August 21, 2006 20:34 IST
Shailesh Vaite

'Ghor kaliyug, ghor kaliyug,’ my grandma would have said this if she had seen what I saw on the AC bus from Andheri to Mulund. How would you react if you saw a dragon drinking water at the Kabutarkhana faucet? Well, probably the same shocked reaction when you saw cops checking bags in BEST buses. Never in my 28 years in Mumbai have I seen anything like that. ‘What has this city come to?’ one uncle in the bus wondered.

The khaki-clad cop was gradually moving along the aisle asking passengers to open their bags and show its contents. This tall, dark man wielding a bamboo stick looked very serious about his work. My friend Sohail, who breaks into a sweat at the appearance of a TC despite having a valid ticket, started gasping for air.

“Calm down,” I assure him, “neither of us have anything incriminating. So kindly do not draw too much attention by shivering like this” to which Sohail replied, “You don't know man, these days anything can be incriminating. I am sure you are carrying some porn which will send us to jail.”
Please don't pass any judgment on my character on the basis of this comment. I am with an organisation which works towards prevention of HIV/AIDS and I carry a lot of work-related material like flip-charts, pamphlets, condoms for demonstration et al. Sohail was referring to all this. He soon exclaimed, “Condoms! You have condoms in your bag?” “Yes, I have about 50 packets,” I said pompously.

“I have an AIDS awareness programme for some factory workers tomorrow. And listen, that is not incriminating or objectionable. I work for a noble cause and secondly this is the era of safe sex.” I felt really one up.

Sohail screamed in a hushed voice, “Excuse me, these terrorists have been making explosives from anything. They planned to blast those London aircrafts with ordinary lotions and gels used by everyone.” He was almost panting with fear. “So?” I asked giving him a look which meant ‘stop this drama’. Sohail lost his cool and shrieked, “What makes you think that they will not make bombs from condoms? They can find something explosive in every article. Soon Kaayamchoorna or Kalkatta 120 paan will be used as explosives. Latex or whatever condoms are made from might be are explosive in nature. And you are carrying 50 packets. You will get us into trouble.” Okay, he had succeeded in frightening me.

Meanwhile, the cop was a few seats away from us questioning the nail paints, lipsticks and mascara strangely emerging from a man's bag. After making sure that he was just a henpecked husband, he moved ahead. With his every stride my heart beat faster. I thought the condoms in my bag might just burst. I could read the headlines, ‘Unnoticeable social worker amassed great number of condoms to make weapons of mass destruction’. Images of television reporters haunting my parents and asking, ‘Did you know your son had so many condoms?’ flashed across my mind. I started praying to my family deity, whom I usually ridicule.

The cop inched closer like Amjad Khan in Sholay. I held Sohail's ice-cold hand. The cop came to our seat, barely noticed us and went ahead. I sighed with relief. If he had stood a second longer, I would have fainted. Sohail, almost drenched in perspiration in an AC bus, yelled, “Never again will you carry condoms when travelling with me.”

“You are an idiot. I take it as a personal defeat that you haven't gotten over your irrational fears,” I said shaking my head with disgust. “Oh yes, you are the bravest man I've ever met. Now if you can be kind enough to leave my hand,” said Sohail smiling mockingly. “Ahem, I was holding your hand to pass on some positive energy. Reiki, you see.”

Bored out of my mind!

The story of India - Part I - beginnings

Taare Zameen Par - A review

Shadows

Oh I wish!

Partner - An honest review

A tale of two movies

Still alive

The rules of sympathy

For the love of the game

Wanted

*Sigh* India gets booted

The road to the Super 8s

WC week in review

Shooting yourself in the foot!

Team Talk - Pakistan

Team Talk - West Indies

Team Talk - Australia

Team Talk - India

Post WC warm up match summary

The World Cup is here!!!!

1 year and counting

The things you have done to impress someone you've liked

The climbing wall

Sigh India gets booted