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.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
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!
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!
Monday, November 27, 2006
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.
Monday, November 20, 2006
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.
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.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
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!
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!
Friday, November 17, 2006
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 :(
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 :(
Monday, November 06, 2006
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.
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.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
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!
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!
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
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
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.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
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???
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???
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
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???
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
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???
Sunday, October 15, 2006
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
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.
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.
Thursday, September 14, 2006
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?
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?
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!
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!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
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:
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
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
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
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!"
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!"
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
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.
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...
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...
Sunday, September 03, 2006
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)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)