Throwback to the first post in 2007
Monday, 27 January 2025
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Day 1 back in helL
09:00 - get room cleaned, transfer all luggage
11:00 - Registration, endless forms (Umang counter guys speed of working seemed like the super slow motion cam they use in IPL)
13:00 - helLs kitchen, back to endless aloo varieties
13:30 - catch a wink, only to be woken up by usual Tiwari nautanki
14:30 - Another line, another counter, get some books (after 3 terms, wonder if its worth the effort)
16:00 - Manage to find the dummy GOD of IIML these days, the cooler guy!!!!
17:50 - Catch up with Taklu and Mishra at Fauji, good old bakar
19:00 - Squash :) :) :)
21:00 - Dinner conjures up a movie plan - Rajneeti it is
21:30 - Off afer a quick shower
22:00 - Jugaad Pandhi's car and rush to WAVE
22:30 - Rajneeti
02:00 - Back at campus, surf some while and drift away to sleep
07:55 - Manage to wake up in time for 1st class of 2nd yr
08:15 - "Welcome to Consumer Behaviour" - Satish
All in a day's work!
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Why?
- is there a second serve in tennis? No other game has it. Its quite ridiculous actually. Imagine a volleyball or badminton player getting a second serve. I am sure an elder brother invented it. He missed the serve while playing with his younger brother and demanded a second serve, and it became a rule.
- is the hindi movie named Ram Lakhan? Was it a typo? Shouldn't it be Ram Lakshman?
- do aliens visit only the US? I mean statistically the US has just about 6.5 % of the earth's land area. I would like to see a movie where the aliens land in the Amazon rain forests and are killed by anacondas and mosquitoes.
- did Microsoft buy Lookout (excellent search tool for Outlook), and then make Outlook 2007 incompatible with Lookout? I mean seriously, wtf????
- are girls of mixed parentage so hot? Katrina Kaif, Tulip Joshi, Isha Sharvani, Laila Rouass, Snajana Kapoor to name a few.
- did Richard Attenborough get Ben Kingsley to play Gandhi??? He couldn't find find one good Indian actor for the role?? Same for Danny Boyle. He did not find one decent actor from more than a billion Indian people to play Jamal?? There is something about an Indian "slumdog" character speaking English in an obvious British accent that I couldn't digest. Ben Kingsley on the other had did full justice to the role though.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
The other kind of IIM
I never thought the letters IIM would ever bring me such despair. Of course, trying to get into the coveted Indian Institute of Managements have brought despair to many aspirants, but I am talking about being labeled an IIM, or an Indian IT Male for the uninitiated. Probably 8 out of 10 profiles in PaGaLGuY belong to IIMs.
Let me dissect this abbreviation a bit. One cant really do anything about the first and the last words, you are born with it. I have no issues with being born in India (except for Visa headaches) or with being born a male. And lets face it, the average Indian male has far less issues in life compared to our fairer counterparts. While there are millions of alcoholic men drinking their way to self destruction without regards to the financial or social consequences, females in India can't enjoy a martini in a lounge bar without the fear of being beaten up and molested publicly.
Anyways, the crux of the abbreviation, the cataclysmal force which makes this mixture venomous, is IT. One doesn't need to be an IT or Computer graduate to qualify, just experience in the IT industry is probably enough to doom you. International MBA schools will run like a scared rat if you've got the IIM venom. Now we try our best to carry some anti-venom with us while applying to a B school. This can be in the form of 750+ GMAT score, professional qualifications (CFA etc), Social/NGO activities and what not. But when all IIMs are after the anti-venom, and many manage to get it, B schools claim that it doesn't work for most, and you are still poisonous.
Most International B schools have a limit on the percentage of Indians they want to admit (Of course if they don't, they might cease to be international and become desi). But the problem is that number of engineers passing out of colleges in India have increased exponentially, and most common streams are Comps/IT of course. Most software professionals get bored within 2-3 years of work, and start applying for MBA. While the schools in India seem to have accepted this (read somewhere that more than 90% students in the IIMs are engineers, and I assume that majority within these are from software background), the International schools will never adapt to this changed scenario. Hence competition for us IIMs will keep on getting tougher and tougher. Whether the actual IIMs should have changed their own policy or not is debatable too. I feel that 90% + engineers isn't exactly a healthy mix at all.
Now in being an IIM, the only choice one makes consciously is taking up IT. But unfortunately, this choice is made by most prospective engineers in India with as much thought as ordering breakfast. "Whats available" is more commonly asked than "Do you have xyz". So depending upon marks/rank, one accepts a branch and college regardless of interests and aims (which are very unclear at the age of 17). So you just become an IIM, without putting much of a thought into it.
If one accepts that there is a general lack of direction and career counseling for Indian youth, and most pursue graduation and MBA just for an obvious secure lifestyle, I think there is a scope for improvement even within this. If there are any wannabe MBAs out there, and you are unsure of what graduation to take up, please consider Commerce/Law/Arts/Architecture anything. This might pay you a little lesser immediately after graduation, but will help you a lot more while applying for an MBA. Just don't loose touch with maths, and I believe you'll be a lot better off than an IIM.
Let me dissect this abbreviation a bit. One cant really do anything about the first and the last words, you are born with it. I have no issues with being born in India (except for Visa headaches) or with being born a male. And lets face it, the average Indian male has far less issues in life compared to our fairer counterparts. While there are millions of alcoholic men drinking their way to self destruction without regards to the financial or social consequences, females in India can't enjoy a martini in a lounge bar without the fear of being beaten up and molested publicly.
Anyways, the crux of the abbreviation, the cataclysmal force which makes this mixture venomous, is IT. One doesn't need to be an IT or Computer graduate to qualify, just experience in the IT industry is probably enough to doom you. International MBA schools will run like a scared rat if you've got the IIM venom. Now we try our best to carry some anti-venom with us while applying to a B school. This can be in the form of 750+ GMAT score, professional qualifications (CFA etc), Social/NGO activities and what not. But when all IIMs are after the anti-venom, and many manage to get it, B schools claim that it doesn't work for most, and you are still poisonous.
Most International B schools have a limit on the percentage of Indians they want to admit (Of course if they don't, they might cease to be international and become desi). But the problem is that number of engineers passing out of colleges in India have increased exponentially, and most common streams are Comps/IT of course. Most software professionals get bored within 2-3 years of work, and start applying for MBA. While the schools in India seem to have accepted this (read somewhere that more than 90% students in the IIMs are engineers, and I assume that majority within these are from software background), the International schools will never adapt to this changed scenario. Hence competition for us IIMs will keep on getting tougher and tougher. Whether the actual IIMs should have changed their own policy or not is debatable too. I feel that 90% + engineers isn't exactly a healthy mix at all.
Now in being an IIM, the only choice one makes consciously is taking up IT. But unfortunately, this choice is made by most prospective engineers in India with as much thought as ordering breakfast. "Whats available" is more commonly asked than "Do you have xyz". So depending upon marks/rank, one accepts a branch and college regardless of interests and aims (which are very unclear at the age of 17). So you just become an IIM, without putting much of a thought into it.
If one accepts that there is a general lack of direction and career counseling for Indian youth, and most pursue graduation and MBA just for an obvious secure lifestyle, I think there is a scope for improvement even within this. If there are any wannabe MBAs out there, and you are unsure of what graduation to take up, please consider Commerce/Law/Arts/Architecture anything. This might pay you a little lesser immediately after graduation, but will help you a lot more while applying for an MBA. Just don't loose touch with maths, and I believe you'll be a lot better off than an IIM.
Monday, 2 February 2009
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Are the results out???
I realized today morning that I have never really waited anxiously for any results in my life, at least not till this week. If I remember correctly, the 10th CBSE result dates are never announced beforehand, and they just pop up one fine day. In my case, I was celebrating my uncle's 25th wedding anniversary in Alibag with the entire family when the results came. I actually happened to be in the toilet minding my "business", when I heard my dad on the phone, asking my rank in the school, marks, et al.
The 12th HSC result dates of course were known well in advance. My exams had gone well, and I am not generally too perturbed/anxious/afraid of results. Starcity theater is a stone's throw from Ruparel college, so me and some movie crazy friends decided to watch "Ice Age" from 1:30 - 3, just before collecting the results from the college. Now bear in mind that there was no CET etc in Maharashtra at that time, so basically my engineering admission depended on the HSC result. My father was livid with me, saying how could I go for a movie before such an important result. My logic was that exams are well in the past, and anything I did then definitely couldn't affect the result, so why not? At least it keeps your mind occupied!! My mother wanted to send my brother or someone with me, having read all these stories about students jumping from the train after their HSC results. Anyways, I had it my way, went alone, enjoyed the movie and got the result which was thankfuly pretty good.
Now an entire separate post can be written about the engineering results. But except the 1st sem, I was usually confident of getting a 1st class, and that's what mattered. And I don't really remember being too anxious anytime. I got through the 1st company I sat for in campus placements, so no nervous moments there either.
I applied to some B schools few months ago. I gave an interview for one of them last week, and am waiting for the final result. For the rest, they are yet to tell me if I am shortlisted, but no rejects yet. Most schools should announce something by end of Jan or by Feb 1st week. Which brings me to the point - I almost jump out of bed every morning, to check my mails for any sort of notification from the schools. I also check pagalguy 50 times a day to see whats happening with the other guys. This wait is driving me nuts!!!
The 12th HSC result dates of course were known well in advance. My exams had gone well, and I am not generally too perturbed/anxious/afraid of results. Starcity theater is a stone's throw from Ruparel college, so me and some movie crazy friends decided to watch "Ice Age" from 1:30 - 3, just before collecting the results from the college. Now bear in mind that there was no CET etc in Maharashtra at that time, so basically my engineering admission depended on the HSC result. My father was livid with me, saying how could I go for a movie before such an important result. My logic was that exams are well in the past, and anything I did then definitely couldn't affect the result, so why not? At least it keeps your mind occupied!! My mother wanted to send my brother or someone with me, having read all these stories about students jumping from the train after their HSC results. Anyways, I had it my way, went alone, enjoyed the movie and got the result which was thankfuly pretty good.
Now an entire separate post can be written about the engineering results. But except the 1st sem, I was usually confident of getting a 1st class, and that's what mattered. And I don't really remember being too anxious anytime. I got through the 1st company I sat for in campus placements, so no nervous moments there either.
I applied to some B schools few months ago. I gave an interview for one of them last week, and am waiting for the final result. For the rest, they are yet to tell me if I am shortlisted, but no rejects yet. Most schools should announce something by end of Jan or by Feb 1st week. Which brings me to the point - I almost jump out of bed every morning, to check my mails for any sort of notification from the schools. I also check pagalguy 50 times a day to see whats happening with the other guys. This wait is driving me nuts!!!
Sunday, 23 November 2008
Can't you switch the damn light off???
One of my flatmates is a guy who lives in his own world, and has little interest in mundane earthly things like closing the fridge door, taps and switching the lights and AC off after use. Amongst my flatmates, I generally come home from work first and this eccentric fellow usually leaves last in the morning, so I am accustomed to coming home and finding the tap water running, lights on etc. One day I even found the gas on. My flatmate had used it in the morning to light his cigarette, and did not bother to turn it off. Fortunately he left the gas on with the flame, otherwise one can imagine what would have happened on my return after about 8 hours. My repeated attempts to ameliorate my friends senses have yielded no effect so far.
So while having the same old "Can't you switch the damn light off when you leave?" argument with my friend, I remembered a childhood incident. I was at a friends house, who lived in a very small village. By small, I mean really small, with no roads, where a lot of houses were just mud huts. We were playing cricket, and headed to the kitchen during one break. Everyone huddled around the fridge for some cold water. My friend left the fridge open while we were drinking water, and since we were about 7-8 kids, it was taking some time. Seeing this one of the village boys was astonished. He asked "How can you leave the fridge door open like that? My mom won't even let me put the fan on during summer to save electricity costs". Not that I had an awakening or anything after this, but somehow the way the boy had said it in his rustic ways left an impression on my mind.
So while having the same old "Can't you switch the damn light off when you leave?" argument with my friend, I remembered a childhood incident. I was at a friends house, who lived in a very small village. By small, I mean really small, with no roads, where a lot of houses were just mud huts. We were playing cricket, and headed to the kitchen during one break. Everyone huddled around the fridge for some cold water. My friend left the fridge open while we were drinking water, and since we were about 7-8 kids, it was taking some time. Seeing this one of the village boys was astonished. He asked "How can you leave the fridge door open like that? My mom won't even let me put the fan on during summer to save electricity costs". Not that I had an awakening or anything after this, but somehow the way the boy had said it in his rustic ways left an impression on my mind.
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Rocking Chef
Found this cool chef from Chennai on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/vahchef
This guy is absolutely incredible. The sheer enthusiasm he exudes in his videos honestly inspires one to start cooking. Fittingly, his motto goes as "Inspiring others to cook".
He has his own website too: http://www.vahrehvah.com/
The availability of videos to go with the recipes really helps.
I was always a utility cook so far, cooking more out of necessity than any passion. My experience was limited to omelets and tea while in India. After coming to Cyprus, I graduated to dal-rice, khichadi, and some basic vegetables. We tried chapattis few times but failed miserably. Last year, I got a new roommate who was an awesome cook. He taught me a lil more, but everything was forgotten when I changed appartments. Anyways, Mr. Thumma has got the fire burning again.
Some of the recipes I have tried so far are: Ginger Chicken, Lamb fry, Lamb curry, Chicken Chettinad, Tuna Cutlets etc. All have turned out quite good. Have been boasting about this to my mom, so I'll need to prove myself when I go back home. I mean, feeding roommates is a different thing, as bachelors generally don't ascribe adjectives to food. If its cooked, we'll eat it. Hope this lasts
http://www.youtube.com/user/vahchef
This guy is absolutely incredible. The sheer enthusiasm he exudes in his videos honestly inspires one to start cooking. Fittingly, his motto goes as "Inspiring others to cook".
He has his own website too: http://www.vahrehvah.com/
The availability of videos to go with the recipes really helps.
I was always a utility cook so far, cooking more out of necessity than any passion. My experience was limited to omelets and tea while in India. After coming to Cyprus, I graduated to dal-rice, khichadi, and some basic vegetables. We tried chapattis few times but failed miserably. Last year, I got a new roommate who was an awesome cook. He taught me a lil more, but everything was forgotten when I changed appartments. Anyways, Mr. Thumma has got the fire burning again.
Some of the recipes I have tried so far are: Ginger Chicken, Lamb fry, Lamb curry, Chicken Chettinad, Tuna Cutlets etc. All have turned out quite good. Have been boasting about this to my mom, so I'll need to prove myself when I go back home. I mean, feeding roommates is a different thing, as bachelors generally don't ascribe adjectives to food. If its cooked, we'll eat it. Hope this lasts
Sunday, 10 August 2008
Wikipedia answers bollywood!!!!
I love this song "Socha Hai" from Rock On. I am a big Wikipedia fan as well. So here are the answers to all of Farhan's questions:
Aasma hai neela kyun
Paani geela geela kyun
Gol kyun hai zamee
Silk mein hai narmi kyun
Aag mein hai garmi kyun
Do aur do paanch kyun nahi
Ped ho gaye kam kyun
Teen hain ye mausam kyun
Chaand do kyun nahi
Duniya mein hai jung kyun
Behta laal rang kyun
Sarhaden hain kyun har kahin
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Behti kyun hai har nadi
Hoti kya hai roshni
Barf girti hai kyun
Dost kyun hain roothte
Taare kyun hain toot-te
Baadlon mein bijli hai kyun
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Sannata sunai nahi deta
Aur hawayen dikhayi nahi deti
Socha hai kya kabhi
Hota hai ye kyun…………
Aasma hai neela kyun
Paani geela geela kyun
Gol kyun hai zamee
Silk mein hai narmi kyun
Aag mein hai garmi kyun
Do aur do paanch kyun nahi
Ped ho gaye kam kyun
Teen hain ye mausam kyun
Chaand do kyun nahi
Duniya mein hai jung kyun
Behta laal rang kyun
Sarhaden hain kyun har kahin
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi……
I believe I can come up with incredible ways to waste my time!!!
Aasma hai neela kyun
Paani geela geela kyun
Gol kyun hai zamee
Silk mein hai narmi kyun
Aag mein hai garmi kyun
Do aur do paanch kyun nahi
Ped ho gaye kam kyun
Teen hain ye mausam kyun
Chaand do kyun nahi
Duniya mein hai jung kyun
Behta laal rang kyun
Sarhaden hain kyun har kahin
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Behti kyun hai har nadi
Hoti kya hai roshni
Barf girti hai kyun
Dost kyun hain roothte
Taare kyun hain toot-te
Baadlon mein bijli hai kyun
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Sannata sunai nahi deta
Aur hawayen dikhayi nahi deti
Socha hai kya kabhi
Hota hai ye kyun…………
Aasma hai neela kyun
Paani geela geela kyun
Gol kyun hai zamee
Silk mein hai narmi kyun
Aag mein hai garmi kyun
Do aur do paanch kyun nahi
Ped ho gaye kam kyun
Teen hain ye mausam kyun
Chaand do kyun nahi
Duniya mein hai jung kyun
Behta laal rang kyun
Sarhaden hain kyun har kahin
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi...
Socha hai… ye tumne kya kabhi
Socha hai… ki hain ye kya sabhi
Socha hai… socha nahi to socho abhi……
I believe I can come up with incredible ways to waste my time!!!
Friday, 25 July 2008
Dinner in 3 minutes flat
If there were a competition at speed eating, I think I would be pretty good at it. I have developed this habit singlehandedly because of Indian television serials. Let me explain.
While growing up, my family always had dinner together. We used to eat early, about 8-8:30. This happens to be prime time for the pathetic, completely unbearable and worst possible Marathi soap operas. My parents were avid followers, and my dad rules the remote at home. I always ate with my back towards the TV, but still just listening to the dialogues used to drive me crazy. I used subtle hints, sarcastic taunts and open cribbing to express myself, but nothing worked. I guess soaps are addictive and my parents were hooked. It may seem trivial, but soap operas really do irritate me that much. Its not just the stories, or the lack of it, but the tilted camera angles, sudden zoom ins, the stinging background scores..... Also trying to figure out why my parents actually liked these programs made me even more mad.
To save myself of the ordeal, I started eating faster. Usually I would complete my dinner in about 3-5 minutes flat (roti, sabzi, daal and fruit too sometimes). This had no affect whatsoever, and I wonder if my parents even noticed. One day, I took my plate from the dinner table, like a buffet, and ate in my room. Now this had a marked affect. Suddenly the sanctity of our "eating together" ritual was broken. It was important to eat together, even if you were just watching TV. Now it wasn't as if we didn't ever have good family conversations at dinner, just not during the 8-9 time slot, when my parents most cherished soaps came. Late dinners and weekend suppers were always nice. Anyways my father compromised, and started muting the TV during dinner.
Unfortunately, I was almost out of college and the habit has stuck on. Even still, I usually gulp down my food, rather than savoring it. I have to make a conscious effort to eat slowly , especially with my European friends. Now these guys take their own time while eating. People here sit for hours over a meze and some nice wine. When I settle down, I sure will make it a point not to keep the dining table and TV in the same room.
PS - Sympathies with those who suffered Hindi soaps. They seem to be a notch higher on the Irritation Quotient
While growing up, my family always had dinner together. We used to eat early, about 8-8:30. This happens to be prime time for the pathetic, completely unbearable and worst possible Marathi soap operas. My parents were avid followers, and my dad rules the remote at home. I always ate with my back towards the TV, but still just listening to the dialogues used to drive me crazy. I used subtle hints, sarcastic taunts and open cribbing to express myself, but nothing worked. I guess soaps are addictive and my parents were hooked. It may seem trivial, but soap operas really do irritate me that much. Its not just the stories, or the lack of it, but the tilted camera angles, sudden zoom ins, the stinging background scores..... Also trying to figure out why my parents actually liked these programs made me even more mad.
To save myself of the ordeal, I started eating faster. Usually I would complete my dinner in about 3-5 minutes flat (roti, sabzi, daal and fruit too sometimes). This had no affect whatsoever, and I wonder if my parents even noticed. One day, I took my plate from the dinner table, like a buffet, and ate in my room. Now this had a marked affect. Suddenly the sanctity of our "eating together" ritual was broken. It was important to eat together, even if you were just watching TV. Now it wasn't as if we didn't ever have good family conversations at dinner, just not during the 8-9 time slot, when my parents most cherished soaps came. Late dinners and weekend suppers were always nice. Anyways my father compromised, and started muting the TV during dinner.
Unfortunately, I was almost out of college and the habit has stuck on. Even still, I usually gulp down my food, rather than savoring it. I have to make a conscious effort to eat slowly , especially with my European friends. Now these guys take their own time while eating. People here sit for hours over a meze and some nice wine. When I settle down, I sure will make it a point not to keep the dining table and TV in the same room.
PS - Sympathies with those who suffered Hindi soaps. They seem to be a notch higher on the Irritation Quotient
Monday, 21 July 2008
The coolest travelogue
If you ever had dreams of traveling the world, check this out:
http://www.betzgi.ch/en/main.html
This is by far the coolest travelogue I have come across.
I would categorize myself as a proud Indian, and usually don't wish I were born somewhere else. But I have to make an exception when it comes to traveling. Plannig any long trip across multiple countries for an Indian is a pain in the ass. We never get any Visas on arrival (except Sri Lanka and Nepal maybe). Nevertheless, I wonder how much planning and effort such endeavors require, and how these people finance it.
Answer to the finance qustion:
http://www.betzgi.ch/en/main.html
This is by far the coolest travelogue I have come across.
I would categorize myself as a proud Indian, and usually don't wish I were born somewhere else. But I have to make an exception when it comes to traveling. Plannig any long trip across multiple countries for an Indian is a pain in the ass. We never get any Visas on arrival (except Sri Lanka and Nepal maybe). Nevertheless, I wonder how much planning and effort such endeavors require, and how these people finance it.
Answer to the finance qustion:
Sunday, 20 July 2008
Monday, 23 June 2008
Let me start from the beginning
Today I had a rather boring design review from 6-7 pm (to accommodate for the California colleagues on the conference). My teammate was presenting the design. He is very methodical, and was going over each and every part in a lot of detail, so naturally the rest of us were looking at each other exasperatedly. From time to time, the Californians were stirred awake from their slumber and "Pardon me, can you please repeat the question?" was heard frequently. Added to this, there were a lot of queries from the testers, so in all, most of us were concentrating on the clock.
While explaining a long flowchart, my teammate made a mistake, and said, "Let me start from the beginning". There was a collective gasp from the entire room!!
While explaining a long flowchart, my teammate made a mistake, and said, "Let me start from the beginning". There was a collective gasp from the entire room!!
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Developed Indian Male
My friend was telling me about a friend of his who got into Asian Institute of Management, Manila (How so many of my transitive acquaintances seem to land up in IAS, IIMs, IITs is a discussion for another blog). Now this dude had applied for a scholarship to Asian Development Bank for his MBA. A person from ADB called him up regarding this, and regretfully informed that he was rejected. He went on to explain a couple of reasons as to why he was not awarded the scholarship.
Firstly, the dude was from India, and the ADB person said that they were looking for a candidate from a less developed country! .... wtf!
Secondly, the dude was told, "We prefer a female candidate. Of course, you cannot do anything about that."
As my friend said, "Good to have a sense of humor, even if you are rejecting someone"
Firstly, the dude was from India, and the ADB person said that they were looking for a candidate from a less developed country! .... wtf!
Secondly, the dude was told, "We prefer a female candidate. Of course, you cannot do anything about that."
As my friend said, "Good to have a sense of humor, even if you are rejecting someone"
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Want Work?
Driving through Limassol Town Center today, I remembered an old incident which happened here about a year and half back. My flatmate and I were walking down the pavement, when a posh Mercedes S class slowed down near us, the driver lowered the window and asked my fiend, "Want some work?". Having been in Cyprus for a while, we knew the Cypriots well, so this didn't really surprise us. For most Cypriots, every coloured guy is a day labourer.
Anyways, my friend answered "No". The man was taken aback, I guess he expected an inquiry at the least. He asked again "You don't want work?". My friend calmly said "I already have work". The man sort of apologized and drove on. Now it so happens that this friend of mine is filthy rich, is from a very well to do business family and his father is a Politician. I was feeling offended at this prejudice and told my friend "You should have said something. How can these fuckers always assume that we are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants?" (now I have nothing against Bangladeshis, its just that there are a lot of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants here). To my surprise, my friend was least bit perturbed, and said calmly, "are Rajat, if I had said something, the guy would think twice before stopping and asking someone else, and some guy in real need of work, would probably not get it". I was taken aback. Now how the hell does one build such a perspective about things?
Anyways, my friend answered "No". The man was taken aback, I guess he expected an inquiry at the least. He asked again "You don't want work?". My friend calmly said "I already have work". The man sort of apologized and drove on. Now it so happens that this friend of mine is filthy rich, is from a very well to do business family and his father is a Politician. I was feeling offended at this prejudice and told my friend "You should have said something. How can these fuckers always assume that we are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants?" (now I have nothing against Bangladeshis, its just that there are a lot of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants here). To my surprise, my friend was least bit perturbed, and said calmly, "are Rajat, if I had said something, the guy would think twice before stopping and asking someone else, and some guy in real need of work, would probably not get it". I was taken aback. Now how the hell does one build such a perspective about things?
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
The Bad
I watched "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" AGAIN last evening. Undoubtedly the best Spaghetti Western, I am sure enough lines have been written praising the movie. In fact if you just type "the goo" in the search section in a Google toolbar, Google brings up the rest for you. Now that is the true measure of fame and success if you ask me.
Anyways, each time I have seen the movie, a completely different facet amazes me. At first it was the brilliant sound track and the catchy plot. Having loved the movie, I went on to see the prequels by Sergio Leone - "A Fistful of Dollars" and "For a Few Dollars More". Now these are good movies, and the character of Blondie slowly grows on you. So when I saw "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" for the second time, it was Clint Eastwood who stole the show for me. I was also intrigued by the depiction of American Civil War, and read a little bit more about it. So in my third attempt, I was left fascinated by direction of Sergio Leone. The director did not speak English and had never seen the American Old West - curtsy Wikipedia - so I find it phenomenal that he wrote and directed the film.
Yesterday, I found myself gaping at Eli Wallach's portrayal of "Tuco", the bruto. I don't remember when I last admired the comic timing of any film character as much as Tuco. It's not just the witty dialogs, its the impeccable manner of dialog delivery which makes Eli stand out. The "Bad" is undoubtedly the best part of the movie, i.e. until i see it once more, and discover something altogether disparate to admire.
Anyways, each time I have seen the movie, a completely different facet amazes me. At first it was the brilliant sound track and the catchy plot. Having loved the movie, I went on to see the prequels by Sergio Leone - "A Fistful of Dollars" and "For a Few Dollars More". Now these are good movies, and the character of Blondie slowly grows on you. So when I saw "The Good, The Bad and the Ugly" for the second time, it was Clint Eastwood who stole the show for me. I was also intrigued by the depiction of American Civil War, and read a little bit more about it. So in my third attempt, I was left fascinated by direction of Sergio Leone. The director did not speak English and had never seen the American Old West - curtsy Wikipedia - so I find it phenomenal that he wrote and directed the film.
Yesterday, I found myself gaping at Eli Wallach's portrayal of "Tuco", the bruto. I don't remember when I last admired the comic timing of any film character as much as Tuco. It's not just the witty dialogs, its the impeccable manner of dialog delivery which makes Eli stand out. The "Bad" is undoubtedly the best part of the movie, i.e. until i see it once more, and discover something altogether disparate to admire.
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Friday, 14 March 2008
Quixotic
quix·ot·ic (kwĭk-sŏt'ĭk) also quix·ot·i·cal (-ĭ-kəl)
adj.
Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality.
I wish i could say that about myself once in my life at least.
adj.
Caught up in the romance of noble deeds and the pursuit of unreachable goals; idealistic without regard to practicality.
I wish i could say that about myself once in my life at least.
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
Scene at Sauna
66 kilo Asian guy enters (me!). There is a 100 kilo Caucasian lying peacefully, soaking in the heat. Has good physique for his age (about 60-65 I guess). 66 kilo Asian sits down, adjusts to the temperature, and realizes its too hot. Anyways, few minutes later, another guy enters. He is about 140 kilos, with a humongous belly, and 66 kilo Asian is not sure of his race at this point.
140 Kilo guy looks at 66 kilo Asian and says: "As-Salaam Alaykum"
66 kilo Asian: "wa `Alaykum As-Salām"
140 Kilo guy: "Arabic?"
66 kilo Asian: "No!"
140 Kilo guy: "Pakistani?"
66 kilo Asian: "No!"
140 Kilo guy is rather clueless at this point.
66 kilo Asian to the rescue: "I am from India." (Feeling mera bharat mahan at this time)
140 Kilo guy: "Aaahhh! I see many Indian movies."
66 kilo Indian: "In Cyprus? Is there some where place they play Indian movies?"
140 Kilo guy: "No, I see on CD nowadays"
66 kilo Indian: "Where are you from?" (Got a hint from "nowadays")
140 Kilo guy: "Lebanon."
100 kilo Caucasian is fidgeting meanwhile, sits up finally.
140 Kilo Lebanese to 100 kilo Caucasian: "How are you?"
100 kilo Caucasian: "I am tired. Came here straight from work" (Obviously a Britisher from the accent)
140 Kilo Lebanese: "You still work? Where?"
100 kilo Brit: "I teach English to Russian students."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "So work is tiring?"
100 kilo Brit: "Not so much now. It was much more tiring when I used to teach the whole class. I did that for 35 years. Now I just take individual lessons."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "Very important to learn English. My father made me, my brother learn English, my sister learn French"
66 kilo Indian is wondering meanwhile if Lebanon was a French Colony!
100 kilo Brit: "French is out!!! Everyone wants to learn English. There are 3 -4 good schools in Limassol (took names I don't remember) and they all have English as their medium of instruction. Even French is taught in English!"
140 Kilo Lebanese: "In school, my teacher tell me write A, B, C. I write (showing pictorially) A, B and ")" (mirror image). I never good student."
66 kilo Indian: "Are there many Russian students here?"
100 kilo Brit: "Yes, quite a few. They have a lot of difficulty initially. I take lessons from 2 o clock. A lesson lasts about an hour."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "My brother go to London. Come back after 10 years and speak English like a Britisher"
100 kilo Brit: "Ah! The London accent! I am from the middle, and speak the Oxford way of English. The Southern, Northern or London Britishers have a different accent"
66 kilo Indian is thinking "They all sound like British accent" and suddenly remembers Mickey O'Neill from Snatch, played by Brad Pitt. Now that definitely wasn't English. And 66 kilo Indian's nose is burning because of the heat. Feels like it'll start bleeding.
140 Kilo Lebanese: "Yes, London English, like Margret Thatcher and Mr. Bean."
100 kilo Brit and 66 kilo Indian start laughing.
100 kilo Brit: "You know, Mr. Bean is a Cypriot by the way!"
Both 140 Kilo Lebanese and 66 kilo Indian express surprise.
100 kilo Brit: "Bloody hell! There are more Cypriots in UK, than in Cyprus! And they want us to get out of Cyprus. What if we send all Cypriots back?"
100 kilo Brit is making reference to 2 British Air Force bases in Cyprus, which completely fall under British Authority. 66 kilo Indian feels that it's good for Cyprus that the Brit bases exist, as they prevent the Turks from completely taking over the island. He anyway makes a mental note to check on google about Mr. Bean and the Cypriot population in Britain. (Both claims are not true btw)
99 kilo Brit gets up and heads towards door. The heat is now unbearable. 65 kilo Indian takes cue and also leaves.
140 Kilo guy looks at 66 kilo Asian and says: "As-Salaam Alaykum"
66 kilo Asian: "wa `Alaykum As-Salām"
140 Kilo guy: "Arabic?"
66 kilo Asian: "No!"
140 Kilo guy: "Pakistani?"
66 kilo Asian: "No!"
140 Kilo guy is rather clueless at this point.
66 kilo Asian to the rescue: "I am from India." (Feeling mera bharat mahan at this time)
140 Kilo guy: "Aaahhh! I see many Indian movies."
66 kilo Indian: "In Cyprus? Is there some where place they play Indian movies?"
140 Kilo guy: "No, I see on CD nowadays"
66 kilo Indian: "Where are you from?" (Got a hint from "nowadays")
140 Kilo guy: "Lebanon."
100 kilo Caucasian is fidgeting meanwhile, sits up finally.
140 Kilo Lebanese to 100 kilo Caucasian: "How are you?"
100 kilo Caucasian: "I am tired. Came here straight from work" (Obviously a Britisher from the accent)
140 Kilo Lebanese: "You still work? Where?"
100 kilo Brit: "I teach English to Russian students."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "So work is tiring?"
100 kilo Brit: "Not so much now. It was much more tiring when I used to teach the whole class. I did that for 35 years. Now I just take individual lessons."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "Very important to learn English. My father made me, my brother learn English, my sister learn French"
66 kilo Indian is wondering meanwhile if Lebanon was a French Colony!
100 kilo Brit: "French is out!!! Everyone wants to learn English. There are 3 -4 good schools in Limassol (took names I don't remember) and they all have English as their medium of instruction. Even French is taught in English!"
140 Kilo Lebanese: "In school, my teacher tell me write A, B, C. I write (showing pictorially) A, B and ")" (mirror image). I never good student."
66 kilo Indian: "Are there many Russian students here?"
100 kilo Brit: "Yes, quite a few. They have a lot of difficulty initially. I take lessons from 2 o clock. A lesson lasts about an hour."
140 Kilo Lebanese: "My brother go to London. Come back after 10 years and speak English like a Britisher"
100 kilo Brit: "Ah! The London accent! I am from the middle, and speak the Oxford way of English. The Southern, Northern or London Britishers have a different accent"
66 kilo Indian is thinking "They all sound like British accent" and suddenly remembers Mickey O'Neill from Snatch, played by Brad Pitt. Now that definitely wasn't English. And 66 kilo Indian's nose is burning because of the heat. Feels like it'll start bleeding.
140 Kilo Lebanese: "Yes, London English, like Margret Thatcher and Mr. Bean."
100 kilo Brit and 66 kilo Indian start laughing.
100 kilo Brit: "You know, Mr. Bean is a Cypriot by the way!"
Both 140 Kilo Lebanese and 66 kilo Indian express surprise.
100 kilo Brit: "Bloody hell! There are more Cypriots in UK, than in Cyprus! And they want us to get out of Cyprus. What if we send all Cypriots back?"
100 kilo Brit is making reference to 2 British Air Force bases in Cyprus, which completely fall under British Authority. 66 kilo Indian feels that it's good for Cyprus that the Brit bases exist, as they prevent the Turks from completely taking over the island. He anyway makes a mental note to check on google about Mr. Bean and the Cypriot population in Britain. (Both claims are not true btw)
99 kilo Brit gets up and heads towards door. The heat is now unbearable. 65 kilo Indian takes cue and also leaves.
Saturday, 9 February 2008
Baaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg!!!!!!!
An accident happened right below my building few minutes ago!! There was a very loud noise. One car is visible, seems no on is hurt. Can't see the other car, but there's crowd assembled near it. But no Cypriot police still. 15 min and no police!!! Like my flatmate said, "Dangerous to do an accident here. Cypriot police can't be trusted to save u on time!!"
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