Happy Ney Year everyone!
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
As I tried writing about 'Top 3 things of 2009' I ended up writing 4 things. I inevitably tried to think of another thing to make my blog 'Top 5 things of 2009'...but again ended by having 7 things....so i retorted to start the year's blog with a conservative yet effective(the narcissist me thinks so) way -
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The motivational factor
A normal conversation in my office cubicle -
Me: How were the rounds? Any interesting candidates?
Anish: Yeah, two of them.
Me: I hope they are well versed with jdk1.5. Did you check that out?
Anish: No
Me: What did you ask them then? Servlets, jsps?
Anish: No
Me: Arre phir poocha kya?
Anish: General aptitude questions.
Me (irritated): But that round is already done! You were there to interview candidates for our Java requirement and if you thought they weren’t fitting the bill why didn’t you send them to a different interviewer?
Anish (3 times irritated): Because they were real good looking girls and the project is in need of some dire motivation.
The male fraternity in my team stood up nodding their heads in complete agreement while the female fraternity burst out laughing.
Me: How were the rounds? Any interesting candidates?
Anish: Yeah, two of them.
Me: I hope they are well versed with jdk1.5. Did you check that out?
Anish: No
Me: What did you ask them then? Servlets, jsps?
Anish: No
Me: Arre phir poocha kya?
Anish: General aptitude questions.
Me (irritated): But that round is already done! You were there to interview candidates for our Java requirement and if you thought they weren’t fitting the bill why didn’t you send them to a different interviewer?
Anish (3 times irritated): Because they were real good looking girls and the project is in need of some dire motivation.
The male fraternity in my team stood up nodding their heads in complete agreement while the female fraternity burst out laughing.
Monday, December 21, 2009
God in small things
Another one from my bus-diary -
Travelling by bus, you should be carrying exact change lest you meet a moody conductor who gives you a sermon about his ‘change’ problem.
Another normal day when the bus conductor was abusing an elderly man 'coz he didn’t have change. He was using extremely foul language but nobody dared to interrupt him because everyone knew that it would simply complicate the matter. The old man probably thought the same, for he just stood patiently, handling the verbal assault with a calm disposition. Soon the bus passed a small temple and the conductor subconsciously became silent and religiously folded his hands and prayed. It was amazing to see how a stone elicited his respect but not a person in flesh and blood. After his revered gesture to the almighty he continued with the abusing. All this happened in a matter of seconds and was almost mechanical. The old man who had observed all this coolly said, “Aadhi disnarya mansaanshi neet vagayla shika magach tya na disnarya devapudhe haath joda” (Learn to respect people in flesh and blood before you bow before that invisible god).
The line had its effect for the conductor just went away to handle other commuters but this time, his mannerisms had mellowed down.
Travelling by bus, you should be carrying exact change lest you meet a moody conductor who gives you a sermon about his ‘change’ problem.
Another normal day when the bus conductor was abusing an elderly man 'coz he didn’t have change. He was using extremely foul language but nobody dared to interrupt him because everyone knew that it would simply complicate the matter. The old man probably thought the same, for he just stood patiently, handling the verbal assault with a calm disposition. Soon the bus passed a small temple and the conductor subconsciously became silent and religiously folded his hands and prayed. It was amazing to see how a stone elicited his respect but not a person in flesh and blood. After his revered gesture to the almighty he continued with the abusing. All this happened in a matter of seconds and was almost mechanical. The old man who had observed all this coolly said, “Aadhi disnarya mansaanshi neet vagayla shika magach tya na disnarya devapudhe haath joda” (Learn to respect people in flesh and blood before you bow before that invisible god).
The line had its effect for the conductor just went away to handle other commuters but this time, his mannerisms had mellowed down.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Sycophancy
UPCC president, Rita Bahuguna Joshi's comment on how sincere Rahul Gandhi was when he forced his pilot to land in zero visibility so that he wouldn’t miss his commitment of meeting people would have had most of the sensible people in splits. Who would override the pilot's decision about safe and unsafe landing? Not sensible folks atleast! In her attempt to (probably) appease the high command she ended up in quite an awkward position because within minutes the junior most Gandhi quickly gave a press statement saying he had done no such thing. In his own words - "I am a pilot and I am absolutely aware of the dangers of flying in low visibility conditions. I will be the last person to do it."
I have been waiting for the UPCC president's next remark but so far none have been forthcoming.
I have been waiting for the UPCC president's next remark but so far none have been forthcoming.
Movie Review: Paa
One word for the movie - Lovely!
To begin the review skeptics who are comparing it to Benjamin Button can take a back seat. The movie is refreshing and definitely an original. Balki's previous movie 'Cheeni Kum' was a nice one too. The reason I liked that movie was for its dialogues and Paa, you have a lot of satire and wit to keep you glued.
The story of Auro, a single mother's son diagnosed with progeria is a heartwarming one and far from being whining. He leads an almost normal life surrounded by amazing characters including his best friend, Vishnu. I especially liked the scene where the 11 yr old Vishnu talks about his dad explaining the similarities he shares with him......witty convo. Auro steals the scene and yeah! not for a moment you would feel that it’s a 67 year old playing a 12 year old kid. Amitabh is one lucky man! Even at this age he continues to get scripts that are written especially for him. But nobody can deny his hard work, he pulled it off amazingly too :)
Just one hiccup, but with the song that is rocking charts. The music of the song 'Gumsum Gum ' is a direct lift from a very old Malayalam melody (all I know is the singer there was S.Janaki, details later....). When I heard it I was a little disappointed that someone of the music director's caliber could also do that without a proper credit.....but you can’t help it.
Great performances by the rest of the cast, especially - Arundhati Nag as Vidya’s mother but little Auro is the child of the moment! My favourite actor has done it yet again!
To begin the review skeptics who are comparing it to Benjamin Button can take a back seat. The movie is refreshing and definitely an original. Balki's previous movie 'Cheeni Kum' was a nice one too. The reason I liked that movie was for its dialogues and Paa, you have a lot of satire and wit to keep you glued.
The story of Auro, a single mother's son diagnosed with progeria is a heartwarming one and far from being whining. He leads an almost normal life surrounded by amazing characters including his best friend, Vishnu. I especially liked the scene where the 11 yr old Vishnu talks about his dad explaining the similarities he shares with him......witty convo. Auro steals the scene and yeah! not for a moment you would feel that it’s a 67 year old playing a 12 year old kid. Amitabh is one lucky man! Even at this age he continues to get scripts that are written especially for him. But nobody can deny his hard work, he pulled it off amazingly too :)
Just one hiccup, but with the song that is rocking charts. The music of the song 'Gumsum Gum ' is a direct lift from a very old Malayalam melody (all I know is the singer there was S.Janaki, details later....). When I heard it I was a little disappointed that someone of the music director's caliber could also do that without a proper credit.....but you can’t help it.
Great performances by the rest of the cast, especially - Arundhati Nag as Vidya’s mother but little Auro is the child of the moment! My favourite actor has done it yet again!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Anger management anyone?
For a person who is generally crystal clear about most of the things when I get stuck in the 'this-or-that' state I hate every moment of it. I am terribly upset and angry over something. One part of me says to shout loud and make my disagreement public. Another part says to just keep quiet and strike when the iron is hot. So far, the later is winning. What is the correct approach when you are angry? Is it to shout from rooftops and let the concerned people know about your displeasure or would it be to rather wait for an opportune moment and catch them unaware.
Public displays have an inherent advantage of making you feel better because you have already exhausted a lot of your emotions in trying to state and re-state your cause. However, at times you lose track of the final target and get more concerned about belittling someone else. Also, most often than not words used when you are angry have bitterness than rationality associated with them. That probably is the reason we have always been advised by elders to drink a glass of water whenever we are angry. It is actually to buy time and organize your thoughts before you start a verbal assault.
Staying (atleast trying to) calm and waiting for the opportune moment has it’s own benefits too! You do not risk speaking harsh thoughts which you would not be able to erase off even if you wanted to. You organize your thoughts; contemplate the problems at your end before raising the accusing finger. In all, this looks better but then you have a whole lot of emotions stacked inside you which would have been better off if released. It creates a dilemma and you are left wondering if this is indeed the correct approach. You just want to speak out, it takes too much efforts to keep quiet.
Not really sure what’s the best way out but staying quiet without actually giving up seems more tempting to me!
Public displays have an inherent advantage of making you feel better because you have already exhausted a lot of your emotions in trying to state and re-state your cause. However, at times you lose track of the final target and get more concerned about belittling someone else. Also, most often than not words used when you are angry have bitterness than rationality associated with them. That probably is the reason we have always been advised by elders to drink a glass of water whenever we are angry. It is actually to buy time and organize your thoughts before you start a verbal assault.
Staying (atleast trying to) calm and waiting for the opportune moment has it’s own benefits too! You do not risk speaking harsh thoughts which you would not be able to erase off even if you wanted to. You organize your thoughts; contemplate the problems at your end before raising the accusing finger. In all, this looks better but then you have a whole lot of emotions stacked inside you which would have been better off if released. It creates a dilemma and you are left wondering if this is indeed the correct approach. You just want to speak out, it takes too much efforts to keep quiet.
Not really sure what’s the best way out but staying quiet without actually giving up seems more tempting to me!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hypocrite - To be or not to be
Long time ago when I had filled me orkut profile I had added an entry in the 'Turn Offs' section – Hypocrisy. I haven't yet edited it (not atleast till the time of writing this blog) and so when I realized how contradicting this was with my everyday life I thought why not just put this down.
Hypocrisy for the all years I have known it has had a negative existence but many a times it just works right. Come to think of it how many times do we just speak the plain truth. We always twist and turn the obvious to make it sound more amiable and less offending. Its not wrong either! Someone comes and asks you to comment on his/her new dress. You think its pathetic, the color is too loud and the design is boring but you say none of these. All you say is “Its nice” or the less hypocrite may say “I would have never chosen this for myself but it looks nice on you”. I do this all the time. Come to think of it what is the point in saying the dress looks horrible to someone who is probably just wanting a nice compliment. Common! It isn't a life threatening situation. Its an everyday one where most of us choose a practical and less offending solution. Often its more advisable to just say nice things even when you don't feel like it, not because the truth would hurt but because the truth may not really do something extraordinary. A false compliment might just light up someone's dull day whereas a true statement might worsen the already worst day of his life.
There are situations, however, where nothing but truth helps. There are people too who would expect nothing but an honest answer when they turn to you. That, I think, are the only situations and people with whom you should never be a hypocrite. Say the truth even if it hurts, simply because the person is much more important and deserves nothing less than the truth. If you mess up that time you mess up many things and lose much more than just a friend :)
As someone had rightly said - “Its alright to be honest as long as you know when to be honest”.
Hypocrisy for the all years I have known it has had a negative existence but many a times it just works right. Come to think of it how many times do we just speak the plain truth. We always twist and turn the obvious to make it sound more amiable and less offending. Its not wrong either! Someone comes and asks you to comment on his/her new dress. You think its pathetic, the color is too loud and the design is boring but you say none of these. All you say is “Its nice” or the less hypocrite may say “I would have never chosen this for myself but it looks nice on you”. I do this all the time. Come to think of it what is the point in saying the dress looks horrible to someone who is probably just wanting a nice compliment. Common! It isn't a life threatening situation. Its an everyday one where most of us choose a practical and less offending solution. Often its more advisable to just say nice things even when you don't feel like it, not because the truth would hurt but because the truth may not really do something extraordinary. A false compliment might just light up someone's dull day whereas a true statement might worsen the already worst day of his life.
There are situations, however, where nothing but truth helps. There are people too who would expect nothing but an honest answer when they turn to you. That, I think, are the only situations and people with whom you should never be a hypocrite. Say the truth even if it hurts, simply because the person is much more important and deserves nothing less than the truth. If you mess up that time you mess up many things and lose much more than just a friend :)
As someone had rightly said - “Its alright to be honest as long as you know when to be honest”.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
UP - Movie Review
Pixar's new release in association with Disney is a treat for one and all. Do not miss this 1 hour 45 minutes treat :)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
US open 2009 - DelPo and Clijsters Days out
Many asked me why didn't I have any comments on my favourite losing the grand slam. They thought I was feeling very sad. On the contrary I am not. It was a well deserved win by DelPo against Federer. I hadn't updated my blog because I couldn't watch the tournaments. I just managed to savour the highlights on their website. But yeah the semi final against Nadal was a clear indication that DelPo was not playing like an underdog. The world no.6 beat world no.2 and world no.1 to clinch the US open.
The woman's singles too saw some surprises as new-mom Clijsters won the grand slam and her 2 year daughter holding the cup was essentially the highlight at flushing meadows...........the most photogenic moment probably :)
The woman's singles too saw some surprises as new-mom Clijsters won the grand slam and her 2 year daughter holding the cup was essentially the highlight at flushing meadows...........the most photogenic moment probably :)
Choose whom you follow
Many a times you are racking your brains for some logical reasoning to a situation and it eludes you for days together. Then all of a sudden everything falls into place.For days now I have been feeling helpless and probably frustrated about many things in my life. I had been trying to reason the mediocrity that I seem to be surrounded with and getting no answers I was irritated. It was during such a state that this small incident happened.
Riding thru Bhandarkar road I was following an auto rickshaw driver rather diligently. I am a typical Puneri rider and I always find a way out of any traffic jam , so my friend Neha was surprised when instead of overtaking I seem to follow this driver who was driving very slowly. Tired of my slow speed she retorted loudly -”Abe tujhe follow hi karna hain toh aage wale Fiat linea ko kar na.....rickshaw ko kyon kar rahi hain” (If you are so intersted in following why dont you follow the Fiat linea instead of this auto rickshaw?)
Bang! There in I had my answer. If you think you are following mediocrity synonymous (with due respects) to the rickshaw, its your choice because you have chosen to turn a blind eye to a better option (in this case Linea).
The mediocrity in my life is my own making and I cannot get frustrated about it. Moving ahead with an inquisitive and ready-to-learn mind is what I should be doing. I have to choose whom I follow :)
p.s No ways I am trying to say that a rickshaw holds no importance against a Linea. Its just that I associated these 2 vehicles with 2 different states of mind probably because anything that is costlier automatically becomes desirable for humans :)
Riding thru Bhandarkar road I was following an auto rickshaw driver rather diligently. I am a typical Puneri rider and I always find a way out of any traffic jam , so my friend Neha was surprised when instead of overtaking I seem to follow this driver who was driving very slowly. Tired of my slow speed she retorted loudly -”Abe tujhe follow hi karna hain toh aage wale Fiat linea ko kar na.....rickshaw ko kyon kar rahi hain” (If you are so intersted in following why dont you follow the Fiat linea instead of this auto rickshaw?)
Bang! There in I had my answer. If you think you are following mediocrity synonymous (with due respects) to the rickshaw, its your choice because you have chosen to turn a blind eye to a better option (in this case Linea).
The mediocrity in my life is my own making and I cannot get frustrated about it. Moving ahead with an inquisitive and ready-to-learn mind is what I should be doing. I have to choose whom I follow :)
p.s No ways I am trying to say that a rickshaw holds no importance against a Linea. Its just that I associated these 2 vehicles with 2 different states of mind probably because anything that is costlier automatically becomes desirable for humans :)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What an idea Madamji ;)
Sometimes an idea is so ridiculously simple, yet its taken an eternity to implement it. Two such things that always had me perplexed saw the light of the day in the past few weeks :)
1) Security code for a credit card:
When i started using a credt card, the first thing that came to my mind was - Why isnt there a security code that I choose and no one else knows about? I mean a credit card is used at so many places, especially for online transactions. Everything they ask you to furnish is readily available on the card. So anyone who has your card can do a transaction with/out your consent. So the obvious thought is why not have a code that you select and is nowhere on the card. If you share it with anyone you know what you are getting into! Very simple idea but I think quite effective.
Yeah, if you have seen the latest directive from RBI every credit card now should have a security code associated with it. No transactions without it.Period.
2) Changing the mobile pulse to seconds:How many times have you fretted over finishing the last call at 2:01 minutes? You are left wondering that for a second more why do i pay for the whole pulse of 1 minute? Today with cheaper rates its no big deal but still I know we all crib at a few extra seconds on the pulse. I had always thought why not bill per second or atleast change the pulse frame to a lower window say 5 seconds per pulse?
And now, Tata Docomo is advertising that it plans to do just that.
Maybe there were valid reasons for these two ideas to not take shape earlir. If anyone knows about it drop a comment. As of now let me feel happy that I had some practically viable ideas boiling inside my head ;)
1) Security code for a credit card:
When i started using a credt card, the first thing that came to my mind was - Why isnt there a security code that I choose and no one else knows about? I mean a credit card is used at so many places, especially for online transactions. Everything they ask you to furnish is readily available on the card. So anyone who has your card can do a transaction with/out your consent. So the obvious thought is why not have a code that you select and is nowhere on the card. If you share it with anyone you know what you are getting into! Very simple idea but I think quite effective.
Yeah, if you have seen the latest directive from RBI every credit card now should have a security code associated with it. No transactions without it.Period.
2) Changing the mobile pulse to seconds:How many times have you fretted over finishing the last call at 2:01 minutes? You are left wondering that for a second more why do i pay for the whole pulse of 1 minute? Today with cheaper rates its no big deal but still I know we all crib at a few extra seconds on the pulse. I had always thought why not bill per second or atleast change the pulse frame to a lower window say 5 seconds per pulse?
And now, Tata Docomo is advertising that it plans to do just that.
Maybe there were valid reasons for these two ideas to not take shape earlir. If anyone knows about it drop a comment. As of now let me feel happy that I had some practically viable ideas boiling inside my head ;)
Friday, August 14, 2009
Joke
The vector was walking down cartesian drive when he bumped into a confused Scalar.
The vector asked him what was wrong and he replied, "Help I have no direction."
Techie one....but cute ;)
The vector asked him what was wrong and he replied, "Help I have no direction."
Techie one....but cute ;)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Puneri - To the Tee
I was near this shop waiting for a friend when there came a man and asked me the route to reach Mumbai. I didnt know it and I told him so. He looked around to see if anyone else could help him. There came 3 young men who gave him many different routes. They seemed to be very helpful as each one of them drew maps explaining why one route was better than another one. However, the man who had asked the route seemed to be worried about something or the other and kept saying things like "he tar khoop laamb aahe, ugach petrol kharcha honar" (This one is a long route, I will waste the fuel), "Ithe khoop traffic jaam asnaar"(This route genrally has traffic snarls), etc.
Hearing this the shopkeeper resorted to an irritated expression and blurted out loudly - "ek kaam kara, chalat suta......petrol hi vachnaar aani traffic jaam hi nahin lagnaar" (Why dont you just start walking, you wont face any snarls and no petrol needed either). Everyone burst out laughing as the poor chap got his dose of Puneripana ;)
Hearing this the shopkeeper resorted to an irritated expression and blurted out loudly - "ek kaam kara, chalat suta......petrol hi vachnaar aani traffic jaam hi nahin lagnaar" (Why dont you just start walking, you wont face any snarls and no petrol needed either). Everyone burst out laughing as the poor chap got his dose of Puneripana ;)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wrong profession ;)
Many public transport drivers have a bad habit of not stopping the bus at the bus stop but many meters before or after the designated stop.
One such driver who had stopped the bus far away was being reprimanded by an elderly uncle when in popped another old man with a remarkable sense of humour. To add zing to the humour was his amazing Urdu dialect. He pacified the elder uncle by saying , "Arre bade miyan jaane dijiye. In sahab ko toh desh ka Olympic coach hona chahiye....kamaskam khiladioyn ko dauda daudakar jeetaynge aur desh ka naam roshan toh karwayenge....hain na miya?"
The driver's embarrassed face was worth a dekko!!
One such driver who had stopped the bus far away was being reprimanded by an elderly uncle when in popped another old man with a remarkable sense of humour. To add zing to the humour was his amazing Urdu dialect. He pacified the elder uncle by saying , "Arre bade miyan jaane dijiye. In sahab ko toh desh ka Olympic coach hona chahiye....kamaskam khiladioyn ko dauda daudakar jeetaynge aur desh ka naam roshan toh karwayenge....hain na miya?"
The driver's embarrassed face was worth a dekko!!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Whacking myself :(
Feel like whacking myself for such a blunder. Thats the reason I hate being online when I am working, I cant handle it.
I was online on a chat messenger and amid debugging there popped 2 chat windows - from A and B. I was discussing some contradictory stuff and as you must have guessed it I pasted the wrong contents on both the windows. All efforts to rectify it where lost.....somehow TCP/IP does not allow you to recall packets (I really wish technology would have allowed me that). So this moment I am just angry at myself...grr!!!!!
I was online on a chat messenger and amid debugging there popped 2 chat windows - from A and B. I was discussing some contradictory stuff and as you must have guessed it I pasted the wrong contents on both the windows. All efforts to rectify it where lost.....somehow TCP/IP does not allow you to recall packets (I really wish technology would have allowed me that). So this moment I am just angry at myself...grr!!!!!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom :)
My grandmom wasn’t keeping well and so I took her early morning breakfast to her room. The maid was busy wiping the floors and I smiled at her as I woke up my grandma. She got up reluctantly and I could see that she was in a bad state. Before she ate her first morsel she looked at the maid and enquired what did she have for breakfast? The maid replied since it was too early she was going to finish the work and then go and have one.
On hearing this, my grandma asked me to get another plate for her. The maid's continuous pleas, that she was alright was of no use and my grandmom made her eat a plateful before she took her first morsel. For my confused look she simply said - "How can you have your food when someone else working for you is working on an empty stomach?"
It’s for these amazing righteous acts of hers that I dismiss her silly superstitions and tantrums and just let her be :)
On hearing this, my grandma asked me to get another plate for her. The maid's continuous pleas, that she was alright was of no use and my grandmom made her eat a plateful before she took her first morsel. For my confused look she simply said - "How can you have your food when someone else working for you is working on an empty stomach?"
It’s for these amazing righteous acts of hers that I dismiss her silly superstitions and tantrums and just let her be :)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
shayaris ;)
Haathon ki laakeeron pe par vishwas nahin karna chahiye
kyon ki taqdeer toh unki bhi hoti hain jinke haath nahin hote
Sochta hoon in saagar ki laharon ko dekhkar
kyon yeh kinare se takraa kar chali jaati hain
karti hain woh kinaare se bewafai ya sagar se wafa nibhaati hain
Been long since I have met or spoken to someone who could just rattle off mirza ghalibs and khayyams in the correct context and leave you stunned. Probably the missing creed in a system dominated by software engineers, MBA holders and too techie folks :)
kyon ki taqdeer toh unki bhi hoti hain jinke haath nahin hote
Sochta hoon in saagar ki laharon ko dekhkar
kyon yeh kinare se takraa kar chali jaati hain
karti hain woh kinaare se bewafai ya sagar se wafa nibhaati hain
Been long since I have met or spoken to someone who could just rattle off mirza ghalibs and khayyams in the correct context and leave you stunned. Probably the missing creed in a system dominated by software engineers, MBA holders and too techie folks :)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The new world number one :)
In the longest ever last set played at Wimbledon, Federer beat Roddick to win his 15th grand Slam title. Approximately at 2300 hrs IST Federer found Roddick's serve in his comfortable zone and dispatched a fabulous forehand winner........and history was made!!!!
I was planning to skip the match for I thought it would be a 3 setter and not so interesting. I am glad I didn’t! Roddick was definitely the better player had it not been for his last 2 services. My favourite was at loss for he couldn’t just break his opponent's serve. Reminded me of last year's Wimbledon final where Nadal had overshadowed Federer both physically and mentally. Although lost on many occasions Federer wasn’t down and he delivered on more than one occasions. Roddick played the match of his life and gave Federer quite a scare, but, the new world number one knew exactly how to get him around. I think he loses his amazing determination only to Nadal.....no one else has been able to ruffle him. Many take him down but are unable to keep him there....exactly like yesterday.
The centre court at Wimbledon was inhabited by the greats of Tennis - Pete Sampras whose record Fed broke, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
Federer had won his first Grand slam at Wimbledon in 2003, quite a co-incidence that he won his 15th Grand Slam at Wimbledon too. 6 years of amazing tennis where he has been the world no 1 for maximum weeks, is only the 6th man to have a Career grand slam, the only person to have 15 grand slam titles.....and many more such records. It’s amazing to be so consistently good and motivated. He definitely deserves all the laurels!!
p.s. The court erupted in a chant for Roddick after the match although it was Federer's big day. That conveys the general sentiment. He played too good a match. Bravo!!!
I was planning to skip the match for I thought it would be a 3 setter and not so interesting. I am glad I didn’t! Roddick was definitely the better player had it not been for his last 2 services. My favourite was at loss for he couldn’t just break his opponent's serve. Reminded me of last year's Wimbledon final where Nadal had overshadowed Federer both physically and mentally. Although lost on many occasions Federer wasn’t down and he delivered on more than one occasions. Roddick played the match of his life and gave Federer quite a scare, but, the new world number one knew exactly how to get him around. I think he loses his amazing determination only to Nadal.....no one else has been able to ruffle him. Many take him down but are unable to keep him there....exactly like yesterday.
The centre court at Wimbledon was inhabited by the greats of Tennis - Pete Sampras whose record Fed broke, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver.
Federer had won his first Grand slam at Wimbledon in 2003, quite a co-incidence that he won his 15th Grand Slam at Wimbledon too. 6 years of amazing tennis where he has been the world no 1 for maximum weeks, is only the 6th man to have a Career grand slam, the only person to have 15 grand slam titles.....and many more such records. It’s amazing to be so consistently good and motivated. He definitely deserves all the laurels!!
p.s. The court erupted in a chant for Roddick after the match although it was Federer's big day. That conveys the general sentiment. He played too good a match. Bravo!!!
Monday, June 29, 2009
None
Sometimes some people unknowingly become such an important part of your existence long before you even realize. I think it has been like that with this friend of mine. Not in a mood to name her, so let’s just use pronouns :) Today is her last day in my office and I am left wondering - Have we really been together for 4 years?
We probably learnt everything together. Infact there are so many 'firsts' with her that jotting all of them down would be impossible. We took our first salary together; we both sat down and learnt how to do tax calculations, every minute details of it. We analyzed our tax reports, sal slips, promotion lists, everything.
We called each other at odd hours stating 'I am bugged - let’s meet'. Not every time the other person would make it but definitely asap. There was an amazing clarity about the relationship. We both always had similar thoughts, similar emotions given any situation which just became stronger each day. We have shared countless hours after office discussing and gossiping. I could trust her with anything and I always will. Some people are so upright in life that you need no warranty for their uprightness.
This blog is out of the blue........I don’t usually allow anyone to venture into my private territory but as has always been the case with some people I thought let’s make an exception :). I am going to miss the immediate calls, mails and meetings, now that she is going far. I will miss knowing her colleagues, her managers and giving code names to them. But I know something we will devise some way of bettering this relationship. Distance is simply going to alter the dimensions :)
:-* ...as always
We probably learnt everything together. Infact there are so many 'firsts' with her that jotting all of them down would be impossible. We took our first salary together; we both sat down and learnt how to do tax calculations, every minute details of it. We analyzed our tax reports, sal slips, promotion lists, everything.
We called each other at odd hours stating 'I am bugged - let’s meet'. Not every time the other person would make it but definitely asap. There was an amazing clarity about the relationship. We both always had similar thoughts, similar emotions given any situation which just became stronger each day. We have shared countless hours after office discussing and gossiping. I could trust her with anything and I always will. Some people are so upright in life that you need no warranty for their uprightness.
This blog is out of the blue........I don’t usually allow anyone to venture into my private territory but as has always been the case with some people I thought let’s make an exception :). I am going to miss the immediate calls, mails and meetings, now that she is going far. I will miss knowing her colleagues, her managers and giving code names to them. But I know something we will devise some way of bettering this relationship. Distance is simply going to alter the dimensions :)
:-* ...as always
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Pet names
Do you know where Mr.Chopra lives? Nopes, I answered and the stranger who had spoilt my book reading session left. He must have just covered a few paces when realization dawned and I opened the door again and yelled back at him "he lives on the third floor". Surprised, he mumbled a feeble thank you and changed his course to go upstairs. I am sure he must have thought I was a moron but only I knew the problem. I had never known Chopra uncle by his name, for me he has always been 'Daewoo' uncle for he was the first person in our society to have bought the huge "Daewoo Cielo" back in the 90's when marutis ruled the roads (they still do).
Pet names - the ones that your parents give you or the ones you acquire over a period of time because of your ability or foolishness always stay with you, come what may! Traditions make parents name their child as "Vyankatesh" and practicality/fondness changes the name to Venky. My childhood, I remember at least 10 sonu(s) and equal raju(s) in my society. To complete the pet name bouquet there were others like chikku, minti, munni, monu, dinky, tillu, babu,etc. Every time an aunt called my friend chikku, she would cringe but answer and every time we called her that she would throw a tantrum and go away reminding us her real name. Parent's too acquired a pet-name as a result of their kid. I mean Mr.Walia was never known by his name but always as chikku's papa. These are pet names as a result of fondness or as some general rule because the names were too long.
But there were others that were acquired because of a habit. For example we named Manish 'hanky' after his constantly overflowing nose and his eagerness to wipe it off even when he was supposed to pick up a catch. Debashish became 'ducky' after his amazing capability to imitate 'Uncle Scrooge'. Nidhi became 'popo' after her famous rickshaw driver act in one of the society plays (She had imitated the rickshaw's horn extremely well). Mandar was nicknamed 'Dhonya'(long time back....no way related to M.S.Dhoni) because he would either hit a six or get out (‘dho deta tha’).
I once knew of pandit uncle and his nameplate read (Sirish Patwardhan (panditji))...for everyone knew him as panditji because he knew every shloak, mantra in the Hindu tradition and was the lead man in all traditional activities. Garage wale uncle, I can still point his house and tell you his whole family tree but ask me about Mr. Surendran Nair, and I would probably tell you I don’t know him. I too gave the weirdest pet names to people and they too readily accepted it. BCS aunty (she had filled my BCS form), Dabba uncle (he had made my school dabbas when my parents had to urgently go out of station), Line wali didi (because the first time I met her was in a queue and had fought with her), the list is just endless.
Times have changed and I am no longer in touch with many of these old folks but I am amazed how the memory of their pet names never fails me. The name immediately rings a bell and brings back a gust of memories. And I guess it will always be so :)
Probably nothing summarizes my fondness for pet names than this line from Jhumpa Lahiri's Namesake - "Pet names are a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated". Perfect, isn’t it?
Pet names - the ones that your parents give you or the ones you acquire over a period of time because of your ability or foolishness always stay with you, come what may! Traditions make parents name their child as "Vyankatesh" and practicality/fondness changes the name to Venky. My childhood, I remember at least 10 sonu(s) and equal raju(s) in my society. To complete the pet name bouquet there were others like chikku, minti, munni, monu, dinky, tillu, babu,etc. Every time an aunt called my friend chikku, she would cringe but answer and every time we called her that she would throw a tantrum and go away reminding us her real name. Parent's too acquired a pet-name as a result of their kid. I mean Mr.Walia was never known by his name but always as chikku's papa. These are pet names as a result of fondness or as some general rule because the names were too long.
But there were others that were acquired because of a habit. For example we named Manish 'hanky' after his constantly overflowing nose and his eagerness to wipe it off even when he was supposed to pick up a catch. Debashish became 'ducky' after his amazing capability to imitate 'Uncle Scrooge'. Nidhi became 'popo' after her famous rickshaw driver act in one of the society plays (She had imitated the rickshaw's horn extremely well). Mandar was nicknamed 'Dhonya'(long time back....no way related to M.S.Dhoni) because he would either hit a six or get out (‘dho deta tha’).
I once knew of pandit uncle and his nameplate read (Sirish Patwardhan (panditji))...for everyone knew him as panditji because he knew every shloak, mantra in the Hindu tradition and was the lead man in all traditional activities. Garage wale uncle, I can still point his house and tell you his whole family tree but ask me about Mr. Surendran Nair, and I would probably tell you I don’t know him. I too gave the weirdest pet names to people and they too readily accepted it. BCS aunty (she had filled my BCS form), Dabba uncle (he had made my school dabbas when my parents had to urgently go out of station), Line wali didi (because the first time I met her was in a queue and had fought with her), the list is just endless.
Times have changed and I am no longer in touch with many of these old folks but I am amazed how the memory of their pet names never fails me. The name immediately rings a bell and brings back a gust of memories. And I guess it will always be so :)
Probably nothing summarizes my fondness for pet names than this line from Jhumpa Lahiri's Namesake - "Pet names are a persistent remnant of childhood, a reminder that life is not always so serious, so formal, so complicated". Perfect, isn’t it?
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Federer won :)
Finally Federer ended his dry run at Roland Garros and became the 6th man to win a career Grand Slam as he tied up with Pete Sampras for the most grand slam titles, 14 in all. He definitely was the better man at the finals yesterday and all though Soderling played well he was no match for the experienced Federer who won 3 straight sets 6-1, 7-6, 6-4. The second set was unarguably the best of all.
With Nadal ousted quite early this was perhaps Federer's best chance and he made no bones about it either! He played his natural game and with his characteristic attitude. I vividly remember the first time I saw him play. It was the 2004 US open finals. I had never been a tennis freak and it was his amazing game that made me follow tennis and yesterday as I saw my favourite achieve what had eluded him 3 times, I couldn’t help but shriek. And who better than Agassi to present the trophy to Federer!
The French open 2009 has been quite unpredictable with all the favourites except Fedex being shown the exit by relatively lower ranked players. Even Federer had almost missed it against Hass in the semi finals. Safina again returned empty-handed, this world no 1 is still without a single grand slam title :). Leander Paes again pocketed a French-Open but this time it was without Bhupathi. He is one man who just refuses to give up and we are not complaining. Keep them coming Paes!
Wimbledon is round the corner and if last year's marathon final between Fedex and Nadal is anything to go by, we sure are gonna have a great time :) [Although a different result is what I am expecting...Ouch! I know I am biased]
With Nadal ousted quite early this was perhaps Federer's best chance and he made no bones about it either! He played his natural game and with his characteristic attitude. I vividly remember the first time I saw him play. It was the 2004 US open finals. I had never been a tennis freak and it was his amazing game that made me follow tennis and yesterday as I saw my favourite achieve what had eluded him 3 times, I couldn’t help but shriek. And who better than Agassi to present the trophy to Federer!
The French open 2009 has been quite unpredictable with all the favourites except Fedex being shown the exit by relatively lower ranked players. Even Federer had almost missed it against Hass in the semi finals. Safina again returned empty-handed, this world no 1 is still without a single grand slam title :). Leander Paes again pocketed a French-Open but this time it was without Bhupathi. He is one man who just refuses to give up and we are not complaining. Keep them coming Paes!
Wimbledon is round the corner and if last year's marathon final between Fedex and Nadal is anything to go by, we sure are gonna have a great time :) [Although a different result is what I am expecting...Ouch! I know I am biased]
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Angels and Daemons : Movie review
Caught an early show to avoid disappointment, but I found it better executed that Da Vinci Code. I can find negative reviews about the movie but its not as bad. And I am STRICTLY talking about the movie. Overall, its a good film with lovely chases around the whole Vatican, and the ever happening debate between science and religion.
Its a dampener when compared to the book and I would never forgive them for messing the 5th ambigram. The story is a little changed but I think it's ok because it was too mammoth a task to recreate the book's enigma.
But of what I saw I liked it. Its good to see the places you read in the book and Langdon being enacted thru' Tom Hanks ;)
A nice line that the book and the movie reminded me - "Faith is a gift, not everyone has it"
Watch it with no expectations against the book!!!!!!
Its a dampener when compared to the book and I would never forgive them for messing the 5th ambigram. The story is a little changed but I think it's ok because it was too mammoth a task to recreate the book's enigma.
But of what I saw I liked it. Its good to see the places you read in the book and Langdon being enacted thru' Tom Hanks ;)
A nice line that the book and the movie reminded me - "Faith is a gift, not everyone has it"
Watch it with no expectations against the book!!!!!!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
quote :)
Some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again.
(From Shantaram)
(From Shantaram)
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Kids can be ruthless!
Have you ever realized what’s so endearing about small children? I think its the fact that they are oblivious to the so called society norms. If you teach them a rule they will abide by it and let you know when you don’t. No one can beat them when it comes to being straight forward. Again one of my everyday anecdotes :)
Just as my bus was approaching Deccan I saw a mother hurriedly going towards the exit door with a 6 year old kid. On reaching near the door, she told him to hold tightly onto the side bar lest he falls down.The kid was too busy looking outside to listen to her. She reiterated it again but to no avail. Finally she raised her voice and admonished him firmly. This time, reluctantly the kid put his tiny hands around the bar,not without giving her a 'why-do-you-preach-so-much' stare.
Just then the driver applied brakes and caught many of us unaware. It included the mom who stumbled and dashed the person in front. To this, the kid shouted at the top of his voice - "Mala pakad pakad mhanun saangtes...swatha pan pakad ki"(You have been telling me to hold tightly so many times, why cant you do it yourself)
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud...Fortunately the mom laughed out too :)
Just as my bus was approaching Deccan I saw a mother hurriedly going towards the exit door with a 6 year old kid. On reaching near the door, she told him to hold tightly onto the side bar lest he falls down.The kid was too busy looking outside to listen to her. She reiterated it again but to no avail. Finally she raised her voice and admonished him firmly. This time, reluctantly the kid put his tiny hands around the bar,not without giving her a 'why-do-you-preach-so-much' stare.
Just then the driver applied brakes and caught many of us unaware. It included the mom who stumbled and dashed the person in front. To this, the kid shouted at the top of his voice - "Mala pakad pakad mhanun saangtes...swatha pan pakad ki"(You have been telling me to hold tightly so many times, why cant you do it yourself)
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud...Fortunately the mom laughed out too :)
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Changing times
Nitish is back in power in Bihar, the Left have been routed in Bengal and Patnaik is all smiles in Orissa. South Block remains Manmohan's stronghold for the next 5 years. Looks like finally democracy is starting to make sense! The electorate seems to have rejected anything and anyone that had no future and was incapable of standing on its own. Too huge a statement but look carefully at the 2009 election results and it’s correct.
Statements, allegations, deals flew thick and fast just before the elections. Everyone seemed to have an air of arrogance and importance. And now what do we see? Unconditional support to a rival to keep the secular forces out (Don’t they make a mockery of our system??). Accepting mistakes when just a few days back you were roaring about something called the 3rd front. The common man seemed to have humbled every politician. Although the likes of Meera Sanyal, etc lost out overall democracy won!
Two successive upper circuits in these dire financial times, a clear mandate to atleast some party, divisive politics shown the door and the LTTE losing ground in Sri Lanka.......times are really changing...and for the good, so it seems!
Statements, allegations, deals flew thick and fast just before the elections. Everyone seemed to have an air of arrogance and importance. And now what do we see? Unconditional support to a rival to keep the secular forces out (Don’t they make a mockery of our system??). Accepting mistakes when just a few days back you were roaring about something called the 3rd front. The common man seemed to have humbled every politician. Although the likes of Meera Sanyal, etc lost out overall democracy won!
Two successive upper circuits in these dire financial times, a clear mandate to atleast some party, divisive politics shown the door and the LTTE losing ground in Sri Lanka.......times are really changing...and for the good, so it seems!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Upsetting the lord!
As I am planning a trip to my native place I suddenly remembered an incident that happened the last time i was there.
I was watching 'Pirates of the Caribbean' on star movies and it was around 2030 hrs. My grandmom had already paid 10-12 visits to the living room and I sensed she wanted to tell me something but hadn't done so because i was all glued to Captain Jack Sparrow. Finally I looked at her and asked what the matter was. She told me she wanted to watch a serial at 2100 hrs. I smiled and told her that the movie is about to get over and she could watch her serial for I didn't plan to watch anything else. The movie was not done by 2100 hrs but I happily relinquished the remote for I didn't want to interrupt her and I had anyways watched that movie umpteen times. At 2105 hrs her serial started and it was some Malayalam serial about Lord Krishna. When it started I just left the room. Now was the fun!
She walked upto me and asked why did i do something like that? I was zapped! I had no idea of what I had done! She told me there was lord on the screen and I had walked away from him, inspite of being seated there for the past 2 hrs.....just when Shri Krishna came on screen I had walked away. I could sense that she was upset. I smiled and I told her that if she wanted I would go the temple to apologize to the lord but I would no ways go and apologize to her idiot box :) Anyone else in my place would have got a sound thrashing but I have always been her pet and she knows that I never do things as a rebel and somehow she always understands my rationale. I explained her that it was just some nut enacting the scene, so there was no need to follow a human so faithfully. She left it at that. The next morning I really did get up and go to the temple......I didn't want to upset her. Not because I was scared but at times when the person in front takes one step ahead there is no point in staying where you are. You need to walk probably 3 paces so that finally you both meet at a common point.
The generation gap is always going to be there, but I think if everyone just lets the other person be the gaps are narrowed down to a great extent. They have a very basic understanding of faith and we may call them superstitious but we can't let them not follow their faith :)
I was watching 'Pirates of the Caribbean' on star movies and it was around 2030 hrs. My grandmom had already paid 10-12 visits to the living room and I sensed she wanted to tell me something but hadn't done so because i was all glued to Captain Jack Sparrow. Finally I looked at her and asked what the matter was. She told me she wanted to watch a serial at 2100 hrs. I smiled and told her that the movie is about to get over and she could watch her serial for I didn't plan to watch anything else. The movie was not done by 2100 hrs but I happily relinquished the remote for I didn't want to interrupt her and I had anyways watched that movie umpteen times. At 2105 hrs her serial started and it was some Malayalam serial about Lord Krishna. When it started I just left the room. Now was the fun!
She walked upto me and asked why did i do something like that? I was zapped! I had no idea of what I had done! She told me there was lord on the screen and I had walked away from him, inspite of being seated there for the past 2 hrs.....just when Shri Krishna came on screen I had walked away. I could sense that she was upset. I smiled and I told her that if she wanted I would go the temple to apologize to the lord but I would no ways go and apologize to her idiot box :) Anyone else in my place would have got a sound thrashing but I have always been her pet and she knows that I never do things as a rebel and somehow she always understands my rationale. I explained her that it was just some nut enacting the scene, so there was no need to follow a human so faithfully. She left it at that. The next morning I really did get up and go to the temple......I didn't want to upset her. Not because I was scared but at times when the person in front takes one step ahead there is no point in staying where you are. You need to walk probably 3 paces so that finally you both meet at a common point.
The generation gap is always going to be there, but I think if everyone just lets the other person be the gaps are narrowed down to a great extent. They have a very basic understanding of faith and we may call them superstitious but we can't let them not follow their faith :)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
just like that
Talking to an old pal(?) made me realize that even if you try hard to maintain a camaraderie with a long lost friend, at times a bruised ego dosnt allow it. I think its practically very difficult for people to let bygones be bygones. Although you accept the present and intend to carve a different future the past always catches up and leaves you dumbfounded. And I think we should just let it be! There is no point in reveiving a friendship thats gone sour. Rejoice in the fact that are some beautiful moments and memories left but no friendship. There is a limit to every effort and the limit is even smaller when the effort is one sided. You should probably seek solace in the fact that you tried and it didnt work. Off late I seem to have developed an 'anti-midas touch', everything I seem to touch turns it to something of even inferior value. But I am not complaining. There is an antidote to every person and phase in life. That much I have realized!
Probably this post is just to reiterate the fact that you cannot let anyone ruin your sense of being. The following lines just came to my mind....
Ek baar waqt se,
lamha gira kahi
wahan dastaan mili,
lamhan kahi nahin.......
ho sake toh ismein zindagi bita lo, pal joh yeh jaanewala hain...................
Probably this post is just to reiterate the fact that you cannot let anyone ruin your sense of being. The following lines just came to my mind....
Ek baar waqt se,
lamha gira kahi
wahan dastaan mili,
lamhan kahi nahin.......
ho sake toh ismein zindagi bita lo, pal joh yeh jaanewala hain...................
Saturday, April 18, 2009
In love...... with what i do
Almost everytime i crib about my deadly schedule and think I am doing nothing apart from work, comes a moment that makes me realize that I would have preferred it in no other way.
A module that should have been checked in ages (read 2 days) ago is still on my machine because the scripting guys are stuck with a problem of their own. As grep cannot do a pattern matching spanning multiple lines we probbaly have to go with sed/awk/gawk. Exactly 24 hours ago I knew nothing about them and just knew the theorotical functionality of grep. But now I have written a small shell script and have tried grep and awk already. Now we are to take a call on having awk(or whatever we choose) installed during our rpm installation as it is not preent by default on linux system, unlike grep.
Ok so my post is not about that technical issue, it is about the fact that I should not really be complaining about my over the top schedules which have stayed like that for many months now. The past 24 hours made me realize(once again) that i wouldnt want it any other way. I can simply occupy myself with anything......grep, awk, reflection, palak paner, custard pudding, masakali,........absolutely anything!!!! Being in this field has probably taught me to be occupied and happy at the same time. Does not mean I do not indulge in whining; but I am resilient faster ;)
A module that should have been checked in ages (read 2 days) ago is still on my machine because the scripting guys are stuck with a problem of their own. As grep cannot do a pattern matching spanning multiple lines we probbaly have to go with sed/awk/gawk. Exactly 24 hours ago I knew nothing about them and just knew the theorotical functionality of grep. But now I have written a small shell script and have tried grep and awk already. Now we are to take a call on having awk(or whatever we choose) installed during our rpm installation as it is not preent by default on linux system, unlike grep.
Ok so my post is not about that technical issue, it is about the fact that I should not really be complaining about my over the top schedules which have stayed like that for many months now. The past 24 hours made me realize(once again) that i wouldnt want it any other way. I can simply occupy myself with anything......grep, awk, reflection, palak paner, custard pudding, masakali,........absolutely anything!!!! Being in this field has probably taught me to be occupied and happy at the same time. Does not mean I do not indulge in whining; but I am resilient faster ;)
Walking the talk
It’s really good to see people not just complaining but actually lending a helping hand and doing their bit for the upcoming elections.
In the image you can see Anu holding a banner and urging people to vote……Well done anu!!!!
I hope each one of you takes some time out and gather information about the candidates in your constituency and vote for the most promising one. Let religion, caste and party take a backseat. Its only the individual’s performance and credibility that should matter! So go ahead……and VOTE!!!!!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
What a day!
As I walked into my cubicle, my manager said he wanted to talk something urgently. Realizing something was amiss I went to the conference room where he declared - "Prameela, you are moving to the Goa office for 4 months". I was shocked and too stunned to react. After 15 minutes of deliberations I decided things wouldn’t change unless I create a hue and cry and decided to talk to all the seniors against this abrupt decision. All of them seemed to be hell bent on moving me to Goa.
I wasn’t really against the idea but I did not like the way they were choosing things for me. I mean I should at least have been asked. But times are bad and I was obviously concerned that I couldn’t do anything if these folks were serious and adamant. Finally I got a call in the evening from the seniors and we decided to meet for the final discussions in the conf room. They explained me their point of view while I put forth my own. Deliberations and arguments flew thick & fast and within 10 minutes there was chaos. Soon my team (and few other folks) walked in and shouted "Happy April Fools' day Prameela"
Oh shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I said.
Now there is a video showing my not so nice reactions with people, my mails etc that are being forwarded and making me feel like a pucca IDIOT
Why the hell don’t I remember dates?????????????????
I wasn’t really against the idea but I did not like the way they were choosing things for me. I mean I should at least have been asked. But times are bad and I was obviously concerned that I couldn’t do anything if these folks were serious and adamant. Finally I got a call in the evening from the seniors and we decided to meet for the final discussions in the conf room. They explained me their point of view while I put forth my own. Deliberations and arguments flew thick & fast and within 10 minutes there was chaos. Soon my team (and few other folks) walked in and shouted "Happy April Fools' day Prameela"
Oh shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s all I said.
Now there is a video showing my not so nice reactions with people, my mails etc that are being forwarded and making me feel like a pucca IDIOT
Why the hell don’t I remember dates?????????????????
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Dignity of labour - better explained
I was planning to write this one for long, but its finally now that I actually do.
I had known Sharma uncle only as Arun's father and Arun and me weren't best buddies, so naturally the interaction was limited to some general talk. It was only when Arun moved to Canada and asked me to run a few errands for his parents that I got to know this lovely personality. He doesn't read blogs, else would have whacked me for this one.
Sharma uncle was a Delhi based businessman and quite a amiable one too . I had helped him in a few market research presentations and thats how I got to know him better. He is horrible with the computer and he is what you would call a call center's 'NIGHTMARE'. I still remember his discussions with a poor call center executive over his newly bought and not working printer. He was fuming over the horrible 'piece of junk' the reputed company had dared to sell him for such a steep price. It hadn't been working and he was all set to sue them. I just happened to be there when his temper had reached a crescendo and he was all set to knock the poor call center executive's head through the phone. I happened to read the manual and realized that there was actually a switch that had to be turned on. When I did it for him he thought i was a genius and thats how it has always stayed. Naah!!! I didn't take efforts to change that either :D. And yes, he also apologised to the poor exceutive on the other end for his inexperience in handling the 21st century kids and gadgets. :))
He had opened a new office in Pune and it was fully functional for 3 months. However he hadn't yet visited the office so when he came down to Pune to do so he asked me if I would join him. I agreed and reach his office (very close to Magarpatta) just on time for he would have killed me if I would have been late. I met him getting out of his car and as we were about to enter the premises the guard stopped us. He asked us for our credentials to enter the building premises. I obviously didn't have any. I looked at Uncle and the look on his face told me that he didn't have any either. The guard refused to let us in. I tried to reason with him but he told me point blank - "Koi bhi aake kuch bhi bolega toh hum maan lenge kya?" (Do you think I am gonna listen to any tom dick and harry who walks in). As soon as he said that I thought there was gonna be something horrible happening, I mean the guard was stopping the owner of that god damed office. I looked at uncle apprehensively and he was cool as a cucumber...he didnt react at all and was infact smiling as I tried to talk to the guard(s).
After about 20-25 minutes there came another man who was the branch head and the guard promptly saluted him. Mr. Akhil (I dont rem his name..but lets christen him with that), the Pune office's head started shouting at the guard. He told him that Sharma uncle was the big boss and he had committed a crime. The guard's face lost its color and he stood meekly facing Uncle.
But you know what this Delhi based, owner of so many offices did? He patted him on his back and told him - "Sahi hain! acha laga yeh dekhke ki aap apna kaam sahi tarah se kar rahe ho. Aaage bhi aise hi kaam kaarna. Agar aap aaj humein andar jaane dete toh humein sochna padta ki guard ki zaroorat hain ya nahin humein." (I am glad that you didn't let me in else I would have second thoughts on having you as a guard to my office.)
Saying so he took out his wallet and handed over some money to him. The guard's face regained its color as he went back to his proud posture again. Mr. Akhil was dumbfounded by the change of events.
And me, I will never forget the lesson. The Pune branch has now been merged with the Mumbai one and is no longer operational. I haven't met uncle for many months but I often get mails about his company's announcements. I know why is he so successful at everything he does, he respects everyone and is so very honest to the term - dignity of labour
I had known Sharma uncle only as Arun's father and Arun and me weren't best buddies, so naturally the interaction was limited to some general talk. It was only when Arun moved to Canada and asked me to run a few errands for his parents that I got to know this lovely personality. He doesn't read blogs, else would have whacked me for this one.
Sharma uncle was a Delhi based businessman and quite a amiable one too . I had helped him in a few market research presentations and thats how I got to know him better. He is horrible with the computer and he is what you would call a call center's 'NIGHTMARE'. I still remember his discussions with a poor call center executive over his newly bought and not working printer. He was fuming over the horrible 'piece of junk' the reputed company had dared to sell him for such a steep price. It hadn't been working and he was all set to sue them. I just happened to be there when his temper had reached a crescendo and he was all set to knock the poor call center executive's head through the phone. I happened to read the manual and realized that there was actually a switch that had to be turned on. When I did it for him he thought i was a genius and thats how it has always stayed. Naah!!! I didn't take efforts to change that either :D. And yes, he also apologised to the poor exceutive on the other end for his inexperience in handling the 21st century kids and gadgets. :))
He had opened a new office in Pune and it was fully functional for 3 months. However he hadn't yet visited the office so when he came down to Pune to do so he asked me if I would join him. I agreed and reach his office (very close to Magarpatta) just on time for he would have killed me if I would have been late. I met him getting out of his car and as we were about to enter the premises the guard stopped us. He asked us for our credentials to enter the building premises. I obviously didn't have any. I looked at Uncle and the look on his face told me that he didn't have any either. The guard refused to let us in. I tried to reason with him but he told me point blank - "Koi bhi aake kuch bhi bolega toh hum maan lenge kya?" (Do you think I am gonna listen to any tom dick and harry who walks in). As soon as he said that I thought there was gonna be something horrible happening, I mean the guard was stopping the owner of that god damed office. I looked at uncle apprehensively and he was cool as a cucumber...he didnt react at all and was infact smiling as I tried to talk to the guard(s).
After about 20-25 minutes there came another man who was the branch head and the guard promptly saluted him. Mr. Akhil (I dont rem his name..but lets christen him with that), the Pune office's head started shouting at the guard. He told him that Sharma uncle was the big boss and he had committed a crime. The guard's face lost its color and he stood meekly facing Uncle.
But you know what this Delhi based, owner of so many offices did? He patted him on his back and told him - "Sahi hain! acha laga yeh dekhke ki aap apna kaam sahi tarah se kar rahe ho. Aaage bhi aise hi kaam kaarna. Agar aap aaj humein andar jaane dete toh humein sochna padta ki guard ki zaroorat hain ya nahin humein." (I am glad that you didn't let me in else I would have second thoughts on having you as a guard to my office.)
Saying so he took out his wallet and handed over some money to him. The guard's face regained its color as he went back to his proud posture again. Mr. Akhil was dumbfounded by the change of events.
And me, I will never forget the lesson. The Pune branch has now been merged with the Mumbai one and is no longer operational. I haven't met uncle for many months but I often get mails about his company's announcements. I know why is he so successful at everything he does, he respects everyone and is so very honest to the term - dignity of labour
Monday, March 2, 2009
humming....
tujhe kya gam tera rishta,
gagan ki baasuri se hain,
pavan ki guftagu se hain,
suraj ki roshni se hain......
If you dont remember the lines you are not in sync with one of the most amazing music albums in recent times....its from Masakalee of Delhi-6
Sounds a lot like Gulzaar, but its not...its Prasoon Joshi
gagan ki baasuri se hain,
pavan ki guftagu se hain,
suraj ki roshni se hain......
If you dont remember the lines you are not in sync with one of the most amazing music albums in recent times....its from Masakalee of Delhi-6
Sounds a lot like Gulzaar, but its not...its Prasoon Joshi
Friday, February 27, 2009
Identifying a true reader
How do you identify a true reader. I just gave an alogirthm to my friend Vikas.
1)S/he never has the best books of any author.
2)When S/he plans to buy this best book, s/he thinks, “I have read this book. Let me buy something that I haven’t read”
And so S/he never has any best books of any author :D
p.s - Vikash's comment on such a well written algo
"this happens when a software programmer becomes a bibliophile :P
They see algorithms everywhere :D "
1)S/he never has the best books of any author.
2)When S/he plans to buy this best book, s/he thinks, “I have read this book. Let me buy something that I haven’t read”
And so S/he never has any best books of any author :D
p.s - Vikash's comment on such a well written algo
"this happens when a software programmer becomes a bibliophile :P
They see algorithms everywhere :D "
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Just for me ;)
Have you ever kept your ego, insecurities aside and do what you thought was impossible for you to do? I just did 2 things and believe me I didnt care about the result. I knew if i hadnt done it I would have repented. The first outcome has been rewarding and I am happy for it. The second outcome was ok but I am hoping it turns to be good in the coming days.
I would love to elaborate but maybe sometime later...As of now these two moments, all to myself :D
I would love to elaborate but maybe sometime later...As of now these two moments, all to myself :D
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Chattering to a stranger
Travelling to office using a public transport has always been more of a choice than a necessity for me. It allows me the leisure to read anything I want and I have completed many books on my way to some destination. For all detractors who think its not a good habit, I agree, but i refuse to relent.
As usual today morning while travelling to office in a PMPL bus, I was engrossed in my book when there came a lady and sat next to me. I would have never realized her presence if she wouldn't have confirmed the destination of the bus. That was the beginning of an amazing conversation I have not had in years.
She: Are you studying medicine? she enquired looking at my book and the sun coat.
Me: Nopes, I am working.
She: Have you done your graduation?
Me: Yes, I have done my Post grads.
She(in an awestruck tone): Graduation nahin kela????? (Haven't you done your grads)
Me(in no mood to justify): Yup have done it in computers
She: Hey even my son has done MSC-IT. Do you know he earns 15000 per month?
Me: Hmmm!
She: Even my daughter is working as an assistant to a senior advocate
Me: Alright
She: We are looking a guy for her. The last one who came was not at all good. We didnt like him although he was very rich. We are going to say no. Whats the point if the girl doesn't like the guy...thats all that matters ,isnt it?
By now i was like, What the hell? How am i supposed to react to something like that. She was talking too earnestly and not responding with atleast with an occasional nod would have been rude. And my nodding was being misinterpreted as interest probably for she continued
She: Wait I will show you the photo!
Me: Hmm.....Hmmmmm.............Hmmmmmmmmm. (Does that really convey my hestitation?)
She actually took out her daughters and the guys photo and asked me to comment on what i thought.
Now I was in a fix!!! I do not venture opinions about nouns (yeah any name, place, animal, thing) unless absolutely necessary. Here, I was being asked to do matchmaking and give a rating to some girl and boy.
She: What do you think? Bol na lavkar
Me: I agree with you completely. Go ahaed with your decision. (Now that was not really my opinion but when in doubt always use words stuffed in your mouth. Saves your gray cells you see)
She: See I told you , even you agreed.(as if i had a choice)
By now, we were well past half way my destination. I had closed my book and had kept it back in my bag. I was enthusiastically talking to her now.
In the next 20 minutes I got to know why her sis-in-laws daughter refused such a high-profile marriage proposal, how she had been a teacher and had quit after her operation, how she planned to get down at Swargate at go to Kolhapur, etc, etc
When i reached my stop and bid adieu to her she smiled and said "Kalji ghe haan bala" (Take care child).
Somehow every methodical and logical conversation that I generally have seemed lackluster with respect to the senseless chatter i had with this lady.
As I walked towards the gate I realized there still exist people who are not conscious about talking to a stranger. And its not always that you meet such oblivious-to-the-norms kind of people :)
As usual today morning while travelling to office in a PMPL bus, I was engrossed in my book when there came a lady and sat next to me. I would have never realized her presence if she wouldn't have confirmed the destination of the bus. That was the beginning of an amazing conversation I have not had in years.
She: Are you studying medicine? she enquired looking at my book and the sun coat.
Me: Nopes, I am working.
She: Have you done your graduation?
Me: Yes, I have done my Post grads.
She(in an awestruck tone): Graduation nahin kela????? (Haven't you done your grads)
Me(in no mood to justify): Yup have done it in computers
She: Hey even my son has done MSC-IT. Do you know he earns 15000 per month?
Me: Hmmm!
She: Even my daughter is working as an assistant to a senior advocate
Me: Alright
She: We are looking a guy for her. The last one who came was not at all good. We didnt like him although he was very rich. We are going to say no. Whats the point if the girl doesn't like the guy...thats all that matters ,isnt it?
By now i was like, What the hell? How am i supposed to react to something like that. She was talking too earnestly and not responding with atleast with an occasional nod would have been rude. And my nodding was being misinterpreted as interest probably for she continued
She: Wait I will show you the photo!
Me: Hmm.....Hmmmmm.............Hmmmmmmmmm. (Does that really convey my hestitation?)
She actually took out her daughters and the guys photo and asked me to comment on what i thought.
Now I was in a fix!!! I do not venture opinions about nouns (yeah any name, place, animal, thing) unless absolutely necessary. Here, I was being asked to do matchmaking and give a rating to some girl and boy.
She: What do you think? Bol na lavkar
Me: I agree with you completely. Go ahaed with your decision. (Now that was not really my opinion but when in doubt always use words stuffed in your mouth. Saves your gray cells you see)
She: See I told you , even you agreed.(as if i had a choice)
By now, we were well past half way my destination. I had closed my book and had kept it back in my bag. I was enthusiastically talking to her now.
In the next 20 minutes I got to know why her sis-in-laws daughter refused such a high-profile marriage proposal, how she had been a teacher and had quit after her operation, how she planned to get down at Swargate at go to Kolhapur, etc, etc
When i reached my stop and bid adieu to her she smiled and said "Kalji ghe haan bala" (Take care child).
Somehow every methodical and logical conversation that I generally have seemed lackluster with respect to the senseless chatter i had with this lady.
As I walked towards the gate I realized there still exist people who are not conscious about talking to a stranger. And its not always that you meet such oblivious-to-the-norms kind of people :)
Monday, February 2, 2009
When everything goes wrong
One of my most depressing weeks...anything i do, say, dont say seem to be going against me. I am just tired of explanations and I just feel like shutting myself off which is what i precisely would be doing.
I know, this too shall pass!!!!!!!!
On a brighter note, bought a lovely new cell W595, plan to do some clicking and will surely post it here. Hoping for things to become better
I know, this too shall pass!!!!!!!!
On a brighter note, bought a lovely new cell W595, plan to do some clicking and will surely post it here. Hoping for things to become better
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Insecured, are we?
The recent backlash against Slumdog Millionaire's portrayal of India did not come as a surprise. The same overtones were heard when Arvind Adiga won the booker last year.
Why are we so distressed when being discussed? Is it an insecurity that stems from being subdued for many years? Or is it simply a lack of competitive spirit? Why do we get angry if someone shows us the mirror and more so if the person is not an Indian? Getting back to the movie, can anyone say that the portrayal was incorrect? So why crib saying that it did not depict the complete India, modern India, etc. The fact remains that Mumbai hosts both Lokandwala and Dharavi. The sooner we turn honest the better for us.
Slumdog was all about story telling and the only point is garnering maximum audience.
Boyle took an Indian's book and converted it to a motion picture and he did it brilliantly.
I have no second opinion about it. I am not even perturbed that he showcased India, rather Mumbai, thru slums and beggars. That's a truth about my country and I want to change it not deny it.
In my review blog I had accepted that I did not think Rahman's music for the movie to be his best but that does not mean I am not happy at his Golden Globe win. Neither do I want to think why doesn't any other movie, with a better Rahman music win the coveted prize! For me, the music is great and I am glad it's recognized even if it's not his best.
I personally feel that people all over the world connect to the concept of hope triumphing over odds. Have you seen the 2004 Hollywood film Crash? If not, pick a DVD. The movie clearly shows the racial discrimination issue in the US. Didn't that movie dent the image of our so called Big Brother. No, it does not! It showcases a fact about a country in the form a story and ends it with a warm feel good climax. That's what movies should do. They should end on an optimistic note. It makes you feel good.
Aren't we as a country changing every minute? We are no longer the land of snakes and elephants. We are a country that's elected women to the two highest offices of our country. We are a country that's built an IT sector strong enough to have the firangs crying hoarse. I know we have our set of problems but we will solve them.
Let's not bother why the jury chose the movie. They may have their own logic, their own prejudices too! Lets just rejoice for an Indian(for god's sake 80% of the film was Indian, the cast, story, music, etc) movie making us proud. Let's not raise fingers or question their intentions. Let's just be confident and accept the accolades as they keep coming.
As Eleanor Roosevelt rightly said - Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Why are we so distressed when being discussed? Is it an insecurity that stems from being subdued for many years? Or is it simply a lack of competitive spirit? Why do we get angry if someone shows us the mirror and more so if the person is not an Indian? Getting back to the movie, can anyone say that the portrayal was incorrect? So why crib saying that it did not depict the complete India, modern India, etc. The fact remains that Mumbai hosts both Lokandwala and Dharavi. The sooner we turn honest the better for us.
Slumdog was all about story telling and the only point is garnering maximum audience.
Boyle took an Indian's book and converted it to a motion picture and he did it brilliantly.
I have no second opinion about it. I am not even perturbed that he showcased India, rather Mumbai, thru slums and beggars. That's a truth about my country and I want to change it not deny it.
In my review blog I had accepted that I did not think Rahman's music for the movie to be his best but that does not mean I am not happy at his Golden Globe win. Neither do I want to think why doesn't any other movie, with a better Rahman music win the coveted prize! For me, the music is great and I am glad it's recognized even if it's not his best.
I personally feel that people all over the world connect to the concept of hope triumphing over odds. Have you seen the 2004 Hollywood film Crash? If not, pick a DVD. The movie clearly shows the racial discrimination issue in the US. Didn't that movie dent the image of our so called Big Brother. No, it does not! It showcases a fact about a country in the form a story and ends it with a warm feel good climax. That's what movies should do. They should end on an optimistic note. It makes you feel good.
Aren't we as a country changing every minute? We are no longer the land of snakes and elephants. We are a country that's elected women to the two highest offices of our country. We are a country that's built an IT sector strong enough to have the firangs crying hoarse. I know we have our set of problems but we will solve them.
Let's not bother why the jury chose the movie. They may have their own logic, their own prejudices too! Lets just rejoice for an Indian(for god's sake 80% of the film was Indian, the cast, story, music, etc) movie making us proud. Let's not raise fingers or question their intentions. Let's just be confident and accept the accolades as they keep coming.
As Eleanor Roosevelt rightly said - Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
Slumdog Millionaire, the latest flick making waves, deserves every bit of praise it seems to be accumulating with every passing second.
The last time I saw such superlative performances and meticulous direction, was in 'The Dark Knight'. Not to forget, Rahman's music. Do I need to even say anything about a man who just lets his music speak for him. I personally didn't think that the music was awesome, but come on folks, I think so because when you compare Rahman, you compare him against himself. The westerners aren't used to this wide range of instrumentation (not a music expert but just my take) and probably thats why they are finding it awesome. For me, I think its fantastic but not his best.
The story is the life of 2 brothers, Jamal and Salim depicted in three distinct phases. Each phase is enacted by 3 set of actors and my personal vote goes for the first phase. The kids were amazing and not at all loud. They were precisely what they should have been - kids.
Jamal goes on to win a game show and every question in the show unfolds his life for the audience. A life which has probably seen every single human emotion. And these everyday emotions (as Pratik pointed) is what appeals the most.
Watch the movie folks and if you have the patience wait for the theatrical release on 23rd Jan. I am sure you will enjoy every moment.
The last time I saw such superlative performances and meticulous direction, was in 'The Dark Knight'. Not to forget, Rahman's music. Do I need to even say anything about a man who just lets his music speak for him. I personally didn't think that the music was awesome, but come on folks, I think so because when you compare Rahman, you compare him against himself. The westerners aren't used to this wide range of instrumentation (not a music expert but just my take) and probably thats why they are finding it awesome. For me, I think its fantastic but not his best.
The story is the life of 2 brothers, Jamal and Salim depicted in three distinct phases. Each phase is enacted by 3 set of actors and my personal vote goes for the first phase. The kids were amazing and not at all loud. They were precisely what they should have been - kids.
Jamal goes on to win a game show and every question in the show unfolds his life for the audience. A life which has probably seen every single human emotion. And these everyday emotions (as Pratik pointed) is what appeals the most.
Watch the movie folks and if you have the patience wait for the theatrical release on 23rd Jan. I am sure you will enjoy every moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)