Bye bye Dose!

I heard about this guy for a few times from a close friend P. After hearing a lot, I met him once and it was probably just a few hours that I could interact with him. It was at my friend P's wedding.

At the wedding reception, I walked up and introduced myself to him and when he told his name is "N", I remarked, so you are HIM, eh. He chubbed back - so they already told what a lunatic I am. He was busy getting tipsy and also trying to get the lone white girl also tipsy at the party. Such charms, one should admit. After 10 minutes, while he walked past me, he introduced himself again - "Hey I am N". When he reminded him that we've just met, he quipped, "oh, but you dont really have a remarkable face to remember all that". I guess it didnt matter to him to introduce yet another time.

He was the fresh air of the party, which was held on a stuffy summer evening. When someone else misplaced their keys, they readily blamed that he lost it. He looked every nook and corner of the hall for almost an hour, yet at the same time trying to stabilize his tipsy self dressed in primed suit. People relaxed when he was there and it almost seemed like croaky frogs also wanted to sing.

That night when we headed home, he became the home. Even the hostess felt like she was invited to her own house. He knew where the vodka was, where the last slice of veggie pizza was and also knew which girl he loved and which girl he'd "only rather have anal-sex with" too. I chuckled at that, because those were probably the words that I might say too. People only pretended to ignore him, but only to be pulled deeper and deeper into his reality. Amidst all this, he still pulled the shotgun and gently prodding his over-worked friend to go have a comfortable sleep. He knew (just like we all did) that she wanted to stay there and listen his overtly-unapologetic-sexual-ramblings (but, the imagery was quite vivid). However, his friends comfort was on his mind. Apart from her, no one else were spared. How else would you picture him striking a pose of a tortule thats getting sodomized? At first people blinked their eyes, but the tears of laughter rolled for hours after that. Even though I was the one who is taking the living room couch, I never wanted that fun to end. I braved my droopy eyes, but it had to end.

Wait, it actually didnt. After all the lights were off, he crawled up the stairs with a glass of vodka and entered into room where "M" was sleeping. He woke her up and made her chug the darn thing. I thought the girls were beating him up, but the loud thud that I heard was him falling off on stairs. There were laughters again, but he couldnt really care.

The next day morning was a complete different picture, only more drastic. This body of no buff refused to put on a shirt and roamed around everywhere he could. He rufused to eat the dosas or anything for breakfast, but as luck has it, the hostess had her way and managed to convince him eat some toast. He compared the smell of cheese on the bread to dogs pee. When I asked him to pick up the banana from the fruit basket, he publicly announced that he doesnt want my banana.

I left to meet another friend in this city, but with a promise to meet them all during lunch. I said a casual bye to him, but never got to say a proper good bye. He didnt give me a chance to that anymore. He sucked, and sucked some more, of every person's rigidness that he met in his life. Such people come with a rarity tag attached. They are like those designer brands, specially made to order, to enlighten everyone's spirits around them. Mr. Dose was one such rarity.

Those words arent accolades, those were as much factual as water and earth. I dont have a younger brother and never wanted one, but if I had a choice, he would be the it.

After all this, I didnt cry for him - because I know he would say, "why the fcuk are YOU crying for me". He got me shut up quick, but how the hell can I console his other buddies - now, take this Mr. Cool! I dont like you one bit, and you are never getting my banana!

Also, PRAY tell me why cant I get some sleep even at 5:15 AM!!

Happy Vinayaka Chaviti wishes to all

I wish everyone a hassle free year, where Ganesha takes care of all the obstacles, while all you gotta do is maintain your sanity and drive on speed limits. Everything else will be taken care of if you say "Ganapati bappa mOriya". Greetings!!

On this eve, I want to present a nice little telugu story (non telugu readers can skip from here on) - from Satyam Sankaramanchi's collection of works titled, "Amaravati kathalu". It was such coincidence too that when clock stuck 12 last night, the story that I happened to read this one. I didnt want to rob you of that joy...,

"maa bojja ganapayya,

nee bantu nenayya,

undralla meedaki,

dandu pampu" :)

*
అంతా సామిదే! నేనెవర్ని ఇవ్వడానికీ?

తెల్లవారితే వినాయక చవితి.

పొద్దుపొడవకముందే వూరి జనమంతా గుళ్ళొకొచ్చి పడ్డారు పత్రి కోసుకోటానికి. తెల్లవారుజామున మూడు గంటలకే వచ్చిన ధరణికోట జనం కూడా అందులో వున్నారు.

"తలుపులు తియ్యండో" అని గోల.

కొందరు ప్రాకారం గోడమీదకెక్కి వాటిమీంచి మారేడు చెట్లు ఎక్కి పత్రి కోయటం మొదలెట్టారు.

తలుపులు తీయటమేమిటి "హో" అని జన సముద్రం గుళ్ళొకొచ్చి పడ్డది. మారేడుచెట్లు, గన్నేరు చెట్లు సరసర ఎక్కి పత్రి, ఆకులు దూసేస్తున్నారు. మారేడుకాయలు గుత్తులు గుత్తులుగా తెంపుతున్నరు. పిల్లలు ఓ చెట్టునించి మరో చెట్టూకు పాకిపోతూ ముళ్ళు గుచ్చుకుంటున్నా లెక్కచేయక దళాలు కోస్తున్నారు. పృఆకరమంతా మారేడుదళాల సుగంధం, గన్నేరు పువ్వుల పరిమళం.

పదేళ్ళ సాంబడికి పట్టలేనంత సంబరంగా ఉంది. క్రిందటి సంవత్సరం వినాయక చవితికి యజమాని ఇంట్లో వినాయకపూజ జరుగుతుంటే గుమ్మంలో నుంచుని చూసాడు. వాళ్ళంతా పట్టుబట్టలు కట్టుకుని దేవుదికి పూజచేస్తూ హారతి ఇస్తుంటె తనకీ పూజ చేసుకోవలనిపించింది. ఎలా? వినాయకుడు లేడు. పూలు లేవు. పత్రి లేదు. అందుకని సరాసరి గుళ్ళోకి పరిగెత్తికొచ్చి ఎవరూచూడకుండా గుళ్ళో వినాయకుడి పాదాలమీద రెండు పూలు స్వయంగా పెట్టి మొక్కి వెల్లిపోయాడు. ఈ సంవత్సరం ఎలాగైనాసరే తన గుడిసెలో వినాయకుడికి పూజ చేసుకోవలని నిస్చయించుకుని తెల్లవారు జామునే స్నానంచేసి వచ్చి పత్రి, పూలు కోస్తున్నాడు.

'కొమ్మలు విరవకండ్రా' అని ఎవరో పిల్లల్ని అదిలిస్తున్నారు.

తెల్లవారేసరికి సాంబడు చాలా పత్రి కోసాడు. జమ్మి ఆకులు, గన్నేరు మొగ్గలతో ఒడి నింపుకున్నాడు, ఒడి చాలకపోతే పరుగెత్తుకు ఇంటికివెళ్ళి పత్రంతా ఇంట్లో పీటమీద పోసి మళ్ళీవఛ్ఛి పున్నాగపూలు కోసుకున్నాడు.

తెల్లవారేసరికి చెట్ట్లన్నీ ఖాళీ అయిపోయాయి. ఒక్క ఆకు కూడ మిగలలేదు. ఒక్క పువ్వు మిగలలేదు. అన్ని పూలు స్వామి సేవకోసం వెల్లిపోతే చెట్లు బోసిపోతున్నయి. జనం తగ్గిపోయారు. కొందరు గడ్డి వెతుక్కుంటూ గరిక, చంద్రకాంతపూలు, రేగు ఆకులూ ఏరుకుంటుంటే వాళ్ళవెంటే ఉండి సాంబడు కూడా ఆ పూలన్నీ సేకరించాడు.

పత్రి సంపాదించతమైతే అయింది. మరి వినాయకుడో? బజారుకు పరుగెత్తుకెళ్ళి మట్టి వినాయకుణ్ణి చేసి అమ్మేచోట ఎదురుగా కూర్చున్నాడు, జనం వరుసగా వినాయకుడి బొమ్మలని కొనుక్కెళుతుంటే మళ్ళీ అచ్చుపోసి కొత్తవి తయారు చేస్తున్నాడు రంగయ్య. ఎదురుగా కూర్చున్న సాంబడితో "కాస్త సాయం చేయరా నీకో పావలా డబ్బులిస్తాను" అన్నాడు రంగయ్య. దాంతో సాంబడు పనిలోకి దూకాడు. మట్టి పిసికాడు. తనూ అచ్చులు పోసాడు. కళ్ళు దిద్దాడు. ఎందరెందరో వినాయకులు తన చేతిమీంచి పూజకి వెళ్ళీపోతుంటే పొంగిపోయడు. పదకుండు గంటలైంది. రంగయ్యకి బేరం కూడా తగ్గిపోయింది.

'ఇదిగోర నీ పావలా' అని డబ్బివ్వబోయాడు రంగయ్య. 'డబ్బులొద్దు నాకో వినాయకుణ్ణివ్వండీ' అన్నాడు సాంబడు. 'ఓరి భడవా' అంటు రంగయ్య ఓ పెద్ద వినాయకుణ్ణి చేసి ఇచ్చాడు. సాంబడి కళ్ళు సంతోషంతో వెలిగాయి! ఆ వినాయకుడితో పరుగుపరుగున ఇంటికొచ్చి కృష్ణకెళ్ళి మళ్ళి తలస్నానం చేసి వచ్చి పీటమీద ముగ్గులేసి వినాయకుడి పూజకు కూర్చున్నాడు. పూజ ఎలా చెయ్యాలో తెలిసింది కాదు. ఏ పత్రి ముందుంచాలో అంతకంటే అర్థమవలేదు.

యజమాని ఇంట్లొ మంత్రాలు వినిపిస్తున్నాయి. వాటినాధారం చేసుకుని తనూ పూజ మోదలెట్టాడు. "అగరొత్తులు వెలిగించండి" అని వినిపిస్తే ఉత్తుత్తి అగరొత్తి వెలిగించేవాడు. "గన్నేరు పూలు పూజ చేయండి" అంటే ఆ పూలతో పూజ.

ఇలా పూజ సాగిపోయింది. పూజ ఆఖరున "కుడుములు, పాయసాలు, పళ్ళు, ఫలహారాలు నైవేద్యం పెట్టండి" అని వినిపించింది.

సాంబడికి నివేదన పెట్టడానికి ఎమిలేదు. కళ్ళనీళ్ళు తిరిగాయి. ఎదురుగా పెద్దవినాయకుడు. పత్రిలో మునిగిపోయి "నాకు నివేదన పెట్టవ?" అని చూస్తున్నట్లనిపించింది. తల్లి, యజమాని ఇంత్లో గిన్నెలూ అవీ కడిగిగాని రాదు. కుండల్లొ యేదన్న ఉందేమో అని వెతికి చూసాడు. ఖాళీ. "దేవుడికి ఎం పెట్టాలి?" అని గిలగిల్లాడిపోయాడు. దేవుడికి ఆకలేస్తున్నత్లనిపించింది సాంబడికి. ఎంచేయాలో తోచక వెక్కివెక్కి ఎడ్చాడు. ఏడ్చి ఏడ్చి వినాయకుడి పాదాల దగ్గిర పత్రిలో తలపెట్టుకుని పడుకొన్నాడు.కొంత సేపటికి తల్లి గుడిసెలోకి వస్తూ "సాంబా" అని పిలిస్తే ఉలిక్కి పడి లేచాడు. "ఇదిగో వినాయకుడి పెసాదం" అని యజమాని ఇంట్లో ఇచ్చిన వడపప్పు సాంబడి చేతిలో పెట్టింది.

సాంబడి ముఖం విచ్చుకుంది. దేవుడికి పెట్టడానికి ఎదో దొరికింది. వినాయకుది దగ్గరికి పరుగెత్తుకెళ్ళి "నీ నైవేద్దానికి దిరికింది సామీ!" అంటూ ఆ వడపప్పు వినాయకుడికి తినిపించాడు. చూస్తున్న తల్లి అంది. "పిచ్చి నాన్నా! సామి పెసాదం సామికే పెదత్నావా?" అని.
*

What I miss..

I have to admit that the one thing I miss by not watching television is the comedy central (and an occasional Jay Leno). The latest media phenomenon being Stephen Colbert, this guy is amazing. People have praised him, hailed him and outright swear that they are in love with his guts. Thanks to YouTube, I can catch up with the best of all his clips and I've spent good part of today just doing that. See the following clip on Hawking and Hanninger :))

Found a voice of reason

For a long time, I was trying to find someone who actually talks about the real-ills that ailing the arab world. Just one, that someone who would speak against the mistreatment of citizens, that someone who isnt completely paralized in thought because of professed faith in fundamentalist tenets, which were dictated about 1400 years back (which dont apply to today's society).

Nonie Darwash is the voice of reason that I am looking for.She is not some guy who might have converted to x-ianity and now trying to find faults in Quran. Its no big deal, even I can find faults in it and also in 100 other religious books (Gita, Bible, Manu Smiti to name a few). The point is religious 'fundamentalists' are exactly that - fundamentalists. They believe that what was written as a 'word' is applicable for all times to come and they want to apply to one and all. They dont realize that one stroke of brush isnt enough to paint the whole canvas. The other sad reality is that you cannot reason with them.

The thing to do at hand is to fight the politicians, the ones who we can hold accountable based on our religion - the constitution. Whether it be India or USA, respective constitutions frame our religion. To prove that we, as humans, are prone and also acceptant of change, we amend our religion. It might need a senate/parliament majority, but we still do it. Use that tenets and fight the politicians in delivering the goods that they promised, when they came begging for votes.

Anyways, I didnt intend to use this space to voice my pitch, but present what Nonie got to say:

No longer do we want to hear our religious leaders proudly curse non-Muslim infidels and Jews in Friday prayer sermons, calling them "apes and pigs" and "enemies of God." We are all God's creation. The Arab street must not sympathize with Hezbollah. The silent Muslim majority must abandon its silence and "dark-age mentality." We must join the 21 st century's civilization.

That is correct- let the silent majority speak up and become part of the 21st century. It isnt a crime to speak, it might be a tad bit unsafe, but I am sure the ruins of truth are well worth the fight.

It must be your lucky day

..., because I had to entertain myself to get out a pensive-mood. When I take it upon myself to entertain myself, I also take it a bit further and share the fun. You lucky dawgs, you! Leave a comment and say your thanks to P almighty.

Now, listen/watch this video once and watch it again while you read the lyrics below :)

Jatsu tsappari dikkari dallan
tittari tillan titstan dullaa,
dipidapi dallaa ruppati rupiran
kurikan kukka ja kirikan kuu.

Ratsatsaa ja ripidabi dilla
beritstan dillan dellan doo.
A baribbattaa baribbariiba
ribiribi distan dellan doo.

Ja barillas dillan deia dooa
daba daba daba daba daba duvja vuu.
Baristal dillas dillan duu ba daga
daiga daida duu duu deiga do

Ok, here it goes

Like the famous adage goes, when one door closes, another opens.

Just when I thought my eveningz gonna end on an irritable note, I stumble upon this cool video on youtube. They define a whole new way of singing, dancing and also working it out. You must watch the video to understand what I mean. Apparently, they are big hit on VH1 videos count-down, which makes me ruefully admit that something good comes out of television sometimes.

It happened to me again!

I get an invite forwarded, where bunch of guys are going out for drinks to a local pub. I say, yes - and thought there ended the matter.

During the course of day, plans have changed, meeting point changed and being unaware of this I end up going to the other place, trying to make a soul-connection with voiceboxes.

I dont know when and how many times it happened before, but know for sure that this isn't a first.

The "I" generation

Being the staunch hindu boy that I am (ask my mother, she made me visit 7 zillion temples in span of just 13 days - that would be enough temple visits for 2 complete years, so I stay away from holy sites, just to give a better chance for other devotees with all those gods), I was told that detachment is the way to eternity.

The only way, one can reach the eternal goal is by doing work and not expecting any results from it. If the hindu philosophers had their way in framing the english alphabet, they would have removed "I" from the list. [At ths pont, 'm tempted to wrte rest of the post wthout the alphabet *, but dont wanna pIss you off]. So at an early age, we were told that we dont really exist, unless we make it to IITs (notice two Is?) or get the coveted US Griincard [On both these aspects, I am still lying there in ether just as "concept".]

Hence, the behaviour of many people I come across these days simply baffles me. What made me take notice to this phenomenon is death of an extremely talended musician from India, Ustad Bismillah Khan. While I brought it up, one person reacted calmly - "oh no, you know his shehnai track was one of my favorite tracks while growing up. I used to like it so much, that during summer times, I would love mangoes also, I also like cow milk and these days cow meat". The other reacted, "Ustad is a great man, so was my grand father and one day I want to become as famous as I myself, but not Irene."

This reaction threw me into great confusion, I mean, come on. This grand old man died at ripe old age of 90 busting his lungs off, sucking all the wind to make sense of an instrument. He did it for 70 odd years. He probably knows more about that instrument than a man knows about his wife's anatomy, but he gets a passing reference in our "I" talk, even after he passed away. Poor fellow, would he go complain to Indra (another big egoistic nut case, basket case) that we all collectively stole his thunder (no pun intended)?

When the great MS Subbalaxmi passed away, all my friends talked about their experiences with regards to her much known work of "Venkateswara Suprabhatam". One great soul commented, "GOSH, she was so great, her suprabhatam, it would air on saturday mornings and my mom would blast it like its a P-Diddy song. I used to wake up with recurring headaches for the rest of the week" - yeah, gee thanks. Another buddy says, "You know, her voice is like bells in a temple, she is so great, it makes me remember the awesome dosas mom would serve on saturday mornings" - whats up with this "ME ME ME"?

Can't we all set aside the "I" factor for a moment each day, or maybe twice each day and let the things take the natural course? Maybe that would save lot of headaches for "ME" too -huh?

Thank I.

P.S: Have you taken notice to this tid-bit of information: The goat which cries "MEE" all the time is eaten, while the bird "MAI-NA" is fed the best possible fruit because it means "ME-NOT" ;-). There, that'd teach you a lesson.

That'd cost you a quarter!

Have you ever playfully said that when you hold the door open long enough to let co-worker pass by? Or when you brought a cup of water to a friend? I did and I sometimes, still do. Its all in light hearted spirit. There are no hidden meanings to convey that I am servant nor that they are masters, but just a way of ruling out that I am being chivalrous (on compulsion).

Once (sometime last year), I was in a restroom at a local bar actually taking a leak. The spot next to me was vacant, when a decent looking, gracefully dressed, aged 55+ or even 60s gentleman took it. He looked at me and smiled. Since it didnt seem like a plastic smile I said, "I have held the spot for you and its costs a quarter". Two more drops and a shake, I'd be done walking out of the room, when the guy retorted, "My mom might have been raped by a jewish guy, that I am so cheap I wont part with my last quarter, HAHAHA".

I expected him to say back something funny, so in anticipation of that, I was already beginning to grin (and sometimes, this would encourage others to further loosen up), but those words slowly started to sink and my brain started to register. The smile on my face evapourated and anger started to kick in.

I couldnt take it, that a harmless quarter-for-leakspot took such a nasty turn, so I went, "Moms are like that arent they, she shouldn't have had you in the first place, HAHAHAHA". I waited just about enough time to watch all his abandon charm leak away along with his piss and it was his turn to be pissed on.

That was also my first lesson that just because a smile didnt look plastic, it doesnt mean that its real too. There are men (and women) who master the art of making a fake smile look real and they got no qualms about it.

While I think of this incident, it brings back fond memories of a man who I've known for about 7 years and one I can probably call a true non-desi friend of mine. He was bundle of enthusiam, openness, charm and friendliness, all incorporated into one. Rudy, a German immigrant to 'California' back in 60s. [The reason, I put California in quotes is because he didnt want to admit that he moved to America, for him it was all California]. He made it a point to not lose his Frisian accent and inspite of living for about 40 years, he didnt apply for American citizenship. He regretted that Calif isnt the same anymore and that I being a young immigrant wasnt given the same welcome treatment that he received. So, he used to take time each friday to introduce me to richness of areas around Campbell, Sanjose and Santa Clara. Those were fun times because, just to show me how to walk up to a stranger, this man who was married for 20 years with four kids, used to walk up to a dashing looking 20s hot blonde girl, strike up a conversation with her and proceeed to introduce me to her. And then, he would prod me to do the same.

After a few beers, he would recollect what he learnt about Hindu philosophy, the openness of practising it, the wideness of it (chastly admonishing the retrograde caste system), while I tell him the similarities between the german and sanskrit languages.

However, one fine Californian summer evening, he went to the restroom and returned with a pale and puzzled place. He said, 'Prasad, I almost got into trouble today in the rest room". Upon little inquiry I learnt, while he was doing his 'thang' in the restroom, he wished a "hi" to a young guy next to him. After some small talk, Rudy mentioned that he was originally from Germany. It was the most unfortunate thing to hear the young guy reply with, "Ahh, that guy Hitler, hehe". Make no mistake, Rudy hates Hitler and everything associated to him. I dont think he said anything back, but just calmly moved out.

These two incidents prominently come to my mind because of the two different experiences we had at two different places and times years apart. People haven't changed, their insensitivities didn't nor their proclivity to be politically incorrect in the guise of humor. I would probably have felt that the man talked crap to me because I was an Indian, but Rudy's incident proves that there is no such barrier when it comes to offending others.

Happy Independance day wishes :)

I would like to extend my warm-est-est greetings to my readers on the eve of Indian independance day. A day when the good prevailed over the evil, when Gandhi still wore a small dhoti (did he flash too?) and when Nehru smelt the carrot.

I think if didnt miss up the custom, today is 60th birthday (Indian style), So, new India a modern India celebrates its shasthi-poorti :) Congratulations old man.

But, but, then India is Bharata Maata. OH, I'm so kunphuzed!

Greetings again.

Reno, Tahoe, California and all that jazz

When I was first about to move to California, it was as if I was moving to a second home and I really planned on making it there. Unfortunately, it didnt turn out to be the case. The best part about living in the SF Bay area was that you dont need to really plan your weekends, just hit the streets around 8 Am and you would be sucked into something lively and fun. I know people do complain about higher price of living, but they would unanimously agree that the weather pays for itself. The economy was a bitch and here I ended up in Austin (which IMO is a close replacement, only in terms of social life). You can never ever make me speak great about Texan weather because I despise heat or really bright sun, so do take anything I say with a pinch of salt. Also, the lack of great hiking spots is such a bummer, but I guess if you arent in the habit of doing a thing, you wont really miss it much. I missed not being able to hike initially, but now since that is a distant thought, it has becoming a thing in the past. The Yosemite trips, big sur drives, Pacific trails, Muir woods, Purisima Creeks - they all give me goose bumps and I'd get these with-drawl symptoms.

It was great fun when I hike up the steep slope atop of Mission peak and run down the longer trails (with less grade), not once, but twice before the sun peaks; thats exhilarating. Then there was half dome, Mt. Dana, one can go on and on about this.

Here, I present a cool video clip (photo slides) of a tour taken by few Texans (without accents, as they claim), 178 mile expedition run. The background song was apt and quite endearing. Hope you enjoy it.

J&B - Kiss me (montage)

This gotta be the best montage video done on two bollywood actors and for the first time I thought I liked an american pop song :)



This clip is just a bonus deal:

Navvindi mallechendu, naccindi Girlfriendu :)

If you dont know which movie this song is from, then you better be in teens or a non-telugu :)

Going with the flow of chronicling success, I present yet another glorious feather in the cap of telugu cinema. The movie is "Abhilasha", written by none other than Yandamuri Veerendranath, lead role played by Chiru (incidentally, the infectuous energy he displayed in this movie with special attention towards his dancing skills, earned him the "dancing star" tag and he never looked back after which), kondandarami reddy, Maestro Illayaraja (awesome disco tunes to this movie), SPB and Janaki (she would laugh in almost all the songs). Replace Vijayshanti of Challenge with Radhika (amazing chemistry between the lead pair added to the success factor of this movie). The song presented here shows the real enthusiasm to work hard by Chiru and ofcourse the backdrop is nowhere else but VISAKHA. I know I might sound like a drumbeat at this point, but please watch the video before you make a conclusion (and also feel free to revise it a bit) :)

Can I redeem my superpowers?

Apparently, even I dont believe/fantacize to possess great powers - the outcome of this poll for me is pretty lackadisiacal. Such a DUH!, who is Green Lantern anyways?

Your results:
You are Green Lantern

Green Lantern 60% Superman 55% The Flash 55% Iron Man 50% Robin 48% Supergirl 46% Spider-Man 45% Hulk 45% Catwoman 45% Wonder Woman 41% Batman 30%

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination.

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...


If only this quiz was given to me when I was 16 year old, I would have let the inner juices flow out and picked all the gungho responses instead of playing it safe. However, the point of this exercise for me is that I am not extremely happy about things around me, but only I know that I am constantly working on improving those short-comings. Check out an year from now, I might be a 90% ironman ;-)

Award for cheesiest joke

delivered on time goes to ...

Gaurav :)

'wasnt me!

Golf and 'Zona connection

You dont see me raving a lot about my alma-mater much, but there are times when you just cant wipe the glee on your face, for instance when someone from the school wins a Nobel.

While wildcats are quite known for their talents on basketball court and also softball pitch, there are athletes who made it big in swimming, running (winning olympic medals) etc, but there are two girls who stole the limelight when it comes to golf.

Annika Sorenstam
Natalie Gulbis

The first one will probably walk into all time golfer hall of fame, the second is making rounds in the internet for her *ahem* hottie looks. She is now being dubbed as Anna Kournikova of Golf. Now, that is quite an honor because what Anna achieved without winning a single tournament is quite splendid (In desi picture Sania is also closing heels with Anna, IMO). Natalie also, is yet to win a great tournament, but the number of bikini shots does make her more marketable. So if any of my fellow reader want to pick up golfing as full time sport and can sport a bikini with ease, I'll make a mention on this premium bloglet too.

Until then, read Natalie's mind

Weathering multiple storms

All my friends are pitching up the ante with thought provoking posts on their blogs, while I pile up all the borrowed snippets as if my life depended on it. Whereas it was my intention to talk about things asunder that affects us in daily life, but then I dearly realize that most of the information that media feeds me is of no sequent value for me.

For example, when the department of labor comes out with the unemployment figures each quarter, it doesnt affect me or my job or my payrate by any means. The formal discource on state of economy has really been a state of mind, that many people attribute to happiness (or unhappiness, if you may). All it matters is that you need one job to keep you gainfully employed and that you earn enough to wear comfy jockey boxers (preferably red, when going out on a date. Luck is a bitch, dont mess with it). The more comfortable you are in your underpants, the more comfortable you are during the day, which directly translates into higher productivity - you get the drift. While you are drifting, do NOT lose your marbles. Danke.

I was seriously troubled by the downpour of rains back in India - I was so troubled by it that I didnt realize until "A" pointed out to me that Vizag airport was closed down for a week. Vizag airport is a spectacular work which can boast of runway track exactly 17 feet longer than my balcony. It takes pride in being re-discovered after each monsoon and the citizens of Vizag feel as much elation tantamount to finding the drowned Dwaraka nagari. Being the the dutiful alarmed son, I immediately call up my parents to know their whereabouts. I talk exactly for 60 seconds, when my mom announces that my impish nephew is sour on me because I didn't wish him while he is in the room. I had to greet him "kanna kanna.." for 3 minutes until I hear that he is smiling now. The satisfied little lord Curzon now goes into another room, there follows my parents after him. I pretended that I am still talking and hung up after a fresh heave of static howled my eardrum.

The london bomb plotting has deeply affected me too - I stopped talking to the last Pakistani guy that I have never known existed. These kinds of resolutions are gainful because you always win in vacuum (:which btw is the only word with consecutive "u"s). I cursed them all and cursed some more when a friend of mine sent a lunch invite to go eat at local Pakistani joint. The last I heard, he is ailing with upset stomach. I called it conspiracy by them Pakis, while my friend tells me that it is too much oil in the raita.

While the whole world is moving, I am safely tucked in my work, the deadlines, the team lunches and some fire drill. While I do this, I make sure to use the office restrooms as much as possible so the fellow mexican doesnt lose his job. I am emanating such sense of social/community worth that I deserve knighthood or an iced tea (the other variety *wink*)

So, with a deep sigh, I careen back into my cuckoo shell.

In the meanwhile, 2 local hotties celebrated their birthdays in the past fifteen days. I wished them both and I hope they pay me back on my birthday.

A dose of reality in form of Humor

Yet another clip from "TGILC"

Stay till the end to see the state of sports in India, the craze of cricket. The best joke being Amitabh and nimboo :))

Presenting Harika in all her glory :)

What did you expect? I mean, really? ;-)

When 6 geniuses come together to put on a show, they can pull a timeless classic. If not a classic, atleast a never dying entertainer. This song is
"induvadana kundaradana
mandagamana, madhuravachana
jaghana gagana
sogasu lalanavee"
[Note: When the song came out, I am sure more than 90% of people didnt know what the first 2 lines really mean, until Yandamoori makes Chiranjeevi explain to Radha in another movie what "jagHana" bhagam means :)]

So who are the 5 people, you'd ask. Yandamoori, Illairaja, SPB, Chiru and ofcourse firebrand (and sexpot in this movie) Vijayashanti. Wait, that counted only five? Who is the main guy - well, dear reader - its VISAKHA in all its naked glory. It gives me goosebumps that I can relate to every scenic bit in that song. Anyways, enjoy the view :)