The Land Of Oppurtunities

I guess title of the blog gives away what I intend to write...

Yes! You guessed it right. I finally landed in US of A. I am in Denver. It a pretty cold place, sometimes when its sunny the weather becomes quite pleasant. Its one week gone by; so far so good. I just met one idiotic persong in office who is nick named as NETA, trully an arse - has given work to do over the weekend and that too during Diwali time.


The flight from Bangalore to Denverw (via London) was petty tiring. I had a huge jet lag and it took around 5 days to get over it. The service in British Airways was quite good, I will recommend BA if you are planning on a trip to US. On landing in the USA it took me some time to get the security clearance done mainly because colleague's family had accompanied me - they were with 2 kids and their clearance took time. Then at the final baggage checking the Security was asking whther I was carrying jeera (cummin seeds) I didn't understand this odd request till one of my friends elucidated that a drug looking similar to jeera gets smuggled into US regularly. After getting out of the airport - I hailed a cab and reached the destination. Tahin (the cabbie) loaned me his cell phone to call up Deepak for directions and finally I was there at Tamarac. I got cleaned, had my dinner


I cudn't find time to complete the blog not because I was busy but becoz I am lazy so I am just posting the incomplete blog.

Rockon

Well I would say another good movie. I did watch it late...rather very late I guess, 3 weeks after release. Well I guess this is too late for review. So I would just say one thing if you haven't watched the movie you ought to.

Planning to watch Drona or Kidnap this weekeend ...lets c whether I manage any tickets.

Welcome to Sajjanpur

This is a Shyam Benegal movie and Shreyas Talpade is in the lead role, well if that is not enough for you to watch the movie then read on.

At first I was also apprehensive!! The title sounded funky an unlike Shyam Benegal. But what the heck I was totally freaked out, tired and dried of energy due to the excruciatingly hectic office work and had come with my school friends and also had not seen a movie for weeks.

In the opening scene Mahadeo (Shreyas) introduces the village Sajjanpur in a slapstick manner that really draws your attention and tells you that there is something special this movie. Sajjanpur is village in northern India mostly the Bhojpouri land I guess based on the hindi and the language used. The story revolves around Mahadeo who is a BA pass self employed letter writer (patra lekhak - one who writes letter for the illiterate). In his own sarcastic and slapstick way Mahadeo reveals about the realities of life - intercaste marriage, a transverstile getting elected as the village panch, corrupt politician, supertitious phoofi (aunt) who wants to get her daughter married to a dog to get the bad omen out of her, etc etc. The end is also a bit different and fantastic though a little abrupt. I assure you that you will get jiggled and have fun.

On the whole its a good, enteraining, well made movie and a total paisa wasool movie. One warning - donot take your children as the movie is packed with foul language and lotta double meanings.

I will rate the movie as 4 / 5. Have a good time.

The Devil Wears Prada

Watched the movie last Friday - the first thing that hit me was ... How could I have missed this?
Each and everyone of who is in the corporate rat race would have identified ourself with one of the characters of the movie - it may be the ruthless Miranda or the confused Andrea or the YES BOSS Emily or Nigel.

I tried to identify myself with Andrea who enters the Corporate World to prove to herself and the world that she has got the material in her to become successful like Miranda - she idolizes Miranda as the symbol of success. This is where many of us do the mistake of idolizing the wrong person. Success to each and every individual means different things - for some it may be having a lot of money; for some others it may mean becoming popular and well known in the society - each person defines Success in his/her own way. The key is to identify your definition of success Late but at least she finds her definition of Success.

I liked a particular part where Miranda talks about choice one makes when Anrea confronts her when she goes down a guilt trip or lets say has a guilt pang when Andrea makes Jacqueline the partner or something of the new company instead of Nigel (which was promised to him) in order to save her ass. At this point Miranda actually makes Andrea realize that she has dug her teeth into the Corporate shit by making the choice of agreeing to replace Emily for the Paris trip. I felt how very true its all about the Choices that we make - this is what takes each one of our lives in a different directions.
Just one last thing - at the end Miranda is also happy that Andrea made the right choice, a option or liberty that people like Miranda do not have. So make the right choice, stick to the path of righteousness you will always be appreciated and looked upon. I know many of you might say -Wat a cliche!!!
-Here's the Qoute. Enjoy it and pour your thoughts on it -
Miranda Priestly: You thought I didn't know. I've known what was happening for quite some time. It just took me a little while to find a suitable alternative for Jacqueline. And that James Holt job was just so absurdly overpaid that of course she jumped at it. So I just had to tell Irv that Jacqueline was unavailable. Truth is, there's no one that can do what I do. Including her. Any of the other choices would have found that job impossible and the magazine would have suffered. Especially because of the list. The list of designers, photographers, editors, writers, models, all of whom were found by me, nurtured by me and have promised me they will follow me whenever and if ever I choose to leave Runway. So he reconsidered. But I was very very impressed by how intently you tried to warn me. I never thought I would say this, Andrea, but I really, I see a great deal of myself in you. You can see beyond what people want, and what they need and you can choose for yourself.
Andy Sachs: I don't think I'm like that. I couldn't do what you did to Nigel, Miranda. I couldn't do something like that.
Miranda Priestly: You already did. To Emily.
Andy Sachs: That's not what I... no, that was different. I didn't have a choice.
Miranda Priestly: No, no, you chose. You chose to get ahead. You want this life. Those choices are necessary.
Andy Sachs: But what if this isn't what I want? I mean what if I don't wanna live the way you live?
Miranda Priestly: Oh, don't be ridiculous. Andrea. Everybody wants this. Everybody wants to be us.
-------Some more quotes------
Emily: [to Andy] You sold your soul to the devil when you put on your first pair of Jimmy Choo's, I saw it.

Unsecure Wi-Fi

I was watching CNN IBN. I just heard a report saying that the terrorists sent their mails by logging onto some unsecure wireless network. This really rang a bell in my head as I was installed a wireless router in my home and felt may be some one can use my network for anti-social activities. Later it occured to me that I have secured the network by putting in a password while installing it hence no Tom Dick and Harry would be able to log into my wireless network unless they hack the password which is not a easy job.

Just a piece of advice or request to all those using wireless at home please secure your network by putting in a password else you are inviting unwanted trouble.

Better Safe Than Sorry!!!

Dilbert Widget

Hey pepople -

Checkout the Dilbert Widget that I have added to the blog. This was pending for a long time :-)

Dilbert Strips

Blasts again!!

Flash News: Blasts rock Delhi...

Every Indian News channel is flashing this news. I don't understand what the heck is our intelligence doing? Delhi was always on the radar of a terror attack then why this miss?

It was Bangalore some time back and today is the Delhi...

I hope the casualty is less and pray for the family and nearones of those injured and dead.

Dearest Blog

Dearest Blog,
I sincerely apologise for having neglected you for the past 3 to 4 months.... what to do!! Office and personal work have kept me so very busy.
I won't make any promises but I will try to keep in touch my level best.

Yours Faithfully,
Venkat.

Brewhaha

Forgot to mention about this. Last weekend had been to Brewhaha. "BrewHaHa is a unique food’n’fun concept" thats how the proprietors have defined the place. Brewhaha is situated very near to Jyothiniwas College. The is full when college is on.

I had been to the place last Saturday and had an lemon ice tea - trully fantastic; the taste of lemon lingered in the outer tongue and that of tea in the inner tongue. They have got a good range of brews and snacks like any coffee shop. They have smartly categorized these items and made combo meal offers also. Its a bit expesive but I believe it would be good. For the literatti fans there are a variety of board games for the offer and every board game costs 40Rs an hour. If you have a huge group of friends then this is the appropriate place to visit.

All in all the place is a good concept but during holidays it is almost empty because of the location. I would give the place 3.5 stars out of 5.

Another day gone by

30th June --Monday
The tie rule at office is back on from today. For the rehearsal started at the Pearly gates today itself. The St.Peters at the gates were stopping asking for a tie. Man I am back in school...this place is horrible. I also got to know my correct salary today ... man it made me cry.

Gave the Business Language Communication exam at Infy Lab today .. this is nothing but Infys vrsion of TOEFL - TOEFL ka score accept karoge toh bolo ne bhai.

Today was a comparaively cool day at office not much work had a nice time left at 7 and was home by 8PM. I did not commit the mistake of asking for work. I feel this is the right time and should make the Warwick app.

Nothing more to pen. Feeling drowsy ..guess time to turn off the lights.... iya iya aye...

Good Weekend after a long time!!

One more good news -- Thomas is blessed with a baby girl. Well for those who do not know .... Thomas is one of my friens from ... He was really happy , he couldn't explain the feeling that he was having when he called me up to give the NEWS ... Congrats Thomas.

Well this weekend was really spent well. Met all my maternal side cousins in Bangalore. Watched Dasavataram with Madhu, Harish and Ramya ... of course was completely ripped off .. had to buy the tickets but no regrets as was able to meet anna (Madhu) (anna doesn't imply respect its a nick name for him). About the movie ... feel I got conned ..There is nothing to the movie other than just Kamal's acting. I think Kamal made the movie just to show that he is much versatile actor than Sivaji Ganesan ... (THOSE morons who donot understand what I am taking about here is some gyan - Sivaji Ganesan is one of the Tamil cinema legends who acted in a movie called Navaratri in which enacts 9 roles/characters). The story did open with a thud with 12th century tale but after that it went FUSSSSS! Absolutely Nothing!

After the 2 and half hours of the torture we were back home at 1.30 AM. Then we decided to watch Amir. Both the idiots went to Snoring City with in 30 minutes... and I also could barely keep away my winks after strugling for around 45 mins I caved in anf put off the movie.

Sunday -
Anna woke me up around 9 and said was going for bfast - I joined him. After a heavy breakfast we decided to go to Ragi Guda temple. We came back home and I had a bath and then we left. We spent around an hour talking about our work life and then after that came back home. I put my clothes for a spin and went with the guys to Matru place and had a good meal and then returned home finished the clothes load and then started doing what I do best - watch movies :-)

Saw Sarkar Raj and Amir today ... Sarkar Raj is no where near Sarkar ... Wats wrong with Ram Gopal Varma ... Everything that he touches is starting to stink . I have nothin more to say about it. Now lets come to Amir (Sujal Gharewal thats the household name of Rajeev Khandelwal ). Aamir is a good movie made by a rookie, there not much story to it but just a good theme thats been converted into a movie. Cheers to Rajeev... his long struggle is at last paying dividends.

Now tomorrow Monday ...hmmm... back to the grind...waiting for the next weekend ...will be going to Madras to meet parents....from there on to Bombay-Pune for Sids marriage in Pune... looking forward to it ...

I am Back!!!!!

Back Again after a very long time .... was quite busy all this while... well this is just a pretext ... as the saying goes 'Where there's a Will There is a Way'
Was really off from February to April due to a knee surgery. Those 5 days in hospital was a real pain (no shit - pun intended) - but the good part is that I have recovered to 80% and was on leave for about 2 whole months -- woohoo no stupid coding.

Good News - My H1 application made through the lottery this time and has been approved.

Now back to some cribbing - The last 2 months after joining office has been really hectic. My role at work has not completely ... some kinda transition phase thats wat the #%$@&@* say. This adds to the agony of the droid work that I am doing. After joining Work have worked on 2 interfaces, and the 2nd one is prolonging like a long snake. But I guess I have put an end to it today.

Now to some Wimbledon - Was watching the Safin vs Seppi match yesterday.... I have always believed that Marat has the stuff in him to match Federers shots. Hope to see a Safin-Federer final this time.

Going to MG Rd for bowling now...
More next time ...Bye till then...

Mee Mumbaikar

When I started this blog I had decided never to use this bog to air my political views. But the recent incidents of beating up of the North Indian Mumbai taxidrivers by the activists or supporters of MNS has prompted me to write this.


The very first question that comes to head is were these goons MNS activists or was it an act of some other party of which Raj is taking the mileage by trying to turn the tables.

Does Mumbai belong to only Marathis; do the other migrants who have added to the prosperity and culture have no rights? History clearly tells that its the migrants from the various parts of the country who had laid the enterpreneurial seeds and in the process of development led to the prosperity of Mumbai as a whole - To tell the truth Mumbai cannot be claimed by any one community as its own, every community has a hand in its growth and each one has a right and freedom to follow its culture.

I feel the main reason behind all this factioning is to implement the "Divide and Rule" policy. Probably Mr.Raj is afraid of parties like SP trying to tap the North Indian vote bank and hence he should kindle the Marathi sentiment and secure the Marathi vote bank.

Raj tries to quote example of Manmohan Singh and Karunanidhi who have taken up the issues of their regional people with the French and Malaysian Govts, but my dear friend let me bring to your notice that their requests did not kindle any kind of violence.

Its aspiration not extraction!!!

Due to knee injury had to visit the hospital with my sister. I explained my case history to the doctor and informed that previously when I had a similar injury the doc made a puncture and removed the fluid to relieve me of the pain.

After some time when we were waiting for my turn at the MRI scan center my sister explained that the correct term for removing fluid is aspiration - 'Fluid is aspirated from a part not extracted or removed.' For those who thought extraction is the correct word here is some gyan - extraction is process in which the fluid is created after some processing done on the material. Hope you got what I am trying to say.

Bombay Visit - Jan 28

This visit Bombay cost me a bomb but it was worth every penny...:-)

I had booked the to and fro tickets on the cheapest available flight - Spicejet, this would be first and the last time that I would ever book a ticket in a no frills airlines - man just to save a few undred bucks I realised that I was missing a lot of convinience but again it was an experience for which I am grateful. The Spicejet air-hostesses are goodlooking though not handpicked - this is just fyi.


The Bangalore - Mumbai flight started right on time - I was having a funny Happy feeling as though I have no worries at all. I got a window seat in the not so comfortable cramped plane. Its really difficult when you have funny structure with long legs and small trunk. The plane started the take off at 9.30AM, as we moved towards the vast openness, I had a feeling as though some one was welcoming me into her arms with warmth and caring. It was a real pristine feeling even in the emptiness as if I was nearing to God - never felt this way before.

As I looked down, the reducing landscape reminded me of Google Earth. As the size of the world below started diminishing it felt as if I had reached the heavens. The contours merged into a single dimension giving a view of the vivid colored layers of nature. The blue rivers merging into the brown earth and the earth into the green forests - this was pleasant site to watch making me wonder from where did this all start.

As we approached Bombay the concrete jungle ememrged showing it wicked greedy face. I was desperately trying to identify the places from up above could make out Sion as it didn't seem to change much but the other places all seemed the same with a lot of scrapers touching the sky - there seemed to be no limit to the upward expansion - having conquered the earth we are now trying to pull down the sky. The fight landed in right on time and as I had no luggage checked-in the came out of the airport pretty fast with out any hasles. The whole airport seemed to have changed - with proper directions and all. Out side there was a proper Taxi/Rick stand no husling nothing.

I asked the rick wala to take me via Powai because it had been a long time since I had gone through that way and was having a nostalgic feeling as that was the route which we used to take while going to college - I was reminded of the days when Abhijit used to get his car and all four of us would be returning and I used to be the bakra always. The ride around Powai lake and the stink of the typical Bombay slums reminded me of the good old days. The unpleasant smell somehow brought with it a feeling of familiarity. Somehow we made through the snake like slow moving pathetic traffic onto the Eastern Express Highway.From there it was a smooth ride. At the time of alighting the rickwala begged for 20 rupees more - never experienced this ../ Bby rickwalas were dignified enuff to never debase themselves to such lower tactics. This was pretty saddening.

In the evening I decided to meet Sai at Thane. The nostalgia again hit me ... went to Thane by train-enjoyed the ride .. it was great getting back to the crowd. I met Sai at (to be precise 'outside') McDonalds - the crowd here never changes :) We then went to Tip Top where we discusses about SPJain Dubai over the Snack buffet - got all my apprehensions about SPJain cleared. Said goodbye to him and again boarded a train back to Mulund then home. On the way I met R..... Mami and then on went to their Mulund Sriram house had a chat with Rajammami and all then straight home.

Day 2--

Abhijit called up at 9 AM sayin he reached Bby while I was still in bed... said he will reach by 12.00 - man he didn't call up at all an d when I called he hsaid he wud b there by 1 so I went to Meera aunty's place and had 2 dosais and from there went to Sarayu Mami's place on Meera auntys request to trouble shoot the issue Sarayus were facing with the comp. It seemed that the DNS driver was having some problem - couldn't resolve it; felt really bad for the old couple as it was their only means of communication with their sons. Then I went back to Meera aunty's house and had lunch.

In the end Abhijit came at 3 picked me up and we went to R-mall to buy gifts for S(iddharth) & S(hruti). We decided on perfumes. The selection was done by Ghone with emparting of some gyan on perfumes to me. There seemed to be heavy pressure on the sales guys as they just kept hoarding around us. In the end we zeroed on to some Spice flavors. We packed the perfumes and headed to Thane - Ghones place then changed our clothes went to the venue - Tip Top again. We had some fun here, some leg pulling sessions and then the function ended at 9PM. Then we were back on our way to our homes. Next day morning Abhi picked me up on the eastern express highway and we were off to the airport. Thats how the trip ended.

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The online dog ate the file :-)

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