December 31, 2008 - a recap

Karthik one of my good friends has narrated how I welcomed 2009. No one could have done a better job.

Mind you folks he remembers this even today when we are about to welcome 2010. I am sure if my parents ever read this they would be in for a surprise.

Thanks Karthik.

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December 31, 2008….

It all started when we planned for a get together for the new year eve @ K-117, Tamarac Square, Denver, CO. The invitees were restricted to the minimum and couple of them had Plan A and Plan B

…so if plan A does not work then they will visit K-117. I and Kris, the hero of the Tollywood, started preparing the dinner. We had planned to watch a movie with a Vodka followed by a quite dinner. Chief Guest was Mr. Rajesh Patel, another heart throb from the Sandalwood City. He took the permission from his home ministry and made to K-117 around 9PM. By then, bollywood hunk was already there, Mr. Venkatkrishnan Ramasamy, who was looking confused, as always, and was thinking about the office work. Just imagine..who can do this on new year eve.

The dinner was ready and Kris had already had an appointment (bash) with the other group. He was not able to refuse as he was invited by a group of girls in the community. But he had promised that he will just have a peg with us and move on to the other bash and will be back with an hour..just to show his head in their party...but eventually, he turned out in the morning hours…430AM. Of course..who can stop the chair person of the “PRAJA RAJYAM”..

We all started with a first peg of “Royal Imperia”, a Russian vodka. I and Rajesh were discussing on the movie to be watched…with the starters ready…we had the first cheers at around 10PM. Venkat was relaxing in the recliner…his favorite spot and with his laptop to continue his official work. I and Rajesh settled down on the floor, and decide to stick to “Slumdog Millionaire”. Before that, we were gossiping a lot. Within 10 minutes, we noticed that our Bollywood hunk had gulped the Vodka. Rajesh warned him that its not a safe bet to have it so fast. Venkat wanted to go for the next peg…but we wanted him to wait…Young blood…Generation Next…he did not listen to the super seniors…he went ahead…

By the time we were done with our first round, Venkat was done with his 2^nd..and he was claiming that he was intact and very much present…the movie had started…I and Rajesh went for the second and Venkat settled for the third…Kris was dancing with the family group and he was enjoying his party..after all who would want to spend the new year eve with 3 idiots…

While the movie was on, it was already 12 in NY and we happened to call the zamindar of AP…Jithendar..akka..Jitu…he was in no mood to listen…he was having a big bash..and he kept on repeating…”Happy New Year”…while this was going on…Venkat had done with his 3^rdround in a jiffy….now he was in PANDORA and not in denver…falling down ..now and then…and for him …Taare was Zameer Per..

Adding to climax, Venkat went ahead with Rajesh for a smoke…in spite of our warning…he finished the cigar within a minute….and he started flying in the air…I guess he had already started to see the first look of AVATAR ..by then…

After 15 minutes or so…all of a sudden, he ran to the rest room and locked himself…we heard just sounds…I and Rajesh were taken back..we stopped the movie and asked Venkat to unlock the door…as no one was ready to pay extra for cleaning the floor and bath tub..to the leasing office… J

We forced him to have lime water with salt…and he settled down for a sleep without dinner…I and Rajesh..went ahead with dinner..and still Kris was in no mood to join the 2 idiots…Call came from the home ministry…and Rajesh had to rush back…I settled in recliner…to continue with the movie..Kris was back 430AM and Venkat had..so called dinner with him..after all they were batch mates…

MORAL OF THE STORY –For VENKAT : BE CAREFUL..THIS YEAR…BEFORE TOUCHING ALCHOL…Nevertheless..enjoy…. J

Aal Izz Well….Happy 2010 folks…

Cheers..

Karthik C

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 ...

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.

Persistence wins the race...Continuation of the passport saga!!!

21 March was the D-day when I made my first attempt at the paaport ofice to apply for a reissue of my passport under TATKAL scheme. I feel the TATKAL scheme introduced by the GOVT for all transactions like the passport or train ticket booking etc ... is a way of psyphoning money from the General Public...in a way it is useful but these days people do not want to wait even if they have time, they just go about throwing money and get things done.

Let me get back to the story. I was carrying the following documents:-
1.copies of company id card, driving licence, pan card (remember to carry the originals)
2.copy of my passport+passport original
3.passport application form duly filled (available in the passport site)
4.Personal details (PP) form duly filled (available in the passport site)
5.Annexure I - notarized (format available in the passport site)
6.5 copies of recently taken 3.5 inches photograghs (not required at all but still carry can't stay)
7.Marksheets +certificates
8.most important - bank letter as address proof along with a recent statement

Equipped with the above items we (Rajesh a colleague of mine having the same issue joined me) reached the passport office in MG road at 7.30 AM. Outside the gate there are a lot of husslers (passport agents) - do not fall prey to them, they have no say over the proceedings. Here there were 2 queues - One small and other a bit long which stretched upto the gate. The sentry there did tell us that for passport application submissions (even TATKAL) we needed to stand in the long queue, but we listened to some other glib talking techie and beelined to the short one. At around 9.30 the Babus started arriving in their 2 wheelers with an air of snottiness. By this time the longer queue had streted to about another 200 meters outside the gate. At 9.45 people were being admitted inside (at last a meet with destiny). When we were about to enter the building a Babu checking the papers says - passport submission other line... MAN! you should have seen the expressions on our faces. We ttied tried to plead our way in but no use. Then what to do? We got into the long queue hoping that our turns come before 12 (12 is the closing time). After a long wait we entered the passport office at 11.30 (4 hours of standing).

On entering the office we found that many were turned away as here they were accepting TATKAL applications only and appplicants not avaailing the TATKAL scheme were asked to apply via Bangalore One centers. On entering a token sticker is stuck on to your application form. If you have filled 2- 3 applications - note only one is entertained. Guidelines to fill the form is present atg the site - go through them carefully.

Then we were instru8cted to go to the first floor where the forms were being accepted. There is preliminary check done before you actually make the submission. This is queue will be prominent as you enter the office. The guy at this desk nalso arranges the papers and gives you a police verification form that you need to attach tht PP form and submit this as a pair and not attach it to the passport application.

Somewhere at around 1.30 my token number was called out. I reached the counter and submitted the application with the required documents. After scrutinising them the officer say I cannot accept this under TATKAL do you want to submit under normal scheme. I am like flabbeghasted ...What ..WHY..words are not coming out of my mouth.... after a while I ask meeklly ...Why Sir! what's wrong!! He shows my driving license and asks me whats the name wriiten there.... Venkatakrishnan ...whats wrong in that.....Read again ... Sir it doesn't matter how many time I read it will always be the same.... Then he says with a air of pride .... there is no RAMASWAMY......I am like What the .....!!! But its another GOVT official like you who has written it..... He goes like ...Look here I have no strngth to speak ...do u want to submit it under normal scheme... YS OR NO... I am like SIR Please understand I need this very urgently ...YES OR NO. Dejected I take back all the forms nad passport. I go to a corner of the room and start thinking....neanwhile Rajesh's application is accepted and he has been asked to submit a written application. He is frantically searching for a white paper. I then call up my mom and tell her what's happened and ask if some other ID proofs are available with us which can be dispatched immediately from BBY but even if they are its useless as no one's currently stayin in our bby home...
Around an hour has passed by...I decide that I will submit the form under the Normal process and convert to tatkal later if I get the documents. I go back to counter and meekly submit my form and again make an attempt to ask - If I get Annexure F will you accept..... The guy shoots back sorry please clear the area and go to enquiry. He returns my passport back but what the ....!!! There is CANCELLED STAMP on it - this gives me goosebumps and and my stomach starts to twist and turn. I again frantically go back to the counter and this guy is not there. Bloody Hell!! The enquiry counter is outside the building and has a separate queue and also it is open only till 12.00. I am really dejected and shocked and feel that these people donot even have a little empathy ... all because of the MONOPOLY !! They know we can't go elsewhere!! there is no option at all!!

In the meanwhile Rajesh ahs completed all the formalities and and then we go to Bangalore Central, grab a quick lunch and are on our way back home. After reaching home dejected, depressed and tired I went off to sleep. I woke up at 7 PM. Called my Mom and spoke to her for some time and then suddenly it struck that I have a DORMANT SBI account passbook - probably this can be accepted as an ID proof. I start to search all through my luggage and stacked boxes and at last find it, tucked safe in a file. So I decided I will have a final go at the passport offfice.

So this time armed with the written application form, copies of the id proofs (PAN, SBI passbook, ID card, Driving License along with originals) , pasport application receipt, urgency proof letter and Annexure I, I am back at the passport office on 22nd morning 7.30 AM. This time I am standing correctly in the small queue as it is exclusively for TATKAL conversion and also do a little samaritan work of redirecting people to the other queue who have come to apply under TATKAL. 9.30 again the Babus have arrived and at 9.45 we are let in ... Man EXAM ke liye bhi kabhi itna tension nahin liya ... This time we are directed to a room on the ground floor where there is a lady who is doing all the checking and luckily she is a Tamizh - Thank God for that. My turn comes at 10.30... I am at her desk Nervous and sweating like hell .... She removes the pin check the id proofs submitted ... then the passbook copy she asks for the original and says I cannot accept this ... no transaction made for the last 2 years... I try to reason but to no vail... so as a final attempt I show her copy of my driving licence and ask if this is OK. She looks at the and says the name is not full... I am standing there dumbfounde not understanding what to say or do...then she asks me for the original. I remove my purse to pull it out and LO!! its gone !! Now I start sweating really hard ... and then she turns to the next guy in queue. I then went to safe place and starteed to search for my drivinng license and find it in one of my bag's pouches. Then I arranged my paper neatly in the folder and went to her place and said if I open a bank acct today and get u the passbook tomorrow, will that be acceptable? She says no and then I say what abt annexure F (which I surely can't get as you need to know some bada babu in a GOVT office). She then says show me your driving licence original, I will accept your application....THANK GOD at last some ray of hope. I get it out and show it to her, she asks me to get copies of the whole license book plus copy of the annexure and also of the other side of the pan. I rush out immediately get the copies done and then go directly and submit it to her and she stamped all the copies as verified and instructed to meet the Assistant Passport Office(APO).

APO checks the approval stamps and then says we will dispatch the passport on 28th. Man I am relieved. I go to the TATKAL counter and pay the fees and make my way out asap. Now I keep checking the website daily for updates the status is the same "Passport dispatch date is 28 March" I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope that I do not have to write another blog :)

In the end I feel that the application acceptance depends on the mood of the person at the counter because the next day I had submitted the TATKAL application with the same documents...