Night out in Bangalore

Weekend arrived with the promise of fulfillment and fun and it was indeed fun. This time I decided to look beyond the usual routine. I am bit curious about the night life in bangalore. Heard a lot about it though never experienced myself. This week I decided to check it out. Around 12:30 AM we left to a restaurant that is legally allowed to serve in the night. Only few are allowed and they are located adjacent to each other. As we got closer we could see lot of bikes, densely populated cars sprinting towards that particular road. It was a different world altogether. At 1 AM, the road seemed as though a festival is hoisted. Almost 90% of the population present there were in their "own worlds". Staggering on road heedlessly, bolstered by "a friend in(n)deed", shouting eternal truths, playing death metal in their car stereo, trying to create a romantic fog with their cigars, it felt as if I am in some place like las vegas (Never been there but seen in movies !!!). Mention or not, the restaurant was making the most out of it. The weird fact is that, the people out there were very different from the regular faces. Where these guys come from ??? Where they live ?? Where they work ??? Are they some kind of aliens who come out only during weekends, I bet you can't see such faces during weekdays. They were expressing the cultural advancements through their way of dressing, heavily altered race cars and much more. Poor cops, helpless, lost the hope of managing the traffic and people, they left the place.

It was indeed a new experience. I felt the difference , I felt the arrogance, I owned the road, I drifted, I felt the peace, I felt the freedom, no traffic, no congestion, I wanted to drive endlessly. But I can't be like that, I don't belong there, I can't act, I can't breach my virtues, I am just a regular face with not-so-advanced lifestyle. I prefer to be like this forever !!!!

That was really funny

Few days back I was forced to attend one technical session by one scientist from USA. It was on some cryptic architecture slated for the future which I couldn't decipher a word even with my antagonistic brain. To add to that, the acoustics of the presentation hall was very bad. Some interesting things happened during the presentation. Have you heard of a English ->English translators ,or let me put it as Indian English -> American English translators ??? The scientist found it very difficult to understand the questions form the audience. He somehow managed to decipher it with sign language or through various versions of the same question translated by others. That was funny. We couldn't understand what he is talking about and he couldn't understand what we asked yet he was talking and people were asking doubts. The meeting ultimately succumbed into a clear less , pointless introspection of two uninterested minds. I don't know whom to blame !!!

Much awaited break

Wasn't able to update my blog as last two weeks were bit hectic. I was eagerly awaiting this vacation. But something somewhere is really wrong in this world. South India is receiving unusually heavy rainfall off season. Yesterday we departed bit late from our home. Our train was scheduled to arrive by 9 PM and we managed to get an auto by 8:15. The auto driver was clever enough to gauge our urgency and used it effectively with his share of reasons. Things seemed fine at that point,but they really weren't. Bangalore's iconic "traffic congestion" combined with rain gave us a tough time. Till 8:55 my heart was pounding with anxiety but after that I lost the hope of catching the train. I started to draft plans to spend the week in bangalore. Now that I got a new bike and as it was advised to go for a long ride for the engine to settle, I was thinking about some places around bangalore at "bikable" distance. My bike must be cursing me as it is not going to get the pleasure of carrying any beautiful beings as "I" own it. Can't be helped, I pity you my bike !!!

Our auto driver accelerated his BMW (He had that symbol all over his vehicle!!!) and somewhat managed to get us safe to the railway station. It was 9:30 and I don't know why came to railway station even. The station was tightly packed with fleeing out-station bangaloreans like us. Despaired of reaching my home town I vaguely looked at the TV that displayed the train timings. Wow!!!!!! Amazing!!!! Can't believe this !!!!! My train was late by one and half hours. After all,there is some justice in this world and god has shown some mercy on us.

After boarding, my friend was praying as usual for some "good fortune". But as our quota of good luck for the day was already over his prayer didn't work out. I reached my hometown around 9 AM. It was raining here too. I am feeling really fresh and exuberant after reaching home. Had exotic and delicious food. East or west,home is the best !!!

A cute trouble...

Yesterday when I boarded on train I was welcomed by one of the most beautiful smile in the world. It was very cute, innocent, graceful, pleasant. The beam was from a six months old baby on my bay. Whenever I noticed him he dimpled at me with an ineffable joy. His mom had very tough time to manage his mischievous pranks. When she showed signs of anger he just managed to appease her with just one boisterous laugh. She fell for it,not once or twice but every time. I guess only babies have the ability or freedom or innocence to laugh at angry faces. Whenever I smiled at him, he just curled himself on his mother's lap with such a verve and joy. I couldn't understand that but that was funny. Babies have their own world, their own meaning for each and every actions. We cannot interpret that, but every little thing they do gives us a glimpse of what their world is !!!

It was time to sleep and I settled in my berth listening to music as the lights were still on. Finally, the lights went off and when I was about to sleep I heard a loud noise. "O my god !!! whats wrong",I rose swiftly from my place and witnessed the "cute-smiling-baby" slowly turning into a "cry-baby". His mom was fast asleep(her shift was over I guess !!). His dad soothed him and somehow got him somnolent. Does the story end here?????

No!!! There it was , a loud war cry from the bay on the right followed by even more louder war cry from the bay on the left. War of babies !!!!! At this point our first baby got really aroused and swiftly got into action" Voices louder than mine !!noooooooooo..I am innn!!!" . I have to accept ,he fought back really well with loud continuous cry. Now the dad's or in other words "the pacifists" took their positions and tried to pacify the warriors ( Did you notice..Night shifts belong to dads !!!Moms were fast asleep even amidst the battle..hmm...gifted beings ) . I was eagerly expecting one moment, the meeting of the pacifists !!! It finally happened. Their eyes spoke their grief, not the words. All the three turned their heads at the same time to look at their sleeping beauties (wives) and then looked at each other that said "Dude!!! same here..pity you".Then they got back to their work.

All the warriors had a good long cry. And what I was doing ???. Just sitting in my berth with my legs folded thinking and grinning at my fate. Occasionally trying to guess if any kind of symphony or tunes or remixes can be made out of the sounds. I REALLY ENVY PEOPLE WHO CAN SLEEP COMFORTABLY IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION !!! Its an art and they are blessed with it.

Getting Hitched !!!

I am hearing quite a lot of banns for the past few days from my friends as well as colleagues. My god !!! What is happening guys???? Is this world gonna end soon or any other exigencies??? Somedays back I blogged on Social Marriages. Is this trend a part of it ??? Today I got a news that my school mate,a girl,is getting married to some UK guy (Note this!!!). I was really shocked. No no no !!! Don't imagine anything. I met her few days back. She didn't tell anything about this. Thats the reason for my shock. With some visceral feelings,I blurted "why u girls are getting married so soon". Then I got to know about one guy,my school mate,tying nuptial knot in a couple of months. Now that gave me a real jerk. Am I lacking something or am I lagging in time,may be back in 1960's that I m unable to understand this culture???We had a discussion on this in our room,

(Please read this to understand the naming conventions of the persons involved)

Zaheer : You know, our college mate xyz is getting married. Groom from US.

Harbhajan was involved in some controversies with that girl while in college.No wonder,he was desolated.

Harbhajan: Guy from US ?? Hmm go-go-good(Oh oh ,Don't cry dude !!)
Zaheer : Also abc is getting married. Groom from US !!!
Parthiv : what !!! she is getting US groom!!!! ( Btw the general consensus indicated that both xyz,abc are below average)

Harbhajan was deep in thoughts. He's been a bit blue after the news of xyz's marriage.

Ganguly : What happen dude ??
Harbhajan (despondently): Even US grooms get such average girls only. How about us? Are we ineligible to live even, the cursed beings !!!!
Ganguly : Wow !!!nice observation. But what you want to do? Get into a relationship !!!Let me tell you, its absolute non-sense .(This guy broke-up recently)

Ishant came running ,

Ishant : no no love is a panacea (this guy got committed recently. So decide which one to take !!!)
Harbhajan: Whatever , I want to see what it is !!
Ishant : Good,All the best !!!
Ganguly : I pity u. You will join my club one day !!

Btw, is it necessary that one should be from US or UK to get married???? There are some guys in my office, well-paid(though not enough to meet the exorbitant requirements of the women they come across!!) still struggling to find their partner. I couldn't comprehend or reason this.

May be we could revolutionize this process of finding a bride or bride-groom. Why can't it just be like getting a job? You send your resume to a guy/girl you like with parameters such as height,weight etc,importantly photograph. If it matches their criteria then probably they will call you for personal interview with several rounds in which you may have to face his/her parents,friends,relatives and if u manage to pass all this then that guy/girl(Final round !!!). Recommendation letters or references can be an added advantage. But a caution, a much hyped company can have a bad working culture and it is a lifetime bond!!!

M$ Slangs !!!

While wandering around the web I found this interesting dictionary called Urban Dictionary. It provides definition for lot of slang words and expressions. I found some interesting definitions related to M$ (infact the definition of "M$" itself). I feel that the number of definitions related to M$ is very less considering the "ability" and "dominance" of that company. So here is my attempt to coin some terms.

1. M$ villain:

You can find this kind of villain in lot of Tamil movies. Entire city will be under his control. He will be goosestepping around the city all the time with numerous goons around him. Everyone in that city should follow his codes and conventions. He never follow any standards but what he follows is made as a standard. If someone works or talks against him,he will be crushed with iron fists.

But one day our super hero Rajnikanth will blow them away with one single push of his finger. Everyone is awaiting his arrival in that city..

2. M$ product:

A product or project that never gets completed in the stipulated time. Consider that you are building a house..

You : When will the house be ready ??

Contractor : Ahhhhhhh hmmmmm Ah,within 2 years...

You : Dude !!!this is what you said two years back. Come on,its like M$ product !!!

Contractor : Oh really !!! Then I will do one thing. I will finish the brick work within 23 months so that you can comfortably stay here.

You : Brick work alone!!!

Contractor : Yeah, interesting, isn't it? You can enjoy natural air. I will fix doors and windows within another two years.

You : Sure ,you are close to gates !!!!!!!!!!!

3. M$ Strategy:

"When you can't beat the best try to partner with the second best and announce yourself as the best. Don't worry about the quality of the product or ethics. You must monopolize and dominate every field."

4. M$ Work :

One who cares only about the presentation (in other words GUI !!)than substance,can be said as doing M$ work.
(ex)
Dude 1: Dude ! This shirt looks bad, change it. Why don't to apply some gel to you hair ???

Dude 2 : Dude ! Why you doing M$ job. I am just going to my class room !!!

Nice Comparison

Staying with your friends is always fun. Be it be college life or work life you will feel the comfort. I am staying with my friends, all software techies. It is very difficult to spend time as a group during week days as everyone is loaded with work and their definition of "Home" is "A place to sleep peacefully for at least 6 hours". Some will be loaded with work during weekends too. But last weekend the entire quorum was present. We had a nice chat session. The topics eventually succumbed to a cricket match which India won that day. It resulted in a comparison of our characters with the performance of some cricketers throughout the commonwealth tri-series. Here are the names of the cricketers and why that particular guy was personified as that cricketer.

Ishant Sharma - A guy who got committed recently and steadily progressing up in the ladder !!!

Zaheer Khan - A guy who is actually good but plagued by injuries (Err..U know what I mean)

Harbhajan Singh - A guy who gets into lot of controversies but never gets committed.

Piyush Shawla - A guy who is yet to see what is in store for him.

Venkatesh prasad(Coach)- A guy who cannot get committed but can give good advice to others.

Rahul Dravid - A guy who progress very slowly such that the game ends before he gets into action.

Saurav Ganguly - A guy who broke-up recently even after being a good performer. He was personified as ganguly only because ganguly is looking for a comeback. But that guy said he is retiring !!!


It was an interesting comparison. Try it with your friends !!!

My Travelogue II

Traveling alone is a painful experience. Not just for the loneliness but for the way other people treat you. Before all family men(FM) you will appear like a social outcast. Especially in train,if you are traveling alone, your seat number doesn't matter at all as you will teleported so many times to different locations until you end up with a group of outcasts like you. A typical situation goes like this,

You would have just settled in your designated seat. Suddenly you will notice one of the family man in your bay getting excited. Thats the first alert for you. At that moment if you have a music player, put it on your ears immediately. It doesn't matter whether it is charged or it actually works. In fact you don't even need a player, just an ear phone will do (use your intelligence here !!). Even after that if that family man murmurs something to any member of his family tree rooted there, its a second alert. Your first technique did not work as expected.

Now the best strategy is to use your mobile phone. Its up to the intellectual bend of your brain to use this technique effectively. You might call customer care and ask how you got 50 paise extra in last month bill or you might call your friend whom you never called in your lifetime and give a shock or surprise. If you have a girlfriend,well,this is the best situation to show your love towards her. Brag about how you gonna miss her, how happily you spent time with her (Though you would be back in two days,it doesn't matter!!!You got to save yourself now !!!). It is better to leave your seat, may be to the door as you can't have romantic talks in front of family men(It is considered as a biggest blunder and you will be treated like a felon.So careful !!!). It has added advantages too as most of them would not come searching for you to teleport you. Wait there until most of them settle in their places.It reduces the chance of getting teleported as family men generally hesitate to leave their place after settling there(In life too !!!)

Even after the implementation of the above techniques if they wait for you to talk to you then your situation is very critical. Now no intellectual bend can save you. But put the burden on god and try your best as it also depends on how intelligent the other person is,in convincing you.

Family Man : Excuse me, Are you traveling alone ?
You : Err,No my friend will board in hosur.
Family Man : ahh hmm,But our bay is already full. Which is his berth ?(You can notice him getting scared as he gets doubts on the reservation chart and he would start checking his train ticket to check whether he has done any mistakes in positioning his family tree)
You : No, He doesn't belong here (No other go sadly !!)
Family man(Bit irritated) : So you are alone here,in this bay?
You : Hmm ya (Trapped !!)
Family Man : SO can you shift to coach s5,seat 6 .My dad's friend's uncle's daughter-in-law is alone?? (If you are a frequent traveler you would know that its upper berth.So use that fact)
You : Is it lower berth?
Family Man : arrgh,No...
You : Hmm sorry,I got hamstring and cramp. So I wish to settle in lower berth.
Family Man : err but you are already alloted upper berth only ???
You : I will be exchanging it with my friend who is boarding in hosur.( Now you get why I introduced a new friend at the beginning!!!).

You are almost saved now. But there will be some exceptional situations in which you will see the family man's face getting bright.

Family Man : That is great. My son's friend's dad's father is in coach s8,seat 4. It is lower berth. Can you shift there?I will carry the luggages for you (trust me ,it never happened !!)
You : grrrr,ok (I feel sorry for you,can't be helped !!!)

Once you reach your new place and try to settle yourself, you will hear an anxious voice

Voice: Excuse me, Are you traveling alone ???????

GOD SAVE THE WORLD !!!!!!!

As a bachelor I always have dreams about who is going to travel with me that day. I imagine a lot of romantic situations (Ruined by movies I guess !!!) but I always end up in situations like this.

Tribute to the Genius

It feels too hard to accept that this genius is no more. "Sujatha" Rangarajan was one of the important writers who made me appreciate the quality of tamil movies through his terrific and informative dialogues. I admired his screenplay in movies like Mudhalvan(Nayak), Indian(Hindustani) etc. Hailing from science background, he was in love with writing. He aimed at making people familiar with science through his creations. I m also one among the millions of people who benefited by his creations. He made good directors through whom he conveyed messages to the society through his dialogues. One of my favorite dialog is,

"Valkailayum rewind button erunta evlo nalla erukum " (How nice it will be to live a life with rewind button !!!) from movie Mudhalvan. I love to dream over the good old days and I have often carved for a rewind button in my life (so desperate now!!!) .

also,
"Tappu enna baniyan size a, large, xl nu classify panna" (A mistake is a mistake. U cannot classify them as small,medium,large,xl ) from movie Anniyan.

I found his dialogues with subtle comedy as, much better than the loud and crass comedies we find in movies now-a-days. A little smile that it puts in your face is much better than those stupid comedy tracks by other "supposed" comedians.

One sequence from movie Ayutha Ezhutu(Yuva),(Literal translation not possible!!!Sorry)
Siddharth: avalukku semma vaai da
Siddharth's bro: ada paavi!! Kiss adichittiya?
Siddharth: cha, intelligent aa pesaraa nu solla vanthen da
Siddharth's bro: appram eppdi un kooda pesara??

He had been a trend setter. Its a great loss to art and literature. Let his soul rest in peace. He will be survived for ever by his contributions.