Utopian Dream

Current mood

2011-05-18T07:51:00.002+05:30

Main Karoo Toh Saala Character Dheela Hai...

That line says it all as I am getting ready to wind up my bachelor days. I am sure I will look back at these days of cheerful abandon, evenings of meaningless banter over tea n ahem.... and most definitely at those nights of full on masti... I might add to this post later but for today I guess this is all I have to say n that sums up my current mood...

Luv

Sumod

Turning 30

2011-04-22T13:18:00.005+05:30

Yes I watched that movie. Did I like it... of course Gul looks fabulous. Come on apart from that man what else did I like... I just realized that 30 is upon me too (less than an year to go). Although it was a chick flick I could identify a lot with it. What have I done in the list of things to do:

1) Go to a high school of my choice - Check

2) Become a computer engineer - Check

3) Visit another country - Check

4) Visit another country on vacation - Check

......

La la la la what am I doing I hate checklists and I am just turning 30 not dying... oops gotta go am feeling hungry...

Back with an apple... like they say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Speaking of doctors my health hasn't been the greatest ever. A trip to Chennai on work for a month didn't help either. Hot weather, boring food and the two Ls of my life liquor and laptop missing definitely took it's toll. Ok let's take another shot at making a list. This time of things that I am looking forward to doing in the next half (or less) of my life...

1) Getting married ... yes yes yes I am ready and not scared at all. actually looking forward to it. Now apart from my parents there is one more person whom I can trouble by being my wayward and irresponsible self... Oh ya that prospect totally thrills me. The girl I am marrying does read my blog so honey if you are reading this I love you but yes will trouble you a lot.

2) Going on a honeymoon - He he he he yes one of the many perks of getting married ;-)

3) Writing a book - I won't reveal the plot here don't worry

4) Travelling, travelling n more travelling - Love all new experiences

5) Opening a restro bar - Just remembered that i need to start saving up for that

I could go on and on so let us leave it at that for now... Now here is to a list of things that I wont (have) to do:

1) Get hair implants - Got a thick coat of hair (all over ;) don't believe me... I can prove it he he he he ) Even if I lose my hair I swear I will go for the bald with a French beard look

2) Wear attractive liengerie - Never needed it and will not if u get the flow ;-)

3) Tummy tuck - Need one but will never go for it

4) Quit my job - Whatever complains I have against them and whatever they have against me even out so I guess I am there till they get tired of me or I get tired of them :D go figure

Good now that I have broken in my new keyboard you guys are free to go. The apple has disappeared and big boys need more than an apple for lunch... Till later ppl

Luv

Sumod

P.S: If you did not get the liengerie bit then don't sweat it... Ignorance is bliss.

Why is it..

2009-12-22T03:31:00.003+05:30

Why is it that I have craved for attention this long
Why do I seek approval
Why is it that I hate it even if one single person doesnt like me
I am not a nice guy
No not by any stretch of anyone's imagination
All that talk abt everyone is good.. All BS

I feel like boxing
Hitting someone till it hurts me
tea and biscoti,,, davidoff in front of me... but I dont yearn for a smoke anymore
Its been quite a while... I have some work but someone else is using the mainframe id...

I just watched vaaranam aayiram... rather long movie... sameera reddy in this movie makes me want to fall in love again... :D some dust on the screen of my toshiba... made it look like an extra full stop...eyes are closing but I have work... i might have pissed someone off with my deeds or maybe this person is just playing around... i do care coz i seek approval... lemme see what can be done... running low of battery... plugged it in... feeling really sleepy

gotta go bye.. later

Of profile pictures

2009-02-01T06:34:00.003+05:30

Here I am,
The man who gazes at profile pictures,
In my room or in the middle of a traffic jam,
People standing in various postures.
I see them, some that i know
Some that I wanna forget
Some as I see, they seem to grow
Chuckle chuckle who is that midget
Is that you Tiny before you started to bloat
And who is the hot lady you have with you
Oh do tell her she looks good in that mink coat
The car in the background is that new?

Ah I see him, my best friend from childhood,
He used to be the big brother of the neighbourhood.
I see the scar from the crash etched deep in his face,
All traces of tenderness erased without a trace.
There she is, the long lost love of my life,
Now she is another man's wife.
I stare at another sepia picture.
Of the other girl I used to like,
So scarred, so scared I waited
I waited too long and she found Mike.
I look at all my buddies,
Counting the bleassings that I have.

Yesterday a picture changed,
The face remains the same the t-shirt seems new.
Yesterday a picture changed,
The face remains the same the attitude seems new.
Yesterday there was just one person,
Today's profile seems to have two.
Did you get married or is that your girlfriend,
Good to know that you've become a father of two.
The family pic that's on your profile,
There were 20 people yesterday now there are 22,
The family pic in his profile,
Today there are many tomorrow there could be few.

Jus browsing...

2008-12-08T11:06:00.005+05:30

I was just browsing the net today and came across something fun. Don't all of us have a point to make, some of us on almost everything. Well that's the point of the site called "What's your point?". Find out how many people think the same way you do.

Pros: Very random, Good for those sleepy afternoons at work, Bright colors.

Cons: Can be addictive, Makes a little noise so turn down the volume, No boss protection.

I am EmeraldFoamBulldog and I think this website is cool, and that's my point.

Ha ha ha ha....

2008-08-30T07:04:00.004+05:30

What a joke!!!!!!!! Yes I have the time to write... A hiatus of 6 months, alternating between a multitude/myriad/n to the power infinity of emotions, choose whichever what do they say... "makes your world go around". I'll be darned dashed and a blistering fool too if I say that I care about what you like.

Like someone I know says "Presentation is the name of the game". Write utter gibberish in bulleted points and watch 'em lap it up. So here goes my bulleted point outloook of the last six months(or should I call it the insider's scoop... get it insider's ha ha ha... what a joke... wait am I going around in circles... must be confused as usual... and why am I still writing within the brackets). Oh and by the way I dont care if you are still reading. I am WELL and truly beyond that friggin point. "Ohhh Sumod you just abused. This is not correct. Such a bad thing you know.".. Bugger off arsehole!!!

Yeh hain amrika meri jaan...
-----------------------------

Excited... yo baby... amrika here I come. Fast life, gori mems and dollar mein kamayee. That's what I was thinking all the way to the airport... the exact same waves of pleasure were swimming in my head, in slow motion of-course, two sparkling waters down at 10,000 feet in the air (Isn't that how high airplanes get... HIGH har har har get it HIGH... God I am killing myself with my jokes).

Work work work....
-------------------

Of course I had conveniently forgotten that there was something called work that needed to be done. RFA230 came back to haunt me. I will not explain what that is... those who know that this is the "longest and most excruciating project ever" just know it as a fact of life and the rest of you are better off not knowing what I just told you.

Beep... beep... beep... there I just deleted a whole lot of lines about a load of stuff related to work. Work issues - sometimes you face them but most of the times you create them. I am sure all of my employed friends know this and those of you who got fired this weekend you might just have to rethink your strategies. Oh and I am broke so I can't lend you those 500 dollars ($$$ dhik $$$ chik) that you had promised your gori girlfriend, so dont bother to call before you find a new job. Leave a voice mail when that happens will ya...

You get some you give a lot.
----------------------------

One thing I promise however is that I will never EVER EVER again in my life TAKE SHIT from anyone. I had promised myself the same thing earlier but sometimes one gets overwhelmed by the situation (obligation???) and tends to break promises made to oneself. So as an imposition:

I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again
I promise I will never take shit from anyone again.....

I hope you don't believe that I typed it out so many times. Naaah you don't need to teach a S/W engineer how to copy and paste, do you.

AND I WILL NEVER LOSE FAITH IN MYSELF... I am friggin what I fucking am.

Now coming to the part I like best. There is but one life to be irrevrent, insolent and ungreatful (not to your parents you dumb son/dot of a gun). So here I am as irrevrent and rude as it gets but "very humbly so" lest some dimwit reading this gets offended. Oh by the way if any of you blighters intend on pissing me off make sure you don't leave me breathing after that coz I swear upon my conscience that I will hunt you down and make you pay for it. All of you who know how immoral and unethical I am must be heaving a sigh of relief.... Conscience, immoral... opposites... get it Duh!!! Breathe now....

Heart aches/breaks/throbs and all that...
------------------------------------------

Lubh the most integral and elusive part of my life in India, chugs along just as merrily here. Not that I am getting all hot and bothered about it. Flings and flirts keep me going.... Wham bam thank you for the variety bhagwan...

Btw I prefer ebony to white and you brown ladies out there are the best.... Rock hard... ooops I mean rock on.

"Sumooooooooood what you are writing is pornography. Maybe that is what you are meant to write and not code"... Yes yes yes ... bugger off now before I have to personally come down there and whip your sorry ass.

Woooooooooow feels so good after this blog. Better than the best orgasm I ever had.... So here is to all you ppl out there... Enjoy and have a blast... but don't lose your head (Get it??? Blast... lose your head... har har har me and my jokes).

In spanking fine form,
Sumod

"Err... Sumod I thought you were going to write in bulleted points..."... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

A hair cut and a shave...

2008-02-18T21:01:00.012+05:30

Hi all,

This is what I have been saying to people who have been asking "What have been upto?"; "Giving my blog a much required haircut and a shave."

Some stuff that I have put on the blog includes email subscription to the blog feed:

All you need to do now to subscribe to the Utopian Dream is to make your way to the dark green sidebar of the page and subscribe to the email feed. Alternatively you can subscribe to the feed on your MyYahoo, iGoogle or get it messaged to your phone using Pulsmo; all links given in the sidebar, below the shoutbox.

Also added a reader count chicklet just below the profile information to keep track of the number of subscribers to the blog.

So do subscribe to receive updates as soon as I blog. :-) Thanks guys and of course the gals!!!

The requiem of an advancing goalkeeper

2008-02-08T17:41:00.000+05:30

I stand here transfixed, like one of those vampires from a B-grade Dracula flick, who just had a stake driven through the heart or whatever it is that vampires keep in their breast pockets. The only difference being that, in my favorite blue jersey, pair of black shorts, brand new Pike studs and gloves, I am way too abundantly clad to resemble one of those white sheets of horror in their birthday suits. Inside I feel just as pale and hollow. Through the cobwebs in my brain I see the advancing striker who to my clouded mind bears a stark resemblance to that sinful hero from Van Helsing, his name escapes me now. It does not matter, nothing intelligible is registering anyways. Every step he takes just doubles the weight causing that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. The only word that bounces off the walls of my skull and dives back into my brain like the hangover of a bad vocabulary test is Déjà vu.

It can’t be happening again. The colors and layers that make up the landscape seem to fall apart like bricks under the onslaught of a wrecking ball, only give way to scenes from another day. I feel like I have been teleported back in time, to the match against Al Brahrim. I had gotten to know just before the start of the match that I was going to be presented with the award for the league’s MVP (Most Valuable Player). My team regardless of the results of today’s match had been crowned league champions. Boundless joy jumped up and down in the confines of my brain and just like today but under extremely different circumstances; nothing was registering in the mind. The game seemed headed for a dull goalless draw thanks to some spineless display from the forwards of both the teams. Both my counterpart and I were having an easy day at office if one could say so about a goalkeeper’s job. Deep into injury time I began to unwind and my already meandering mind seemed to take off into another dimension. There I pictured myself receiving the MVP award with the love of my life cheering me from the stands as I winked at her and blew her a kiss to serve as a reminder for what was in store later. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Al Brahrim’s star striker Wadghi Al Kebib start to make a powerful run with the ball. Shutting out the delicious thoughts wiggling around in my mind I focused on the job at hand.

Al Kebib was the very best the league had to offer. At 6 ft 1 inch he was just about the perfect height for a striker and his lightening speed was enough to strike terror in the hearts of the best defenders and goalkeepers. No not me, I knew that I was prepared. I was considered one of those natural goalkeepers who shared an unique bond with the football. It seemed to follow me, literally do hysterics in the air to reach me not quite unlike the iron filings attracted by a powerful magnet. Back in the field it was a two on one situation, two of my best defenders against the best center forward in the league. The hunter was being stalked. Not for long though. He sold a dummy to the first defender and it soon looked like he was going to outrun the other defender. I didn’t want to make my move yet, let him come a bit closer. He was almost at the top of the box when I realized that it was now or never. It was the best opportunity to claim the ball as my own. I burst off my line, just as the second defender lunged forward desperately only to tackle thin air, as it was up to me now. I closed in on him alert of any attempt from him to chip the ball over my head at the slightest chance. I stumbled letting my guard down for a split second. That was all he needed; there he was going for the chip.

I regained my composure just as his foot made contact with the ball. To the horror of the home fans he had miscued the shot. Instead of sailing comfortably over my head, the ball almost apologetically dipped towards my feet, as the collective sound of thousands of people dejectedly slumping back into their seats emanated from the stands. I bent down gleefully with open arms to welcome the ball like one welcomes a lover who had a bad day at work being kicked around by people around him/her. This ill-fated love was however destined to go unrequited. The adulterous lover of a ball hit a bump in the ground and found its way through the gap between my legs and rolled over the dreaded white line to snuggle comfortably in the corner of the net far away from my reach. I was left rooted in an utterly awkward position, bent over and watching the ball through the gap it had so evidently left. The crowd erupted, but wait over those euphoric cries of the fanatical supporters I could hear another sound. Peals of laughter made their way to my ears completing my humiliation. Video clips of my slip up would be played over and over again in the days to come and autopsies conducted by the pundits of TRP hungry sports broadcasters; on why I had missed. It didn’t really matter though; nothing intelligible was registering in my mind anyways.

I close my eyes to try and refocus on the task at hand. Just yesterday my agent had told me that Real Arizona United, the best football club in the world had finally agreed to a 5 year $20 million contract. I was elated, I was rich and I was going to play for my dream club. Everything is just perfect, way too perfect. I open my eyes to see that Van Helsing, let’s call him that till I recall his name, has already dodged two defenders and is about to outpace the third. I have to leave my line and move forward to try and thwart his attempt. My body wants to move but I am rooted to the spot. Any super glue manufacturers who see me now will immediately sign me on for one of their commercials. Shrugging off the last defender Van unleashes a powerful shot. I dive instinctively, thankfully in the right direction. There is too much swerve on the ball, I am not going to get to it, I should have moved forward, but what if the ball had refused to come into my grasp again. An indecision I am going to regret or is it. Is there too much swerve on the ball, looks like there is a chance it might miss the net. It doesn’t really matter does it? I had not shown the guts to advance. Nothing else matters now and nothing intelligible is registering in my mind anyways.

Some equations....

2008-01-19T23:51:00.000+05:30

Dominant force - Underhand tactics = Not so dominant after all.

Indian team spirit * Strong captain at the helm = Come thumbs up down under

World champion team / Soul searching = Looking up Kaptain Kumble's number

Talented youth + Time tested experience = Winning Combination

Salaam India :-)
Sumod

CAR! Aaru N(j)ano???

2008-01-13T18:52:00.000+05:30

Picture Courtesy: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/

For those uninitiated to the mallu language; the title of this post means "CAR (huge exclamation) who me???" Why not; after all the Nano just costs a lakh. So now even njan (moi) can own a Nano.

According to the pundits Tata's new indigenous economic wonder is all set to give the 2-wheeler market a run for it's money. The overwhelming feeling is that people who are already poised to buy a car will not opt for a Nano now as it might be considered a step back. Hence the Swifts and the Santros can breathe easy for now. The natural target is the 2-wheeler owning junta who now have a chance consider the safety and capacity of 4 wheels over their trusty steeds not to mention the obvious pride at having doubled the number of wheels owned. Another obvious customer segment could comprise of existing car owners who might want a spare car but could not find a way of fitting it into the budget earlier. There will also be a set of hobby buyers but that will probably be a very small segment.

Although it is too early in the day to comment about the sucess of this venture one has a feeling that this category of economy class cars is here to stay and will herald new cost cutting and process improvement measures in the car manufacturing process. The Tatas have just lowered the bar for entry into the psuedo elite car owners society. Obvious business strategies by key competitors like Maruti would be to reduce the cost of the 800 to under a lakh.

Moving on to the other eco in this equation; the adverse ecological effects that Nano could probably cause. A low priced car could only lead to the increase in congestion and emission of CO2 equivalent gases. Estimations made in an article in the Economic Times suggests that in the next 5 years Nano will only attribute to an 8% increase in the CO2 levels. Not as drastic as a few might say.

For now let us wait and watch as to how the script unfolds for Tata's Little Wonder.

Also check:

With Cars in Reach, Indians Must Learn to Drive (January 11, 2008)

Four Wheels for the Masses: The $2,500 Car (January 8, 2008)

Happy Driving,

Sumod

Chuckle chuckle chuckle... just felt like posting this.

2008-01-13T00:26:00.000+05:30

This post will smack and reek of an overdose of narcissism. So roll out your tounges and unclog your nostrils if you want to enjoy it. Just kidding... This is just a self indulgent post which brinks on narcissism and is most definitely a waste of web space. Well actually it might not be that bad when you compare it with the ones featured on http://www.worstoftheweb.com/; absolute peaches a couple of them. Be sure to check out their archive while you are at it.

The post that follows this intro is a collection of one liners and multi-liners that I have used in order to divert attraction towards me and some of the noble causes I stand for (to be read as "increasing the readership of the Utopian Dream"). So here goes:

About Me

Some say I am a nice guy, some say I am goon material, some say I am funny, some say I am wierd... Yet some more say i am cute and there are a few who believe I am mean. Gosh are these ppl messed up or what... (Orkut, Blogger et al)

Rutting Rat, Strutting Frog... I am mad and I sleep like a log. (Shoutbox on Yahoo 360)

A bad poet, who cant sit quiet. mirror cracking material, waiting for an experience par surreal a lil loony a lil arse headed but, waiting for my "screw" like any nut (About me on Yahoo 360)

The groove of a despicable and contemptible person. (About my ex-incog(nito) blog http://www.ruttingrat.blogspot.com/)

G-talk status a.k.a my worst (to be read as best) one-liners.

All projects are in the pipeline and I am in the drainage. (Self explanatory right??? Else gimme a call on +91-9886548049 and I will explain.)

Immortal Till I Die. (On one of those arrogant days when I felt that only death can stop me from getting what I want... much to the amusement of my boss)

Shit falls exactly when i forget my umbrella. (One rainy day when I forgot my umbrella, got shat on by a crow perched on the tree i selected to stand under, had a mailbox jampacked with work, a couple of absconding and a couple of aberrant resources all packed into one)

finally not @ ofc, chillin @ home , back @ ofc (the cycle hmmmm no the circle of my life a.k.a "A big zero")

bring on the champagne... (a message to ring in the year 2008... here is to all that did not happen in 2007)

no not really... (On days when my answer to any question you ask including "Do you use your brain at all?" would be "no not really"...)

No monkey business this... @ http://utopianation.blogspot.com/ (Begging anyone who cares to look at my status message to visit my blog)

Available... but at a price. (chuckle chuckle chuckle... Sumod you pervert)

That's all folks. These are the ones fresh in my mammary. I swear that I will keep this post updated with the latest. So come back for more if you haven't had enough already. Oh people, one more thing, if you see the above lines being used elsewhere then please get back to me before the actual owner of the line does.

Note: Any reference to any of my resources, bosses or animal friends is purely coincidental and not entirely intentional.

Adios ppl,

Sumod

"Jack of one liners and master of none."

No monkey business this...

2008-01-07T22:32:00.000+05:30

Enough said about the on field antics of a certain cricketing team. Let us leave it to the high priests of cricket to sort out matters between the two teams. Let's see how life as we know it will be affected by this incident:

Act 1 Scene 1

Some kids playing gilli-danda in a posh Indian village (somewhere in modern day Gujrat I am led to believe)

Bhajju: (patting Lijju's bottom) Oye... why in god's name is Simmu jumping around like a monkey. Has he got the crabs???

Simmu: Oh... teri maa ki aankh... tune mujhe bandar bulaya. Chal sarpanch ke paas u bloody homo.

Haggu: (He has just returned from a tour to the UK with a hangover... oops stopover in Australia) Good on u mate... Let's teach this bawstard a lesson.

Sachu: Arrey mere priya doston shanti rakho...

Yuvesh: Arrey yeh log kaise rakh sakte hain... Shantipriya toh mere saath hain... Nahin doonga nahin doonga (jumps around in glee and accidentally sits down on the danda... ouch !@#$)

Donu: Chokri gayee... chokri ke peeche bhaagte bhaagte naukri gayee... ab kahin yeh log mujhe team se nikal na de..... I should have stuck to tennis.... Bas paani bujhaye pyaas baaki all means loads of cash :-)

Kumbhu: Only one team is playing in the right spirit.

Pintu: You are right mate * hic * (Holding up his half empty bottle of Faujster)

Bhakki: What's goin on??? Who switched off the lights???

Bensu: Dunno yaar... let's ask Pintu, he is the only one with the right spirit.

Bhakki: Maybe imbibing some of that spirit will improve my eyesight. Wat say?

Bensu: Dunno yaar... let's ask Pintu bhaiya.

Someone switches on the floodlights and all of them make their way to meet the Sarpanch.

Act 1 Scene 2

A panchyat has been called. Everyone is present and case has been stated. The arrogant but just Sarpu as he is lovingly called is about to deliver his verdict...

Sarpu: Ladies and gentleman. The moment all of you have been waitin for. The verdict in the racial abuse case. And the talented player who came in second today is... Ladies and gentleman IT IS ......................................................................... time for a short break... Duh... Of course you are watching this on TV... Only our satellite can transmit these pictures direct into ur living room... So mere doston iss se jyaada kuch bhi mat wish karo....

Thankfully there is only one commercial... where a certain gentleman puts a part of himself... in his purplish magentaish brownish pink mailbox... the only problem is that he forgot his password... Now the poor guy can't take his part out... The poor AzwhOL..

Sarpu: Welcome back ladies and gentleman (winks knowingly at Sachu)... The votes are in and the verdict is out. You the junta found Bhajju guilty of racial abuse. We therefore sentence Bhajju to cough up a hefty sum of 2.3 dozen bannanas to the victim of this abuse.

Simmu, Pintu and their group of rowdy ruffians form a huddle and jump up and down for joy. Some of them pump their fists at the bystanders almost beheading some respectable villagers. It takes one back to the days when Ramayan used to be aired on national T.V. and Ram and his Vanar sena jumped up and down for joy after defeating the ten (or was it eleven) headed Ravana in an epic battle... Darn it's making me nostalgic.

Simmu: We won... Pintu bhaiya we won...

Sarpu: Not so fast my son. When did I say you won. I was talking about the complaint on racial abuse lodged against Bhajju by the village's favorite monkey Chimpu. He came to me before you found your way here and accused Bhajju of racially abusing and degrading him by comparing him to you. So the 2.3 dozen bannanas and our heartfelt apologies for this unfortunate incident to Chimpu.

The village erupts in joy... Pintu falls to the ground and starts retching... must be from an overdose of the right spirit.

Don't go away I will be back tomorrow with Act 2 of this critically acclaimed prime time hogging drama.

Luv,

Sumod

No not really.

2007-12-13T20:37:00.000+05:30

What a great day.

No not really.

Extraordinary in some way?

No not really.

Unexpected encounters of the third kind?

No not really.

Way out of my mind?

No not really.

Haphazard communication?

No not really.

Unexpected termination?

No not really.

Storm in my teacup?

No not really.

My ultimate hiccup?

No not really.

Impending reconciliation?

No not really.

Or just a lack of sanitation?

No not really.

Want to make some news?

No not really.

Willing to pay my dues?

No not really.

Sticking to a diet?

No not really.

Putting up a fight?

No not really.

Coincidence you say?
No not really.
Fate holds sway?
No not really.

Confusing you think?

No not really.

Or a little too much of drink?

No not really.

Am I lost?

No not really.

Wanted to publish this post?

No not really.

Colors...

2007-12-07T18:19:00.000+05:30

Colors oh these colors,
To my horror of horrors,
Turn a shade of dread,
Messing with my head.

Like rashes on my skin,
Or like my dear kith and kin,
They hang on to me,
My every bit aches to be free.

The blue of my t-shirt,
To the red of my fresh hurt,
The green of my envy,
Oh how it consumes me.

My liquid nitrogen anger,
Makes me think clearer,
While the black of my monitor,
Stares back at me in horror.

Numerous nodal connexions,
Pink fleshy juxtapositions,
Nerves of the color steel,
Resolve not to let me heal.

Oh how oh how can I breathe easy,
With these colors driving me crazy;
Come oh come and rescue me.
Consider this invitation obligatory…

My political awakening?

2007-11-25T18:07:00.001+05:30

It's shameful if you ask me. Such a big sin. I had till the 25th year of my existence not attached too much importance to politics and it's influence in my life. Ever the utopian I have believed that any government for the people which does not endorse anarchy is ok with me. That me and you, in our overtly genteel society, can actually sit back and contemplate on the stark realities of somebody else's life is a real paradox.

Maybe my father's political experiences as a youth in the red state of Kerala coupled with my admiration for all that he has achieved as an individual and this throbbing need to uphold his beliefs (be a good at least in this way) has always led me to believe that even I was a communist. What does the word mean? Why should I bother, it runs in the blood bro.

What communism meant to me those days?

I have been brought up in a communist bastion (West Bengal) by parents who uphold the same beliefs. I have also seen the amount of strikes and agitations that used to be and still continue to be rampant. These agitations I have always believed were for the betterment of the working class. Not an extremely progressive tactic but certainly very appealing to any impressioable young mind. I hadnt done too much reading on communist ideologies (not that I am an authority on them now, neither have I read the Communist Manifesto but atleast I am better informed.) but I knew that the communists were a force who worked for the upliftment of the poor. People who sought equality.

What led me to revisit this?

Communists are people who support the poor working class and work towards bringing up their standard of living. True, you would say but then what happened at Nandigram. Weren't the poor and their rights suppressed there? This is what led me to actually look up what communism actually meant and what are the basic concepts and ideologies of communism.

Wikipedia (don't laugh at it, a man can only look in so many places) offers this defenition 'Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production.'

Also, bumped into a short write-up on the communist manifesto and it's ten planks which are as follows:

1. Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes. (no rent :))

2. A heavy progressive or graduated income tax..... hmmmm

3. Abolition of all right of inheritance..... no more baap ka maal

4. Confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels..... no more NRI qouta???

5. Centralization of credit in the hands of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital and an exclusive monopoly.

6. Centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the State.

7. Extension of factories and instruments of production owned by the State; the bringing into cultivation of waste-lands, and the improvement of the soil generally in accordance with a common plan.

8. Equal liability of all to labour. Establishment of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.

9. Combination of agriculture with manufacturing industries; gradual abolition of the distinction between town and country, by a more equable distribution of the population over the country.

10. Free education for all children in public schools. Abolition of children's factory labour in its present form. Combination of education with industrial production.

Reading all this actually made me realise that communism apart from being revolutionary also put a large number of restrictions which sometimes could conflict with the fabric of being a middle-class Indian. We are so very used to passing down possesions from generation to generation as are most other cultures. Not really the proliterat, a member of the lower middle class starts breaking away from communism, when he/she desires to own a piece of land or to emigrate to another country.

Where do I find myself now?

A bit confused at first. Am i really a communist? Am I hard core right-wing? Am I a fascist? Do I hate and crush opposition?

Hmmm... I might be able to identify with some of the theories of communism but I dont think I am a hardcore communist. I think I am more of a liberal. Someone who believes that individual liberty and equality of opportunity are things that needs to be valued most over anything else. Sometimes at work though there have been cases when a little bit of iron handed rule had to be applied but all that is to combat incompetency in general.

Liberalism and it's various forms support a number of basic principles, including extensive freedom of thought and speech, limitations on the power of governments, the rule of law, the free exchange of ideas, a market or mixed economy, and a transparent system of government. This looks like something which I can identify with more.

There, that is a beginning I guess. At least I am awake. But a lot more material to read and a lot more thoughts that need to run through my mind before I can finally RIP (politically speaking).

Adios ppl or should I say Salute commrade!!!

Back with(out) a bang...

2007-11-09T18:35:00.000+05:30

Bang... whoosh... kaboom... rat-a-tat-a-tat-tat…. No no no that's not me coming back with a bang. These are the sounds that are rocking the very insides of my mortal existence... Yes it’s that time of the year again… Happy Diwali!!!

These sounds, though they don’t mean much to me anymore (except of course for the rock concert of a racket they create ya that khalbali inside the brain), do sometimes transport me back to Kolkata and Kali Pujo. Oh ya the amount of chocolate bombs, dodomas (double dhamaka ones), rockets we used to launch. Those were the days. Well a lot of memories are associated with those festive evenings. A lot more sounds linger in my memory apart from those of the crackers. The popping up of a crush somewhere, the sound of a well rounded puchka (gol guppa) going squish inside the mouth, a heartbreak here, a window pane there. Well that’s a walk down memory lane for you. Now you know a bit about my childhood and also know that I can actually tell one sound apart from another.

Well, life has been quite fast over that last few months. Lots happening, no no not my love life… I am not telling you anything about that in this post. Ok let me list down a few events arranged, hmmm let me see, well in no particular order (just like my life no law and order):

1. People thought I was good enough to host a show. Don’t go “Egaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad how could they”. I was shocked my self. I was so shocked that I actually went ahead and accepted it. Well it was the annual day function at work and I was teamed up with this pretty young thing. A true case of beauty meets the beast if you ask me (of course me being the beauty there… just kidding). I also found a didi (there are you happy now) from Naktala (my locality in Kolkata) @ office. Guess who the chief guest was, yeah Sagarika Ghatge (a.k.a Preeti Sabharwal of Chak De fame). The audience was all going ga ga over her, but I maintained my grace and dignity and stayed aloof from her and her attempts to talk to me. Darn was the security tight or what. I did manage to get a snap clicked with her, and also had a little chit chat with her mom ;-)

2. I got my visa stamped and might be going onsite early next year according to some (un)reliable sources. The trip to Chennai was great as usual, the loving autowalas, the caring policemen, and the pleasant weather. I just can’t seem to get enough of the place. Well actually these are the only negatives of an otherwise great city. The hotel was overbooked so they gave us a suite, with an internet connection, mini bar and all the works. Talk about getting lucky.

3. Oh talking about lucky. Lucky was here in town for a couple of months, always a pleasure to have around. Thank you Lucky for all the coffee and wada treats. We also went and watched a movie in the Gold Class @ PVR. Pretty neat setup but a tad overpriced I feel. Also in town was Sameera a.k.a blogu, my friend from the blogsphere. We went saree shopping and I increased my G.K. about where to find great sarees in Blore. Hope my mom is not reading this. Hi mom!!! It’s a good shop but I kind of forgot the name. Also caught up with Vivek and Sarosh, my pals from school, at Barista the other day. They complimented me on my perfect figure.

4. AB and band have come up with a new track All The Girls Go. Make sure you listen to them @ http://www.myspace.com/rhythmmandir.

5. I am buying a car. Yep finally fell for the black Swift. It will be delivered within a couple of weeks. There goes half my salary every month for the next five years. Well it’s technically not half my salary for the next five years because I am expecting a raise sometime in the next five years but yes let us not go into the details of my rather messy financial life. It will just suffice you to know that if anything is more messed up than my love life (or the lack of it), then it’s my financial life (or the lack of it).

6. I tried out Facebook. Pretty neat stuff. Loads of virtual goodies. Great place to kill some quality time. Oh yeah I tried out something pretty cool too. A friend of mine took me to a bartending session, conducted by Smirnoff where they taught us a lot about cocktails and home bars. They even gave us cool certificates and taught us cool bartender tricks. I actually spilled a lot of alcohol all over the place trying one of those tricks. Can't wait to start my own personal home bar, will have to find a way to fit it into a conservative Mallu home, but Sumod always finds a way out doesnt he.

7. Last but not the least, from the frivolous to the spiritual. I went on a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. Yes people I actually climbed all the way up, one painful step at a time and oh if that was a piece of cake then they climb down was defenitely the icing on that cake. I couldn't feel my left thigh for two days after the trip. I am sure all my sins were washed away by that barefoot trek. Well atleast it washed away a few extra calories. The darshan was great and the prasadam was yummm. I was actually abstaining for a period of 41 days before the trip, no cursing, no non-veg, no alcohol, no wild parties (rather no making parties wild) and no err, ummm, well no "a lot of other things".

This is essentialy the gist of all that has been happening in my life over the last few months. The decibel level in the street has gone down and I think its safe to venture out now. So long people and I really hope that you found this peep into my life most insightful and informative. Please make sure your children read this. Who knows they might just get a question or two from "The life and times of Sumod Nair" in their tests.

Till we meet next time good night, namaskar and shabba khair (can someone tell me what it exactly means).

Swan Song of a Household Help

2007-06-16T11:39:00.000+05:30

Is there anything I can do for you?
Anything at all.
Tell me madam tell me now,
Once and for all.

Have been waiting all these years,
At your beck; on your call.
Curse me babu one more time,
Before I fall.

For your pranks and all your mischief’s,
I have taken the fall.
Melt me baba with your mischievous smile,
On my knees I crawl.

Back from your drunken late night parties,
When you trip; I break your fall.
Scold me missy with those intoxicating eyes,
Before my knell tolls.

From the utensils in the kitchen,
To my white coverall.
I will miss the mice that scurry away,
When I mop the hall.

Spent the best part of my life serving,
Trying to please one and all,
But like all good things,
On this too the curtains must fall.

Walking away into the distant sunset,
There descends on me a gloomy pall,
Who will water the tulsi I planted,
Yesterday, by the wall?

The New Rhythm Mandir Video.... :)

2007-06-09T10:50:00.000+05:30

Ppl ppl ppl.... Rhythm Mandir and AB are back with their video of Uptown

Check it out... Includes clips from their performance at the Bollwood Music Awards, Nov 4th, 2006 at the Trump Taj (Atlantic City)... Go AB Go

Rainbow Raani... Interview with the guyz

The Rat's Rut...

2007-06-09T08:35:00.000+05:30

There was time when my frustration used to be latent. Those days I had the feeling that I was a despicable person (not that I have reason to feel otherwise now). I have left myriad footprints (pawprints rather) on the net during my incognito traversals to discover the truth about myself (or the true me... whatever). I feel its time the Rat in me comes to the fore and though I am still meandering (and frustrated... not latent anymore), there is this benign (benevolent almost...) feeling that some of the pawprints shouldn't go unnoticed. So for the benefit of the entire human race I unveil The Rat's Rut.

I have a plan to make a book out of this where the Rat is the central character. Something one could relate to the documentary Tales of the Rat Fink (2006), although not entirely the same. The sketch should be somewhat similar to that of the original Rat Fink though I might have to modify it before my blog becomes an IP (Intellectual Property for the uninitiated) hotspot.

Now read on... You might want to link to The Rat's Rut for better reading pleasure. Or what the heck just read on...

Hello world!!!

The rat is born. Now it has to rut. Where do I start?

Hmmm. I need five more minutes to figure that out, but I CANNOT wait that long to make my first post in the blog world.

So, here goes...

Launching the Rat's Rut, something which I personally hope no other rodent lays it's dirty eyes/paws on.

HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO WORLD!!!

The Emperor Of Rutistan

Trumpets sound… 21 gunshots one after the other ring out clear in the cumulus infected late morning sky, making humanely invisible perforations in the pregnant clouds on their way up to meet their creator. The creator smiles, clearly satisfied with the seemingly paltry sacrifice, as he parts the silvery blue ceiling with a perfectly circular beam of golden light laden with blessings, lending a very snug feel to the whole setting.

The trumpets part from the kissing lips that blew life into them and the ringing in my ears from the gunshots is replaced by the herald proclaiming “King of Kings, Emperor of Emperors, Shadow of God on Earth, Emperor of Rutistan, Emperor Rutting Rat The (Two to the Power Rutting Eight)th”. That is my cue. This is my day. Little does the herald know that he has not just ushered in the new Emperor of Rutistan, his savior and master of his fortune but also the most glorious period in the history of Rutistan, and more importantly the most important period of my life. I step forward basking in the glow of attention, satisfaction and glorification to take my rightful place in the an(n)als of history.

-o-

I promiseeeeeeeee that I will continue this and take it to completion, unlike most other things that come under my purview although I will not be responsible for any delay or slump in interest from my part. Darn I am becoming too good at writing disclaimers!!! Must be all the documentation I get to do at work.

Till we meet again folks RIP (Rut In Peace)...!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Happy New Year!!!

2007-03-21T11:48:00.000+05:30

No, please do not to be mistaken... I am not just wishing you a Happy Telegu New Year (Ugadi) but also a Happy English New Year. Yes, this happens to be my first post in 2007.

The fair share of obstacles apart here are some of the most significant things that have happened:-

A shift in location.

Bye-bye Hyderabad. Watch out B'lore!!!

I had a real good time in Hyderabad with so many friends and so many bitter-sweet memories. That place will always remain very close to my heart. It was however inevitable that I move on from Hyderabad (in case you know my past history you will be not really be surprised).

After being sent on a short term transfer for 3 months I was eventually asked to stay back and continue working from B'lore. Coming here has been like a breath of fresh air. After seeing most of my friends leaving Hyd for one reason or the other I had almost taken to a reclusive lifestyle. Those cobwebs have certainly been wiped clean now.

A shift in project.

Finally!!! My worries about the 2 years I spent in the same project with limited opportunities to grow technically and professionally have finally been put to rest. I have been assigned a new project which is technically more challenging. More challenges :-) --> more opportunities :-) --> more responsibilities :-(. Well there has to be a flip side to everything. Right?

My First Anniversary

Successfully celebrated my first smokeless anniversary :)!!! Yes it's been exactly a whole year since I quit that dastardly approach of mine to solving problems called smoking (no offence meant to my ex-fellow smokers). This was made doubly difficult by the more than fair share of problems that I was faced with last year. A taxing year I must say.

My First Adventure Trip

Survived my first adventure trip!!! A trip to a scenic location called Honnemardu with a great gang of people. I am actually indebted to a few of them for sticking by my side during that climb back from Jog falls (Yep, we went there too). Had it not been for those shouts of "Sumod, you there buddy???" I would probably have spent my night on that trail, sharing that rocky bed with creepy crawlies of various shapes, sizes, colors and venomous potencies. I can still feel that cold shudder, the one that differentiates man from God, running down my spine when I think of what would probably have become of me. Grit 'n' determination and a bunch of sweet people to the rescue yet again! This seems to have become the story of my life. :)

Speaking of rock! Iron Maiden was here. They came, they rocked, they conquered. That's all I am going to say about that. Hallowed be their name.

Ab tak 5000

5000 visitors and 46 posts later I still feel the same thrill when I am about to post another article here on my Utopian Dream. Another milestone (my 50th post) awaits.

Current Feeling...

Relief. Relieved about having left 2006 and it's problems far behind. Relieved to know that the fruits of patience aren't always bitter. Feeling relieved that I am not the only person experiencing this phenomenon. I think it's better that I wake up and smell the coffee before these waves of relief washing over me conspire to drown me in all the happiness that surrounds. Time I learnt to navigate these happy waters.

Well here is a toast to Happiness Rediscovered.

'Drinking' life to the lees,
Sumod

Epilogue (courtsey PRAVS)

Drinking with style!!

Never ever did I think, drinking can be so much fun, until my good friend, Prav, showed me how! Every Friday evening we would hit B11 and drink to glory!! The ‘hard rock music’ and ‘the smooth alcohol’; made a perfect blend!! I guess this is what is called life!!

If it hadn’t been for my friend pravs, I would have never had so much fun!! :O:P

I am indebted to you PRAVS!!!! :P

Jeezis!!

Uptown.

2006-10-26T15:18:00.000+05:30

I introduced you guys to AB and Rhythm Mandir in one of my previous posts (The Don Rajaa & His Rainbow Raani.) AB is back with his latest single 'Uptown'. To check out the song visit Rhythm Mandir (AB, Abin and Michael) in their new space @ Myspace.com... http://www.myspace.com/rhythmmandir. You can listen to best of Rhythm Mandir here.

It's that time again... Yep da time to get down don rajaa style... :) I loved the song, lemme know what you people feel.

Be sure to have those earphones/speakers plugged in before you access the link...

Of prose and poetry...

2006-10-14T10:14:00.000+05:30

I have asked myself at times (especially since nobody else asks me) , "What exactly is the difference between prose and poetry?" I will not pretend to be qualified enough to comment on all the aspects of this topic. However, one important difference, I feel, lies in the way we present both. How else would you explain the following three pieces, which are composed of the exact same words in the exact same order, just presented differently?

Prose

There are times when I thought, I should go out and see the world. You know how I like the placid rivers and mountains capped, with snow glaciers flowing down the valleys. Ever so slow those silent nights. Under the light of the stars that glow search for passages, through which the cool winds blow and deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Poem - I

There are times when I thought, I should go
Out and see the world, you know.
How I like the placid rivers and mountains capped, with snow
Glaciers flowing down the valleys, ever so slow
Those silent nights, under the light of the stars that glow
Search for passages, through which the cool winds blow.
And deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Poem - II

There are times when I thought,
I should go out and see the world,
You know how I like the placid rivers and mountains capped,
With snow glaciers flowing down the valleys,
Ever so slow those silent nights,
Under the light of the stars that glow search for passages,
Through which the cool winds blow.
And deny the sweat to form, on my brow.

Funny isn't it... Let me know what you people feel.

Free country, free time...

2006-09-30T08:17:00.000+05:30

Free time.
Lots of it.
All mine.
To do what I wish.

I wish,
Of time I had more.
To carve my niche,
In this world so cold.

So cold,
Let me close the door.
No, I should be bold,
Go out and create a furor.

A furor,
In the market below.
What causes this uproar?
They desecrate a statue of that fellow.

That fellow,
He looks at me.
With peace his face aglow.
Tell me people what was his crime.

His crime,
They shout back,
As they defile him with grime.
He threw us off track.

Off track,
How can that be?
After centuries in the dark,
He helped you break free.

Break free,
"From where and into what?" they demand.
Into the darkness that you see?
Look at the plight of our motherland

Our motherland,
Her future is not so bleak
It is in our hands
To stand up and stop being weak

Being weak,
Is one thing you see,
Quite another when you don’t speak
Against the injustice plaguing our country.

Our country,
Corruption it's biggest vice.
It won't end if you just sit and cry,
So, why don’t you take my advice?

My advice,
They take because we give them bribes,
That, my friends, is the way of life.
Stop giving, that will open their eyes.

Their eyes,
Blood shot and bigoted.
Terror ringing in their cries,
Religious zealots, politically misguided.

Politically misguided,
That’s what most people are,
Some just keep quiet when derided,
Others go out and declare war.

Declare war,
On the evils that surround,
Not with weapons, nor with fear,
One with love, one to bring peace all around.

All around,
A message needs to be spread by you.
A message to those who vilify our land,
Pass on the message of that fellow, our Bapu.

Our Bapu,
The man who carved a niche in this world,
Not for himself but for me and for you.
Let us in our free time spread his word.

His word,
To be truthful, just and fair,
Not to live the life of a coward,
With truth and non-violence confront every liar.

Every liar,
Shall have to answer they say,
We now repent for our acts so dire.
We shall for his forgiveness pray.

Before I wither

2006-09-21T09:13:00.000+05:30

The angel of death calls me hither,
Whilst my heart still yearns to linger
To live a loveless life or like a virgin flower wither,
Tell me my friends, which is better.
In this life I have tasted many a medicine bitter,
None worse than the love i couldn't savour.
To live a loveless life or like a virgin flower wither,
Tell me my friends, which is better.
Love I have heard is a miracle worker,
How would I know? I never have met her.
To live a loveless life or like a virgin flower wither,
Tell me my friends, which is better.
I do not wish to pass on into the heavens yonder,
If true love, is to be found in the lands of Lucifer.
Yes, like the virgin flower I am ready to wither,
I take your leave my friends. My love awaits me in the nether.

***

On a day like today.

2006-09-15T11:29:00.000+05:30

Wake up in the morning, feeling so sticky,
Grin into the mirror, at my teeth so yucky,
Try to mend my hair, ever so mucky,
The water supply is cut off, oh how lucky.

This is the kind of day I hate,
Makes me want to defecate.
The situation is very delicate,
Someone is already in there, oh what a fate.

Don’t ask me what happened in there,
But I come out as hungry as a bear.
Open the fridge, smile at the solitary pear,
Alas it is rotten, my tummy quakes in fear.

Seething, I turn to where my clothes are hung,
No time to iron, they look so worn and wrung.
I step into my shoes, covered all over in dung,
It can’t get messier, looks like the fat lady has sung.

Against time I have to race,
Sweat pouring down my sticky face,
I win, but of the bus there is no trace.
It comes ten minutes late, there I rest my case.

I sit in the bus feeling humid at hot,
Try to open the window but budge it will not.
My latest crush giggles at my grotesque double knot,
Dear Mr. Murphy, in hell may you rot.

Enter office feeling blue, black and yellow,
Just in time to hear the boss bellow,
“Come here, you lazy, incompetent fellow”.
Feels like someone just hit me down below.

Expletives ringing in my ear I go to lunch,
Buy myself a burger and bananas by the bunch,
Open the burger to look inside on a hunch.
Copulating worms are using the cutlet as a park bench.

I leave the happy couples to make merry,
Have a couple of bananas and try to finish work in a hurry.
I can’t concentrate; with hunger my eyes go blurry,
The guy next to me burps after having rice and curry.

For the day to end I cannot wait,
It’s like hoping for a storm to abate.
As the clock strikes five I rush out the gate,
Just to slip on a peel I threw after I ate.

Clamber into the bus fearing the worst,
There sits my crush, alone, in deep thought.
Of this opportunity I try to make the most,
Try talking to her but she asks me to get lost.

I enter the house thirsting for a drink,
Open the tap and mud oozes into the sink.
My roommate tells me that I stink,
I show him a finger and tell him what I think.

I lie in bed humming my favorite song,
Am stopped in mid-verse by a clock gong,
Thirteen times the clock goes on and on.
Thus ends a day that went so horribly wrong.

Up here on cloud no. 9

2006-09-07T20:53:00.000+05:30

Yes, I am in love. That oh so great feeling of touching the soft green grass and the fluffy white clouds at the same time has me completely overwhelmed. Rushing out of office in a tearing hurry to meet her in the evenings, controlling the urge to ring up and check on her in case she gets that ever so lethal feeling that I am being too possessive, thinking about her all through the day and about all the fun we had together the previous evening.

Doing all those typical things that typical lovers so typically do, which don’t seem all that typical to us anymore. We sit gazing into each other’s eyes for absurdly long periods of time, two bodies sharing one soul. Sometimes I feel that she is just an extension of me. Someone sent with the purpose of broadening my horizons and forever changing the way I view things. I feel at times that another dimension has been added to me. I consider her as an extension of my mind’s eye. Someone who captures all that my roving eye and my wayward ears might miss. Her one look is enough to tell me that she considers me as her true inner self. Someone who helps her express herself, someone who helps bring to fore her innate talents, someone with whom she can share all her stories, someone to whom she can show all that she sees, tell all that she hears. I am above all her best friend to whom she ever so softly purrs her most intimate secrets.

Yes, I am in love and I love being in love. It can’t be true what they say about love being blind, otherwise how could I have been drawn towards those mesmerizing eyes. Infatuation you say, I don’t think so. This is something which I expect to blossom into a long term relationship, not one of those short flings one has when he/she has a lot of spare time and does not know how better to utilize it than picking on some unsuspecting soul and professing unending love for her/him.

For the first time in my life someone has reciprocated my feelings and accepted me just as warmly as I have courted her. I believe I can see God in the heavens dressed in his impeccable white suit, as the “modern” God is wont to, leaning back into his easy-chair, pulling at the pipe in his mouth, exhaling a puff of snow white smoke and beaming at how another one of his successful plans to unite two of his creations fell ever so beautifully into place. The best laid plans of men and mice often go awry, but one can’t talk in quite the same vein as one may talk about mice and men, when one is referring to the Almighty. He has a plan for each and every one of us and I am glad that this is what he had planned for me.

One look at my angel and you will agree that I could not have been lying. Here is a little song which might sound funny and ridiculous to all you people out there but it is something I say from the bottom of my heart and nothing is going to stop me from expressing it today. The wordings of this poem are directed at the readers and dedicated to my love.

When I close my eyes,
And look up at the dark blue skies.
I can see the eagle soaring high.
Through my angel’s eye.

When I close my ears,
And see you moved to tears.
I can hear your cries.
My angel, she brings me your sighs.

When I told her I was going to write about her and tell all my friends who read my posts and anyone else in the whole wide world (or the world wide web) who cared to read my blog about my newfound love, she was shy at first, but then reluctantly agreed on the condition that I would not put her photo on my blog. She forgot however that I could put a link to her photo and show how she looked without actually having her picture on my blog.

Click here to see how my angel looks.

The view is really great up here on cloud number 9.

I am a Hufflepuff. What are u???

2006-09-05T22:34:00.000+05:30

Which Hogwarts house will you be sorted into?

They put me in Hufflepuff. Click the link above to see where you will be placed. I know a couple you will surely be Slytherins if you are true to yourselves. So, no cheating guys. Give truthful (NO, almost truthful will not do) answers and see where you would have been.

These are my in depth results according to them:

Hufflepuff : 13

Ravenclaw: 13

Gryffindor: 12

Slytherin: 06

Finally, proof that I am a nice guy after all. This post goes out especially to all my detractors.

The Don Rajaa & His Rainbow Raani.

2006-09-01T09:53:00.000+05:30

Before I go into what Rainbow Raani is all about let me give you guys a little bit of background on this. Once upon a time... Ok, I promise I will not put you all to sleep.

Once upon a time, there were two dashing, handsome and talented (atleast one of them was) guys. We'll call them AB and Madan, shall we. Both of them absolutely loved (and they still love) music and dance. They used to practise their dance steps in ABs house, with the hope that they would, one day, make it to the popular (and their favourite) dance show "Boogie-Woogie". They loved to rap along with the Don Rajaa of Indian music, Apache Indian. Music and cricket were their two greatest loves. AB was an amazing keyboard and tabla player, and a great all-rounder. He had a great voice too. Madan had a good ear for music, loved to dance and could send the cricket ball into orbit with a mighty swing of his bat. They enjoyed the time they spent together. They used to have a whale of a time breaking window-panes, scaring their little sisters, pelting passerbys with fruits and a helluva lot of other pranks.

Well, like all good things their amazing times came to an end as these best of pals had to part ways. Higher education beckoned AB and his SAT scores were high enough to get him a full scholarship in an university of his choice in the US of A. Madan, meanwhile stayed back in India and went on to become a run of the mill software engineer. Correspondence, through e-mails were few and far between as both of them got caught up in their gruelling schedules. The music however did not die. Madan became a great dancer and took each and every oppurtunity that came his way to do his inebirated bhangra at parties (come on not a professional dancer, maybe a professional drinker). AB however decided to channel his talents and passion into something a little more fruitful. He floated a sucessful band in the US. The band goes under the name "Rhythm Mandir".

That has been their story so far.

Obvious questions, you are bound to be asking me/yourself:

a) Who are these guys AB and Madan? Do we know them?

b) Why the hell are you telling us about this?

c) What is Rainbow Raani?

The not so obvious answers:

a) Well, you know them. Yes!!! You love them too. Still thinking... Here they are...

AB (Arnab Banerjee) Madan (Yeah, me)

Yes I love dancing. You guys better stop laughing now or your heads will roll, i swear.

b) Why I am telling you all this is because Rhythm Mandir is doing really well in the US, and I am really happy for (and extremely proud of) my pal Arnab, who is their lead vocalist and keys player.

Rhythm Mandir is the HOTTEST Indian music sensation in the US. Their 'Rainbow Raani' soundtrack, is set for a 2006 release. Also something worth watching out for is their debut Hindi album, also set for a 2006 release.

They will also be giving a live performace at the Bollywood Awards 2006, to be held in New Jersey.

c) Yep, you guessed it Rhythm Mandir is the band that has lent it's musical talents to the movie "Rainbow Raani".

It is going to be a musical love story about a love which extends beyond the physical and bonds all races and genders. The Rainbows is a talented musical band of four young men, like the Beatles were of Liverpool... Click here to find out more.

Hope, I have put to rest the most basic of queries about Rhythm Mandir. Contact me in case of any queries and in case you like what you hear at http://www.rainbowraani.com which I am sure you will, then be sure to join the Rhythm Mandir Fan Club in Orkut, to keep yourself updated about the latest happenings.

To my buddy:

A toast to you pal. I am so glad that you are living your dream. Wish you all the very best in life pal. Here is a "balle balle" to you:

Luv,

Madan Bhai :)

Mujhe mil jo jaye thoda paisa…

2006-08-31T15:26:00.000+05:30

Money, money, money,
That’s what I crave honey.
To fulfill my needs aplenty,
When will I get my bounty?

Everybody loves money,
Be it Indian rupees or foreign currency.
It can get you all you fancy.
Till your death, right from infancy

Come on everybody,
Come shake your booty,
Come move your body,
To the rhythm of money

Money, money, money,
It’s driving me crazy.
Working away till twelve thirty,
To make that extra penny

Everybody loves money,
Alladin and his darned genie,
The evil sorcerer and his dumb crony.
They all love it till they go loony.

Come on everybody,
Come shake your booty,
Come move your body,
To the rhythm of money

Money, money, money,
Always comes in handy.
Money my dear will buy me candy,
And a little more buys a bottle of brandy.

Everybody loves money,
From King Kong to the tooth fairy,
They all want to own a factory,
Which mints nothing, but money

Come on everybody,
Come shake your booty,
Come move your body,
To the rhythm of money

Money, money, money,
Makes me feel so thrifty,
Money my love is real nifty,
Money my love drives a Ferrari.

Everybody loves money,
Molly, Dolly and Tiffany,
Monty, Bunty and Timothy.
Sad that money loves nobody.

Come on everybody,
Come shake your booty,
Come move your body,

To the rhythm of money

***

Ramp walk to screen talk to calling the shots.

2006-08-30T08:27:00.000+05:30

Guess who is making his foray into production ventures. If you don't know already then help yourself to these three clues.

a) He was the captain of his college football team.

b) He can’t decide whether he is “hot” or “cool”. Most of the girls think he is hot, guys grudgingly admit that he might be cool.

c) He is half mallu. ( going crazeeeee, crazy about coconuts.)

Come to think of it, the title of this post is also a clue, and a huge one at that. If you are still guessing then you either:-

a) Hate movies

b) Are not Indian

c) Hate mallus (am yet to come across a single non-mallu who hates a mallu, so you must be a mallu yourself)

d) There are few more options that can't really be disclosed on such a public (yes, more than two people visit my blog, so it may be called public) forum.

Click here to know the answer.

Click here for more news on the production venture.

Is life a two edged sword or something?

2006-08-27T01:17:00.000+05:30

Is life a two edged sword or something?
Behold, my path shining bright in the lightning.
Bringing with it the deafening sound of thunder,
That rips me apart, tears me asunder.

That night, freebasing myself to a beautiful high,
Thinking of old times and letting out a tired sigh.
The acrid smoke giving me a hazy satisfaction,
My body pays the price of my vile temptation.

Rain pelting down on that hot night brings me relief,
But drenches the old man in the street, survival his only belief.
Yesterday’s paper for me is trash to be thrown away,
The old man will use it as his bed today.

Have a dream that I am reaching for the stars,
Just to burn my hands leaving deep scars.
Then I wake up to my morning cup of tea,
So hot, that it scalds my tongue you see.

Running wildly through the meadows,
Being chased by what seems like shadows.
Shadows of my past, they don’t seem to tire.
I try to run faster but my feet are stuck fast in quagmire.

From the ghosts of the past I must break free,
The will-o'-wisp of future stands ready to lead me.
But, am I really ready to let go of everything?

Is life a two edged sword or something?

***

Adios Amigos...

2006-08-23T08:36:00.000+05:30

Feeling defeated,
Like I have been shift-deleted.
Looks like I have been erased,
From the minds I thought had cared.

Have been taking a lot of shit,
Standing right back up after each hit.
Don’t know how much longer I can take it,
Every time I feel like I am pushing the limit.

I have been refusing to give in,
My patience wearing ever so thin.
The way people keep blowing me off,
Like they are the rice and me the chaff.

I don’t even know why I am bothering,
Maybe I should just let everybody do their own thing.
Maybe I should just put and end to this strife,
And do what someone once said “Sumod, go get a life.”

Loneliness is a bitch (ok before the women’s lobby comes out with banners and placards I apologize to all the bitches I know… Oops I mean, to all the ladies I know). I have never felt loneliness; at-least never realized it till the 24th year of my existence. Getting emotionally attached to someone is a strict no – no for me, and I say this purely out of experience. An ex-active promoter of the cause of limitless friendship I have through my own trials and tribulations (and also from the experiences of others) realized that once you let someone into your head, heart or life knowingly or like in most cases unknowingly then you are in for a roller coaster ride. You are unwittingly drawn into a cesspool of emotions which you never even knew existed, the likes of which you find yourself totally ill equipped to handle (especially if before that point of time you used to be one of those cold emotionless @#$&^* like me). I must thank my stars that I didn’t ever get completely swept away and had one foot firmly planted on the ground which prevented me from falling down on my backside (which is huge and strong like the restof me in case you were wondering) and making a complete fool out of myself. From now on I am keeping the words limitless and friendship at a distance from each other, a distance that tends really close to infinity.

In this world of hitherto uncharted emotions I am all at sea and flailing my arms in a hopelessly desperate (redundant use of superlatives just to give you a feel of how screwed up it really is) attempt to stay afloat. I feel like a convict fresh out of prison trying to socialize with people from the so called “genteel” world. I feel so ready to slip back into the easy camaraderie of the hard core criminals I left behind, so ready to repeat the crime I once committed or to commit some new crime just to feel the warmth of my cold cell once again.

I had successfully disappeared without a trace once, now I find myself gearing up to do the same thing again. Solitude and me go back a long way and now it looks like we are going to be back together again and pick up on our affair from where we had left off. Now don’t mistake my solitude for loneliness. In those times I had my heart and mind in one place (with me), now I find myself stuck in the center with my mind wanting me to go one way and my heart pulling me the other way. Solitude will in all probability put an end to this horrible conflict that has been rocking my boat for some time now. Solitude does not mean that I am going to shut myself up in some dingy room with just books for company or go to some uninhabited island with just coconut trees (though the mallu in me is singing "goin crazy, crazy about coconuts") for company. Solitude for me means what I am thinking stays strictly in my own head. I will be hard-nosed, hardheaded and hard of hearing to everything other than what I feel strictly interests me. Enough of being Mr. Good Guy a.k.a Mr. Door Mat a.k.a Mr. Toilet Paper. The only emotion I will wear is one of perpetual irritation.

Till when is this going to go on? Till whatever amount of time I want it to go on for. Till I feel that the world or someone in this world is savvy enough to handle my emotions. A lot will change by the time I re-emerge into this world, hopefully for the better. Till then it’s adios to all you amigos.

P.S: These are not the feelings of the author. The author is looking at the world from the eyes of a "good guy". Those who know (or atleast think that they know) the author personally will vouch for the fact that author is actually far from being a good guy... :D Had written this about a month back i think.

My First Ode to the World Cup

2006-06-15T22:42:00.000+05:30

The world is a psychedelic shade of red,

I don’t feel like getting out of bed.

Last night I was up watching the match,

No, not the one in which Dravid dropped a catch.

I am talking about the one in which Neuville,

Helped Germany climb a steep hill.

They were facing a resistance from the Poles,

Who were blocking all their attempts at scoring goals.

Michael Ballack and co with all their pyrotechnics,

Couldn't help the Germans find their bearings.

They missed an umpteen number of chances,

A clear cut case of mistimed headers and aimless glances.

The match was headed for a goalless draw,

Until Neuville exploited the defensive flaw.

One team’s pain was the other team’s pleasure,

The Poles had folded up under the pressure.

To the round of 16 the Germans have almost made it,

While the Poles prepare for an early exit.

The world is a psychedelic shade of red,

Must be all the Polish blood that was shed.

***

A need to write

2006-06-09T09:13:00.000+05:30

Tireless fingers finding the right keys in the right sequence, struggling to keep pace with the mind, that processes thoughts into words at a speed that even light would envy, pausing only to slide the spectacles back up the bridge of my nose. This, for me, sums up what a perfect day at writing should be like. It is this immaculate day that I seek. My original utopian dream, the one my heart truly yearns for. That one day, which will be devoid of all the writer’s blocks, those untimely hiccups while I am in the middle of constructing a ravishingly beautiful sentence. The day, I write about something that has captured my imagination, something so elusive yet so familiar, as to put sleep, food and drink out of my mind.

For quite some time now, I have tried to chronicle a lot of emotions, facts and events. Things, which I felt, will be of some significance. Some of which I know for sure I will never again set my eyes upon. Attempts, some partly successful some completely gone awry, at capturing those moments which, I felt, had an impact on my life. Attempts to put down on paper those moments, where heart wrenching spasms, racked through my body. I have tried to capture those times, when unbounded joy made me leap for the stars only to be stopped by the seemingly unobtrusive ceiling. Ouch!!! Sometimes I have written disjointed sentences in nebulous paragraphs in an attempt to capture each and every thought running through my head. One contradicting thought superimposed on the other.

Somebody once told me “Why don’t you just try using a camera? A picture is, after all, worth a thousand words. Isn’t it?” I will still prefer jotting down those thousand odd words to using the camera. If I use a camera to capture the moment then the smile might remain etched forever but the reason for the smile, the exact emotions I was going through at that moment, all of that would be lost forever. Again, while using a camera we end up capturing only the happier moments in our life. What about all those times when we felt sadness engulfing us? I feel that even those moments deserve to be recorded. Times when it hurt so much and in so many places, some of which you didn’t know existed before. Yes, they certainly are worth writing about. If I can share the joy then I can as well try and divide the pain but putting it down on paper or a webpage as the case may be.

The need to write has always been an important part of my life. Let’s just say that I get a lot of quiet time to spend with myself (ok I concede I have a non-existent social life). However I will never make the mistake of saying that I am a great with words (you can probably make out that I am not even close to becoming great from my blog). I would someday like to be called a good writer. One of those tiny little fancies people so often have.

I have heard people saying that at times to find yourself you need to look at yourself from another person’s perspective. Well, I don’t know if that is true but to become a writer of any kind of stature you certainly need to look at the world from another person’s perspective. Otherwise you end up telling the world just your side of the story. So, if any of you decides to get inspired after reading all this and takes up the pen (or the keyboard), then do remember to sensitize yourself to the other people’s emotions. Such attempts however are, more often than not, biased. Then you have to remind yourself that it is practice that brings you as close to perfection as you can dream of coming in this wretched/blessed lifetime of yours.

So, while you people decide whether you want to maintain an album of words or not, let me think as to what it is that I need to write about next. It is time for me to see which one of those unattended emotions is asking to be let out.

P.S: An album of words is not a diary. There is a marked difference between the two. I don’t maintain a diary.

Inactivity, Negativity, Proactivity and Other Activities

2006-06-03T15:31:00.000+05:30

I am feeling really really tired...
Wanna sleep but fear i might get fired...
Work sucks and so does this wretched life...
God!!! Please show me a way to end this strife...

I am tired of questioning...
The management ain't even listening...
My throat is sore, I can no longer shout...
When is someone gonna help me out...

People asking me to be more proactive...
Makes me feel all the more negative...
Let there be work, that i will surely do...
Don't ask me to think of something outa the blue...

In the middle of all this inaction...
My questions don't bring forth any reaction...
Till then death through inactivity i must prevent...
For which new methods I am trying to invent...

Ah behold, to my rescue comes dear ol orkut...
Here I find long lost friends and babes who are cute...
At last I feel that I can do something...
As I wait for the fat lady to sing...

"Fun"aaa???

2006-05-28T11:56:00.000+05:30

Had to go to office yday coz of some urgent work. Ended up doing just abt everything other than work. Swam, stood on the weighing machine, was so happy abt my weight that i treated myself to an extra heavy lunch (regretted that later however ), listened to songs, jumped around all over office something i wouldn't have dared to on a weekday... Man, I love office on Saturday.

Venkat called up sometime after lunch and asked if we wanted to catch a movie. Raj was game for a movie. Hemant thought Abids would be too far and Vasu backed out citing the lame excuse that he had some work ...

Fanaa had jus released the day before, but Venkat somehow managed the seemingly impossible... For Venkat impossible is nothing :p

Coming to the movie... amazing first half followed by a serious second half which too was interspersed with its cute lil funny moments especially with the introduction of Rehan junior... the movie was well taken... amzing cinematography... i particularly liked the song in which the rain falls when Aamir and Kajol are having dinner and the camera shot taken from top which shows the water drops bouncing off Kajol... It sure was a treat to watch...

First half had Amir Khan playing a guide and a bad poet (another one like me ) and the second half shows him in his true colors as an international terroist who like Tabu says had changed the face of terrorism in the Indian sub-continent...

Coming to the subtelities in the movie. The movie is politically neutral. It does not support any cause and does not ask you to empathize or sympathize with either party... The movie is neither pro India or pro Pakistan, neither pro Terrorism nor pro Peace. It's a movie abt choices.

Felt that most of the characters were selfish to a certain extent. Which gives it a lil bit of the reality touch. On the whole the flick is a heady mix and has some James Bond style stunts thrown in for good measure...

A very very watchable movie ( for lack of a better word )...

For you to decide if it is Fun or aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Love & The World...

2006-05-22T22:49:00.000+05:30

Love the sand,
Slipping through my fingers.
Love the hand,
That touches and lingers.

Love the rain,
Drumming on my tin roof.
Love the pain,
When you box me in spoof.

Love the wind,
Ruffling my hair.
Love the kind,
Thoughtful look you wear.

Love the scent,
Of the rain soaked earth.
Love the hint,
Of honey in your breath

Love the hush,
Of the peaceful night.
Love your lush,
Dark hair that shines so bright.

Love the melody,
That echoes in my ear.
Love to see you my lady,
In that red gown you wear.

Love the birds,
Singing from their perch on the tree.
Love the words,
That you say so lovingly to me.

Love the rainbow,
After last night’s heavy rain.
Love to see your face glow,
Even through all the pain.

Love to wiggle my toe,
In the soft, freshly tilled land.
Love that feeling you know,
When you cling tightly to my hand.

Love the rhyme,
That sets the mind free.
Love the time,
That you spend fussing over me.

Love each simple pleasure,
This world has to offer.
Love you like a treasure,
That overflows my coffer.

Love my dear,
Has brought you to me.
Love! Don’t fear,
Let the rest of the world be.

***

After You Left.

2006-05-15T23:18:00.000+05:30

Had my head up in the clouds,
When I heard this rumor doing the rounds,
Someone told me that you were leaving,
It hit me like a blow ‘n’ sent me reeling.

They said that you were going away,
Having decided to live life your own way.
Didn’t believe anything they said,
All my detractors who wished me dead.

Rushed home trying not to cry,
Just in time to see the taxi speeding by.
Bags packed and tied to the roof,
You sitting inside, cold and aloof.

Shouted your name out loud in the street,
Did not want to accept defeat.
Fought those tears, now crying to break free,
Threatening to drown the dreams I used to see

Hey it used to be us,
Since that day we met on the bus.
Till yesterday when we shared a coffee,
Now we are different people, you and me.

After all that we had been through,
How could you leave me so lost, so blue?
I did all that you told me to,
It was like you had me under voodoo.

Went up to the room, was greeted by the silence,
Couldn’t take it, slammed the door with violence.
Calmed down thinking that you would return,
Opened the door twenty times just to find no one.

Picked up the glass and the plate,
As usual you hadn’t cleaned up after you ate.
Wondering if this really was my fate,
What oh what had caused all this hate?

I told myself to be strong,
To stop thinking about what went wrong.
But it’s easier said than done you see,
You used to be a part of me.

What was it that really went wrong?
What made you just another face in the throng?
Was it that you found someone new?
Was it that my money was too little, too few?

Hmmm all these sleepless nights,
Thinking about you and how reality bites.
Sometimes I wish I hadn’t known you at all,
Sometimes for you to come stop this free-fall.

Now that you have left I feel so lost,
People telling me that I look like my ghost.
Trying to find a way out of this maze,
Am working my way through it in a daze.

Looking back at those moments we shared,
Sometimes I wonder if you really cared.
Doesn’t matter anymore you see,
This is the last time someone’s walking all over me.

***

Born on a thorn...

2006-05-05T14:27:00.000+05:30

Muhahaha I am born,
Into this world, tattered and torn.
Feeling so lost, so forlorn,
Like i missed the rose and caught the thorn.

Whenever people call me a fool,
I blame it all on my school.
They told me to be nice to one and all,
Even if they pierce your heart with burning coal.

An idiot is what i feel like,
Not jus coz i cant ride a bike.
Not even becoz i dont get a salary hike,
But jus coz i really cant figure out my psyche.

About my life i could go on and on,
Like that ad of the battery Amaron,
But I think i had better be gone,
Someone is calling me on my damn phone.

***

Give me the answers.

2006-05-04T08:30:00.000+05:30

Is there more to this world than I see?
What am I doing here and by whose decree?

Am I here to simply pass out my time?
Or is that really my biggest crime?

Am I here to mint more money?
Or is that a sign of impending felony?

Should I make knowledge my favorite dish?
Or is ignorance in reality bliss?

Am I here to travel far and wide?
Or just to let others take me for a ride?

Am I here to practice what I preach?
Or should I stop aiming for things out of my reach?

Should I be happy with where I am?
Or is being stagnant a cause for alarm?

Am I here to spread the love?
Or hear that word and raise my brow?

Am I here to care for the poor and needy?
Or just to shut up and continue being greedy?

Is there a way to know who is genuine and true?
Or should I help all those who come out of the blue?

Am I here to combat all this militancy?
Or should I kill my heroism in its infancy?

Am I here to stop all the mindless violence?
Or to quell my doubts and forever hold my silence?

Is there any way to try and stop all this hate?
Or will discussions pave way for another endless debate?

Am I here to stop all this profanity?
Or let it go as another flaw of humanity?

Am I here to try and end all this corruption?
Or just to stare as it goes past all redemption?

Should I be gracious to all and sundry?
Or should curtsies be reserved only for the gentry?

Am I here to lead the way?
Or just to go by what others say?

Am I here to stamp my authority?
Or give others’ feelings higher priority?

Should I listen to my heart and do as I am told?
Or just leave my emotions out in the cold?

Am I here to defeat the evil that holds sway?
Or just to turn my back and run away?

Am I here to be the savior of the world?
Or just to sit back and let someone else be bold?

Is there any way to know what I have to do?
I would love to ask someone, but then who?

***

Bohemian Rap...

2006-05-02T09:26:00.000+05:30

I came out searching for unbridled fun.
Now I return, my head hung.
Here I stand, emotions denuded,
All shook up, my faith beheaded.

The grass is always greener on the other side,
That’s one truth you cannot hide.
In-spite of that I gave it a shot,
Tried to be someone I was not.

Tried to put my life in some kind of order,
In a bid to climb up the ‘social ladder’.
Guess I really didn’t come up trumps,
Ending up with only the bruises and lumps.

From, the casual, “Hey, Wassup dude?”
To the sweet and sugary, “Hello! How do you do?”
It’s been quite a transition,
Correction, almost a transformation.

What is it that makes you stick to the rule?
When being the exception is almost always cool.
You look down on me, calling me selfish,
Just because I do something you don’t wish.

The irony always fails on you.
Only telling me that I can’t take a cue.
My mind here is almost going decrepit,
Trying to make everything so explicit.

Other times you just go ballistic,
Trying to tell me that I am sarcastic.
You take my occasional naughty nip,
As a show of intolerable one-upmanship.

And when it has all gone down,
Here I am, on my own now.
Self respect torn beyond repair,
I stand alone, with nothing to fear.

You call me a social misfit,
Why don’t you let me be myself for a bit?
You shut the door on my face with a bang.
I don’t mind, because I am who I am.

Then the way you ask me how I feel,
Like you care more for the boot at your heel.
You think I am going to tell you anymore,
Just to have u treat me like an eyesore.

From now I decide where to go.
No need for any more genteel show.
No need for all the social spit and polish,
I am going back into my shell, my acropolis.

Let me retreat to that comfortable shade,
Even heroes know when to be afraid.
Hero!!! Me??? Sorry, don’t have the glamour.
I am not even a knight, let alone the shining armor.

I mean to go back to my bohemian lifestyle,
Leaving this path of incongruous self-denial.
There she is, eagerly waiting my arrival,
Forgive me bohemia; I am but the prodigal.

***

2006-04-25T20:23:00.000+05:30

Running (Dont ask where to.)

2006-04-21T11:30:00.000+05:30

Running is a pain,
From which I really don’t gain.
I don’t seem to lose any weight,
And I really miss getting up late.

Every morning when I check it at 4:30,
The weighing scale always says 140.
I hang my head in shame,
Lack of sleep is driving me insane.

I need to stop feeling strange,
Will this sensation ever change?
I can’t bend to tie my lace,
Is that such a big disgrace?

I go out into the morning chill,
Telling myself that running is a thrill.
Happy that I am not carrying my phone,
For once I seem to be truly left alone.

I break into a jog,
Trying to clear the fog.
My mind seems unusually cloudy,
Must be last night’s brandy.

As I start to pant,
My mind seems to go on the rant.
I brace against the reverberations,
Of my bodily lamentations.

Lungs aching for a fag,
Stamina and determination beginning to sag.
Ignoring the steady flow of perspiration,
I look around for some inspiration.

Eyes scanning the desolate landscape,
I realize that I am badly out of shape.
Hearing footsteps behind me,
I quickly turn around and see.

Ah there she was like a breath of fresh air,
The beautiful damsel with flowing black hair.
I would loved to have asked her to stop,
But I didn’t know what to do about her pop.

They ran along and disappeared around the curve,
I cursed myself for my lack of nerve.
Not wanting to take the beaten path,
I decided to get back home and take my bath.

Is it the pain from the run or the run from the pain,
Why do I keep thinking so much in vain?
Anyway now that time has come,

Joining me for lemon tea anyone?

***

Contemplations of a Sleepless Mind

2006-04-19T08:47:00.000+05:30

Rat – a – tat… followed by a prolonged creak. I found myself waking up to the sounds of the ceiling fan slowing to a standstill. Beads of perspiration were already beginning to form on my forehead, when the sound of the fan creaking to a halt was replaced by the ominous droning of the friendly neighborhood mosquitoes. My final vestiges of hope of salvaging any sleep that night were thrown out of the window by a sudden flurry of thoughts that came rushing into my head. Disjointed faces, facts and figures flashed through my head in organized pandemonium, with the sole purpose being not letting me get back to my dreams. I opened my eyes with a start and as if on cue the commotion inside my head ceased.

With the accuracy of an arrow leaving a champion archer’s bow my hand shot out and found my Nokia 2210. It was 2:05 am and there were no new messages or missed calls. I sat up trying to organize my thoughts and cursing everyone from the Chief Minister sleeping peacefully in his AC room to our watchman snoring on his string cot in the open air. Just as I decided that going back to sleep was no longer an option Mr. Murphy and his wretched law reared their ugly heads and the fan creaked back to life. I plopped back on to the bed relieved but unable to close my eyes. Five minutes of struggling and a host of unnecessary thoughts later I sat up again. Instinct took me to the edge of the sink and I switched on the lights, while avoiding looking into the mirror, lest I scare myself. Adjusting to the light forcing its way into my eyes I opened the tap and splashed water on my face. A few drops left my hands and landed on the mirror.

I looked up unwittingly to see the drops racing each other to the bottom of the mirror, paths crisscrossing at times. At these junctures the drops stopped as if to exchange friendly banter before hurrying off along parallel paths to oblivion. Each meeting seemed to take place in a time warp, the intersecting drops too engrossed in each other to notice the others hurrying past them.. Some seemed to defy this rule as they charted the rest of the course clinging on to each other. A solitary drop slowly made its way down wondering what all the excitement around it was about. I couldn’t help smiling as the glaring similarity with human lives stuck me in the face.

I was jolted out of my reverie by the sound of my father’s bed squeaking as he shifted in his sleep. Hmmm… so here I was up and about at 2:15 in the morning, with nothing to do in particular. A lemon tea seemed like the perfect way to start the rest of my day. The first and possibly the worst of the half a dozen lemon teas I have during the course of my day. The rest are in the company of friends, in the lobby of my office building ogling at pretty faces and cracking raunchy (at times witty) jokes. Emboldened at times by the sense of being in a group I sing “Duniya Hasseno Ka Mela… Mele Mein Yeh Dil Akela”. Akela (alone/single) and Sumod (great happiness) are the words which define me best. Since my parents couldn’t possibly have named me Akela, without having the rest of the world look down at me in pity, I am called Sumod. Till now these words have only made sense as a pair. I am still waiting for someone to come along and change it (not desperately though). It’s scary at times when I think that Sumod might lose Akela and have nothing great to show for it.
I smiled once more thinking about the water droplets, feeling increasingly proud (ok a tad haughty) about my power of observation and interpretation.

I started looking for the lighter or a matchbox in order to start the fire on the stove. After 15 minutes of frantic but unsuccessful searching I could practically feel the frustration starting to seep in. If necessity is the mother of invention then frustration must be the father. I began to think about innovative ideas to light a fire. I came up with a few absolutely brilliant ones. Can’t really tell you at the moment what they are though. I will probably let you know once I get them patented. I was about to put one of them to test when dad walked in (probably woken by the decibel level of my frantic search), and relieved me of the duty of making tea.

As the tea was boiling and the water level rising I began to think about my rising frustration level. I realized that I was frustrated about quite a few things. From my love life (actually about the lack of any love in my life) to my job, everything at that moment seemed frustrating in one way or the other.

For now I am “optimized” (for lack of a better word) to being another Software Engineer. Like they say in Bangalore if you spit out of a moving vehicle it will probably land on a Software Engineer and in 3 out of 4 cases the person will be from ******* (Eeeew, gross. I am not going anywhere near that place. Hyderabad Rocks.). Not that I hate coding. Code is actually the love of my life (till now). But, I hardly seem to be moving on to writing new or better code. Growth in the software industry ironically and sadly so is indirectly proportional to the amount of coding one gets to do. Lethargy starts to set in, and once it gets a grip on your life, you are all but doomed (in my humble opinion). I think it’s time I did something about my directionless attempt at work. Various career options have been running through my mind. I have to narrow them down to 2 or 3 and then do some serious thinking.

Anyway that was enough of contemplation and frustration for one morning. I have better things to do now. Lemon tea anyone???

P.S: Those who are thinking that this guy deserves to be a boring philosopher. Yes, am actively considering that option too.

My Team...

2006-02-14T08:24:00.000+05:30

More about the breath of fresh air.

2006-02-02T18:28:00.000+05:30

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Hey people check out their web-site http://paritrana.org . Here you can get to know the profiles of the five "saviours".

They even have a online form which you can download and fill up to get a party membership. Check it out people.

A breath of fresh air, or old candy in a new wrapper.

2006-02-01T08:44:00.000+05:30

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Finally, finally, finally someone takes up the initiative. If their credentials are anything to go by then this is the begining of a new era in Indian politics. I have Ctrl+C ed and Ctrl+V ed the article from Economic Times for your benefit. Read on...

Tech tonic: IITians form political partyPOOJA VIRENDRA KUMARTIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006 12:47:46 PM]

BANGALORE: Seems like Mani Rathnam’s Yuva is getting off the reels. Five IITians, all in their 20s, have decided to take up mainstream politics. The youths, based in Jodhpur, will be in the city to campaign for their national party, “ Paritrana’’ , which was launched in Jodhpur on Friday.
“Giving up handsome pay packages, comfort of family and support of friends wasn’t that easy,’’ says Tanmay Rajpurohit, the national president of the party and B Tech in aerospace from IIT Bombay followed by an MS from GeorgiaTech and double masters in arts.
“But my inner voice told me that I should invest my efforts in my country rather than making my pockets heavier,’’ said Ajit Ashwalayan Shukla, vice president of the party.
“People think we are crazy so much so that our families have also failed to understand our motto, but we won’t give up,’’ he added.
The core team of “Paritrana’ ’ comprises Rajpurohit , Shukla, Amit Beesen, also the vice president and a B Tech (Mechanical) from IIT Bombay and a LLB graduate, Chandrashekhar (national treasurer), B Tech (computer science) from IIT Kanpur, Bharat Sundaram, the PRO of the party and B Tech from IIT Kanpur and PhD in electronics from Melbourne.
“Paritrana means complete relief from the various causes of distress, and that is what we want to do for our people,’’ added Chandrashekhar. Low funds have not discouraged them in their efforts of holding door-to-door campaigns in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and parts of Maharashtra.
“We strongly feel that the politicians of today are no longer the voice of the common man but instead they voice their own personal agendas through which they can fetch maximum votes,’’ said Shukla.
“We are not here for the power game. We are here to deal with the grassroots issues of each and every small village that we come across,’’ added Shukla.
The zeal and burning desire of the five youngsters sounds sincere. “I believe that we are just five ordinary boys from the middle class family with no godfathers in politics but have dared to come forward and fight for our rights,’’ said Chandrashekhar. “And we will succeed in it,’’ he added.
After the launch of the party at the Suchana Kendra in Jodhpur, the party members, as a part of their promotional campaign will tour Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai.

Only time will tell but if this piece of news is true then this is where my vote rests for the upcoming elections.

Jai Hind.
Also Visit http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1384411,curpg-1.cms for reading the article.

Exorcising The Demon - Part II

2006-01-23T08:32:00.000+05:30

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I have never been a great admirer of the (un)aesthetic beauty of the cubicle farm. A rectangular (at times, square) area, surrounded by partitions with an opening, which looks bigger from outside than it actually is. Development of camaraderie apart this is one place where the word privacy takes on a completely different meaning. The word cubicle which originally means a small room in which a monk or nun lives should no longer be called so. After all we need to preserve the sanctity and to a certain extent the dignity of the work done by these people who are certainly closer to the almighty than you or me (well in most cases they are). This is one topic which I will brood upon some other time (no reminders required). Now back to where we left off.

Crash, bang, clang…. I was spread-eagled on the floor. This of all the darned fool things that could have happened, was the one I had least expected or wanted. In my race against death (totally symbolic huh, would not be that amusing if you were in my present state), I had forgotten that the misanthropic imbecile who had done the networking on our floor had not properly concealed one particular clump of cables. I had always insisted (but obviously to no avail) that those cables were a disaster waiting to happen. I wish I had not made that statement. Since it was not a time to congratulate myself on having proved my theory to be right, I did a quick back-flip (ok not an elegant one) to assess the situation. I regretted it the very next instant.

The ever grinning angel of death had abandoned its pouncing posture and was ambling towards its hapless prey. With imminent death looming large, all I could do was lie motionless feeling completely drained. I don’t know if it was that swaggering walk of the skeleton or the effect of my long, but seemingly futile, attempt to escape that was taking its toll. “Do something. Just don’t lie there and let that thing take you.” screamed the hysterical voice. “Shut up”, I said “Give me some time. Let me think.”. “Time!!!” it was a harsh whisper this time, “that is exactly what you don’t have now. Do something and do it fast.”

Washing away my sins...........

2006-01-13T08:44:00.000+05:30

This rivulet is called the Papanashini ( Destroyer of Sins for those uninitiated to the Sanskrit Language ). According to popular Hindu belief it is the 3 "dip" path to Moksha ( salvation ). It is widely believed that 3 dips are enough to wash away all your earthly sins ( I took 9 as a precaution ). It is also one of the sacred places where Hindus come to perform the last rites of their kith and kin. This rivulet flows down a hillock which makes the water refreshingly cool and clear. A must go for all you sinners out there.

Foggy drop...

2006-01-12T18:56:00.000+05:30

The temple we went to....

2006-01-12T18:54:00.000+05:30

A lake in the midst of hills...

2006-01-12T18:52:00.000+05:30

Vayanad !!! U must go there

2006-01-12T18:33:00.000+05:30

The house where we stayed....

2006-01-12T18:30:00.000+05:30

Exorcising the Demon - Part I

2006-01-12T08:06:00.000+05:30

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I was out of breath by the time I reached the 88th step. It did not surprise me. It takes very little to knock the breath out of me. What surprised me was that I made it till here. I looked down from the 3rd floor, and heard the hollow,taunting laugh followed by the sickening tippity-tap sound of bone meeting the polished marble steps. It was still there, and gaining fast. Mortal fear reared it's desperate head once more. "Concentrate" it told me, " just a few more steps and then a dash to the desk". Tearing my eyes away from the cold gaze of death I bounded up the remaining 20 steps, ignoring the searing pain in my legs from running a whole kilometer, and climbing up those 88 steps which assumed humongous proportions with each step.

Finally, the third floor, another hundred meters or so to safety. I plucked up some courage and stole a glance back just in time to see the horrifying bag of bones and putrid flesh rounding up last fleet of stairs. Not wanting to contemplate on the consequences of not making it in time I looked away for one last time and sprinted down the corridor which wore a deserted look of foreboding. To my right the elevator doors opened and closed invitingly,with its lights flashing on and off in tune. Ignoring them I rounded the corner into the vast hallway. I was halfway there. The sick tapping increased in urgency and intensity, which meant that it was not far off. Not that I dared to look back now. Not now when I was almost there. At that very moment my desk came into view. Twenty meters more. I willed myself on. Driven by pure adrenaline and the vile breath of the creature on the nape of my neck I pushed myself on. 15, 10,5..... Almost there. I heard the hollow laugh once more, and looked back to see the demon crouched low like a hungry cat ready to pounce on its hapless prey. "Dont give up", the voice in my head was back, "You can't give up", it screamed at me. And then it happened......

Back after a bigger break....

2006-01-11T18:49:00.000+05:30

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I have really lost track of how long it has been since I last wrote. Maybe I was afflicted by a severe case of blue . Anywayz back now and have resolved ( I have a steely resolve mind you ) to get back to my scribbling ways ( U should hear what the teachers back in school used to say about my handwriting )...

My sincere apologies to all those who used to check the blog.

Blue inside out..............

2004-12-04T14:34:00.000+05:30

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Don't tell me people that there has not been a single day in your life when you felt down and out. I personally am one of those people with a positive attitude (not bragging), but even I have my blue days.

Still don't know what blue means. Ask the people mentioned below and they will tell you :-

a) An engineering graduate searching for a (software) job while all his classmates have been placed in top-notch companies.

b) A guy who loves a girl but holds back from telling her because he knows that he can't spend the rest of his life with her becoz of some damn reason.

c) A successful businessman with a not so successful family life.

I am not going to bore you with an extensive list because the power of blue is so great that it can strike at any particular moment of time and the beauty of it is that it doesn't even need a reason.

Hold on. The question you might wanna ask at this point of time is "Why is this guy writing all this ?" , "Is he depressed ?" ,"Is he trying to make us depressed ?". Woah ho hold on people that's not the idea here. I am just discussing a general feeling which all of us go through at some point of time.

All this talk about blue and I haven't told you why I am talking about this. Blue happens to be my favourite colour. It has always been and it was much later in life that I realised that blue had this other meaning attached to it too.

What do you ppl think abt the colour blue....?

Back after the break………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2004-12-03T19:16:00.000+05:30

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It’s been a long time. The pressure of work has kept me from updating my blog. It has been testing times for me. Climbing up the social ladder always is.

Luck has introduced me to many poets and dreamers and within these few months, I have got to more of than I had ever seen put together. Very inspiring people they are. It’s after seeing these totally chilled out people that I rediscovered my urge to write. I don’t even know if people are visiting the page anymore, but to those out there who have not lost hope that I will write again “Thank you”.

Guess that’s enough of a comeback note. Will get back to you with more. Till then keep dreaming folks……………………

Internet & Phone Frauds..............

2004-08-17T16:11:00.000+05:30

Analyze the heading of this article. Internet and telephones signify technology and frauds are the bane of the society. When the bane of the society start using technology to their benefit, then beware, you might be their next victim. This is a mail I received a few days back. Read on for a look into the modus-operandi of these frauds. Learn how they trap their victims.............

This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA &Mastercard Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better preparedto protect yourself. Thanks to Dr. Pat Cloney for passing this on. Thosecon artists get more creative every day.

The Letter

My husband was called on Wednesday from "VISA", and I was called onThursday from "MasterCard". The scam works like this: Person calling says, "this is , and I'm calling from the Securityand Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460. Your card hasbeen flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify.This would be on your VISA card which was issued by bank. Did youpurchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketingcompany based in Arizona?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing acredit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and thecharges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase patternthat flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will besent to (gives you your address), is that correct?" You say "yes". The caller continues... "I will be starting a Fraudinvestigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask forSecurity. You will need to refer to this Control #" The caller thengives you a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?" Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says,"he needs to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask youto "turn your card over and look for some numbers. There are 7 numbers;the first 4 are your card number, the next 3 are the 'Security Numbers'that verify you are in possession of the card. These are the numbers youuse to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. Read me the 3numbers". After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say ,"That iscorrect. I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost orstolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any otherquestions?" After you say No, the caller then Thanks you and states,"Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up. You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you thecard number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called backwithin 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did!

The REAL VISASecurity Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes anew purchase of $497.99 was charge on on our card. Long story made short, we made a real fraud report and closed the VISAcard, and they are reissuing us a new number. What the scammers wants isthe 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them.Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card direct. The real VISAtold us that they will never ask for anything on the card as theyalready know the information since they issued the card! If you give thescammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit.However, by the time you get your statement, you'll see charges forpurchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost to late and/or harderto actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a"Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISAscam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a policereport, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking severalof these reports daily! They also urged us to tell everybody we knowthat this scam is happening. Please pass this on to all your friends. By informing each other, weprotect each other.

Thank-You.

Here is another mail which a friend of mine received at work (to his official e-mail id which he claims is one of his best kept secrets outside the organization). This is also a fraudulent mail. Check it out...........

From: SUNSWEET LOTTERY
Date: 08/16/04 21:37:35
To: lotto@albawaba.com
Subject: CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE WON

International Promotions/Prize Award Department

Dear Winner,

RESULTS FOR CATEGORY "A" DRAWS

Congratulations to you as we bring to your notice, the results of the First Category draws of SUNSWEET LOTTERY INTERNATIONAL. We are happy to inform you that you have
emerged a winner under the First Category, which is part of our promotional draws. The draws were held on the day prior to your notification and results are being officially announced . Participants were selected through a computer ballot system drawn from 2,500,000names/email addresses of individuals and companies from Africa, America, Asia, Australia, Europe, Middle East, and Oceania as part of our International Promotions Program.

You/Your company, attached to ticket number 6422-5-486, with serial number 59-18 drew the lucky numbers 33-92-78-05 (18) and consequently won in the First Category.

You have therefore been awarded a lump sum pay out of $750,000 (SEVEN FIFTY THOUSAND US DOLLARS). This is from the total prize money of $13,000,000 shared amongst the winners in this category.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Your fund is now deposited with our transfer agents and insured in your name. In your
best interest and also to avoid mix up of numbers and names of any kind, we request that you keep the entire details of your award strictly from public notice until the process of transferring your claims has been completed, and your funds remitted to your account. This is part of our security protocol to avoid double claiming or unscrupulous acts by participants/non
participants of this program.

We also wish to bring to your notice our end of year premium stakes draw where you stand a chance of winning up to $50 million; we hope that with a part of your prize you will participate.

Please contact your claims agent immediately for due processing and remittance of your prize money to a designated account of your choice:

Mrs. Kate Williams,
(FOREIGN SERVICE MANAGER),
ROYAL NETWORK. B.V
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
at: katewill47@yahoo.co.uk

You are advised to contact our agents by both email and fax within a week of receiving this notice. Failure to do so may warrant Disqualification.

NOTE: For easy reference and identification, find below your reference and Batch numbers. Remember to quote these numbers in every one of your correspondences with your claims agent.

REFERENCE NUMBER: sunsweet/2031/8161/04
BATCH NUMBER: R3/A312-59

Congratulations once again from all our staff and thank you for being part of our promotions program.

Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Brikk,

Secretary,

SUNSWEETINTERNATIONAL LOTTERY PROMO,THE NETHERLANDS.
ALFONSTRAAT B56 1002 BC,
THE NETHERLANDS
EMAIL ADDRESS

N.B: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winners will result to disqualification. Please Contact your Claims agent immediately.

These are just two samples and there are many more ways in which these frauds operate. If you want more details, and also if you have received any mails like this and want some action taken then log on to http://www.fraudwatchinternational.com/.

Anywayz before you reply to any more mails like this or follow whatever steps these frauds tell you remember that in today's world nothing is free and everything comes with a price-tag which may be hidden but surely existant.

So happy surfing people...........................

2004-08-16T16:34:00.000+05:30

With my buddies on the last day of college......................

2004-08-16T16:15:00.000+05:30

GMail: Frequently asked questions.

2004-06-09T12:58:00.000+05:30

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My first posting about GMail had a comment from a certain person asking me whether GMail was free. It is free my fellow earthling and much more. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about GMail :-

1. What makes Gmail different?

Gmail uses Google search technology to automatically organize and find messages. And because Gmail includes 1,000 megabytes of storage, a typical user won't ever have to worry about deleting mail. Everything just gets archived so it can be found again if needed.

There are other differences in the way Gmail provides access to your email. For example, Gmail automatically groups an email and the replies to it as a conversation. That means you always see a message in its proper context. And there are no pop-ups or banner ads in Gmail, just relevant text ads and links to related pages. Gmail's other distinctive features include a labeling system, a spam reporter and a system for filtering your mail as it comes into your inbox.

2. How much does Gmail cost?

Gmail is a free service and includes 1,000 megabytes of storage with each account. However, Gmail is still in preview mode as tests are being conducted to work out the kinks. So for now, it's not generally available.

3. How do I sign up? When can I get a Gmail account?

Google is currently only offering Gmail as part of a preview release and limited test. I don't have details on when Gmail will be made more widely available, as that depends in part on the results of the test.

4. Is Gmail available in other languages?

During this testing period, the Gmail interface is only available in English. However, Google is committed to making Gmail available to as many people in as many languages as possible. And Gmail accounts can already be used to read and send email in most languages (even Klingon).

5. What are Gmail's system requirements?

Gmail currently supports the following browsers:

Microsoft IE 5.5 and newer (Windows)
Netscape 7.1 and newer (Windows, Macintosh, Linux)
Mozilla 1.4 and newer (Windows, Macintosh, Linux)
Mozilla Firefox 0.8 and newer (Windows, Macintosh, Linux)
Regardless of the browser used, you must have JavaScript and cookies enabled. Google hopes to expand this list of supported browsers in the near future.

6. Does Gmail support automatic forwarding and POP3 access?

Not at the moment, but they're working on it. Google believes in helping people access information whenever and however they want to do so. Your email should never be held hostage by a service provider. In the future you'll be able to access Gmail messages from non-Gmail accounts at no charge.

7. What about spam?

Google is committed to keeping unwanted messages out of your Inbox. Gmail includes a sophisticated spam filter that we're continuing to improve. The Report Spam link in Gmail is a way for users to help with this effort. It removes spam from the Inbox and sends valuable data to the Gmail team working on spam blocking.

8. Are there ads in Gmail?

There are no pop-ups or banner ads in Gmail. Gmail does include relevant text ads that are similar to the ads appearing on the right side of Google search results pages. The matching of ads to content is a completely automated process performed by computers using the same technology that powers the Google AdSense program. This technology already places targeted ads on thousands of sites across the web by quickly analyzing the content of pages and determining which ads are most relevant to them. No humans read your email to target the ads, and no email content or other personally identifiable information is ever provided to advertisers.

9. What is Gmail's privacy policy?

Google is committed to keeping your personal information private and our policy reflects that. You should know that Google:

Collects only limited account information and stores and maintains your account and email messages on secure servers.
Never rents, sells or shares information that personally identifies you for marketing purposes without your express permission.
Respects your privacy. No humans ever read your email to target ads or related information to you. Gmail serves highly relevant ads and other information using completely automated technology.

10. Why is Google offering email? I thought they were a search company.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally useful and accessible. For many people, email contains valuable information that can be difficult to retrieve. We believe we can help with that.

Gmail uses Google search technology to find messages so users don't have to create folders and file their individual emails. Many of Gmail's other features also incorporate search technology to improve their effectiveness. Used this way, search enhances the efficiency of email, so we believe it's a natural area for Google to offer a service.

Really Utopia isnt it. What do u say people ?

APIC: A big hoax!!!

2004-06-09T12:44:00.000+05:30

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The Chennai landscape like that of any other city is filled with numerous hoardings. They are fast becoming or maybe it is proper to say already become a part & parcel of our lives. Whether it is while traveling over the Anna fly-over or overlooking the busy traffic signal at Kathipara junction, hoardings are here to stay.

Well that is not exactly what I have in mind. I have no objection to MNCs putting up hoardings all over the city. I would just like to refer to one particular hoarding that grabbed my attention a couple of months back. “Indiatimes e-mail. With APIC advantage, for the first time in India.”, screamed the hoarding with models in trendy clothes to drive home the point. I was intrigued. I went to the Indiatimes site & registered for the free mail account they were offering. It comes with the normal 6 MB of free storage space. The logging in time I found was much faster than any of my other accounts. Thus I assumed that the acronym APIC had something to do with increasing the server throughput. Why hadn’t anyone else thought of this before? Guess nobody was smart enough. But one should never assume or guess with technology.

Recently a fellow blogger brought to my attention the expansion of this much hyped APIC & I was left astounded. APIC, my friends, stands for Auto Phrasing & Instant Chatting. These are features provided by almost all of the free e-mail services. Hotmail provides an excellent but at times irritating Auto Complete feature. Again with Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger & ICQ which have a flourishing user community backed by excellent user interfaces who needs Instant Chatting.

The audacity of Indiatimes to take us for a ride by using aggressive advertising tactics is quite shocking. Who are they trying to fool? Just by wrapping a candy of inferior quality in a colorful wrapper they can sell it to hundreds maybe thousands of people but soon the word is going to be out. The speed just attributes to the fact that there are very few people currently using their mail service compared to the giants Hotmail & Yahoo. With the amount of traffic flowing in and out of their servers it is amazing that we can connect at the speeds that we do.

So people, my sincere advise,(from this particular experience). is that you shouldn’t let the ads fool you. If you find a term that you don’t understand then look it up in Google. Just remember, “Technology can be a real double-edged sword.”

Happy surfing people.

GMail: Jumbo Size Storage & More

2004-06-09T12:22:00.000+05:30

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How many times have you seen your email server revolting against you and telling you to throw your precious mails into magnetic oblivion. Imagine throwing out the first (maybe the first and the last) email from your first love, or maybe the letter inviting you to join your dream job, a mail filled with love from your mother in a distant land, a mail telling you that you have become a father. Believe you me, this list is endless and I could go on for pages about all the things your account has made you do. But you might say that this guy is full of crap, we can just save our best letters on our hard disk if we value them so much. Well go ahead and do so, but dont lament the day your disk crashes for it will be of no use my friend.

Now, my friends let me tell you about GMail (those of you who already know, it wont hurt to read along.). It is an experiment by the famous search engine Google (we have all used it one time or the other for some purpose ). They provide you with a whopping 1000 MB of storage space(much more than you will ever need). But hold your horses people before you go out and type www.gmail.com and prepare to register there is one problem. As I said earlier this is just an experimental concept. It has not been tested completely till now and is in the Beta stage (membership by invitation from Google only). Beta testing is carried out by a closed group usually but right now Google is picking and choosing at random (you may be the next one). This system is, right now as you read this, being tested by hundreds maybe thousands of people selected randomly by Google and will soon be going live. I will now list out it's features as given by Google:-

Search, don't sort.
Use Google search to find the exact message you want, no matter when it was sent or received.

Don't throw anything away.
1000 megabytes of free storage so you'll never need to delete another message.

Keep it all in context.
Each message is grouped with all its replies and displayed as a conversation.

No pop-up ads. No untargeted banners.
You see only relevant text ads and links to related web pages of interest.

Cool right. Well stay tuned folks the giant may come alive anytime. Hey and do check your mails regularly. Maybe Google wants you to test their system for them. Till then folks HAPPY DELETING....................................

Utopian Dream

Current mood

Turning 30

Why is it..

Of profile pictures

Jus browsing...

Ha ha ha ha....

A hair cut and a shave...

The requiem of an advancing goalkeeper

Some equations....

CAR! Aaru N(j)ano???

Chuckle chuckle chuckle... just felt like posting this.

No monkey business this...

No not really.

Colors...

My political awakening?

Back with(out) a bang...

Swan Song of a Household Help

The New Rhythm Mandir Video.... :)

The Rat's Rut...

Happy New Year!!!

Uptown.

Of prose and poetry...

Free country, free time...

Before I wither

On a day like today.

Up here on cloud no. 9

I am a Hufflepuff. What are u???

The Don Rajaa & His Rainbow Raani.

Mujhe mil jo jaye thoda paisa…

Ramp walk to screen talk to calling the shots.

Is life a two edged sword or something?

Adios Amigos...

More Questions...

My First Ode to the World Cup

A need to write

Inactivity, Negativity, Proactivity and Other Activities

"Fun"aaa???

Love & The World...

After You Left.

Born on a thorn...

Give me the answers.

Bohemian Rap...

Running (Dont ask where to.)

Contemplations of a Sleepless Mind

My Team...

More about the breath of fresh air.

A breath of fresh air, or old candy in a new wrapper.

Exorcising The Demon - Part II

Washing away my sins...........

Foggy drop...

The temple we went to....

A lake in the midst of hills...

Vayanad !!! U must go there

The house where we stayed....

Exorcising the Demon - Part I

Back after a bigger break....

Blue inside out..............

Back after the break………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Internet & Phone Frauds..............

GMail: Frequently asked questions.

APIC: A big hoax!!!

GMail: Jumbo Size Storage & More