I don’t mean just the weather, even the people are cold. Everything around me is just cold and silent. Probably I feel this because I have just returned back from Bombay. Leave the weather in Bombay (it was warm there), apart from that there is so much happening around you that you just can’t sit idle. People are so busy and chirping continuously about something or the other. There was some kind of energy there (in Bombay) that keep people going. During my last visit I boarded a train at 01:00 a.m. even at that time the damn platform was full of people (won’t say to the full capacity, as there is no limit to the capacity of the local trains there).
Here in Dubai everything is so silent, no honking on the roads, people just keep to themselves and disturb you only if they need you to do something. I know, you must be thinking these are positives and why am I cribbing about them? It is something that I don’t have an answer to. I have an 8 to 5 job during which I can get any amount of my personal work done and no one would question it. I even have a broadband internet access unlike my friends working in India. Work is less and good, but still when I reach my room in the evening I am tired and want to sleep so I could call off one more day.
Is it cold because of lack of acquaintances? As of now I am cold and waiting for a warmer Dubai. I sense it is as close as 31st of Dec when most of my Dubai friends will be back from vacation and we will party. 2009 has been a great year for me; it is just leaving me cold at the end as if it was preparing me for the colder 2010. Bring it on!!! I am not prepared but then neither am I scared. I’ll bounce back even if you knock me out in the 1st round.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
"WING" THAT FUELED MY YOUTH
Today I am riding high and fast on my gixxer (Kayoko) and settled career wise. But last week when I visited my parents house I realized many things, one of them was My love for my ride (The 1st vehicle that was bought on my Name).
Ever since I started working I had never rode it. Every time I used to regret not riding it after my vacation. What stopped me from riding it? Well, I always looked at it as a symbol of my love life during the engineering days. I was scared that it would remind me of a life that I dreamed off with that girl. But then one night I was smoking out of the toilet window and suddenly it felt like déjà vu, (7years back) third year engineering days. I remembered how I used to stand in the exact same place stare at the empty dark night and worry about my future. I realized at that point of time, I could have never imagined a life like this; I was and still am very damn pessimistic. I just stood there as if it was 2002 and I had an exam tomorrow started thinking of all the things I have memorized, I could even feel the pressure of the exams. Then I realized one more thing that was the time when I had got my Wings my Dio and it was the 1st exams after we had got her. We did not have to worry about catching a bus to the college we could leave late and mug up a bit more.
It was as if my whole déjà vu focus shifted from the exams and my life to the forgotten savior (Wings that got me FLYING). To cut a long story short very few of those memories were related to my ex-girlfriend. A lot of it was just me and her. During Engineering days we (Bijin and I) used to share it 3 days in a week he used to take it 3 days in a week it would be with me. The one day that was left we both used to roam around together. We used to fill in petrol for Rs.10 every day (if not less). I have abused it every possible way. I even took it to Pune, where I was doing my PGDACM. I was one those very few ones who used to travel on an automatic scooter in my college. But that time it was my pride never was I ashamed of it. It was (I feel it still is) the coolest looking scooters. Red on the main body frame with flashes of silver on the sides (front) and a small silver racing stripe at the back.
It struck me; I have been such a fool. Throughout the night I kept thinking about the good old times when I just started my Dio and just flew away into my own world. Only she could give me that feeling that I am lost peacefully, because as long as Dio is there with me I always had the option to get back to reality. She made me dream of a better world and a better life (more of an assurance). She was my confidant. But why did we fall apart, I have no answers. I still love her (is one of the reasons I will never sell her).
So to get the answers, to fall in love again, to let the wind touch my face, to feel freedom through her wings and to get lost, I picked up the keys and spread her wings once again.
Ever since I started working I had never rode it. Every time I used to regret not riding it after my vacation. What stopped me from riding it? Well, I always looked at it as a symbol of my love life during the engineering days. I was scared that it would remind me of a life that I dreamed off with that girl. But then one night I was smoking out of the toilet window and suddenly it felt like déjà vu, (7years back) third year engineering days. I remembered how I used to stand in the exact same place stare at the empty dark night and worry about my future. I realized at that point of time, I could have never imagined a life like this; I was and still am very damn pessimistic. I just stood there as if it was 2002 and I had an exam tomorrow started thinking of all the things I have memorized, I could even feel the pressure of the exams. Then I realized one more thing that was the time when I had got my Wings my Dio and it was the 1st exams after we had got her. We did not have to worry about catching a bus to the college we could leave late and mug up a bit more.
It was as if my whole déjà vu focus shifted from the exams and my life to the forgotten savior (Wings that got me FLYING). To cut a long story short very few of those memories were related to my ex-girlfriend. A lot of it was just me and her. During Engineering days we (Bijin and I) used to share it 3 days in a week he used to take it 3 days in a week it would be with me. The one day that was left we both used to roam around together. We used to fill in petrol for Rs.10 every day (if not less). I have abused it every possible way. I even took it to Pune, where I was doing my PGDACM. I was one those very few ones who used to travel on an automatic scooter in my college. But that time it was my pride never was I ashamed of it. It was (I feel it still is) the coolest looking scooters. Red on the main body frame with flashes of silver on the sides (front) and a small silver racing stripe at the back.
It struck me; I have been such a fool. Throughout the night I kept thinking about the good old times when I just started my Dio and just flew away into my own world. Only she could give me that feeling that I am lost peacefully, because as long as Dio is there with me I always had the option to get back to reality. She made me dream of a better world and a better life (more of an assurance). She was my confidant. But why did we fall apart, I have no answers. I still love her (is one of the reasons I will never sell her).
So to get the answers, to fall in love again, to let the wind touch my face, to feel freedom through her wings and to get lost, I picked up the keys and spread her wings once again.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Emirates Experience
Today morning my Sister was suppose to board the early morning Emirates flight from Dubai to Bombay. I had booked that flight because it was very important for my Mom that she be at home on 3rd Dec 2009 plus she wanted to join office.
So my cousins, Sister and I reached the airport terminal 3 by 01:00 hrs. She tried checking in through the electronic check-in at the start of terminal 3. But the electronic machine did not accept her passport so we decided to do the normal check-in.
There was an Arab guy (Not a UAE local but definitely GCC) at the counter. He checked her ticket and then very bluntly said “Madam, you cannot board this flight and you can board the next flight at 09:30 hrs plus we will give you an extra ticket that will be valid for a year.” My sister is travelling out of the country for the first time, so she had no idea how to react to this. She just walked to me saying there is some problem.
Then I walked to the guy at the counter and asked him about the problem. He repeated the same sentence with the same arrogant tone. At first even I went blank and then started thinking “Is it fucking possible?” I thought since I have paid for the ticket why the fuck should I just walk off. I asked him the reason and thinking there might be some serious problem (you can never trust what can go wrong these days). The guy then told me “Sir, We overbooked the flight and there is a chance that she might not be able to board this flight and but to find that out you will have to wait till 02:30 hrs.” On hearing this naturally my 1st reaction was “Overbooked???” “The (fucking) flight? What is that suppose to mean?”
The guy then told me that it was the airlines mistake and they overbooked the flight as in sold some of the already sold tickets to some other transit customer? Then I called in my cousin who was parking his car, who too was shocked at such a thing. We stood there arguing and had mild altercation with all the people at the counter. Then they told us that we are not the only one that most of the people checking in now were being held off and it was true. There were like 5 more customers waiting on other counters arguing about the same point. One guy had a connecting flight from Bombay to Goa. There was one more guy whose mother was serious? And there were a few other guys like my sister.
Cutting a long story short, we argued but as time passed, it sunk in to me that there is no way that any of these people were getting on that flight so it will be better to choose from what they have to offer. This was as follows:
1) Travel by any other flight that day (9:30, 13:20, 16:30 and 22:30 flights). I selected the 22:30 flight for my sister as I shall not be able to drop her before that since I am at work today.
2) Plus one return ticket between Dubai and Bombay (only in the current passengers name and not en-cashable). We had to take this as this was the only Solace from this situation.
3) Stay at the hotel till the next flight. If it was a guy we would have definitely availed this option but since it is my sister here I didn’t want to leave her alone in a hotel for a day.
By 03:00 in the morning the deal was done but anyone who is not a frequent flyer can be far from happy by this. I understand there is no point in cribbing about this, since it is done now. But thinking about this there are a few things Emirates can do about such situation.
1) How the fuck does someone overbook a flight? It is not metro ticket counter that you keep selling tickets and customer will choose from the scheduled trains to board. You have fixed seats to fill in and standing passengers are not allowed. It is suppose to be an International flight and that too Emirates. They are so highly ranked.
2) If at all they have such a situation, they should inform the passenger at least 5 hours before the flight (i.e. 2 hours before the check-in time). They should call or at least inform through text message.
3) Emirates staff could do away with the tone and attitude, especially at this kind of situation. Just not expected off such reputed airlines. I am not just complaining about the Arab guy but the other Indian female who was at the counter (forgot their names though). The Indian girl had a technique of breaking this news to customer. She just rudely told them with a Sir prefix “We cannot allow you to board this flight, you will have to take the next flight out of here and there absolutely nothing that we can do to get you on this flight” (The ticket is mentioned only when the passengers revolts). That strategy actually works as I saw 2 guys just simply take the next flight ticket and leave.
Now let’s start with the inconveniences caused:
1) My Sister won’t be able to join work as scheduled.
2) My Sister won’t be attending the Some Puja (a Hindu ritual) which my mom follows religiously. (I personally, didn’t want to mention this reason as I myself oppose such impositions from my Mom )
3) One day stay at Dubai (unplanned / forced).
4) My cousin and I are deprived of sleep and are working today. (I had only 3 hour of sleep)
5) We had to pay AED 25 for his parking. (Which could have been avoided if everything went according to plan)
6) Staying awake at the Airport from 1:00 to 3:00 am (Doesn’t go well with such unpleasant news).
7) Putting up with the attitude of Emirates staff (one of them was polite) at the counter.
8) The free return ticket provided as compensation is non-transferrable, or I could travel on it.
I am putting this up on my blog and sending to all my friends. I would like to request all who read this blog, please post your comments. I will send the link to this blog to Emirates complaint box and would like them to consider some suggestions. I am not raking up a movement against this airline, just providing them suggestions from the passengers. More like a suggestion box slip (hope it is taken seriously).
There is just one more thing; I just hope they don’t fuck up my Thailand flight (Booked them before this incident) it is schedule for this month.
So my cousins, Sister and I reached the airport terminal 3 by 01:00 hrs. She tried checking in through the electronic check-in at the start of terminal 3. But the electronic machine did not accept her passport so we decided to do the normal check-in.
There was an Arab guy (Not a UAE local but definitely GCC) at the counter. He checked her ticket and then very bluntly said “Madam, you cannot board this flight and you can board the next flight at 09:30 hrs plus we will give you an extra ticket that will be valid for a year.” My sister is travelling out of the country for the first time, so she had no idea how to react to this. She just walked to me saying there is some problem.
Then I walked to the guy at the counter and asked him about the problem. He repeated the same sentence with the same arrogant tone. At first even I went blank and then started thinking “Is it fucking possible?” I thought since I have paid for the ticket why the fuck should I just walk off. I asked him the reason and thinking there might be some serious problem (you can never trust what can go wrong these days). The guy then told me “Sir, We overbooked the flight and there is a chance that she might not be able to board this flight and but to find that out you will have to wait till 02:30 hrs.” On hearing this naturally my 1st reaction was “Overbooked???” “The (fucking) flight? What is that suppose to mean?”
The guy then told me that it was the airlines mistake and they overbooked the flight as in sold some of the already sold tickets to some other transit customer? Then I called in my cousin who was parking his car, who too was shocked at such a thing. We stood there arguing and had mild altercation with all the people at the counter. Then they told us that we are not the only one that most of the people checking in now were being held off and it was true. There were like 5 more customers waiting on other counters arguing about the same point. One guy had a connecting flight from Bombay to Goa. There was one more guy whose mother was serious? And there were a few other guys like my sister.
Cutting a long story short, we argued but as time passed, it sunk in to me that there is no way that any of these people were getting on that flight so it will be better to choose from what they have to offer. This was as follows:
1) Travel by any other flight that day (9:30, 13:20, 16:30 and 22:30 flights). I selected the 22:30 flight for my sister as I shall not be able to drop her before that since I am at work today.
2) Plus one return ticket between Dubai and Bombay (only in the current passengers name and not en-cashable). We had to take this as this was the only Solace from this situation.
3) Stay at the hotel till the next flight. If it was a guy we would have definitely availed this option but since it is my sister here I didn’t want to leave her alone in a hotel for a day.
By 03:00 in the morning the deal was done but anyone who is not a frequent flyer can be far from happy by this. I understand there is no point in cribbing about this, since it is done now. But thinking about this there are a few things Emirates can do about such situation.
1) How the fuck does someone overbook a flight? It is not metro ticket counter that you keep selling tickets and customer will choose from the scheduled trains to board. You have fixed seats to fill in and standing passengers are not allowed. It is suppose to be an International flight and that too Emirates. They are so highly ranked.
2) If at all they have such a situation, they should inform the passenger at least 5 hours before the flight (i.e. 2 hours before the check-in time). They should call or at least inform through text message.
3) Emirates staff could do away with the tone and attitude, especially at this kind of situation. Just not expected off such reputed airlines. I am not just complaining about the Arab guy but the other Indian female who was at the counter (forgot their names though). The Indian girl had a technique of breaking this news to customer. She just rudely told them with a Sir prefix “We cannot allow you to board this flight, you will have to take the next flight out of here and there absolutely nothing that we can do to get you on this flight” (The ticket is mentioned only when the passengers revolts). That strategy actually works as I saw 2 guys just simply take the next flight ticket and leave.
Now let’s start with the inconveniences caused:
1) My Sister won’t be able to join work as scheduled.
2) My Sister won’t be attending the Some Puja (a Hindu ritual) which my mom follows religiously. (I personally, didn’t want to mention this reason as I myself oppose such impositions from my Mom )
3) One day stay at Dubai (unplanned / forced).
4) My cousin and I are deprived of sleep and are working today. (I had only 3 hour of sleep)
5) We had to pay AED 25 for his parking. (Which could have been avoided if everything went according to plan)
6) Staying awake at the Airport from 1:00 to 3:00 am (Doesn’t go well with such unpleasant news).
7) Putting up with the attitude of Emirates staff (one of them was polite) at the counter.
8) The free return ticket provided as compensation is non-transferrable, or I could travel on it.
I am putting this up on my blog and sending to all my friends. I would like to request all who read this blog, please post your comments. I will send the link to this blog to Emirates complaint box and would like them to consider some suggestions. I am not raking up a movement against this airline, just providing them suggestions from the passengers. More like a suggestion box slip (hope it is taken seriously).
There is just one more thing; I just hope they don’t fuck up my Thailand flight (Booked them before this incident) it is schedule for this month.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Damn!!!
Last 2 days I have been Sleeping at 06:00 p.m. to 07:00 a.m. the next day.
Damn this Throat infection and the Anti-biotic medicines. So I decided I will not take these medicines now not at least today.
Damn this Throat infection and the Anti-biotic medicines. So I decided I will not take these medicines now not at least today.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Aye SHIVANI
DO you remember this song "Aye Shivani" ... its from some flop flick which had Sanju Baba singing this song for Urmila Matonkar .....
Now imagine this You are standing in Kurla station to board a train during peak office hours .... and a chotta beggar (boy) singing this song pointing at you ... that too loud enough that a whole compartment crowd can hear it ......
Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!! right ......... well it would be more embarrassing if you are a guy (since this song is for a girl) ..... going to college at his usual time ... with his whole gang of friends who travel with him every day ...... (1st Year Engg)
Now why would the chotta beggar do this?? Just because he didn't get anything from you ........ He wanted to get back by embarrassing you in front of your friends ....... well he won!!!!!! .... This officially is the most embarrassing moment in my life till date!!!!!!!!!
after that I was so terrified ... that before entering the platform ..... I used to check out the platform for this guy (of course I couldn't forget his face for a month)....
I don't know what triggered this thought, after so many years .... It was as if I had completely blocked this part ... Any ways ... now I think it was damn funny ... If this had happened to any of my friends ... I wud have called them up right away .... but guess this time I will just look in the mirror and laugh my ass off
Now imagine this You are standing in Kurla station to board a train during peak office hours .... and a chotta beggar (boy) singing this song pointing at you ... that too loud enough that a whole compartment crowd can hear it ......
Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!! right ......... well it would be more embarrassing if you are a guy (since this song is for a girl) ..... going to college at his usual time ... with his whole gang of friends who travel with him every day ...... (1st Year Engg)
Now why would the chotta beggar do this?? Just because he didn't get anything from you ........ He wanted to get back by embarrassing you in front of your friends ....... well he won!!!!!! .... This officially is the most embarrassing moment in my life till date!!!!!!!!!
after that I was so terrified ... that before entering the platform ..... I used to check out the platform for this guy (of course I couldn't forget his face for a month)....
I don't know what triggered this thought, after so many years .... It was as if I had completely blocked this part ... Any ways ... now I think it was damn funny ... If this had happened to any of my friends ... I wud have called them up right away .... but guess this time I will just look in the mirror and laugh my ass off
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I just can't get it outta my head ....
Thode, Bheege bheege se num hai ............. hum,
Kal se, Soye voye bhi toh kum hai ........... hum,
It happens to me all the time .... one song I like then it keeps playing in my mind ... no matter what the situation is ...........
Yesterday I was watching LAK, But this song from Kaminey kept playing in my head ....
LAK was below expectation ... deepika was good but ..the story was same repeat .... they had a nice idea of comparing old love story to the new gen love story ....
but dunno why it didn't click ....for me.
Something was missing and it definitely wasn't in the acting department (except for the new Punjabi girl)
Pehli baar .....(and there it goes again)... I am surely watching Kaminey (hope its clicks this time for me)
Kal se, Soye voye bhi toh kum hai ........... hum,
It happens to me all the time .... one song I like then it keeps playing in my mind ... no matter what the situation is ...........
Yesterday I was watching LAK, But this song from Kaminey kept playing in my head ....
LAK was below expectation ... deepika was good but ..the story was same repeat .... they had a nice idea of comparing old love story to the new gen love story ....
but dunno why it didn't click ....for me.
Something was missing and it definitely wasn't in the acting department (except for the new Punjabi girl)
Pehli baar .....(and there it goes again)... I am surely watching Kaminey (hope its clicks this time for me)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sarkar ke Rohe (will definetly miss him after he leaves)
Sarkar: Tum log weekend pe kya kar rahe ho?
B.I.J: Abhi tak decide nahi kiya. Tera Kya plan hai?
Sarkar: Mein Camping karne jaane ka soch raha hu.... aayega kya?
B.I.J: Pagal ho gaya hai. bahar teperature dekha hai kya? (above 40 degrees) aur tu desert me jaake camping ki baat kar raha hai.
Sarkar: Kya be mein India jaa raha hu naa hamesha ke liye .. chal naa?
B.I.J: hehehe... Sorry ... mujhe roast nahi hona .... mujhe roast karnekeliye extra oil ki bhi zarurat nahi padegi? (In-built fat)
Sarkar: abbe mein jaa raha hu ek mahine ke andar. Mein phir yeh sub nahi kar paunga.
B.I.J: Magar hum toh jaa sakte hain naa??
B.I.J: Abhi tak decide nahi kiya. Tera Kya plan hai?
Sarkar: Mein Camping karne jaane ka soch raha hu.... aayega kya?
B.I.J: Pagal ho gaya hai. bahar teperature dekha hai kya? (above 40 degrees) aur tu desert me jaake camping ki baat kar raha hai.
Sarkar: Kya be mein India jaa raha hu naa hamesha ke liye .. chal naa?
B.I.J: hehehe... Sorry ... mujhe roast nahi hona .... mujhe roast karnekeliye extra oil ki bhi zarurat nahi padegi? (In-built fat)
Sarkar: abbe mein jaa raha hu ek mahine ke andar. Mein phir yeh sub nahi kar paunga.
B.I.J: Magar hum toh jaa sakte hain naa??
expanding my vocab...
BJN: You know wot nijju loves watching??
Notorious BIJ: Porn (cause he was watching porn when we entered).
Sanju: HORROR PORN!!!!!!!!!
Notorious BIJ: Wot!!!!!!!
Nijju: Cmmon guys .... I like Horror and I like Porn ... and who doesn't like Porn???
BJN: There he goes????
Notorious BIJ: Porn (cause he was watching porn when we entered).
Sanju: HORROR PORN!!!!!!!!!
Notorious BIJ: Wot!!!!!!!
Nijju: Cmmon guys .... I like Horror and I like Porn ... and who doesn't like Porn???
BJN: There he goes????
Ch****a
dev: Ch****a hai tu!!!!!
notorious BIJ: Abbe but...
dev: you didn't even try
notorious BIJ: but U sound really upset .......
dev: tere liye meri jaan...... hehehehe
notorious BIJ: ohkk ... hehehe
notorious BIJ: Abbe but...
dev: you didn't even try
notorious BIJ: but U sound really upset .......
dev: tere liye meri jaan...... hehehehe
notorious BIJ: ohkk ... hehehe
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Somewhere only we know --- by Keane
Just never imagined I was this fragile.......
perfect description of a stage in life .......
"I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Somewhere only we know?"
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Finally he escaped ..........his cell (hell)
MJ ........... the least I can do .........
Thank you for your music ...... (although not the biggest of fans cannot deny loved most of your songs and style)
Fame was never big enough ..... U set the standard of fame .............
No one can be as famous as MJ .........
Thank you for your music ...... (although not the biggest of fans cannot deny loved most of your songs and style)
Fame was never big enough ..... U set the standard of fame .............
No one can be as famous as MJ .........
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The X factor
One Chinese guy told me bout this thing called Planet X (Nibiru) during smoke break discussions. Since then I have been searching for all the available info online. I found it interesting and gripping but theory does not have enough evidence to back it. No historic data as it is suppose to repeat every 3657 years. No scientific calculations or drawings showing the Planet X Orbital path.
A guy called "Marshall Masters" has loads of videos on You tube on this topic. He believes 2012 shall be doom for earthlings as this Planet X shall be closest to earth. But he still charges for extra information on survival tips for that time. Ironic innit!!!!!!!!!
A guy called "Marshall Masters" has loads of videos on You tube on this topic. He believes 2012 shall be doom for earthlings as this Planet X shall be closest to earth. But he still charges for extra information on survival tips for that time. Ironic innit!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Abhinandan Sekhri at it again
For Your Information:
Tuesday June 9, 2009 , New Delhi
Voted? Nice? Didn't spend polling day sleeping? Being empowered is fun right? Now for those of you who still want to be awake for the next 5 years might I offer a cuppa. It's called The Right To Information (RTI) Act, an act that allows you to hold the government accountable all year round. So no waiting for five years to feel empowered and get involved with the democratic process. Stick out your finger anytime you like to be counted and without getting that dirty brown ink on your manicured hand either. Sound fun? It is.
The UK parliament has been rocked, and seriously rocked by the expenses scandal. Although the misuse of allowances is across party-lines Brown and Labour are bearing the brunt. A stint almost as unremarkable as John Majors may be coming to a quick end. If you thought the disgraceful episode was bad, here it gets verse.
Expense and allowances for policy makers - where could they be
Reluctant to disclose them, Goodness Gracious Me.
Leaked to the medial by some old fruity.
And out they come tumbling Goodness Gracious Me.
Mortgages on homes in the market place flipped
Personal swimming pools cleaned and estate hedges clipped
Ski holidays, flat screen TVs and allowances spent on renting porn
And not by the education minister either to check how babies are born.
All that hard earned tax money, is this where it be?
My word. Goodness Gracious Me!
Well I hope those films were worth it. The speaker of the House of Commons will be stepping down on the 21st of June. 4 cabinet ministers have resigned already, more on the way. Public disgust and anger about this aristocracy makes MPs coy and low key, trying not to be seen in public or on TV. And it's not like you'd have Brit throw a shoe. Now that would be so rude and....American... or Indian... but basically that's what information does.
Ever wondered how your and my tax rupees are spent? Ever wondered how much we spend in maintaining the homes of those appointed to serve us? Ever wondered why some roads are repaired three times a year and some never? Ever wondered how transfers and appointments of cops, babus etc. happen? Or what's the budget outlay to clean your neighborhood drains and who won the contract and for how much? Or who cleared the file for a disastrous project?
Well some did wonder and filed RTI applications to find out, and came back with startling results. And no five year wait either. Imagine that. It's like voting everyday and holding someone accountable. Some RTI applications influenced policy, some forced departments to set up guidelines where there were none. Some just got people working.
This year we start the National RTI Awards to acknowledge those men and women who were awake all 5 years. Not just citizens but Public Information officers of the government of India as well as information commissioner. Nomination open now and the award ceremony will be in November.
"Traveling on rough roads, pebbles get stuck in the wheels sometime. At times mud jams them. The wheels crackle and screech, make noises, but the journey has to go on. To keep the wheels of Democracy moving, and moving smoothly, people have to play their part in tending to the road and the wheels alike. Sometimes you have to clear the roads, and other times remove little pebbles from the wheels. We mean to honor those people who help the wheels of Democracy keep moving in our country. " Not my words, I wish I were that eloquent. That's what the master wordsmith and Oscar winner Gulzar wrote for us. Many other have contributed in small and large ways to make these awards an event that matters.
You can contribute too. For your sake and your families and for the sake of democracy you don't have to wake up every 5 years for election time bed tea. RTI is your coffee, your tea to keep you awake. Use it, its decaf, low sugar, invigorating and may just win you an award next year - just for your information, and all of ours.
For details log onto rti.ndtv.com
Courtesy NDTV and The Cynical Optimist
Tuesday June 9, 2009 , New Delhi
Voted? Nice? Didn't spend polling day sleeping? Being empowered is fun right? Now for those of you who still want to be awake for the next 5 years might I offer a cuppa. It's called The Right To Information (RTI) Act, an act that allows you to hold the government accountable all year round. So no waiting for five years to feel empowered and get involved with the democratic process. Stick out your finger anytime you like to be counted and without getting that dirty brown ink on your manicured hand either. Sound fun? It is.
The UK parliament has been rocked, and seriously rocked by the expenses scandal. Although the misuse of allowances is across party-lines Brown and Labour are bearing the brunt. A stint almost as unremarkable as John Majors may be coming to a quick end. If you thought the disgraceful episode was bad, here it gets verse.
Expense and allowances for policy makers - where could they be
Reluctant to disclose them, Goodness Gracious Me.
Leaked to the medial by some old fruity.
And out they come tumbling Goodness Gracious Me.
Mortgages on homes in the market place flipped
Personal swimming pools cleaned and estate hedges clipped
Ski holidays, flat screen TVs and allowances spent on renting porn
And not by the education minister either to check how babies are born.
All that hard earned tax money, is this where it be?
My word. Goodness Gracious Me!
Well I hope those films were worth it. The speaker of the House of Commons will be stepping down on the 21st of June. 4 cabinet ministers have resigned already, more on the way. Public disgust and anger about this aristocracy makes MPs coy and low key, trying not to be seen in public or on TV. And it's not like you'd have Brit throw a shoe. Now that would be so rude and....American... or Indian... but basically that's what information does.
Ever wondered how your and my tax rupees are spent? Ever wondered how much we spend in maintaining the homes of those appointed to serve us? Ever wondered why some roads are repaired three times a year and some never? Ever wondered how transfers and appointments of cops, babus etc. happen? Or what's the budget outlay to clean your neighborhood drains and who won the contract and for how much? Or who cleared the file for a disastrous project?
Well some did wonder and filed RTI applications to find out, and came back with startling results. And no five year wait either. Imagine that. It's like voting everyday and holding someone accountable. Some RTI applications influenced policy, some forced departments to set up guidelines where there were none. Some just got people working.
This year we start the National RTI Awards to acknowledge those men and women who were awake all 5 years. Not just citizens but Public Information officers of the government of India as well as information commissioner. Nomination open now and the award ceremony will be in November.
"Traveling on rough roads, pebbles get stuck in the wheels sometime. At times mud jams them. The wheels crackle and screech, make noises, but the journey has to go on. To keep the wheels of Democracy moving, and moving smoothly, people have to play their part in tending to the road and the wheels alike. Sometimes you have to clear the roads, and other times remove little pebbles from the wheels. We mean to honor those people who help the wheels of Democracy keep moving in our country. " Not my words, I wish I were that eloquent. That's what the master wordsmith and Oscar winner Gulzar wrote for us. Many other have contributed in small and large ways to make these awards an event that matters.
You can contribute too. For your sake and your families and for the sake of democracy you don't have to wake up every 5 years for election time bed tea. RTI is your coffee, your tea to keep you awake. Use it, its decaf, low sugar, invigorating and may just win you an award next year - just for your information, and all of ours.
For details log onto rti.ndtv.com
Courtesy NDTV and The Cynical Optimist
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Gawds woun contri
Hard Core Mallu: SO u can't speak malayalam well?
Fraud Mallu: Sorry!!!!! I was brought up in Bombay.
HCM: You don't speak malayalam at home?
FM: Err.... I do, but rarely. We generally speak in Hindi.
HCM: Appe hindikaran ann alley?? (SO you are a North Indian)
FM: Err... alla malayali thenne pashye valarnethe bombayila.........(No I am a mallu who was brought up in Bombay) how hard is that to digest??
Check the other blog for similar post
Friday, May 29, 2009
brave slut
T:(About saying "I love you" to R on their first date) Oh, come on! It shows I'm brave and bold like a knight!
R: No, it shows that you're an "I love you" slut.
T: Well, then you're an "I love you" prude.
R: No, it shows that you're an "I love you" slut.
T: Well, then you're an "I love you" prude.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Feeling blue
R: You stole the blue French horn for me.
T: I would have stolen you a whole orchestra.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Day that I missed for 3 long years --- HOLI
Ya ya Holi was on 10th (In India) but here in Dubai, we wait till the weekend (Friday) to celebrate Indian festivals. And god, wot a day it was.
I had missed holi from the day I had started working. For 3 straight years I was devoid of this very fest that I enjoyed so much. I don't even remember why I couldn't celebrate it for 3 years. I remember writing essay (during my school days) on my favorite festival, no points for guessing it (don't worry this wont be like an essay).
I had to do a lot of things this weekend like paying a visit to my sagga kaka n kaki who are in Dubai visiting their Son. I had specific instructions from my dad to pay them a visit before they leave back to Kerala which was 2 weekends away. I had to do some office work so as to take some load off next week.
Weekend started as soon as I got outta office (Thursday evening 5:30 p.m.). Came back tried watching the remaining part of curious case of Benjamin button (of course pirated CD). But no matter how much I tried I fell asleep, again. But I set up an alarm for 8:00 p.m. The movie is good, I am liking it, but dats how I watch classic movies, let me not mention my novel reading style (many, take a month for me to finish, dat is if I finish it). Neways I figure I am deviating from the topic, as usual. I woke up at 8:00 went to watch the basketball match my section team (Wonderland) v/s Quality dept. Neways we won the match 64 - 53. Came back to join my roommates who had already started boozing. I cudnt booze (lets leave it to dat, I ll need one dedicated post to explain why?). But gave them company, just for change we were listening to old hindi classical songs along with the booze. This went on till 4:00 a.m in the morning.
My roommate Vaibhav (Sarkar)tried waking me up "Chal be, sade dus ho gaye"
Me: hhhhhhmmmmm adhe ghante baad, pls
(didnt hear him respond, so I assumed he too went to sleep)
Me (In my thought): wot do I do, go with him to celebrate holi or go to my Kaka and be an obedient boy.
(I fell asleep again concluding I will decide wen I wake up)
Sarkar: Chal saale sade gyaraah ho gaye.
Me: hhhhuhhhhh (damn u woke me up a second ago n told me it was 10:30, arsehole)
kya bakwaas kar raha hai ...... (rubbed my eyes to get rid of the sleep, only to realize he had already bathed. Bathed!!!!!!!)
Me: Abbe tujhe holi khelne jaana hai na??????
Sarkar : Ha ......., Kyu? (He always asks this, its his thing. KYU?)
Me : Kyu??? (completely stumped, Now wot do I tell him?). Nahi bus asise hi poocha re....
(Ohh man wot do I do? ... ok, I will have fun today ... sorry dad.. sorry boss .... I want HOLI ....... rang barse)
Me : Jaana Kaise hai? aur main nahi nahh raha.......
Sarkar : Kyu??????
Me : Bus aise hi ......... grrr ....aur jaana kaise hai?
Sarkar : Tere bike pe ......
Me : No ways .....
Sarkar : Kyu??????
Me : bus aise hi ........ ab jaana kaise hai (C'mmon man holi khelne ke baad I dont want to spoil my helmet plus we wont ride with wet clothes on)
Sarkar : Mere cousin se baat karta hoon.
(wore the most useless clothes that I had...took 1 short n a t-shirt in sarkar's bag .... took me 5 mins)
Me : Chal, tera cousin kahan aa raha hai pick karne?
Sarkar : ready ho gaya!!! (he looked as if I was suppose to take an hour to get dressed) ........... Sahara mall ke peeche.
Me : Okay ...... Jaya are u sure yo not comin ????
Jaya : Nahi re, I have to talk to my wife and I don't feel right to enjoy this.
Me : Theek hai (I knew he wouldn't come, so I didn't push)
We started walking, Sarkar's cousin picked us up and we reached the place (Wonderland - Its a childrens park).
Oh my god ........ we won't find parking, there was this flood of cars...... (by the way this place is next to my office) ..... luckily parking mil gaya ....... so many people .....most of them had already started colouring each other.......
holy crap this crowd was awesome ...... so many Indian people ....... so many babes ....... holy crap so many of them ...... all of them with guys around .....
We were waiting outside the entrance for our pass (free) to arrive for half an hour ...... and damn the bird watching was awesome ...... I saw some strange females ...... get this ..... females going to play holi dressed in spaghetti tops and mini skirt ....
I felt like asking one of them...... huh gurl !!!! U crazy ...... this party has stags entry and rain dance ..... then I was like, wot the fuck its treat for my eyes ..........U go gurl !!!!...... I'll see you on the floor (dance floor...oh maybe nefloor wud do .... hehehe... kidding)
All the guys shud have been ashamed ... most of them with T-shirts n Jeans / full pants .....
We too started putting colour on each other before entering ....... sarkar was like "Yaar sab ne colour lagaya hai, humko bhi colour laga lena chahiye"
After entering we went striaght for the rain dance ....... and boy was I amazed ...... This place was packed with around 2000 ppl dancing away to Hindi re-mix music ..... Sarkar and I went straight for it.... only wen I stepped down did we realize ...... The floor had water (cloured and god knows wot all in it) upto the ankles
Dance baby dance ..... it started off at 12:30 ........ I was completely taken back by the crowd ....... awesome ........ and it was not jus Indians so many other community people ......... so many arab youngsters ...... then there was this Indian guy with his GF who I guess was either Chinese/Korean/Japanese. She was awesome specially with wot she was wearing ...... a white spaghetti top and boxer shorts. Yes, I have one of them (of course the boxer shorts n not Spaghetti top). Okay I excuse her, she doesn't know nuthin about holi. but gurl don't try this if you are in India for holi. Her boy he was in a thick T-shirt, Jeans, fancy sports shoes and with gelled hair..... that showed, he too was new to this Holi thing ...... I can't re-collect anyone who dressed up like these people for holi ........ (or am I obsolete). Plus they were doing a close intimate dance as if other 2000 ppl werent there .......... We were dancing away to the music too ....... within no time it was 3:30 and we were tired n hungry ......... we left the floor and went towards where Sarkar ka cousin was................... We knew wot we were missing a group .....we discussed about that on our way to the cafeteria .......
I called up one of my office friends to check wot they were up to .... only to find out they were at the party and they to were taking a break ....... glad to find friends around .....we didnt have much went directly back to the floor as soon as possible...... to join them .......... and boy we threw one person at a time on the floor which was flooded with dirt water and splashed water on that person till he was drenched .........My turn was 1st but I didnt spare others too...... more dancing .....more colours ......some of them had glitters gold, silver, blue and god knows wot ....... one of my friend also had Ink ....... Next thing I knew was Ink on my face and teeth ........ believe me it tastes bad ..... after some time my friends left and sarkar told me his cousin too was leaving ...... I told him to go and get our spare clothes from his car ...... and he could keep it in my office but then he said "Chod yaar" and I was like "Okay, but pappu can't dance Saala(dats the song that was playing then), c'mmon dance, dance, dance."
Finally people were leaving and the dance floor had some space to move around .....and the songs too were being repeated ......... that is the time we left the dance floor it was around 5:30 ..... on our way out we were staring/gaping at every piece of beauty around and completely ignoring the beasts around them ...... as soon as we were out .... a fight started neways it was quickly resolved ....... and no it wasnt for a gurl ....... it was purely between 2 guy gangs ........Surprising (atleast for me)
then we stepped outta that place only to realize, we were completely wet from head to toe ...... we didnt have spare clothes, we didnt have a car to get back to our place ....... Sarkar was like "taxi pakad lenge" I didnt even feel like responding but I told him politely "Halat dekhi hai apni" (hoping and praying please don't ask Kyu?? this time)
He understood and none of us had any clue wot to do ....... I told him we cud try my office ........ we couldnt find any office vehicle around ...... neways I went towards my desk to find the QS ppl working .....both Filipinos..... and they went crazy seeing me .......they inquired about this fest ....... one of them repeated Holi 3 times as if he was trying to memorize the name and date (In his mind he would have been like next year same date I ll be doing this)
I searched My table and to my luck I found a lost pullover in one of the drawers ...... I went to the toilet and changed. As for Vaibhav he had no option ...... then I called up for taxi from my mobile .....hoping the taxi guy wouldn't mind wet clothes.... then I asked Vaibhav if his cousin could pick us up again ..... but he said that his cousin stayed too far and won't come .......... So I called up Jaya who was sleeping in our room ........ and asked him to get us some clothes just in case the taxi driver refuses to take us ....... immediately I received a a missed call from a unknown number and I was happy cause I knew it was the taxi driver ..... and he was there ........ it was a miracle .... only if U lived in Dubai will u realize that it was a miracle ........ (normally they won't come and if you are really lucky they come after an hour)
It was a Pathan driver and luckily he didnt even say a word and he opened the lock and let us in ........... I was shocked ......... am I dreaming ...(I called up jaya right away and asked him not to come, he had already left the house but didnt get a taxi luckily) ....... the taxi driver asked us wot we were doing like this we told him we were celebrating holi ...... he said "woh kya hota hai?" .......dat is wen I realized that Holi is an Indian fest .....This is how I explained it to him .........bhaijaan ..... Amitabh Bachan maluum hai? ....... he said "ha" ....... woh gaana gaata hai aur rekha pe rang lagata hai ....... woh holi hai ....... and he asked "yeh har saal hota hai?" laughing I said "ha har saal hota hai" ...... then he looked at my jeans and said "tum geela hai...... humara seat kharab ho gayega" ...... I told him I was sitting on plastic sheet (which I had picked up from office scrap) ..... he didnt say much ........ I tipped him AED 6 for this kind gesture .......
Now I am realizing ....... that females actually feel very damn safe in Dubai .......The law is so strict here that the guys won't dare misbehave ....... this is a good thing about Dubai ...... no wonder the crowd were enjoying without interfering with the couples or gurls ...... I finally found the answer to why this whole dress up thing was new to me ......... cause I am new to Dubai Holi........
This is a very good thing about this place ........... Today I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dubai administration for this (a break from cribbing about the place)..... It was a wonderful day........ Holi spirit ....... that too In an Islamic country (bhaang was missing but dats fine)
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Race Fever
Finally I crossed the 200 Kmph mark..... the reading said 206Kmph ....
Till that moment it was just a number .... but now its my record ....on a two wheeler .... Dubai - Abu dhabi road .... I jus hope I didnt get flashed ..... will have to wait and see ... I had taken my precautions .........
what a day for me yaar .... 206 was while going to abu dhabi... coming back with a biker gang (coincidence) ... 2 busas and 2 gixxers (cruising along)..... then the go kart race in Dubai Autodrome to end the day.....
cudnt ask for more ..... love long rides and drives specially cruising and the sudden rush for speed and back to cruising ..... its one time wen I feel myself at one with everything not asking for nething else at all ........
My funda is "Its not bout speed, its about the sense of freedom, the feel of wind on your face (not hair as Helmet is important)"
This is for you Kayoko (my gixxy)
"She moves ... she moves like a breeze,
swear I can't get her out of ma dreams,
To have her shining right here by my side,
I'd sacrifice all the tears in my eyes"
----- Aicha - Outlandish
Till that moment it was just a number .... but now its my record ....on a two wheeler .... Dubai - Abu dhabi road .... I jus hope I didnt get flashed ..... will have to wait and see ... I had taken my precautions .........
what a day for me yaar .... 206 was while going to abu dhabi... coming back with a biker gang (coincidence) ... 2 busas and 2 gixxers (cruising along)..... then the go kart race in Dubai Autodrome to end the day.....
cudnt ask for more ..... love long rides and drives specially cruising and the sudden rush for speed and back to cruising ..... its one time wen I feel myself at one with everything not asking for nething else at all ........
My funda is "Its not bout speed, its about the sense of freedom, the feel of wind on your face (not hair as Helmet is important)"
This is for you Kayoko (my gixxy)
"She moves ... she moves like a breeze,
swear I can't get her out of ma dreams,
To have her shining right here by my side,
I'd sacrifice all the tears in my eyes"
----- Aicha - Outlandish
Friday, March 6, 2009
Magic
lyrics courtesy -- http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~navin/india/songs/isongs/additions/N9038_gif.html
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
A Lot Like LOVE
If you have seen this flick then you may realize the scene has so much to it. I absolutely loved it.
Oliver finally has the guts of telling her (Emily) how he feels ..... its the way he says it ...... the part of the song where he is screaming .... the lines that he says after the song ... I heard you like Bonjovi (and she says I dont)...I know I am probably 6 years too late..... shit I feel bad for the guy ....
Why are guys always responsible for proposing? it isnt fair!!! ...... but I realize that is the right way .... It is unimaginable - a girl singing like this for a guy ....
Love this movie specially this scene .... (this flick is the new age Harry met Sally for me - no comparisons- but the feeling the flick leaves you in, is the same)
Mush Mush Mush and a hell lot of it
Saturday, January 17, 2009
My new blog ..... Holier than thou .....
Damn I was so excited wen the thought crossed my mind. Was so sure to get many masterpieces for it? But soon after that I was loaded with work. So much work that It feels I was imprisoned. Was in a state of shock, even when I returned to my room (don't have to mention I skipped health club for more than a month now).
My promise of recording the Instaces went down the drain. I dont remeber any one doing Apne mooh miya mithu. How is that possible. Have people improved, No ways, must have been ignorant.
Gotta find a real good one to get that blog back on track. It better be soon.
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