Dhoom 2

Saw the movie yesterday. Going in, I did not have a lot of expectations. Reason? The promos looked amazing and everybody was extra hyped about the movie. Coming out, I wanted to see it once again!

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Hrithik definitely looks amazing in the movie. I've never liked his looks, until now. Aishwarya looks alright - I didn't pay too much attention to her - but she does have that 'I'm better than everyone' attitude. Didn't like her too much. Abhishek is just as before. Nothing different or extra-ordinary about him. Uday is funnier than before. Can't act, is there only for the jokes, but does a good job. Bipasha doesn't have much of a role, but I liked her in the second half.

Benizishi!

Song: Leja Leja Mera Dil
Film: An Evening in Paris
Leads: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore



I absolutely love this song ever since the day I first saw it. Tagore doesn't have any terrific dance steps, yet the song is an 'item number'. And I just love the way she say's 'my name is suzie' ... makes me laugh everytime!

Doogtoons

After recently discovering the awesome world of Podcasts, I've been downloading a number of these using iTunes. I am a fan of Video Podcasts, because I often get distracted when listening to Audio.

These days, I religiously watch:
1) ABC World News
2) Bollywood Report from WahIndia
3) Doogtoons
4) Sam Has 7 Friends

Of the four shows listed above, I really like Doogtoons.
You'll have to watch the episodes for yourself to understand what I mean. The thing is not supposed to be educational or a 'typical' comedy - if there exists such a thing - but it's 'stupid funny' - don't know how to put the term any differently.

PS: I did share the link with one of my friends (residing in India) and he did not like the show.

My Duck is Sick?

SICK MY DUCK
...you'll never make it with girls if you stay out of school

Jane's & Mike's
English Language School

Credit: Spot Thompson Total Com. Group Athens

@ Ads of the World

Obsession

Road trips and weekend adventures are incomplete without a camera in hand. The click sound is what makes such long awaited and thoroughly planned vacations complete.

No matter which group I travel with... no matter how many people the group is composed of... or the average age of peers... or the location being explored... or the time of the day... or any other simple silly stupid scenario... the device that makes the click sound either:

1. sticks to my hand,
2. hangs around my wrist, or
3. dances around my waist.

As a result, very few clicks are targeted towards me.

This very disappointing factor encourages me to engage in some very non-unimaginable craziness.

When bored - and this happens often - and tired of the routine of fighting boredom - that consists of (a) watching movies, (b) playing games, (c) surfing the net, (d) chatting, (e) online social networking, (f) sleeping, (g) eating, (h) reading [?!] - the clicking device again mysteriously find its way towards me, my hand, my mind! And I - quite non-surprisingly - end up clicking my own photographs.

I assume, everyone would agree with me in saying:

self-clicked photographs look really bad

Yet, we all do it! Some do it more frequently than others. And I probably belong to the 'more frequent' category.

Rain Drive

Finally, after one whole year I got to drive in the rain. But it was not exactly what I wanted.

My ideal Rain Drive is on the highway with water pouring down like anything, resulting in nothing being seen beyond the dashboard. In such a situation, everybody in the car practices the fine art of being quite. Silence is the only sound in side, and rain is the only sound out side. No body moves their head, everybody's eyes stick to the 'road' - which, of course, is not in sight. And they all pray to reach safely to where ever the car is headed.

That is my ideal Rain Drive!

Oh! I so miss that situation.

Insight into my Personality?

The subject of movies is often discussed and talked about amongst friends. Back in the 'kids era' - yes I do like the combination of these two words - questions like "What is your favorite movie?" "Who are your favorite actors and actresses?" "What kind of music do you like?" "Which TV Serials are your favorite?" were often asked and answered. There could be several reasons to why every group of friends in this world has talked about these. Either there was nothing else worth talking about or these questions are very important! I used to believe the first reason - nothing else to talk about! But it seems the latter is true - these questions are very important!

Now the question - Why do I think "these questions are very important"? Well, because the rise of 'social networks' has emphasised the importance of these. No matter which social network, no matter whether it is being used largely or not, all of them have sections for - favorite movies, favorite music, favorite books etc. etc. So, do these tell something about the person? Or do they just serve as information that end up resulting in false interpretations?

How do you decide which kind of movie you like? No movie is perfect! Do we base our choices and preferences on Acting? Actors? Technology used? Special effects? Story? Climax? What?

Okay, another question. When someone first watches a movie or a new movie is released people again discuss it, ask others whether or not they liked the movie. This is not about favorites, it's only about the first impression. How do people judge this like or dislike towards the movie?

I, personally, did not like Omkara. The last 30 minutes were the best because the movie gained pace, but everything before it was slow and probably did not make sense to an average viewer (who has not read Othello). Although everything that happened in the first 2 hours was essential for the climax, as a whole I did not like the movie. Probably because it did not keep me involved, after a while I was not interested in what was happening on screen, I wanted it to just end!

Yesterday, I saw Sainik (a 1993 Akshay Kumar starrer). The movie did not have any story to it. They just made it out of the blue, probably to give these stars something to do. After the movie ended, I wanted to express my like or dislike. And for once I was confused. Although the movie did not have any storyline, although it was not all necessary to spend 3 hours watching it, although I could have done something better, probably watched another pathetic movie, I had a very good reason to say that I did not dislike the movie. This does not mean I 'liked' it, but I 'did not dislike' it either. The reason? I didn't really get bored. Although I could see, nothing is leading to nowhere, still the director had my attention.

How do you play this game of favorites? or likes or dislikes?

The Cursed Day

Aug 3 '01 - the day my family and I left New Delhi, India for good.
Aug 3 '01 - the day my family and I landed on American land for good.
Aug 3 '01 - the day that marked the ending of a beginning left incomplete.
Aug 3 '01 - the day that marked the beginning of a new beginning unasked for.

As a fourteen year old I arrived Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America exactly five years ago from today. Mom, Papa, Hansag and I stood at the Hartsfield Airport with our eight (or maybe twelve) huge suitcases, waiting for Mr. Man Mohan Sharma to receive us.

Two years before, in 1999, Hansag and I had come to the States for a visit of three months. The scene that was in front of our eyes now, was not at all scary. Seeing Whites, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, all those people running around at the airport seemed quite normal. Those pay phones, those carts, that luggage receiving area, those help counters, those sliding doors, those extra long cars, pick-up trucks, perfect roads, nothing, nothing at all was new or scary or unexpected.

Finally, someone came looking for us. It was Mr. Sharma's wife - Lydia Sharma - of Puerto Rican decent. Those huge suitcases we were standing by helped her recognize us.

The luggage was dumped into Mr. Sharma's white Ford pick-up truck. The rest of us rode the black Lexus, which had a built-in GPS system. Again, the automatic windows, the smooth ride, the fast highways, the country side, nothing, nothing at all was new or scary or unexpected.

The night before, back in India, mom was still packing. There was a huge crowd of people in our flat - Nana, Nani, Anil Chacha, Lajja Chachi, Shanky, Rishu, Rinku Mama, Papa, Mom, Hansag, and I. A lot of stuff was going on, the flight was in only a couple of hours and the house was still a mess, things spread everywhere! Adults' minds were not thinking straight. There came a point when postponing the ticket was being considered. I was up for it! I really wanted that! I actually wanted them to just fuckin' cancel the tickets and not ever think about moving to the United States. But of course, nothing was done. The flight, still, was in a couple of hours, and the house, still, was a mess.

Soon, and I mean pretty soon, it was time to step out the house. I went to my room, picked up the phone and dialed numbers. Three sets of seven digit numbers. Said the same thing to all the three on the other side of the line:

Hum bas nikal rahe hain. Tujhe last bye bolne ke liye phone kiya.
(We are just leaving. Called to say a final bye.)

Kanika Saboo, Srishti Bhatnagar, and Aditya Singh (probably in that same order, but can't remember).

Then, I went down the stairs, walked over to another building, called Tripti Sharma. She came downstairs we shook hands/hugged and I stepped inside that car that took me away, far away.

Yes, it has been five years since I've seen that flat or that particular crowd or Kanika or Srishti or Aditya or Tripti. It has been five years since I've stepped down those stairs or walked on that road or towards that building.

Five long unending years.

iSpace

I hail from the land of crowd.

No matter where you go, where you step, where you turn, where you see ... there's crowd everywhere! At bus stops, at train stations, at airports, in schools, in movie theaters, in parks, on the road ... crowd everywhere! Men, women, elderly, young, kids, infacts, rich, poor, beggars, sellers, people, people, people ... everywhere! Sometimes it is hard to find enough space to stand, to sit. Many times it's hard to walk. People pushing you around, stepping on your foot, calling you names, being extra rude is not at all shocking or surprising or even new. This is just how life works ... in the land of crowd!

Due to this exposure, it is sometimes hard for me to see people standing in buses when almost half the seats are empty. In the land of crowd 3-5 people share a seat, which was originally made for 2.

The later is the land of space, iSpace.

This place is full of land! Here, people don't like to see people. They don't like to be in close contact with them. In theaters, a minimum distance of one empty seat is absolutely required in order to enjoy the show. Here, people prefer living in the back portion of the house so that the road is not in front of there small abode, which allows them to avoid seeing people! Mostly everybody drives a car, use of public transportation is minimal, which allows many to enjoy iSpace in their known and friendly surroundings. In class, in parks, at train stations, at bus stops - in any public place - a good distance is maintained, no word is spoken, and not one comment is passed between two strangers. This is how very extremely important iSpace is, and this how very extremely strange the land of space is!

The Simpsons - Indian-e-fied!

Today, I came across this on YouTube.

Serves as good sequal to my previous Simpsons post.

Oh! So Yumm...

Lindt Truffles. Especially those white balls with that creamy stuff inside!

White chocolate is not really chocolate, it does not have any cocoa in it. Yet, the white truffles by Lindt are what I like, what I love!

I was first introduced to these amazingly delicious fake-chocolates at the

Fernbank Chocolate Exhibit. I worked there as a part-time cashier on alternate Friday evenings and on every Saturday and Sunday. Joined in February, quit in June. I preferred working at the Chocolate store, which was often more busy, but a lot easier to handle. Friday evenings were the most boring of them all. The evening went by very slowly. The couples entered the store with one of their hands entangled into a hand of a different skin tone than theirs; the other hand sophistically held a wine glass. Often times, people weren't in their senses (side effect of drinking). Other times, they'd purchase a $14 chocolate bar just to try it out.

I begged to differ.

Not completely though.

I worked there - the reason: I needed money to survive - and insipid of being poor I too purchased those highly overpriced not so uncommon candy bars. But, I bought the small stuff: like the beautiful White Lindt Truffles.

I'm not chocolate crazy. Yes, exactly how I'm not car crazy. There are a few chocolates, however, that make me fly. It all started with Five Star, creamy caramel bundled with some other soft and creamy stuff tied together by a milk chocolate coating. It started there, it ended there. That's all I liked! Not even KitKat, not even Perk, not even Cadbury. Five Star ruled!

In US, I tried several chocolates but none lived up to my expectations, except maybe Milky Way. And now, Oh! So Yumm... Truffles!

Recommended Read: Candy Freak by Steve Almond

Crush List

I'm not into cars. I can't even tell you the names of (a lot) of cars by just looking at them, except of course I know someone who owns a certain one and happen to know the name. The possibilities are not a lot, because Indians usually buy the same cars again and again. My parents, grandparents and uncle-aunt each own at least one Toyota Camry. So you see, there's no need to know all the names (or even a little less than all), because one name fits all!





Back in India (or maybe I should say, when I was much younger), I could identify a car by its sound. It's not hard to differentiate between a Tata Indica, Maruti 800, and a Fiat.

Since I'm not into cars, that says for itself that I'm not crazy about them either. My heart does not stop pumping blood at the sight of a Lamborghini. Neither does it fall short of breath on seeing a Ferrari. I don't want or wish to have any of these cars.

I believe you are pretty conviced that I too am going to buy a Toyota Camry someday. Hey I know the name! and I sure can relate it to a picture in my head. BUT! there are a few cars that do contribute in those little tiny instances where I don't feel my feet being in contact with the ground. Umm... not a few, but two. Don't worry I won't prove you wrong, if not Camry I'll buy something pretty much like it since Ferrari and Lamborghini are not on my crush list.

The first car I like would be Nissan Maxima. Surprised? Of course! What's so special about this, so simple, so boring, so not-unusual looking car. Well, I don't know! When you like someone, is there a reason behind it? Or is it a feeling inside? Something you can't control. Something you know is strange, yet feels right! Same thing here. I guess, I'm pretty practical in that manner. Why dream of a Hummer when I know it's of no use to me. Or, am I just finding excuses? Nah! C'mon its a MAXIMA!! I don't need an excuse for this car.

Next in line is Nissan Z. Much cooler. Much hippier. Much younger. Still, i'm not aiming too high. I don't think you'll need a explanation to why I like this car, do you?

Maxima and Z have been on my list for a while now. Even today, when I see either of the two cars my dil goes mmm...

It seems that soon enough a new member maybe added to the 'I like...' family. You won't be able to guess this one.

It's small.
It's sleak.
It turns heads.
It's a two seater, two door.
Most likely a fantacy forever.
Hopefully, a dream waiting to be turned into reality.

And the winner is Lotus! May be I over exagerrated. I'm still not sure if I really, absolutely, truely, passionately like the car. I've only seen it twice on the road in the past five days, and once on a photoblog. But the car looks pretty cool. And I believe, there should at least be one car in the house that lets just the two - him and i - take a trip, without even having the option of more people. The rest of the cars, can quitely sit in the garage, and act like they are at the repair shop.

The Simpsons Introduction - human-e-fied!

The Simpsons introduction, played by real people. Exactly like the cartoon!

Could not find a copy of the actual intro due to copyright laws.

Why did the Pigeon cross the road?

Here, on GSU 'campus' we have traffic lights for pedestrians as well. This is often hard to find in American suburbs, but in downtown it's not a surprise, in fact it's an absolute necessity.

Some people - and I really do not understand why - wait for the walk signal before stepping on the road, even if they can see there is not a car to be seen for a good distance and that no car will magically appear before the signal turns red from yellow.

Often times, I cross the road without paying attention to whether or not I'll safely reach the other side or unsafely reach the hospital. I guess, I lack observation skills, or I have too much faith in the crazy downtown drivers.

I've seen many not using the zebra crossing, which is not an uncommon thing, though it may be dangerous if one is not extra careful, even I do the same thing! But never in my life - before the morning of the day of today - did I see a pigeon waiting for the signal to say 'walk' and then crossing the road, using the zebra crossing! No exaggeration here, no fiction, nothing is made up!

I saw a brown and white pigeon cross the road with other human
pedestrians; it was 'walking' right in front of me.

I - looking at it all this while - smiling!

I don't think I've ever seen that pigeon fly, and I've seen it around Aderhold a number of times. It's not hard to distinguish it from others of its kind due to its texture. And, I've always seen it alone. Hmm... may be it doesn't have any friends.

I took some pictures of the 'lonely bird that walks' when I first encountered it. I wish I could post some of 'em with this blog, but unfortunately I can never transfer images from my Moto Razr to the PowerBook. The bluetooth identifies the object, but always shows an error when trying to transfer anything!

Google Store

Yes, Google Store! It sells all sorts of things from pens to pants, frisbies to can openers, office stationary to dog accessories.

Google's commercialization at it's height!

Some things are extra cheap, others horribly expensive. They got stuff for everyone! Poor, rich, humans, pets, kids, and adults.

Check it out for yourself!

Ads of a Better Flock

These are what I call commercials of a better flock. Way better than Pepsi TV fundas...

Shield TV Commercial

Pepsi Indian Cricket Huddle Advert

Why Plasma TV isn't popular in India...

Ranked in the order I like them. Plasma TV ad is not that great. And here's one from Airtel (as recommended by Mr. Arjun Kochhar):

Airtel: A. R. Rahman

Katherine's Pages

The Description: Exposure to the world distanced Katherine from everything except books. Years later, the one guy she does not want to get close to will drive her to open an old chapter of her life. But all he wants is to open a new one with her in it, before time runs out.

This is another one of Suban's films. If I am correct, he shot this before The Attraction Theory. I was one of the many editors for this script. Katherine's Pages is much more involved that The Attraction Theory, and is more like a "feature film" rather than a short clip. Once you see it, you'll realize a lot of effort went into the story writing. This can be viewed in better quality on Google Video or YouTube.

Watch TV + Drink Pepsi = Pepsi TV

Yesterday, I was looking up some Indian TV commercials. Didn't find any good ones. Pepsi used to make some good ads - or at least, back in the day I thought they were good... don't know if I'll like them now - but in this day and age they are making ridiculous, hilariously stupid, and seriously just a waste-of-time sort of commercials with bollywood stars.

Here's an example:

Pepsi TV commercial 1 of 2

Pepsi TV commericial 2 of 2

I have only one phrase in mind to express my emotions - WTF!!!

• Shahrukh Khan is too old to be doing this shit! There was a time when I used to absolutely love the king khan but I was a kid back then! Now, I don't even want to see his face even on a fucking moving vehicle that passes by me within several seconds; the 82 second commercial was definitely a stretch!
• What's up with these girls looking bitchy? Is it a soda commercial or a commercial by Axe?!
• Kareena Kapoor can't act, can't dance, can't express emotions, can't do anything that will give her the title of an "actress", yet she's so famous that she's in a Pepsi commercial? Or, is that how she's making money these days?
• Pepsi TV?! - Watch TV + Drink Pepsi = Pepsi TV - WTF!!! What kind of a crazy, stupid, crapy funda is that?

India needs much better ad makers (or whatever the term is for the people with a career in advertising).

4th of July - 2006!

The date back in the year 1776 when the United States of America declared itself a free nation. Exactly 230 long (being an Indian, maybe I should say short?) years ago.

The day is celebrated all over the US with fireworks, fairs, special events and a lot more. I feel awful when writing the following:

I never really witnessed any of the 4th of July excitment LIVE; and it has been 5 long (definitely long) years since I've been living in this nation.

Now, I feel proud - and certainly very satisfied - to declare:

This year was different!

The morning started early (for me at least! I woke up at 9 - very unusual for a holiday). I had read about the Peachtree Road Race the day before after hearing about it from Dean Brook - my bicycle coach. Although the road started at 6:55 and 7:30 for Wheelchairs and Elite runners, respectively ... 10am still wasn't late for a photoshoot as over 50,000 individuals participate in the 10 mile race, and at any point in time until, I guess, 12pm one can see a flock of people running, walking, strolling on Peachtree with a number tag on their t-shirts.

I did nothing related to the American 'Independence Day' in the afternoon. Rather, I was at Dean's house learning how to fix a road bike - change tires, pump air, fix breaks. Learned some new bicycle terms. I'm sure I won't remember all of 'em, but it's a start ... plus, as Dean says, "at least you'll know what someone is talking about when you hear these words."

In the evening, we headed to the City of Decatur Fireworks after discovering that it's the point from where one can see all the firewords in the city - Lenox Square, Centennial Park, and Stone Mountain. After reaching the area, we decided to change plans and headed towards the Lenox Square Mall because there was a lot to do their - stalls, food, games - none of which, we could see at Decatur while sitting in the car.

Initially planned for 9:30pm the firewords at Lenox were delayed until 10:15 due to light rain, but once up they did not stop, and seriously were fantabulous!

The next few pictures on my photoblog will certainly be dedicated to and portray this day.

four wheels, on the road ... one in hand!

The past few weekends have been quite a ride. From Helen, Georgia (GA) to Memphis, Tennessee (TN) to the great Smoky Mountains up in North Carolina (NC) and TN.

Road trip to road trip. One destination to another. Often, driving aimlessly into the dark and empty highways. Many times, taking a road less traveled by, with no car, no human soul to encounter in any direction. Making careful turns on those curvy mountain roads, stopping suddenly to witness an owl staring at us, slowing down to let a snake cross the road. Hiking up a mountain, running out of breath, being extra careful not to trip on the roots that run all across the path. Taking a break by a water fall, drinking that cool water, splashing it on our exhausted faces.

Witnessing the beauties of this alien world that we live in.

HIST 2110: American History ...WTF!

Desi Prof! ...Not only desi, but a desi prof with an interest and experience in European History - French to be specific - teaching American History just for the fun of it! ...WTF!

Dolina's (I guess that's how it's spelled) research interest is Pondicherry - the similarities between the French and Pondicherry - a city that's in no way Indian (her dialogue!).

She has been here in the US for ONE SEMESTER! Why did she VOLUNTEER to teach US History, with no previous experience in it? B'cause, she's living here... she'd like ot know what it's about! ...WTF!

Her class was boring. She did not catch my interest. I learned more in High School than in her crash course of early American History. And in the US that's not how it's supposed to be, here... people don't learn stuff in High School! She told three stories about the natives and the Puritans that she thought were intersting. Well, they WEREN'T! Not when she told them. Because she didn't really tell them! It seemed like, she said the introduction sentence and the concluding sentence, and bam! that's the story. ...Well, NO! It doesn't quite work like that, unfortunately.

I do feel sorry for her for being so boring, and having had a surgery ... yesterday. I hope today's class was a disaster just because of her just getting out of the hospital. If not, god help the students!

The Attraction Theory

Remember that short "film" I wrote about earlier? The one I helped in the making of as the camera (wo)man, audio specialist, and also as the latest "Priyanka Chopra" ... haha! I take it back, I do not like Priyanka Chopra - as a matter of fact, currently I do not like any actors/actresses in Bollywood (but let me save that for another post) ... What I meant to say was mine was a guest appearance in this short film.

Well, as of 6 days ago Suban Dey - the writer and director - uploaded the clip on YouTube and on Google Video. He did not even tell me about it! Why? Because he wanted me to see the better quality version. I was surprised he didn't know I couldn't wait for summer session to start to see it. I got the URL from his Facebook profile, and from then it all began - my journey as an audience.

Enjoy the show!



All of this was shot at Georgia State University's Student Center. The scene in the open area is shot right out side the Student Center and in front of the Recreation Center.

aah! ...life.

5:45 AM is when I went to bed. Setting a personal record of staying awake for 2 days and 2 nights in a row. I wanted to make this record for for 3 days and 2 nights, but unfortunately the internet connection in the morning went off; the only thing that could help me stay awake, went dead!

I need to read several books, but my mind was not in a state of comprehension. While watching the movies Hazaaron Khwaahishein Aisi and Rebecca earlier in the night, there were times when I had no idea what the characters inside the computer screen were saying. The words did not make any sense. I had to shake my head in order to come back to reality and in order to prevent myself from going too far down sleepy street in the land of undisturbed unconsciousness.

Woke up at 3:50 PM. Went down Tech Square to see how they had set-up the movie night. Saw about 15 minutes of Mr. and Mrs. Smith that started at 9. I had already seen it, and wasn't too excited about viewing it for a second time. Came back and had sambhar and chawal for dinner while watching Born into Brothels. The movie just ended and it's 11 PM.

The day came to an end even before it began.

6/6/6 - the day!

Today morning seemed very different for some reason. I felt something very unique and it seemed that I was experiencing something for the very first time. Could not decide what it was. And even now, while writing about it and trying extremely hard to find words to describe the incident, the experience, the feeling, the emotion, the drive, the moment - I regret to say, I fail myself!

Had the final exam for ECON 2106: Principles of Microeconomics at 8 AM. Mark Rider, our instructor, has a habit of being late to class. The test started at 8:30! I had stayed awake during all the hours of the previous night. Was studying - reading over notes, skimming through the book, reading chapter summaries; orkutting; reading blogs, and commenting. The test went well, I suppose. I'm not really looking forward to the results; prefer living in a dream rather than reality.

In the car, Punit said something about yesterday morning, and my ears found the word 'yesterday' very odd. I expressed, to me it did not seem like an entire day had already passed, gone, poofed! It only seemed like - not yesterday, but - yesterhour(?) or yesterminute(?) or probably just yestersecond(?) that we had been driving on the same road, stopping at the same traffic light, thinking about whether or not to reverse from the civic center station or not. This was the beginning of a very different morning.

While waiting for Professor Rider for thirty some minutes my mind drifted, and did something that it had not practiced for the past two months and two days, to be exact. It thought of words, combined them together, made sense out of them, forced my hands to pen them down, and finally create a piece of art - ek kavita! I wrote it in less than ten minutes and posted it on Intoxicated Senses soon after the test, under the time tag of when I penned my last word - 8:22 AM on Tuesday, June 6 '06. The poem compares one's life with the moon - a very common metaphor in Hindi Poetry - with a different approach. Instead of moon being the ideal symbol of beauty, the poem declares the moon a lonely soul who nobody really loves or cares about. Have a read and please, do post your views.

I decided to head back to my apartment sometime around 4:30ish. Before which I was busy orkuttin - latest fad of my life. I am already over facebook (thank god!); chatting; and of course promoting this latest kavita of mine. I stepped out of Aderhold and started walking towards the Peachtree MARTA station. The weather was quite good and I sure was enjoying it with my slow, leisurely steps. As soon as I started approaching the elevators down to the train level, I decided to walk past them. With a Red Bull in my right hand and a nice breeze blowing and messing up my hair, I was ready for a walk of over an hour through the heart of downtown Atlanta. I was certainly tired as a result of no sleep or rest, but I did not want to give up on this afternoon cum evening walk.

I walked down Peachtree Street - passed by the amazing architechture of the SunTrust building; saw office workers boarding Cobb Transportation; answered questions of roadside homeless people; smiled with and at this guy who was extremely happy about something; waited for the walk sign and crossed intersections; admired urban architechture; sometimes paused and had a look at tall buildings, trees, and street lamps from different angles - as a photographer's stunt; and much more! I did not feel like walking all the way upto Home Park. So, I cut through North Avenue into Georgia Tech campus in the hopes of boarding the Blue Route Stinger Shuttle. It was too hot at the stop and the sun had decided to take away all my energy. I stood there for just five minutes and gave up all hopes of sitting on a leather seat in an air-conditioned bus. After loosing all hopes I started walking towards the Tech Trolley stop. Oh! that Stinger stop in-pact with the deadly sun actually had snatched all of my strength. Yet, I walked!

Three other students had already been waiting for the Trolley near the Fraternity and Sorority houses. I sat on the bricks, my heartbeat was too fast, I could not do anything - not even think! After about seven minutes the Blue Route Stinger stopped across the road. Two other students who had joined the first three students and myself at the Trolley stop walked towards the bus, the other three went in a completely opposite direction, but I kept on sitting - didn't have any energy to move, no intentions either. Two minutes later, I was sitting in the Trolley myself.

Reached home around 5:50ish, collapsed on the bed, regained strength, changed into something loose, and got on my Apple.

wow :) - prisoner number "Rs. 10"

I do feel sorry for this particular guy... but man, is he fucked. Check out this article at HT's website - Two years in jail for bribe of Rs.10! - that states a head constable has been sentenced for two years in jail and a fine of Rs. 15,000 for taking a bribe of Rs. 10 some thirteen years ago.

A good thing? Too harsh? I don't know people, I'm just taken aback. Don't know in a good way, a bad way, or a neutral one :-?

Fernbank + controversies + GOD

Security guards at Fernbank are fun to talk to. Specially when it comes to a controversy... but then, talking about controversies is always fun... no matter who your counterpart.

These days, because of the movie's release, DaVinci Code is flourishing as a great topic to pluck your brains over. For me, however, it's stale news now. I've already had discussions on that topic with many engaging minds.

There's this particular security guard at Fernbank - I'm unfamiliar with his name - who always asks, after setting eyes on me, "do you believe the book is true?" I always look at him, smile and say..."I don't know if the book is true or not, but I do think Brown got a good imagination." And he does! The book, I believe is terrific. The way it engages its readers, how it builds and carries suspense through out the novel is just great! I haven't finished reading it yet, but as of right now - in very simple words - I'm crazy about the plot. Yes, I know there are many individuals who are completely against the book due to religious reasons... and this is completely understandable. Although, the book and the movie clearly state the story is fictional, in spite of being based on some true facts, it still questions the Christian faith. Average humans do not just read such materials and sit quite. They have to take an action! They are asked and forced to choose one side - true or false. Look at what happened when Hussain painted a naked picture of a Hindu deity? Look at what happened when some guy in Europe ridiculed Muhammad? They too were pieces of art - just like DaVinci Code - and they too were critical and controversial. When individuals play with somebody's emotions, beliefs - religious or personal, controversies come up, crazy stuff happens! Be there an intention behind it or not. This is how the world works!

Anyways. Yesterday, while talking to the no-name guard God also came up. He asked me if I was a Muslim. I said No. Then he thought about it and realized that I was a Hindu. A few seconds later I corrected him -

"Hindu, by birth."
So he asked me again, "What are you then?"
And I said, "an Agnostic."
"So you are an Atheist?" he asked.
"No. An Agnostic. I question the existence of God. I ask for proof, either for his presence or absence."
"So, how do you think the world was created?"
"I don't know" I said.
"What about human beings. Where did they come from?"
Same response from my side - "I don't know."
"Do you think we were created by Aliens?"
"It could be a possibility" - Hey! A different answer this time. I explained to him some different scenarios, gave him some different - more scary - outlooks on the world's existence.
"There could be many things. Aliens is definitely one of the possibilities. Basically, who is God? A superior being. Somebody higher than all of us. Right? Well, what if there's a particular species out there in the cosmos which is highly advanced than our own. There's definitely a possibility that they came down here and left some two beings to start life on their own. These aliens periodically visit earth just to check on us. It's not impossible."
He just said, "Hmm." His face clearly saying, "People at this age!"
Yet I continued... "Another possibility can be that we are living in a computer game. A programmer designed this simulation/strategy game, he did the basis things and now it's up to us to survive. Like Sims."
He just listened.

It is not true that I am the only person coming up with such scenarios or that I am the first to questions God's existence. Others have come up with similar possibilities and more will reach this point. This is what reason is about, this is what being rational does to you.

The no-name guard discussed this with Craig - another one of the security guards there. Several minutes later I came to know about this and Craig was happy to find some support to solidify his statement of Geetali being a rebel, which he made earlier in the day.

And the story goes on... the discussion did not end here. Jesus and Muhammad also came up. I made it clear that I do not deny the existence of either one, and I put extra emphisis on the word "either."

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend is a long weekend for most of the people living in America. Why most? Because I come in the second group of people who work on the weekends. In a way it is good that I have the weekdays to myself and I can do my school work then. But otherwise it's a pain because I can never do anything on the weekend. Yes, after 6pm I'm free, but can't really go for an out of town trip. Only if I had this Saturday and Sunday off, we would have decided to go somewhere, do something exciting.

The long weekend - as the Americans like to put it - is due to Memorial Day. It falls on the last Monday of May and is a day in the honor of all those who died on the battlefield.

This is something I really like about America. "What?" You may ask. Well, the idea that a national holiday falls either on a Monday or a Friday. There's no set date for them, only a set day - first or last Monday or Friday. Instead of two days to relax, people get three. I doubt that this could be accomplished in India. First of all, if something major - Independence Day, Republic Day, or Gandhi Jayanti - happens to fall on a weekday, schools ask their students to attend the "missed" classes on a Saturday. This is how it used to be a while ago. Eventually, Saturday's became another one of the "weekdays." So was the case at my school - Xavier's, Delhi.

Be it students or employees, everybody in India is pushed to their limits. And it starts early on. Why do they have to work so hard? Why can't they live like their American or British counterparts? I understand, the answers to these questions are Population and Competition. But that certainly doesn't mean that a human would be tested on every corner, in everything he/she does. Huh, and with the quota, things are definitely going to get worse.

Filming...

I realize that I haven't written anything for quite sometime now. I tell people that this is due to being busy, but in reality it is laziness.

I am taking summer courses in an effort to get ahead. Until June 6th, I'll have classes every single day. From the 15th, however, I'll have classes on every Tuesday and Thursday. I'm not working at the Computer Lab until June 7th. Am still going to Fernbank on every weekend though.

A week ago, I helped Suban in filming. Mine was a special appearance towards the end. I don't know if he has edited the entire thing yet, but I'm eager to see it because I also served as the camera-(wo)man for quite a large portion of the film.

I have moved my photoblog from Blogger to Shutterchance. The new URL is www.snapdcosmos.shutterchance.com. Please drop by if and when you get a chance.

exam fever

Exams this week...

Tuesay
12:30 to 2:30 - busa 2106 - legal environment of business
Thursday
8:00 to 10:00 - geog 1112 - introduction to weather and climate
10:15 to 12:15 - econ 2105 - principles of macroeconomics
Saturday
2:45 to 4:45 - cis 2010 - introduction to computer information
systems
Monday
8:00 to 10:00 - spch 1000 - human communication

The Saturday and Monday exams may be moved to Friday and Wednesday, respectively. Most likely, however, I'll give the CIS exam on Saturday. Speech to be moved on Wednesday is highly possible.

luck?
need it badly!

bygone days

The following post is in present tense, just cuz I feel like it...

For the first time in four weeks I'm seeing kids, and I mean groups-n-groups of elementry and middle school kids, at Fernbank. This sight certainly brings a smile upon my lips and forces me to just slide my hands in the pockets and look at the excited bunch for several minutes.

Chaparones are making their groups walk in straight lines, with a partner. Some kids are holding hands, some playing and kidding along with their partners.

Man, I sure remember those days. I can even go back down memory lane and still picture myself holding hands with my partner, getting on the bus, singing along the radio, kidding around and having fun with my classmates.

It only seems like yesterday when we stole Paras Pugalia's shoe on our way back to Xavier's in 5th grade [or what it 4th grade?] and the entire bus with girls and boys in separate groups bursted out singing joote do paise lo... paise do joote lo.

And of course, our hinsaya hinsaya was [and I believe, still is] a classic. Ah! that hinsaya! None of us, and I mean none of the 125 some students that rode on each bus, knew the words to this classic back-to-school-from-picnic song except Sarthak Bedi. He used to sing out the words and the rest of us did our part as the chorus by yelling HINSAYA HINSAYA!

I remember a few words to this classic one, and these are the only words I ever remembered...

alu matar tamatar lo
HINSAYA HINSAYA
sadak ka maal muft mein lo
HINSAYA HINSAYA

memories: evening moon [view]
melodies: chhod aaye hum [read] [listen]
fragrance: mera naya bachpan [unravel]

"the present eventually becomes a beautiful memory and opens the doors to let the future become the present... that friends, is life!"
--Geetali Sharma (ME)

CIS 2010: Test Results

Got the CIS test back. Remember, the one I was late for. The class sessions to this course are 75 minutes long, but tests only 50 minutes. And these 50 minutes start at 8 a.m. and go until 8:50 a.m. no matter what time one comes in. I wrote an entire blog about this event, read it here if you missed it.

So, I got 15 minutes to answer 50 questions. 35 minutes less compared the rest of the students who were present. In spite of such less time at hand, I answered 39 questions and got 37 correct. The teacher, Michael Cuellar, said the following when he reached my desk while passing out the test:

Pretty impressive! Based on that you had only 15 minutes.

I just looked at him, without a smile. While going over the test, I looked at the 11 SQL queries that I did not get a chance to answer. Only if I had 5-7 more minutes, I could have answerd all those and end up with a 90+ score after possibly missing 2 or 3 questions out of those 11 left. After the class, I shared this with Cuellar. To which his response was:

I'm sure of that. I could see that you knew everything. Only if you had a little more time...
When your test came out [of the scantron machine that grades multiple choice tests], I was like "whow! and she did not even answer all the questions."

I ended up with a 74 on this particular test. My grade was probably above average. The 2 students sitting on my either side made a 58 and a 72 [they had the entire 50 minutes].

memories: erin (not lucy) reclining [view]
melodies: truly madly deeply [read] [listen]
fragrance: tu aaya... [unravel]

"the rumba is the vertical expression of a horizontal wish. you have to hold her, like the skin on her thigh is your reason for living. let her go, like your heart's being ripped from your chest. throw her back, like you're going to have your way with her right here on the dance floor. nd then finish, like she's ruined you for life."

--shall we dance? [the movie]

what's next: tba [march ahead]
past text: ye hai STYLE... ye hai style! [turn around]

ye hai STYLE... ye hai style!

Okay... my blog will finally be different... something new is being added!

For the past two posts I've been trying to adopt and establish a new style, a new way to end my posts on this particular blog [not the photoblog or poemblog, this transformation is home to only memories, melodies, fragrance!].

Now, each of my posts will end with:

• a photo recommendation from an online photoblog.
• a song [either english or hindi] with links to it's lyrics, a place where you can enjoy listening to the song, and possibly a link to the video of the song.
• a poem [again, either english or hindi] that I specially dig out on the internet for my dear readers.
• a quote
• a link to the previous and [once I've composed a new blog] a link to the next blog.

The format for the recommendations and other added materials will look something like this:

memories: photo title [view]
melodies: song title [read] [listen] [watch]
fragrance: poem title [unravel]

"quote goes here. it may be long, it may be short. this is just a test to see what it will actually look like."

what's next: blog title [march ahead]
past text: blog title [turn around]

This blog post only contains the details and the template for the new style that I am adopting for my blog. The change will take effect starting my next post.

Ski Trip '06

Although I have a lot of other things to talk about since my post 2 days ago, I'll write about the Ski Trip since I said I will!

This is not latest information since I went on this trip about a month ago. But, it is rare information. Ski Trip '06 will be known as my very first adventurous trip with friends. What was so adventurous about it? Not the actual skiing [although it sure is a part of it], but the way I reached the place and how I remained there and the day I returned and the aftermath. I don't want to go into details because it's secret information, but I will mention that my parents did not know before hand that I was going to be out of town for an entire weekend.

I did enjoy my time there though. Staying up late, dancing, drinking soda, talking to random people... people I would never talk to if I was awake, going on a drive on a mountain that did not recieve cell phone connection, feeling lost, coming across an old, old, really old, gas station... and finally finding the way back home.

One thing is for sure though, I am never going to any such things with ABCDs anymore. No offence to my close AB friends, but these people who organized the thing aren't the kind of people I'd like to hang out with. My answer would probably be different if I was "one of them" ... but I'm not ... so the distinction remains.

I took a whole lot of pictures there. By now they would have been up on evoking awe, but they won't be until I get a new template and a new URL.

Memory of the Day: sun bathed window [see it]
Melody of the Day: paathshala [lyrics] [song]
Fragrance of the Day: is nadi ki dhaar mein [read it]

What's Next (in blogs): TBA

a morning i'll remember forever

Today's morning proved to be one of the most horrible mornings of my life. Some people might know that I am NOT a morning person; I CANNOT get up early. In spite of this raw fact, I am taking early morning classes this semester. Mondays and Wednesdays my class starts at 9am (have only one class on MW) and on Tuesdays and Thursdays my classes start at 8am. Fridays are off, I catch up on my sleep when the rest of the world works.

Today - Feb 21, 2004 - [which also happens to be Sincerly Flattered's 20th birthday] I had a test in my 8 o'clock class. Guess what time I woke up... 7:51am!!! I reached the class at 8:35. Although the class lasts until 9:15, the teacher only lets the students take the test until 8:50, no matter what time one comes in. I answered 40 out of 50 questions in 15mins. Knew the ans to everything else also, but couldn't get through those because the test was multiple choice with a large part of it having to do with digging out the correct answer for SQL queries.

Song of the Day: wo tere pyaar ka gham [lyrics] [remix]
Shayari of the Day: ...Ishq [read it]
Picture of the Day: whoz staring at whom? [see it]

What's Next (in blogs): Ski Trip '06

India's youth, in need of primary education.

Read the article Turning to Gods and Astrologers to Pass Exams and you will be amazed at what today's generation is getting themselves into. Being religious, praying five times a day, and eating after offering food to the gods as an everyday practice is fine. But, turning one's "god be with me" mode simply because exams are at the corner is pure selfishness, lack of self-confidence, and probably a serious condition that should be checked out by psychologists and psychiatrists.

What this article overviews leaves me in disgust. I could never imagine that the students who were taught in schools that superstition is a waste of time and leads to nothing would fall back upon the same crap once it comes to making their own decisions. These idiot 10th and 12th graders, who will soon appear for their board exams, are offering prayers at 6am to some deity before beginning their daily study routine. Others are going to pundits to get their writing pens powered with spiritual powers so they can do well on their exams. It doesn't stop here! Wearing a lucky dress, following a certain diet, departing the house at an auspicious time and any bizarre idea one can come up with ... the future of India is doing it!

I want to blame the youth who's participating in all this superstition, but I cannot. Reason being the family pressure they face when it comes to these exams - boards and entrance exams being the biggies. Parents perception is that these exams either make or break the future of their child. It may be true partially, but not completely. In my opinion what makes or breaks someone's future is their devotion to their work. And one certainly does not need to be a religious devote to be a successful academic or a successful worker or a successful person. One should concentrate on studies, along with engaging in physical activities as a means of stress release, to do well in exams. Don't freakin' waste your time, energy, and money in traveling between temples, consulting pundits, and ruining your diet.

A Realization

Today, I realized that I do not take the Panther Shuttle to Aderhold anymore. When the Fall semester started, I slowly and steadily found my way around the State campus. In the beginning I used to walk to and from Aderhold, because I did not want to take a risk with the shuttle and be late or entirely miss my film class [not that it was extremely important, but I was a student author for that course]. Then one day, I experimented with the shuttle and was surprised to find out that I almost always could avoid the seven-minute walk to Aderhold. But slowly, without realizing, I went back to old school - walking briskly. I propose, it has been several months since I stepped into a panther shuttle, be it to go to Aderhold, The Village, or Turner Field.

These days, I often ride the Tech Trolly. This happens when I decide to go to GaTech's library instead of State's because I think Tech's library is more beautiful than ours.

Words in Bold Grey defined here:

Panther Shuttle: University shuttle that transports students between the dorms, student center, and Aderhold.

Aderhold: Aderhold Learning Center... name of one of the buildings on campus. It is a fairly new building, and definitely my favorite because it has a lot of space and one can see every part of the building while standing anywhere.

State: Nick name for Georgia State University.

The Village: Name given to student dorms. It consists of four buildings - Athina, Ithica, Sparta, and Olympia. A greek theme going on here. Don't know why they named it "the village" ... should have been "the odyssey" :)

Turner Field: Sports arena where major league baseball is played. Their parking is available for free to Georgia State Students.

Tech Trolly: One of the two shuttle services available at GaTech.

GaTech: Georgia Institute of Technology... a technical institute located in Atlanta, run by the state government of Georgia. AKA GeorgiaTech or Tech.

just a thought

GSU library closes at 6:00 PM on Friday. I was there until 5:55 PM and then left for Tech's library. Like yesterday (and unlike usually) I decided to take the westbound train from GSU's marta station and then switch to the northbound train from FivePoints. My get off point was Midtown, which comes after North Avenue.

At the North Avenue station a women wearing a white cardigan got on the train. She looked Indian with her hair dyed brown and tied back. She looked at me with a slight, apathetic smile and took a seat in front of me. She happened to know a guy in yellow jacket, who at first did not notice her. Soon, he started talking to her; rather, asking her everyday questions and she continued to answer all of his question with the same slight and apathetic smile.

Her smile was very forceful, I noticed. It seemed like she didn't want to smile, but was forcing herself. Some of the questions that man in the yellow jacked asked her were as follows:

Q: How are your kids?
A: (smile) Good.

Q: Are you working tomorrow?
A: Yes (smile).

Q: Working seven days a week?!
A: Yes (smile).

Q: How many hours?
A: 74.

Working seven days a week, seventy-four hours a week. Her hours average out to 10+ hours for each day. Doing this for whome? Her kids, I guess. Right now they are probably young, but soon when they get to college they'll want to leave her behind, to live and lead their own lives. Then, she'll probably cry over the thought of "what might have gone wrong?"

Parents live for their kids, and kids for themselves at times.

Fire Alarm

I was going through and deleting all my old emails from my GSU Student Email account and came across the following:

The campus wide fire alarm system is not operating correctly. While the alarms will work properly in every building, the system will not currently notify the police department. Repair parts are on order and we expect to have the problem corrected not later than Monday [3 days from today]. If you observe or hear a fire alarm in a Georgia State University building please call the University Police at 651-3333 or 651-2100.

When I first read it about a month and ten days ago, I found it to be absolutely hilarious. Today, it didn't make me laugh out as loud as before, and it doesn't have the same effect, but still it's pretty funny.

About an hour later, I received the following email:

The campus wide fire alarm system has been repaired and returned to normal operational status. In case of a fire the system will notify the police department.

Quick, I must say!

"Haan, Kishu"

This is what Nana said when he pressed the answer key on his cell phone. As far as I can go down memory lane, I do not remember him calling me Kishu, it has always been "Geetali." Hearing this "Kishu" from him was surprising, but definitely felt good.

Kishu is my nick name. One of those names Indian kids are known by to their family and neighbors; the kind of name that has no resemblance to one's real or formal name.

I don't like it when a family member calls me Geetali. For some reason, I feel a gap between myself and that particular person. I am used to being called Kishu at home, so hearing Geetali feels a little odd. Plus, "Geetali" is reserved for friends, acquaintances, colleagues, teachers, employees etc. I am close to my friends, of course... but the relationship between friends and family is different. Even if I'm not very close to someone in my family, hearing "Geetali" creates another unnecessary barrier.

The reason Nana called me "Kishu" is because I saved my cell number on his phone by the name of "Kishu" not "Geetali Sharma"... unlike how he saves Mom, Ritu Masi, Harshu Mama, Anuj and Neeraj Bhaiya's numbers.

Indians & Relationships

Indians lack greatly in their judicial abilities. When it's about tolerance, middle-aged Indians (on the most part) are no where to be found on the list. Indian parents practice force and for the most part care about two things - good education and relationships. When one reads these two words without any presumptions in mind he or she gets a good feeling, but not necessarily if the word "India" or "Indians" is also present somewhere in the sentences.

I would have been talking about education as well, but being a romantic the topic on relationships makes more sense to me :). Plus, this particular post is based on an article from New York Times and an incident that recently occurred in Meerut, India.

If you are an Indian or have visited India, I believe you have been to large parks full of greenery. Grass, plants, trees everywhere. Sometimes a waterfall or two, a little bridge over a small stream, some sort of edifice at random places in the park for shelter. If you know what I am referring to then I am sure you know the trademark for all parks of this kind - couples sitting together, talking, sometimes cuddling, smiling, laughing, absolutely lost into each other. All this done under an open and clear sky. These couples are an amusement to the school children who go to these parks on an yearly basis for picnics [speaking from experience here :) - as a schooler :D]. But to adults this perfectly natural thing, done under the sun, is a crime. The word crime does seem a little too harsh, but it is the well understood truth.

The kind of scene I described above is seen almost everyday! But every now and then, when the enforcers of the law loose their minds, a beautiful day turns into a nightmare for these young couples. That is what happened in Meerut's Gandhi Park. A force of police officers rushed into the park and started slapping and verbally abusing the couples. They were asked their names and addresses, bombarded with sentences and scoldings like:

Is this what your parents raised you for? Have some shame, some respect for your parents! You come to college to study, not to do all this.

One couple ran away from their house, because all this was broadcasted on television and reported in newspapers [later their parents agreed to get them married]. A girl, who was sitting their alone, was accused of being a prostitute.

Why is India the Great intolerant towards such a natural phenomenon? Why did the marriage of that particular pair of college students in love was fixed after the incident? Why was that girl [who was there with no-one] insulted and verbally abused in front of reporters? Why do these kind of uncivilized acts continue to occur in the world's largest democracy and the seventh most developed nation?

I think the answer is relationships. Not in a good way though. Hindu textures say until the age of 25 one must lead the life of brahmcharya. From age 25 to 50 it's time for a grihasth life. Mind you, that is the only time for a life of love, physical relationship, and emotional attachment towards one person of the opposite sex (your spouse). I do not deny that this is a very good way to go, but I do object on the control that Indian parents like to feel and have upon their kids no matter how old they get.

One should not expect anyone to follow these old textures and/or their parents' ideals and beliefs on every corner. Specially not in a world that encourages self-thought and provides more and more liberty with every new action. Indian adults are scared of their children getting hurt when it comes to relationships with the opposite sex, not realizing that this process of pain and pleasure is absolutely necessary in the growth of a healthy human mind.

There's a time for everything, an age for the birth and death of everything in a person's life. When that particular time period becomes a thing of the past, the individual looses out on the experience and the immense amount of knowledge that was to be gained from that experience. This age is different for everybody. The average may be on the intervals of twenty-five - 25, 50, 75 - but for some it comes early and for some late. I hope someday people will not only realize this but also let others follow their own time-table.

a different me

Read this quote on my "quote of the day" widget, and it brought a smile to my lips. "Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing." So true! Why worry about anything when we are going to leave everything behind and this world will gladly let us go.

All the complications and dilemmas we face on every new step taken is a result of maintaining a certain sort of status in society. When this world is about learning and sharing knowledge, then why limit ourselves in our experiments. Live and let live! But, when it's about your dreams... just do it!

I think I'm becoming more and more indifferent about the people around me. I guess, it's good for me... but not for them :-?