Two men are having a conversation.
1st: I need to buy a watch. Let's go to National Market.
//National Market is the chor bazaar of Bangalore//
2nd: What kind of watch?
1st: A decent one, like a Rado.
2nd: My friend is selling his Rado. Do you want to buy it? It's brand new.
1st: How much is he selling it for?
2nd: 25,000 bucks.
1st: Baalls! My budget is 300 bucks.
2nd: Bhull! For 300 you'll only get a 'Radio' watch in National Market.
1st: You mean, there will also be a radio in that watch.
2nd: Possible! But it'll say 'Radio' on the dial.
1st: (Laughs out loud)
2nd: The shopkeeper will say that a printing mistake has happened. He'll strike out the 'I' and make it Rado and give it to you.
Me: This is so going into my blog!
A round of coffee follows.
(With inputs from !Anoop and !Navneet)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My Grandma and Batman
I was at my cousin's school last evening to pick her up. Deepika studies in class 5 at Poorna Pragnya Education Center (P.P.E.C, often referred to as Poori Palya Eating Centre by rival school goers!). As she came out of the school gate and we made our way home, I got remembering of my school days in the early and mid 90's. And especially since I caught up with The Dark Knight later that evening, I couldn't help but thinking of the early days of the Caped Crusader as well.
I dedicate this post, firstly to my Grandma; the most light hearted soul on this side of the earth and to her noble idea that incomes must not be taxed. She was educated up to class 3. I think she would have done well in the finance ministry.
Secondly, to all those who went to school in the 90's; especially the twenty year olds. This text is intended to take you down memory lane.
And thirdly, to Star Plus who made living for school kids worthwhile between 4:30 pm and 6 pm on weekdays in the last decade of the twentieth century.
Narse Gowda would pull up the auto in front of no. 6 'B' street Sirur Park Road Sheshadripuram at 330 every evening. After ensuring that the shoes and socks were carelessly thrown in the corner, and some grub, a round of cricket would follow in the 10 ft by 15 ft area compound. Yes, one of those places where the minimum score always ran into 3 digits. But all action would seize at 2 minutes to 430 only to be resumed later.
My grandma would fix a huge glass of Bournvita and I would turn on Star Plus for the first show of the evening – Small Wonder. She would sit and watch the show along with me even when she didn't understand a word of what was being said. I translated the dialogues for her; even to this day I can vividly remember “Vicky” the Robot, Jamie, the Dawsons and Harriet. Close your eyes and I'm sure you'll hear a soft voice in your head singing the jingle “She's a small wonder!”
By now, with the chocolate milk in my glass missing, we would move on to slot 2 of the evening – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The four heroes – Raphaelo, Donotello, Michaellangelo and Leonardo and their Rat Master (I can't remember his name). Boy! Were they good! Close your eyes again and your sure to hear the jingle of the intro song. I really can't remember many of the plots from the series, but it did leave a mark that I remember the show to this day.
Show no. 3 for the evening was Batman. But this wasn't starring Christian Bale. This was the Batman with Robin (before the days when the word 'gay' was thrown around). This was the Batman that drove the Bat mobile through the bushes that concealed his hideout. All the fight sequences were punctuated with Biffs!, Pows! And Bams!Kapaow!. Batman carried everything he ever needed in his belt. Bruce Vain lived in a Victorian style Mansion above the hideout, not in a plush penthouse like billionaire head of the Wayne empire. That is where the library stack gave way to reveal the 2 pillars that Batman and Robin slid down to their den. The Mayor of Gotham City pressed the black button on the Red Telephone to call for the Superhero and the candy like Boy-wonder. The series where the villains' sidekicks could be replaced by a stack of cards very simply because the odds were always stacked against them. Every alternate episode ended with the good guys being trapped and battling for life and a closing message would flash: “Can Batman survive the horrible trap of the Joker? Can the Joker have the last laugh? Stay tuned.” No points for guessing who had the last laugh the next day.
It was serious affair for a 10 year old back then. I would watch the series like there was no tomorrow. My Grandma would suspend all her household chores to watch Batman. And she would follow the tale with translation from her grandson. That was the age of simplicity. Now, in a multiplex, the Dark Knight is shown in dark light. He loses several battles with the Joker, before getting the better of him. He still womanizes though, and his gadgets have gotten cooler. The plot is complex, the sounds are louder and you'll have to make prior reservations to get a seat in the hall. It's no longer fun viewing for a class 5 kid and his grandma. I doubt if I'll be able to explain even 10 % of the movie to her, and that provided she agrees to come and watch the show in a multiplex hall for the first time ever in her life. This is the age of pseudo simplicity.
I dedicate this post, firstly to my Grandma; the most light hearted soul on this side of the earth and to her noble idea that incomes must not be taxed. She was educated up to class 3. I think she would have done well in the finance ministry.
Secondly, to all those who went to school in the 90's; especially the twenty year olds. This text is intended to take you down memory lane.
And thirdly, to Star Plus who made living for school kids worthwhile between 4:30 pm and 6 pm on weekdays in the last decade of the twentieth century.
Narse Gowda would pull up the auto in front of no. 6 'B' street Sirur Park Road Sheshadripuram at 330 every evening. After ensuring that the shoes and socks were carelessly thrown in the corner, and some grub, a round of cricket would follow in the 10 ft by 15 ft area compound. Yes, one of those places where the minimum score always ran into 3 digits. But all action would seize at 2 minutes to 430 only to be resumed later.
My grandma would fix a huge glass of Bournvita and I would turn on Star Plus for the first show of the evening – Small Wonder. She would sit and watch the show along with me even when she didn't understand a word of what was being said. I translated the dialogues for her; even to this day I can vividly remember “Vicky” the Robot, Jamie, the Dawsons and Harriet. Close your eyes and I'm sure you'll hear a soft voice in your head singing the jingle “She's a small wonder!”
By now, with the chocolate milk in my glass missing, we would move on to slot 2 of the evening – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The four heroes – Raphaelo, Donotello, Michaellangelo and Leonardo and their Rat Master (I can't remember his name). Boy! Were they good! Close your eyes again and your sure to hear the jingle of the intro song. I really can't remember many of the plots from the series, but it did leave a mark that I remember the show to this day.
Show no. 3 for the evening was Batman. But this wasn't starring Christian Bale. This was the Batman with Robin (before the days when the word 'gay' was thrown around). This was the Batman that drove the Bat mobile through the bushes that concealed his hideout. All the fight sequences were punctuated with Biffs!, Pows! And Bams!Kapaow!. Batman carried everything he ever needed in his belt. Bruce Vain lived in a Victorian style Mansion above the hideout, not in a plush penthouse like billionaire head of the Wayne empire. That is where the library stack gave way to reveal the 2 pillars that Batman and Robin slid down to their den. The Mayor of Gotham City pressed the black button on the Red Telephone to call for the Superhero and the candy like Boy-wonder. The series where the villains' sidekicks could be replaced by a stack of cards very simply because the odds were always stacked against them. Every alternate episode ended with the good guys being trapped and battling for life and a closing message would flash: “Can Batman survive the horrible trap of the Joker? Can the Joker have the last laugh? Stay tuned.” No points for guessing who had the last laugh the next day.
It was serious affair for a 10 year old back then. I would watch the series like there was no tomorrow. My Grandma would suspend all her household chores to watch Batman. And she would follow the tale with translation from her grandson. That was the age of simplicity. Now, in a multiplex, the Dark Knight is shown in dark light. He loses several battles with the Joker, before getting the better of him. He still womanizes though, and his gadgets have gotten cooler. The plot is complex, the sounds are louder and you'll have to make prior reservations to get a seat in the hall. It's no longer fun viewing for a class 5 kid and his grandma. I doubt if I'll be able to explain even 10 % of the movie to her, and that provided she agrees to come and watch the show in a multiplex hall for the first time ever in her life. This is the age of pseudo simplicity.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Testified
Last Saturday was a quiz for all the trainees of the Murugappa Group at Dare House, Parrys Corner in Chennai. Mr. Austin Anandkumar was the quiz master and he had quite a couple of good ones under his sleeve. Here are a few:
1) What is the origin of the word 'testify' (as in to testify in the court of law?)
A: It comes from the word 'testis'. In the earlier days, men who walked behind the box swore on their testis to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Yewh!Scary thought if he lied.
2) What kind of a magazine is referred to as a 'Top of the Shelf magazine?'
A:) Adult magazines are called Top of the Shelf because they are out of visibility for children.
can't think of more ... append if wish to.
1) What is the origin of the word 'testify' (as in to testify in the court of law?)
A: It comes from the word 'testis'. In the earlier days, men who walked behind the box swore on their testis to speak the truth and nothing but the truth. Yewh!Scary thought if he lied.
2) What kind of a magazine is referred to as a 'Top of the Shelf magazine?'
A:) Adult magazines are called Top of the Shelf because they are out of visibility for children.
can't think of more ... append if wish to.
Friday, July 18, 2008
House hunted
Many of my age group are just stepping into the The Great Indian Workforce. Housing for young kids like us is a real challenge. We are, as I see, not yet there to make a down payment and pick up a property to pay EMIs yet. We make good money to pay some reasonable rent. We are picky and choosy about whom we live with. We want to live independently and 'live it our way'. Food is important, but not as much as unwinding after a tiring week's work. For some of us, our private space is far more necessary than saving on those couple of thousands.
As I've been house hunting in Chennai for about 3 days now, I see that rentals have gone through the roof here for no apparent reason. Most of the houses that are now flying off the shelf didn't have takers a year ago, or maybe even 8 months ago. In 2007, houses that cost 2K are going for a bargain rent of 5k today. All this despite the fact the starting incomes have actually dipped. Work out the economics and it will show you that the situation is bizarre.
I responded to an ad for a single BHK house in Central Chennai (close to my work place in Nandanam). When I did end up at the location, I found the house to be well located, as in the approach road being tidy (which is a rarity here; no offence). The owner was a courteous gentleman who woke up from a relaxing siesta to show me the house. It was a cute little thing just right for a single person. I loved it. I could 'see' myself 'living' there. The house was 7 minutes walk to my office. It had a little hall, a cute little kitchen to fix the dishes and a small room. "Perfect!" I thought for a minute and decided to take it. I paid the owner a token of Rs 101 and told him I would arrange for the advance in 2 days time for which the gentleman kindly consented.
I came to my aunt' place with a sense of achievement. My first real estate deal was just finalised; it was a rental one, but a deal is a deal! I called on my mom to tell her that I had booked the place. Later in the evening as I sat discussing the place with my aunt, something hit me.
The house I was going to be living in had no windows. Not one. It dawned on me that I'd be spending the next couple of years in a box. And I don't plan to befriend Claustrophobia.
This morning, I called the owner and cancelled. At least, you want good cross ventilation in the house you live in. Coming to think of it, when the owner opened the door of the house for me to see, it was pitch dark as a burrow at 3 in the afternoon. As he turned on the lights, the darkness went out of the door along with my common sense.
In case your hunting for houses, I would suggest you to go with a prepared checklist of things your looking for in it. It makes life easier.
As I've been house hunting in Chennai for about 3 days now, I see that rentals have gone through the roof here for no apparent reason. Most of the houses that are now flying off the shelf didn't have takers a year ago, or maybe even 8 months ago. In 2007, houses that cost 2K are going for a bargain rent of 5k today. All this despite the fact the starting incomes have actually dipped. Work out the economics and it will show you that the situation is bizarre.
I responded to an ad for a single BHK house in Central Chennai (close to my work place in Nandanam). When I did end up at the location, I found the house to be well located, as in the approach road being tidy (which is a rarity here; no offence). The owner was a courteous gentleman who woke up from a relaxing siesta to show me the house. It was a cute little thing just right for a single person. I loved it. I could 'see' myself 'living' there. The house was 7 minutes walk to my office. It had a little hall, a cute little kitchen to fix the dishes and a small room. "Perfect!" I thought for a minute and decided to take it. I paid the owner a token of Rs 101 and told him I would arrange for the advance in 2 days time for which the gentleman kindly consented.
I came to my aunt' place with a sense of achievement. My first real estate deal was just finalised; it was a rental one, but a deal is a deal! I called on my mom to tell her that I had booked the place. Later in the evening as I sat discussing the place with my aunt, something hit me.
The house I was going to be living in had no windows. Not one. It dawned on me that I'd be spending the next couple of years in a box. And I don't plan to befriend Claustrophobia.
This morning, I called the owner and cancelled. At least, you want good cross ventilation in the house you live in. Coming to think of it, when the owner opened the door of the house for me to see, it was pitch dark as a burrow at 3 in the afternoon. As he turned on the lights, the darkness went out of the door along with my common sense.
In case your hunting for houses, I would suggest you to go with a prepared checklist of things your looking for in it. It makes life easier.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Corporate Baby
Stepping out of college into the corporate world can be a harrowing and fun experience. I certainly wish you noticed the oxymoron in the previous line. As I was getting ready to leave for Chennai to start work, my Mom went into her concern-for-her-little-boy mode and told me that it was now time for me to start building my own umbrella. Apparently, I had been living under the shade of the umbrella that she had built all these years (and boy was that comfortable!). And now, it was my turn.
The Umbrella could mean a whole lot of things. Initially I was narrow minded enough to assume that the Umbrella was one of money. And Money being one of my favourite subjects, I got out a pen and paper and started charting out an 'investment plan' in the dark. But as I look back to grasp the bigger picture behind the advice, I certainly understand that it's more to do with one's reputation, law abidance (and talking of which, rules are certainly meant to be followed) and mapping out a bigger picture for oneself rather than just keeping up with the Joneses; or Kumar's if you're in our country.
I'm told by my experienced colleagues at work that you need to be politically correct in the Corporate world. Back biting and judging can backfire and cause some serious damage, I'm told. Engineers might want to test it and confirm it for themselves. But I'm willing to take my colleagues' advice at face value. A corporate baby has a lot learn and the best way to do it: Don't touch the fire if you're told it's hot. I mean, listen and trust experience.
But yes the food, coffee and the glamour is good. I'm not too sure of the timings!
The Umbrella could mean a whole lot of things. Initially I was narrow minded enough to assume that the Umbrella was one of money. And Money being one of my favourite subjects, I got out a pen and paper and started charting out an 'investment plan' in the dark. But as I look back to grasp the bigger picture behind the advice, I certainly understand that it's more to do with one's reputation, law abidance (and talking of which, rules are certainly meant to be followed) and mapping out a bigger picture for oneself rather than just keeping up with the Joneses; or Kumar's if you're in our country.
I'm told by my experienced colleagues at work that you need to be politically correct in the Corporate world. Back biting and judging can backfire and cause some serious damage, I'm told. Engineers might want to test it and confirm it for themselves. But I'm willing to take my colleagues' advice at face value. A corporate baby has a lot learn and the best way to do it: Don't touch the fire if you're told it's hot. I mean, listen and trust experience.
But yes the food, coffee and the glamour is good. I'm not too sure of the timings!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
A Gate-a-way.
It's been almost a week now since the celebrated Chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates stepped down from office. As an aspiring entrepreneur myself, I have always kept my ears open to the words that spring out of his mouth every now and then. Like many great men of the previous centuries whose words continue to be quoted long after they're gone, Gates will be be no exception.
There's little that remains unsaid of his scholastic, professional and financial genius; and Blogger wouldn't bail me out if I were jailed for repeating it. For a couple of days now, I have been keeping myself busy with Robert Heilbroner's The Worldly Philosophers. An interesting incidence that points out repeatedly in this book, and even as History has put into spotlight: there are always the theorists, and there are the practical men. Theorists will 'study' patterns and trends and show light into the way of the future. That is how consultants have always earned their bread and butter in any field. No one better than Peter Drucker in Management Circles and futurist Alvin Tofler pop up into my head here. I haven't read of much of Drucker myself; but the number of volumes that carry his name on the cover page across the book shelves of the world speak for themselves of the guru. I personally adore, respect, follow and worship Alvin Tofler. Call this clan as Toflerians, but if the previous sentence made you want to jump out of the window for lack of comprehension, I would at least urge you to read The Third Wave (one of the most influential books of the last century) before doing so. But Bill Gates would figure ahead of the two gentlemen. Having opened the doors of the information age, he has always operated ahead of the rest of the world by at least 5 to 10 years. What does that mean?
The 5 to 10 years window is not necessarily in the sense of a visionary. Most men/women that have achieved anything significant in life have all been visionaries. Bill Gates, as of today, can say what exactly technology will look like in some years from now. Picture this as the look out in a ship standing atop the sails and warning people on the deck know of what lies ahead. And the man is pin point accurate to what he says. Having started out as a programmer, he went on to play a sales man pitching the world to buy into his software, then built a strong business system and provided super leadership. Besides this, he's donned on other caps as a successful investor. an economist (he's a regular face at the World Economic Forum in Davos annually), a futurist, a writer and more recently as a philanthropist. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is far bigger than the Rockefellers' or the Fords'. In charity size does not matter, but then, it matters.
He deserves all the accolades that have been bestowed on him. Thanks Bill for the new age! I'm proud to have lived on this earth at a time that he did.
There's little that remains unsaid of his scholastic, professional and financial genius; and Blogger wouldn't bail me out if I were jailed for repeating it. For a couple of days now, I have been keeping myself busy with Robert Heilbroner's The Worldly Philosophers. An interesting incidence that points out repeatedly in this book, and even as History has put into spotlight: there are always the theorists, and there are the practical men. Theorists will 'study' patterns and trends and show light into the way of the future. That is how consultants have always earned their bread and butter in any field. No one better than Peter Drucker in Management Circles and futurist Alvin Tofler pop up into my head here. I haven't read of much of Drucker myself; but the number of volumes that carry his name on the cover page across the book shelves of the world speak for themselves of the guru. I personally adore, respect, follow and worship Alvin Tofler. Call this clan as Toflerians, but if the previous sentence made you want to jump out of the window for lack of comprehension, I would at least urge you to read The Third Wave (one of the most influential books of the last century) before doing so. But Bill Gates would figure ahead of the two gentlemen. Having opened the doors of the information age, he has always operated ahead of the rest of the world by at least 5 to 10 years. What does that mean?
The 5 to 10 years window is not necessarily in the sense of a visionary. Most men/women that have achieved anything significant in life have all been visionaries. Bill Gates, as of today, can say what exactly technology will look like in some years from now. Picture this as the look out in a ship standing atop the sails and warning people on the deck know of what lies ahead. And the man is pin point accurate to what he says. Having started out as a programmer, he went on to play a sales man pitching the world to buy into his software, then built a strong business system and provided super leadership. Besides this, he's donned on other caps as a successful investor. an economist (he's a regular face at the World Economic Forum in Davos annually), a futurist, a writer and more recently as a philanthropist. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is far bigger than the Rockefellers' or the Fords'. In charity size does not matter, but then, it matters.
He deserves all the accolades that have been bestowed on him. Thanks Bill for the new age! I'm proud to have lived on this earth at a time that he did.
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