Coffee Blues!!

I am not much of a coffee or tea drinker myself so needless to say am not much of a coffee connoisseur…. But today as I am sitting in my cube and sipping a hot cuppa coffee, makes me feel that getting the right taste, right blend and right temperature is so important and it just gives you the much needed wake-up-kick on a sleepy morning! Well how difficult is it to make the right cup of coffee…. ??

The other day I was at Starbucks or maybe it was Caribou Café, I don’t remember…. Well all I can say is choosing a cup of coffee in these places, I feel, is a test of your intelligence, dignity and a will to taste something different, which might not necessarily be good! I have been to these coffee places quite a few times now, but still every time I am perplexed and lost looking at their menu. Going through the whole array of lattes, mochas, cappuccinos…. I finally make a choice of a hot cup of cappuccino…hoping to God that it is good. I pay the change at the counter and wait for the guy to mix up the drink. I know it almost sounds as if I am waiting for the bartender to mix up the cocktail for me…. Well that’s how complicated the whole thing seems to me. He winks at me and promises that I will be getting the best cappuccino on this side of the Des Plaines river (I am realllly bad at geography… but he doesn’t need to know that). I just smile back, waiting for him to start asking me questions I cannot answer. He asks me “Hot or cold?” I say “Hot!”. He asks me …”Milk?”. I nod my head and then he goes “Half and half, Skimmed or Fat free?” …. So I choose skimmed milk, really happy that I could answer the questions without too much trouble. He got the hot milk from one of the machines and then he put in the cappuccino blend in it …. And I was kinda relieved we were done and he would hand over the cup to me. But no… he asked me “Want it sweet?”… I said “Yes!”. He nodded and left, just to come back and ask me “What kind of sweetener would you like?”. I was at a loss – trying to think hard, what kind of sweeteners exist other than sugar… jaggery ?? honey ?? … wait… no I don’t want all that in my cup of coffee….!! I tried to look behind him, maybe I could read the names off the hundreds of jars behind him…. Well it was too late, and he realized I didn’t know what to say… and he asked me with a smirk “Will sugar do?” … I bit my lip and said “Yeah sounds good!!”…. That made me feel as small as a bug lying on the grass. Immediately he asked me “How many packets of sugar?” …. Well it was not even a fair question, cos I don’t know how strong the coffee was … so was thinking what to tell him…. Apparently he grew impatient and said “One, two, five, ten…?? Then I said “I like my coffee sweet… so maybe 3-4.” By this time, I had a triumphant look on my face, cos I was sure that after that question, he had probably figured me out and would not ask any further questions and just give me my cup of coffee ‘cos he looked as if he was getting very impatient. “Do you want any syrup in the coffee?” After that question I was feeling that I should have gone into the Coldstone ice cream bar next door and chosen a ice cream instead of standing here and getting intimidated. So I said “No.”… then he came up with another question … “Do you want a shot of cinnamon in it?”. How on earth would I know how cinnamon would taste in the coffee that I chose… so I decided to minimize the torture both of us were going through and said “Yes”. I don’t even know why I said yes .. I meant to say no… but I guess no turned to a yes by the time it came out of my mouth.
By this time the lady behind me in the line gave me a dirty look, as I was taking so long for my cupful and to my bad luck there was just one guy who was making coffee in the store.
“Do you want whipped cream on it?”
I was exasperated by this time… I had a good mind to tell him to keep the coffee for himself and drink it …. But then I controlled all my tormenting emotions inside of me and politely said – “No” hoping this would end as soon and as painlessly as possible. Finally, he gave me a big smile (he somehow managed a fake one), put the lid on the cup and gave it to me “Here it is !!”. I was sure I heard a sigh of relief as I left. And decided for the twentieth time, that from here on will learn to make a good cup of coffee at home and will never come back to any of these stores and let my self respect take a dip.
As luck would have it, as soon as I walked off…. I realized that the lid was broken… I contemplated whether I should go back to the guy… gathering myself and all the dignity that was left in me … I went up to him and said the lid is broken…. He managed to give me one without asking any questions … ‘cos I was ready for a question – “You want the pink one or the blue one?” …. Pahh!! That’s how irritated I was.
So I left the store and took the first sip, hoping that the coffee would allay all the anger and frustration… only to get my tongue horribly burnt. The coffee was too hot … too strong and too bitter …. I forced a couple of sips into me … then just threw it away into the next trash bin…. And entered the coldstone icecream bar!!…… now that’s a whole new story altogether!!!

--Moi

I wish it were a world of Superheroes !!

As is clear by the title, I have been subjected to the torture of watching the latest “Superman” movies, the sloppy English version “The Superman Returns” and the sloppier still desi version “Krish”. It is not an exaggeration when I say it was torture. I thought when I saw “The Superman Returns”, I hit rock bottom, but “Krish” outdid the effect the “The Superman Returns” had on me. Well, I am neway not a very big fan of superheroes per se …. except for having enjoyed runs of Spiderman on TV as a kid, and I also enjoyed the movie “The Incredibles”. But as I think about it, the concept of a super hero, a savior being out there to fight all evil, injustice in the world probably brings a feeling of security.

After watching these movies, a couple of weeks later, the 7-11 incident in Mumbai was the matter of discussion. A lot of investigation and work has gone in, still is going in trying to find the culprit. Accusations were hurled in every direction, a lot of people were arrested, so many terrorist groups came into light, it was as if it was their day of limelight and publicity. People from almost every part of the world were accused, and speculations were made that probably they were responsible. I don’t think there is any terrorist outfit left, who has not been within the boundary of doubt.
Well, personally I was surprised to get to know of so many people who were willing to give up their lives to create terror, and unrest in the world. I was amazed by the amount of time and dedication that they put in their “pursuits” or “endeavors”. So much of planning had to be done, so as to evade being caught. I was amazed at how anybody could hatch out so much of evil. I am scared that there are so many such people out there, free, capable of many such masaccres. I am scared, that Indian government and security forces are still unable to trace the people responsible. I am scared so many other countries also have been unsuccessful in tracing them and have been victims of their terror. It suddenly doesn't seem a safe enough world.
I then got to thinking that there is so much of “evil” out there in this world. There is so much of “bad” and “injustice” that needs to be fought against. Shouldn’t there be an equal amount of “good” or “heroism” in the world to fight against it?

I wish there was a superhero out there who could foil all plans of these “bad” people. I wish there was a “Superman” or a “Krish” in reality who could bring peace and security to the people in this world.

And looking at the situation right now, I get to thinking, …. maybe only a superhero can save the day. Jaise Ravan ko maarne ke liye Ram ka janm hua tha, I hope and wish a “Krish” comes to start a crusade against the evil and rescue the world from the existing turmoil.

Accident ho gaya Rabba Rabba!!

It was just the other day that I was thinking that I could not think of a subject to write my next blog. Little did I know that I would be writing on something like this the very next day.

It was a crisp sunny spring morning. And as usual I started from my apartment at around 6:15am to drive to work. I got to my car ('Dhanno' as I call it), and started it and was going to pick up a friend of mine, Ankur. I call him my "life saver" because he has helped me out of quite a few pickles. Just the previous day I had taken the car to the mechanic’s to fix the break and the regular check ups that are due every few months!!

Well, I took the car out of the parking lot and started to drive and got to a signal and it was green, and I had to make a left turn and the road from the other end was clear, so I started making the turn and the signal went yellow just as I was crossing the line at the signal and while I was turning probably went red too… and the other car which was going straight just came and rammed into me. I was so shocked; I did not know it really happened. I heard glass breaking on the road… and was too stunned to react. It took me a couple of minutes to start thinking, and the immediate thought that came to my mind was that the driver is going to be some drunk, because otherwise it is really difficult to make a mistake like that. And was worried that I would have to deal with some irate drunk driver alone. But immediately there was a boy and girl, not very older to me asking me if I was fine… it took me a few seconds to comprehend that they were talking English, and then I said I was not hurt. Luckily, the guy who was driving was neither drunk nor irate. I got out of the car and was shocked to see the state of my car, the front bumper was smashed, the front lights were broken and the driver side’s door was also a little damaged. Well if he had hit a few inches farther he would have hit straight at me !!

I was still stunned that it really happened, and got out of the car to make phone calls and saw the broken glass from my car’s light on the road and then it struck me that the “accident” really happened. The guy had already called 911 and asked me if the car was drivable to the police station, I turned the ignition on and just moved the car from the middle of the road to a nearby gas station. The alignment of the car was messed up, and it felt as if I was driving a strange new vehicle. By that time, Ankur had arrived at the spot and we decided to go to the police station to file a report. After exchanging our insurance company information we headed towards the police station. After explaining whatever happened, the report was filed, and the guy did not defend himself, he just said that he struck me. Then drove the car to the apartment building and parked it there.

Now am battling to talk to his insurance company and believe me it’s not a piece of cake. I had to reiterate the whole scenario an umpteen number of times during the day and am still waiting for their “liability decision” if they will pay for the car damages.

At the end of the whole incident, a lot of thoughts were going through my tiny mind! Even if it was not a big deal of an accident, and I was thankfully not hurt, I got to thinking that how vulnerable each of us is in whatever we do. I always have seen, heard, read about accidents happening all around. But somehow unconsciously was always sure that something like that would not, could not happen to me personally. Even when the guy hit my car, I realized that he was hitting me; the thing that wasgoing through my mind was - this is not happening, probably is just a dream and will get over. But now as I see it, something like that is equally likely to happen to me as it is to anybody else. Probably that was the reason for this accident happening – to make me realize and as well as empathize with the vulnerability of life and to also value and respect life all the more.


- Moi

These are a few of my favorite things!!

Sitting in my cube on a Monday afternoon, me writing this blog… clearly suggests the amount of work I have to do. Well, no doubt I am experiencing what they call the Monday Blues….So this is just an attempt to cheer myself up on this otherwise dull and dreary day!!

Just as Julie Andrews sang, “These are a few of my favorite things” in “Sound Of Music” to feel good and strong, I will try to think of my favorite things that make me feel happy and cheerful. Let me see if it works.

Watching the just risen full moon in the sky, fresh yellow flowers in my flower vase, seeing my mom as soon as I wake up, my dad returning from work earlier than his usual time, smell of fresh baked chocolate cookies umm…, camping under the open skies, drenching in the rain, shopping in the hats section, the crisp sun as spring begins, the fall colors on trees, listening to Bryan Adams sing “Have you ever loved a woman!”, reading an Enid Blyton :) , eating pani puri at my fav local bandi wala with my sister ( :D ), planning for a road trip, bossing over Sushant( :d :d )…. I am already feeling a lot more cheerful than I was!!

Well.. to still continue with the list … chocolates, elephants, dolphins, talking with friends for hours on the cell fone, listening to Lata Mangeshkar’s melodious voice sing “Aaj Kal pao zameen par” …. Seeing a fat, cute, fair, baby smiling, watching FRIENDS ….. hiking, canoeing on a lake surrounded by tall green trees and forest …. Candles…, the azure sky, walking by the lake and watching sea gulls….. :)

Wow!! It does feel really good …. And am all smiles as I am writing this. Well Julie Andrews was right when she sang ….

When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I am feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things….
And then I don’t feel so bad!!


-Moi

It’s an Ad Mad World!!

There is so much going on in the TV world! So many game shows, reality shows …. every channel has a Saas-Bahu, tear jerking family melodrama playing at any given time of the day. Among all this what I really like are the ads that are made in India. According to me India has always been a front-runner in the ad biz world.

As a kid, I was so fascinated by the ad jingles and the tag lines more than the ads themselves, that I still use so many of them in my day-to-day conversations. In school, I also remember playing antakshari, not only of film songs, but the ad jingles as well. Who can forget the famous Lalitaji saying “Dhoondthe Reh Jaoge” or Hamara Bajaj’s song “Bulund Bharat ki bulund tasveer” or Kapil Dev saying in his gruff voice “Palmolive da jawab nahi!” or "Melody khao khud jaan jao"?

The ads that are made in India are so intelligent, witty and totally relevant to the product they are endorsing. There are so many classics that I could mention here. Few of my favorites being all of the Cadbury’s ads especially the one where the girl comes out on to the cricket field and does a jig ‘cos her boyfriend’s team won… oh that one was really one of the best shot ads. I also remember the Liril ad where Preity Zinta takes a shower atop her car in the car wash on a hot and sultry day; I love the Titan ads for the beautiful music piece that they play (Mozart or Beethoven I forget!); the one for Coke with all the local village kids wearing Sachin Tendulkar masks on their faces or the Amul’s ad for milk – Doodh! Doodh ! Doodh!

It is always amazing to see that a 1 minute or sometimes shorter than a minute ad conveys so much about the product and also is so effective in a way that the viewer should remember it. Writing ad jingles or coming up with the tag lines for ads is such a creative effort. To come up with something that clicks to the audience’s mind and lingers there is so much of a challenge. I mean coming up with something as simple as “Utterly, Butterly, Delicious!! Amul!” is so challenging according to me! I can think of popular jingles written for every product we use in our day from the time we wake up!!
From brushing our teeth “Babool Babool, paise vasool” to soap “Lux- Filmi Sitaaron ka saundarya sabun” to having the first cup of coffee in the morning with “Ho shuru har din aise, ho shuru har pal aise…Nescafe! to going to bed in the night with a mosquito repellant “Meethe sapnon ke Goodnight dost!” we have a jingle or a tag line to match every product we use.

Well as an audience, these days I rather enjoy the ads more than the program being telecast on TV!!

-Moi

Chicago – The Windy City

I arrived to Chicago on the 9th of August 2002. It was the first time I ever traveled so far from home, alone.

It’s been 3 and half years now, and I cannot seem to get enough of this city. It did not take me too long to fall in love with Chicago – The Windy City. I live in an apartment on the Michigan Ave, towards the South side of Chicago. It is very much close to the dreaded and widely unpopular 35th Street in Chicago.

During my 2 years at the Illinois Institute of Technology at Chicago, I have heard of people being mugged, heard of gang fights, stabbings, gunshots, marijuana…. Oh the works… I have learnt to accept it as a part and parcel of Chicago. This is the darker side of Chicago.

Well it is hard for me to decide what is it that I like the most about Chicago…. Is it the vast Lake Michigan or the wonderfully built Chicago Downtown? The Lake Michigan is soooo huge; according to me it should at least be a sea. It is beautiful, to say the least. One thing I have noticed about the Lake is that it changes its color everyday, it is brown and angry at times, it is grey and fierce sometimes, it is blue and calm or maybe green and serene or sometimes just colorless and playful. It is a beautiful sight as you drive along with the lake on Lakeshore Drive.
Another sight that is breathtaking while driving on Lakeshore Drive is of course the Chicago downtown. Tall skyscrapers, with admirable architecture adorn the Chicago downtown. The skyline of Chicago is really awesome to look at.
Chicago is the one of the world’s first planned city. That’s why it is difficult to find flaws with the architecture of the downtown. The view of the city from the sky deck of Sears tower and the Jon Hancock is indescribable. The view from the sky deck during the evening when the whole downtown is lit, all the buildings of the downtown become alive and look like glittering jewels adorning the city.

Another amazing thing about Chicago is its weather… too unpredictable. It totally justifies its nickname of a “Windy City”. It is deadly cold in winter… not so much with the snow but with the wind. The weather is so unpredictable that it can rain, snow, and turn sunny and then cloudy and windy all in a matter of a couple of hours.

I have been here for 3 years now and have a lot of wonderful memories attached to this city. I have watched the fireworks display from Navy Pier on New Year’s Eve, visited the downtown to see the Christmas trees and Santa Claus, the display of dolls and puppets on the display windows of Marshall Fields, which is a tradition every year, been to Devon Ave and gorged on Chicken Biryani from Ghareeb Nawaz, rambled on the Magnificent Mile window shopping, eaten Giordano’s pizza (Chicago’s very own home style stuffed pizza), ice skated on the Michigan Ave, … oh and so much more.

Well, I love Chicago….. in spite of all these reasons, because of all these reasons!!

-Moi

Rang De Basanti

I have been long since wanting to write a blog about "Rang De Basanti". Its been a long time that I saw a hindi movie that got me as excited as this one did.

Well frankly speaking, I could not really find any flaws in the movie. Wonderfully casted, and awesome direction. Rakeysh Mehra has done a brilliant job bringing out the spirit of youth in India. The first half of the movie is hilarious. Aamir Khan still has it in him. Looks really old, but acted very well. Siddharth and Sharman Joshi were really the surprise packets in the movie. Siddharth played the role of the silent and intense guy and he gave a great performance. But the best of them all, personally I feel was Kunal Kapoor, Aslam. He is the light hearted, Muslim guy who is a poet. Tall, dark, with deep eyes, he is my favorite. He is a looker, and a keeper.

A.R Rahman's music rocks. Both the versions of the songs "Pathshaala" are totally addictive. It brought back memories from my college days. It reminded me of my friends, Pink Floyd and bike races. "Roobaroo" is easily the best song in the movie.

This movie without being preachy, definitely is thought provoking. I am sure every Indian who came out of the theater gave a thought as to he/she fit into which character in the movie.

It is a great movie to watch!!

-Moi

How important is "I" ?

Whoever has read or even heard of Ayn Rand's philosophy, which she called "Objectivism" must have definitely pondered over this question. How important is "I" ?

I have read "The Fountainhead" a couple of times. Honestly speaking, the book leaves you shattered. The end of the book left a feeling of exhilaration within me. It felt as if it was my own victory as opposed to Howard Roark's and Dominique's.
Howard Roark will remain to be a super-hero for me for the rest of my life. I am still attempting to finish "Atlas Shrugged" so cannot really talk about John Galt or Hank Rearden or Francisco D'Anconia.

All these men in Ayn Rand's books are super heroes. I sometimes wonder can a Howard Roark exist in the realistic world? He was a strong individual in the true sense of it .... he was an individual... he stood alone ... he was not living for somebody nor did he want anybody to live for him. That is what I feel is the main essence of Ayn Rand's philosophy - Man exists only for his own sake-neither sacrificing himself to others nor sacrificing others to himself. In Ayn Rand's own words: The pursuit of his own rational self-interest and of his own happiness is the highest moral purpose of his life.

Getting back to the title of the blog: How important is "I" ? Its too difficult to answer. How important is the acceptance of "oneself" in this world? Acceptance of anything you do in daily life... by peers, friends, family, loved ones. If it is important then "I" is fading away and being replaced by "we".
Howard Roark says "To say 'I love you' one must know first how to say the 'I.'"

There are many Ellsworth Tooheys and Peter Keatings in this world. But the "I" would neither hate them nor resent them. They would just not exist for the "I". "I" would be totally indifferent to them. This is a quote from the book for Roark "Were he to be told that this was the best or the ugliest house in the world, he would agree with either."

Well all said and thought... Kudos to Ayn Rand for believing in her philosophy and presenting us with great books and also definitely some food for thought.

P.S: "I am, and therefore I will think." - Atlas Shrugged.


-Moi

On the bench......

Being on the bench is not the best pastimes for me. Yes, right now I am on the bench..... just finished a project and looking out for a new one. It sucks.... BIG time!!

It is the first day of my bench period today. Two seasons of FRIENDS, Yahoo! Games and ice cream helped me get through the day! At the end of the day it seems like I have been on the bench for a long time..... but its just the end of the first day!

Suddenly, from being very busy I have nothing to do..... I don't know what I want to do with myself alone. So I get thinking, do I like my own company or not? It becomes so difficult for me to spend one day with just myself alone. Hmm....

-Moi