Yamraj Ek Faulad

Idiot box is indeed named correctly.

Come every evening, it dishes out a strange combination of "Yamraj Ek Faulad", "Mumbai Ki Kiran Bedi", "Phir Ek Most Wanted", "My Boss Bajarangbali", "Gundaraj", "Mere Badle Ki Aag" in Hindi movies section. It's not just Bollywood (its own dubbed imports from Tollywood, Kollywood, Sandalwood and it all other south of Colaba cousins) that dishes out same old stuff everyday. Why blame only Hindi cinema! Harry Potter fails to disappear from the English movie section every single day of the week. 300, LOTR series etc are trying their best to add on the list. Options are indeed limited and you are idiot if you think you can get entertained by watching TV once you reach home after the day's hard work.

I'll not go beyond these movie channels to Hindi entertainment section. It's above and beyond my comprehension to find out if those serials are actually same or repeated or totally different altogether.

Need to find a better way to entertained. Or shall we keep challenging the limits!

Old wine in a new bottle

That seems to be the easiest way to smell the past while remaining in the present. Reading old blog entries have the same soothing effect. Some entries are so old (or those memories have settled so deep in some dark corner of my mind) that I feel I'm not aware of those or I don't know the person who wrote those words. While others like my times in Europe are so fresh and top of the mind that I can relive those moments with all the colors intact.

Somewhere I think, writing those blogs has been a really good decision. How much ever easy or difficult it was, the effort has paid up and will be a big treasure in future. PooCh mentions about how he had hidden some of his favorite items in his grand mom's old house so as to find them in future (and get surprised). I've done the same over these years. Hoping to add more to this treasure as I grow older. Investing in future is the best bet I've for myself.

Go Digital Or Go Black

What a threat!

I would imagine it coming from any of my neighborhood cable operator. But alas it did not. It came on the tv. In between those funny cute flipkart ads, they slipped one small little threat. Who are they and what gives them this right? They are our dearest tata, bharti and dishtvs of the world (or their wannabe clones) and it's some act from Government of India that has enabled them to be the God of our choices.

I've not yet gone in detail of this act and thus now know the reason and logic to forcing such a move. However, I can clearly see a good amount of hassle and pain coming my way. I'm yet to get over the Rs 500 shock that Tata sky gave me in name of "Premium Installation" over and above the Rs 175 charges for the regular relocation request. There is no reason I'll be safeguarded from this in future.

It's a very simple business logic: first sell a set-top box to a customer, then charge him heftily for a bundle of channels that he wouldn't want otherwise (mind you, yaha aana free hai but jaane ke liye paisa dena padega), then charge him for every extra bit of wire/screw/use of screw driver that will be required for the connection to operate smoothly over a next couple of years of usage. In marketing courses, we used to read examples of razor and blade (or printer & paper/cartridge) for phenomenon where a customer's  total value to a company is very smartly spread over a longer horizon than just a one purchase event of buying the razor (or printer or things like this). In coming years, these cases can be updated with more suited examples of DTH, broadband etc.

We are slave of these companies now and that's why are handling the shit they are dishing out to us in name of service. I hope there are checks and controls put (and of course somebody to enforce these) for all such future defining moves. For now, time for me to go back and fight with tata sky & airtels of these world to help me live peacefully.

Lists

Having subscribed to a couple of dozen e-mailers from sites that are trying to define the ecommerce landscape of this country, I feel empowered. I can book my tickets, pay my bills, buy clothes, books, electronics and even jewellery, plan trips, read which restaurant to go and what to eat, find a new place to stay and also how to find help to move there - the list is unending.

Next challenge in life - to find balance between the e-life and the real life.

Mixed Feeling

It was a Wednesday night, I distinctly remember. For, I had planned to watch a movie midweek. It does not happen very often. But that day, somehow I felt that a nice movie was a good way to relax and clear the day's stress out of my system. Movie was indeed very nice and had the exact detoxing effect that I was looking forward to.

But there is something else that happened during (or actually just before) the movie. A couple of hurried emails for work and a few messages to take stock of the situation were exchanged, and I knew that my next few months' were going to be nothing but challenging.

And here I am - sitting in a new city, charting out plans for something new. Some old connections are getting rewired, others are a fresh start. It's indeed a very complex feeling. Anxiety of unseen and excitement about the same - it's a strange combination. I've been through it earlier too. I was equally prepared that time, and I'm prepared the same way this time. Learning curve is a real thing, still it's the same strange taste of nervousness that engulfs one every time something new is about to happen. That's the magic of being not part of a pre-defined formula. Life is good a-la-carte too.

Rules of Engagement

We are the social generation - connected to each other by sms, call, whatsapp, bbm, gtalk, fb, twitter and what not. It's not the means but our capacity of getting involved in multiple conversations that limits our social presence. One could be posting a hundred things on FB, commenting and liking every other post, RTing tweets after tweets - but it does not guarantee that he is engaging into a conversation. Real conversations happen when a question makes way for an answer, one comment eases setting up a discussion and so on. If nobody is listening to you, that's a bad situation. If nobody is talking, that's even worse. This is my clear rule of engagement. Talk to them. Else it's end of the game.

Everything is Under Control

aka - "No Wonder I Don't Understand Process"

Whenever anyone tries to justifies failure in completion of their duty quoting restrictions of process or procedures, I fail to control my anger. I just fail to accept how a process can be hindrance in completion of task that it is supposed to aid in completing. Be it life or work, I firmly believe processes, chores are there to make things happen (easily and comfortably) and not stop them from happening. Why the hell get into a system if the system will not help you make your life comfortable.


Change of topic.

It's my first post in 2012. Just cannot believe. The world is about to end. Atleast the movie 2012 seems to suggest it every time it comes on the idiot box. Trust me, it does it more than once a week these days. Still better than meeting Mr Harry Potter everyday on one channel or the other. I miss my old favorite Nayak - starring Anil Kapoor. Dubbed films from Southern part of the country have captured my favorite slots and channels. I guess it's time to update my tolerance levels for crappy entertainment once more. Rakhi Sawant is hardly seen on TV anyways, so I am sure there is a lot I can absorb from other sources now.


Change of topic.

I'm more than three month's old in the new job now. It's interesting situation right now. While I feel it's been an age since I joined this company, it's hardly any time since I left my earlier job. It's all about the changes you see at your work every day I believe. Changes you bring, changes you cherish. It's tougher than I thought. But at the same time, its more fun than ever. And I'm loving it. More I think about my move, I feel more confident. Some things happen for a reason, I believe events in last 6 months have been a proof of that.

Change of topic

It's fun to be finally home again - Bangalore. It's more fun than it ever was. With Shreya's entry in my life, there is a new definition of everything - from shopping to movie watching. Good that everyone around me is married now and going through a similar transition. Last weekend at Gautam and Zinia's was just unbelievable. 7 old friends at one place after a long time, with just one changes, everyone is plus one now! Life is beautiful.

Change of topic

Can I make it an everyday affair again? Read, write, listen to my favorite music, watch plays, meet and talk with friends, cook with my lovely wife (and sometimes do the utensils too), shop and window shop and thousand more such small joys of life. It's the essence of this place that I am going to bring back now. Without any doubt. Everything is under control now.

Musical End Of An Year

2011 has been mix kind of year. It saw the good, the bad and the ugly of my life (not necessarily in that particular order). But jo hua so hua. Ab to time hai aage ki aur dekhne ka and hoping for the best. And what better way to expect good things in life than to listen to some of the most beautiful music the whole day of 31st Dec. The Dewarists, Agnee and Raghu Dixit - you have made my day today.
Looking forward to an amazing year ahead.

Mind Without Fear

First season of The Dewarists started with this beautiful composition called Mind Without Fear by Vishal Shekhar & Imogen Heap. This show was telecasted sometime in October. For some reason, I just could not catch up on it in spite seeing lots of tweets and fb updates from my friends. And I will always curse myself for this. It was Xmas week that I finally got the chance to see this show and thus started my journey with The Dewarists. 

I am bowled over by the show. Mind Without Fear is right there on the top of my charts (and by that I mean it is the only song in my playlist now). And this is not the only song that has done it. Every episode is an experience in itself. It's not just the music, or the visual treat that the show has provided in the background, or the inspiring stories that artists share with us or the beautiful host. It's the entire experience of seeing something as beautiful as music created, that makes me fall in love with this show. It shows how feeling flow from our hearts & soul to get transformed into reality. It's this purity that inspires. 

Coke Studio has done something similar to me in past. I love Coke Studio not just for the music it offers me but also the way it gave us that music. The artists are not just performing on that stage. They are living their music. They are enjoying every moment they are there and we get to live with them in those moments. The camera is up and close to their face. We can read their eyes, we can cherish their smile [remember Jal Pari by Atif Aslam in Season 2]. It's this closeness that makes us believe in their efforts. The Dewarists does the same thing and takes us even closer where the artists actually talk about what is going through their mind and heart. Amazing camera work and storytelling efforts by the team. I'm on a spree right now and will finish watching all the episodes of this season before this blog posts become visible to the world.

Don't forget to call me when you read this post. My new ringtone is the theme song from Dewarists and it gives me one more reason to worship Raghu Dixit's music.

Pal Do Pal Ka Break

Raja posted this on his fb profile and read to me in mid of a heavy discussion about primary and secondary at the month/year end. Cannot stop myself from sharing it.

Microsoft's Bill Gates decided not to invest further in Punjab after receiving a letter from Mr Banta Singh .

To : Bill Gates, Microsoft
Date : 1 April 2011
Subject : Problems with my new computer

Dear Mr. Bill Gates,

We bought a computer for our home and we have found some problems, which I want to bring to your notice..

1. There is a button 'start' but there is no 'stop' button. We request you to check this.
2. One doubt is whether any 're-scooter' is available in system? I find only 're-cycle', but I own a scooter at my home.
3. There is 'Find' button but it is not working. My wife lost the door key and we tried a lot to trace the key with this ' find 'button, but was unable to trace. Please rectify this problem.
4. My child learnt 'Microsoft word' now he wants to learn 'Microsoft sentence', so when will you provide that?
5. I bought computer, CPU, mouse and keyboard, but there is only one icon which shows 'My Computer': when will you provide the remaining items?
6. It is surprising that windows says 'MY Pictures' but there is not even a single picture of mine. So when will you keep my photo in that.
7. There is 'MICROSOFT OFFICE' what about 'MICROSOFT HOME' since I use the PC only at home.
8. You provide 'My Recent Documents'. When you will provide 'My Past Documents'?
9. You provide 'My Network Places'. For God sake please do not provide 'My Secret Places'. I do not want to let my wife know where I go after office hours.

Regards,

PS: Sir, how is it that your name is Gates but you are selling WINDOWS?

Bitter Sweet Symphony

One of our most loyal companions are our playlists. They grow up with us reflecting every change in our taste and likes. Whatever the mood, they are generally the perfect reflection of it.
And most important of them, they can take us back and fro in time.
I just heard the song Bitter Sweet Symphony from Verve and it took me on a time travel. Bangalore, the hangar, all the gala time we had there and what not - so many memories came flashing.
Add to that list songs from Lucky Ali, Euphoria, Bryan Adams, Floyd, Coldplay, Oliver Shanti & Friends, Karunesh, Jal, Rockstart etc and I've almost prepared myself to write my autobiography.
It's good to be reliving your own life.

Don't know if its appropriate or not, but I feel I am loving these lyrics at this moment.

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet
You're a slave to money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
where all the veins meet yeah

No change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't change
But I'm here in my mind
I am here in my mind
But I'm a million different people
from one day to the next
I can't change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no, no,no,no,no,no,no(fading away)

Well I never pray
But tonight I'm on my knees yeah
I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah
I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now
But the airways are clean and there's nobody singing to me now

No change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't change
But I'm here in my mind
I am here in my mind
And I'm a million different people
from one day to the next
I can't change my mind
No, no, no, no, no, no, no
I can't change
I can't change it

'Cause it's a bittersweet symphony, this life
Trying to make ends meet
Trying to find some money then you die
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
where all the veins meet yeah

You know I can't change, I can't change
I can't change, I can't change
But I'm here in my mind
I am here in my mind
And I'm a million different people
from one day to the next
I can't change my mind
No, no, no, no, no

I can't change my mind
no, no, no, no, no,
I can't change
Can't change my body,
no, no, no

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
Been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
Ever been down
That you've ever been down
That you've ever been down

RT Free Falling

If I wanted to write a blog today, it would have got the exact same soul as this one which I wrote almost 4 and half years back - Free Falling
Only If I could write so well today. Will make do with a RT today.

Buddha is smiling

Buddha is smiling.

This not-so-chilly winter has sprung up some surprises. Good music, good food and some really good time with family. And it makes me firmly believe that all the the efforts are worth it.

Rockstar soundtrack is in a continuous loop in my playlist. I wish I had the videos of all the songs too. If Rahman has done magic with his music, the director has done really fitting justice to Rahman's magic.

A short trip to Indore is all I could afford to arrange in the mid of month end closings and start of a new month. But it was worth every moment. Eating in sarafa, long conversations with my cousins and Gunjan, my time at home with family and all the fun during Arpit's shadi. Oh yea, Arpit is married now. Best wishes to you guys - Arpit & Rajul. Welcome to the club.
So it does not matter, if the Khurana Travels bus was really bad, if they treated the passenger like a cattle herd, if they dropped me in mid of nowhere at 5am in the morning without really helping me out with directions, if the month end was happening while I was going through all this and if I really hated every moment of the struggle to buy just some time with people whom I love. It just did not matter.

Buddha is smiling. And that is what matters.

See I Told Yea

I've found myself saying this again and again these days. I could genuinely say it to everyone around me and proved to be true too. But ironically, when it comes to my own life, I don't have that much certainty and surety. One day I was on top of the world, while the very next day I was pulled down and crushed in the dust. Resurrection is the only way out for me, but then I am no phoenix. At least not on every day of the month.
I wish I could say to myself today - "don't worry mamu... all izz well..."

Sadda Haq

Sadda Haq is the hindi rock anthem of the year. Or actually one of the few that have happened in Hindi Cinema. Rock on and now Rockstar - there is something about these long-haired weirdly-dressed smoking-drinking-abusing young musicians. They are what many of us want to become - passionate, carefree, rebellious. I always wanted to see the Blue Man Group live. Not just for their creativity, but for their attitude and passion with which they do what they do. (You could argue the same for Lady Gaga, and then if that is not enough, you would want me to watch Rakhi Sawant too.)

Eurotrip was my carefree phase of the life. We traveled with full enthusiasm facing every difficulty that came our way. Not that things changed drastically post that, still I've seen a change. And it pains me to term that change to 'being responsible' or 'maturity'. Yes, I'm married now, and I am working. But why does it need to change everything. I've lost the track of my life a little. It's that phase of life where changes are inevitable. But I'm sure I'm going to cross it soon. Sonam, you are right. I've changed from the guy who wrote at the same blog a couple of years ago. Some of the changes were forced while other happened without my knowledge. I'm starting the reversal process now. The old me is roaring to come back to life.

Wait for it... It will be legendary soon...