Monday, June 28, 2004
Random Ramblings II
Continuing with the random musings…
We are, as a lot, bad gifters. Maybe I should say, bad gift-givers, since Word says there is no word as gifters. Anyway, there was this birthday party of this five-year old kid of one of our relatives – I can’t go into the exact relation; too long and complicated to bother explaining it here. Anyway, since they were not so close that we knew what we could give and also since they were not that far off to skip the party, we were in a quandary as to what could be given in such a case. Finally we decided that cash was the best bet. Anyway, I know of many people who are simply as clueless as I am when it comes to giving gifts. Of course, I do know of some people who are like the best damn ones also, but the former form the majority. Most of us escape through the route we took: give cash and wash your hands off! Then again, there is a dilemma in this too – how much to give? Of course it depends on the receiver, but even then, it is almost impossible to come at the right figure – one is always left with the feeling, “Did I give too much or too little?” Well, some questions just have this damn nagging effect and they just won’t and can’t be answered. Sort of like, “Did I turn off all the lights / the gas stove?”
Kids – like them, hate them, you can’t ignore them, especially when you have doting grand-parents to keep reminding you of their respective grandchildren’s unique qualities. I have observed that however much parents praise their children, they almost always draw the line somewhere, lest the kid get too spoilt. The same people, upon becoming grand-parents simply turn a blind eye to the irritating things the “tiny tots” do. They would undoubtedly have at least reprimanded their own kids for the same actions. I have seen this happen with quite a few of my uncles and aunts who turned grand-parents recently. Seeing accounts of kids nowadays, it definitely seems that the present generations are getting smarter by the minute. Anyway, it still surprises me to see people applying different standards to their children and their grand-children. Can anyone tell me why?
Bank managers – they sure do act weirdly! As I mentioned in some previous post (in case I haven’t, please read on, you haven’t missed much), I am doing the rounds for a bank loan to show funds for my stay in the US of A. Unless you happen to know someone high up enough on the bank ladder, the managers seem to be suffering from a serious superiority complex. I mean, I always thought that banks made profits by lending the money that few depositors leave with them, and getting back higher interests than they give out to the same depositors. Now, approach any bank for a loan, and you see the bank manager go like, “It’s your problem that you need a loan, and since I am in the position to grant that loan, I am somehow greater than you. So, I can treat you like dirt, if not like shit!” Well, I know that it is indeed too much to expect professionalism from employees of nationalized banks, and all that, but isn’t it a bit too much when you know and they know that the salaries they get are by lending such loans to people like us and they could, hence, be a bit more helpful? Is that asking for too much? Now, mention some name of an acquaintance who is some big officer or some union representative and you can see the change in the attitude – they become all nice and helpful. Maybe it is something that is inherent in all people in authority; maybe it is just seen in some people, but I am yet to see a manager who is willing to help even though you don’t have the “right” contacts.
Soccer - the great cable networks in Hyderbad play spoil-sport now. Some problem with the amount outstanding and the bloody networks start disconnecting the channel on which matches of Euro 2004 are being shown!! They should have settled this way before the tournaments started!
Too long a post already… I think that would be all for today.
We are, as a lot, bad gifters. Maybe I should say, bad gift-givers, since Word says there is no word as gifters. Anyway, there was this birthday party of this five-year old kid of one of our relatives – I can’t go into the exact relation; too long and complicated to bother explaining it here. Anyway, since they were not so close that we knew what we could give and also since they were not that far off to skip the party, we were in a quandary as to what could be given in such a case. Finally we decided that cash was the best bet. Anyway, I know of many people who are simply as clueless as I am when it comes to giving gifts. Of course, I do know of some people who are like the best damn ones also, but the former form the majority. Most of us escape through the route we took: give cash and wash your hands off! Then again, there is a dilemma in this too – how much to give? Of course it depends on the receiver, but even then, it is almost impossible to come at the right figure – one is always left with the feeling, “Did I give too much or too little?” Well, some questions just have this damn nagging effect and they just won’t and can’t be answered. Sort of like, “Did I turn off all the lights / the gas stove?”
Kids – like them, hate them, you can’t ignore them, especially when you have doting grand-parents to keep reminding you of their respective grandchildren’s unique qualities. I have observed that however much parents praise their children, they almost always draw the line somewhere, lest the kid get too spoilt. The same people, upon becoming grand-parents simply turn a blind eye to the irritating things the “tiny tots” do. They would undoubtedly have at least reprimanded their own kids for the same actions. I have seen this happen with quite a few of my uncles and aunts who turned grand-parents recently. Seeing accounts of kids nowadays, it definitely seems that the present generations are getting smarter by the minute. Anyway, it still surprises me to see people applying different standards to their children and their grand-children. Can anyone tell me why?
Bank managers – they sure do act weirdly! As I mentioned in some previous post (in case I haven’t, please read on, you haven’t missed much), I am doing the rounds for a bank loan to show funds for my stay in the US of A. Unless you happen to know someone high up enough on the bank ladder, the managers seem to be suffering from a serious superiority complex. I mean, I always thought that banks made profits by lending the money that few depositors leave with them, and getting back higher interests than they give out to the same depositors. Now, approach any bank for a loan, and you see the bank manager go like, “It’s your problem that you need a loan, and since I am in the position to grant that loan, I am somehow greater than you. So, I can treat you like dirt, if not like shit!” Well, I know that it is indeed too much to expect professionalism from employees of nationalized banks, and all that, but isn’t it a bit too much when you know and they know that the salaries they get are by lending such loans to people like us and they could, hence, be a bit more helpful? Is that asking for too much? Now, mention some name of an acquaintance who is some big officer or some union representative and you can see the change in the attitude – they become all nice and helpful. Maybe it is something that is inherent in all people in authority; maybe it is just seen in some people, but I am yet to see a manager who is willing to help even though you don’t have the “right” contacts.
Soccer - the great cable networks in Hyderbad play spoil-sport now. Some problem with the amount outstanding and the bloody networks start disconnecting the channel on which matches of Euro 2004 are being shown!! They should have settled this way before the tournaments started!
Too long a post already… I think that would be all for today.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Random Ramblings...
I am a bad user of alliterations as the post title suggests!
These days, it just doesn’t feel all that comfortable to sit down and write anything. I don’t know why, but I just don’t feel like writing though I am thinking up so many things nowadays. I am partially free from the tensions of the funding, etc., that have been mentioned in my previous posts. Not that they have been solved, but I have learnt to live with them without bothering myself overly about what is not in my control. God! That just makes me feel like I was some guy preaching the new meditation technique doing the rounds, whatever that may be! Anyway, getting back to what I was mentioning, maybe I am getting too impatient to just sit and type out whatever thing I wanted to write about during the day. I read others’ blogs and think, “Now, why don’t I sit and do the same thing?” Well, I guess some things are just the way they are – no point looking for explanations here...
I saw Lakshya couple of days back. I didn’t like it as I liked DCH. I believe Farhan could have done a lot better. I agree that the movie was not as clichéd as other Kargil spin-off movies generally are. But it is definitely not the “coming of age” movie it was touted to be. Anyway, I guess it can be given as a “decent watch” and definitely worth watching once in the theatre.
Hyderabad isn’t really that big a city, but it sure has grown a lot in the four years I have been away. Or, it could just be that I am realizing the size after having moved to the suburbs and having to come all the way to the city center to meet friends. All the school friends I am still in touch with stay almost in the heart of the city; ditto for the friends I made in IIT – those that I want to keep in touch with. The regular up-down commuting is seriously painful if it just has to be a meeting for about an hour with just one friend, unless we are going out somewhere. So, nowadays, it mostly happens that a group of us make plans and then only do I take the trouble of venturing inwards to the city. The end-result: a lot more time spent at home doing nothing. This in turn naturally led to my taking regular afternoon siestas, which in turn leads to my parents’ pestering me about my sleeping habits, or rather, my waking habits. My dad would roast me if he sees the time stamp on this post now – I assured him that I would be in bed at least an hour before now. So I would put an end to this mish-mash of entries and try to get in a coherent post sometime soon – as soon as I get into the mood for writing.
These days, it just doesn’t feel all that comfortable to sit down and write anything. I don’t know why, but I just don’t feel like writing though I am thinking up so many things nowadays. I am partially free from the tensions of the funding, etc., that have been mentioned in my previous posts. Not that they have been solved, but I have learnt to live with them without bothering myself overly about what is not in my control. God! That just makes me feel like I was some guy preaching the new meditation technique doing the rounds, whatever that may be! Anyway, getting back to what I was mentioning, maybe I am getting too impatient to just sit and type out whatever thing I wanted to write about during the day. I read others’ blogs and think, “Now, why don’t I sit and do the same thing?” Well, I guess some things are just the way they are – no point looking for explanations here...
I saw Lakshya couple of days back. I didn’t like it as I liked DCH. I believe Farhan could have done a lot better. I agree that the movie was not as clichéd as other Kargil spin-off movies generally are. But it is definitely not the “coming of age” movie it was touted to be. Anyway, I guess it can be given as a “decent watch” and definitely worth watching once in the theatre.
Hyderabad isn’t really that big a city, but it sure has grown a lot in the four years I have been away. Or, it could just be that I am realizing the size after having moved to the suburbs and having to come all the way to the city center to meet friends. All the school friends I am still in touch with stay almost in the heart of the city; ditto for the friends I made in IIT – those that I want to keep in touch with. The regular up-down commuting is seriously painful if it just has to be a meeting for about an hour with just one friend, unless we are going out somewhere. So, nowadays, it mostly happens that a group of us make plans and then only do I take the trouble of venturing inwards to the city. The end-result: a lot more time spent at home doing nothing. This in turn naturally led to my taking regular afternoon siestas, which in turn leads to my parents’ pestering me about my sleeping habits, or rather, my waking habits. My dad would roast me if he sees the time stamp on this post now – I assured him that I would be in bed at least an hour before now. So I would put an end to this mish-mash of entries and try to get in a coherent post sometime soon – as soon as I get into the mood for writing.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Euro 2004 et al...
Well, the boredom and frustrations of the past few weeks have taken a brief time-off with the beginning of Euro 2004 - the biggest tournament in football (soccer for some) after the World Cup. This time around, it has been a very interesting affair till now. There have been some really great matches and some surprising outcomes. The defeat of Portugal at the hands of Greece was one such. The spirited fight put up by the minnows Latvia in their opening game against Czech Republic is admirable to say the least.
The classic sports rivalry between four of the greatest nations in football has provided for two very exciting matches already. The France-England match was really something that HAD to be watched Live. There are some who say that there should have been more goals in such a game, but just seeing the way these two teams played was worth it, never mind the goals. "The Midfield Magician", Zidane showed his class once again with the two goals, albiet off deadballs. Though Michael Owen was not what he usually is, the English side did show excellent spirit and well, in the end, I guess all the spectators got what they expected out of the game - high quality football.
The Germany-Holland match was also a great one, with both teams coming into the match in not so good form. The much-panned German defence showed that they are not so weak a wall to be breached as easily as was assumed. This can be seen by the fact that Oliver Kahn wasn't much bothered during the play - he only had to make about a couple of serious saves and he let another one pass through him. The Dutch team also showed good playing skills and they did get some real good chances, of which they could convert only one. Van Nistelrooy put in one really exquisite goal while in mid-air and not facing the goal completely. A quick piece of trivia picked up during the match: Whenever these two teams faced each other in a big competitive series, the winner of the match went on to win the championship. Though this trend is too difficult to live up to now, I guess all we can say is, "one never knows..."
The other matches - Czech Republic-Latvia, Italy-Denmark, Sweden-Bulgaria, Portugal-Greece all had their great moments but the two matches above really take the cake in terms of the kind of game the teams played.
I know that these reviews wouldn't matter much to anyone. Those who don't follow football wouldn't care and those who do wouldn't find anything new nor special about any of my rantings here. Just my views... The games did take my mind off the worries I have been saddled with nowadays. So, worth posting here...
The classic sports rivalry between four of the greatest nations in football has provided for two very exciting matches already. The France-England match was really something that HAD to be watched Live. There are some who say that there should have been more goals in such a game, but just seeing the way these two teams played was worth it, never mind the goals. "The Midfield Magician", Zidane showed his class once again with the two goals, albiet off deadballs. Though Michael Owen was not what he usually is, the English side did show excellent spirit and well, in the end, I guess all the spectators got what they expected out of the game - high quality football.
The Germany-Holland match was also a great one, with both teams coming into the match in not so good form. The much-panned German defence showed that they are not so weak a wall to be breached as easily as was assumed. This can be seen by the fact that Oliver Kahn wasn't much bothered during the play - he only had to make about a couple of serious saves and he let another one pass through him. The Dutch team also showed good playing skills and they did get some real good chances, of which they could convert only one. Van Nistelrooy put in one really exquisite goal while in mid-air and not facing the goal completely. A quick piece of trivia picked up during the match: Whenever these two teams faced each other in a big competitive series, the winner of the match went on to win the championship. Though this trend is too difficult to live up to now, I guess all we can say is, "one never knows..."
The other matches - Czech Republic-Latvia, Italy-Denmark, Sweden-Bulgaria, Portugal-Greece all had their great moments but the two matches above really take the cake in terms of the kind of game the teams played.
I know that these reviews wouldn't matter much to anyone. Those who don't follow football wouldn't care and those who do wouldn't find anything new nor special about any of my rantings here. Just my views... The games did take my mind off the worries I have been saddled with nowadays. So, worth posting here...
Monday, June 14, 2004
Three weeks have passed by since I came back home. I am presenting an almost week-by-week analysis of the feelings I have undergone here. It must be noted that all this time is marked by the frustrations of not getting financial aid from the university I am headed to in the US of A despite repeated mails to professors for the same. So there is always an under-current of negativism in what follows:
Week 1: “Home, Sweet Home”!!! After four years of sweat spent rather uselessly in the sweltering heat of the Chennai weather, I am finally back home without the need to go back to Chennai for any long period of time!! Yippee!! I can now sit peacefully and try for the financial aid now that I am home. About to meet the oldest of my buddies from school!!
Week 2: I have met almost all the friends I needed to and wanted to meet. Put attendance with almost all relatives as well. Damn the distance of my place from the rest of the city! Have to slog a lot to even meet any one of my friends. So am staying home quite a bit. Damn boring this place is turning out to be! Nothing yet on the aid thing – sad! I miss the campus a lot!! At least something or the other can be done there always. I have to sit twiddling my thumbs here!
Week 3: Finally something happening on the aid front! One professor says he would consider hiring me for an assistantship from 2005. Let’s see how well that goes. Still trying with other professors. Getting used to doing nothing at home. Not bad after all, I guess. Sleeping a lot nowadays. Finally met some new people in Hyderabad, something that almost never happens with me during the brief holidays I come around for. Life’s bad here, but not totally unbearable, I should say.
Week 4 going on now, and I am presently on a neutral gear, having passed from optimism to pessimism and going on to the usual almost-cynical stand to life I seem to have developed at IIT Madras. Hope I kick it soon...
Week 1: “Home, Sweet Home”!!! After four years of sweat spent rather uselessly in the sweltering heat of the Chennai weather, I am finally back home without the need to go back to Chennai for any long period of time!! Yippee!! I can now sit peacefully and try for the financial aid now that I am home. About to meet the oldest of my buddies from school!!
Week 2: I have met almost all the friends I needed to and wanted to meet. Put attendance with almost all relatives as well. Damn the distance of my place from the rest of the city! Have to slog a lot to even meet any one of my friends. So am staying home quite a bit. Damn boring this place is turning out to be! Nothing yet on the aid thing – sad! I miss the campus a lot!! At least something or the other can be done there always. I have to sit twiddling my thumbs here!
Week 3: Finally something happening on the aid front! One professor says he would consider hiring me for an assistantship from 2005. Let’s see how well that goes. Still trying with other professors. Getting used to doing nothing at home. Not bad after all, I guess. Sleeping a lot nowadays. Finally met some new people in Hyderabad, something that almost never happens with me during the brief holidays I come around for. Life’s bad here, but not totally unbearable, I should say.
Week 4 going on now, and I am presently on a neutral gear, having passed from optimism to pessimism and going on to the usual almost-cynical stand to life I seem to have developed at IIT Madras. Hope I kick it soon...
Monday, June 07, 2004
Back with a whimper...
Long long time… I remember somebody telling me that when one has to prioritize, one cuts down on blogging. I have to agree – I have been awfully busy for the past one month or so that I have not been able to post anything here. I realized the ill effects of not doing required work at the required time: my project could have been done very peacefully had I done it through the semester, but me being me, I had to had to keep putting it off until the very last moment and then do a sloppy job of it. I think I finally passed simply ‘coz my guide didn’t want to have anymore to do with me. I put a grade that I wouldn’t want to reveal here, for fear that someone in my family might come across these pages – I wouldn’t want to let them know of it as yet. Anyway, all I can say about my last semester in IIT Madras is that I am really really glad that it is over!!
I am typing this post offline now – something I haven’t done yet. So I am not sure if I told you people that I apparently screwed up my GD/PI at the IIMs – I didn’t get through to even one. I am sorry if I appear to be cribbing a lot in this post, but I can’t help it now. It’s really been a f*^$ed up semester. It started with the theft of my cell phone and ended with the loss of my camera. In between I have seen new lows that I never thought I would encounter in IIT Madras. I saw my first E grade (not in my project), put a 6-point GPA for the first time and had the most disappointing and unsatisfactory academic experience of all the eight semesters I have been here… oops, I mean, there in IIT Madras. I guess I still haven’t got used to the fact that I have come home for good from that place. All this makes me feel grateful that I am done with that place.
But once back home, one gets hit by nostalgia. I miss the damn place so much. As it is, I don’t have much to do here in Hyderabad and so am shit pained to death with boredom. I really miss the hostel zone and the Senthil shop of Taramani. Anyone who lived in IIT-M would know what I mean about the Senthil shop, but that is beside the point now. I just look back upon the last four years and see how much I have changed and all that shit. I am sure that I would have been much the worse for it had I been anywhere else. Call me sentimental, or whatever you want to, but I tell you, there’s no place like IIT Madras to spend your under-graduate days in. I guess that’s enough of senti for one post. I will catch you all later with what’s happening in Hyderabad… This time, I promise to be more regular in my rantings… I know, I know, I am making this promise for the n’th time!!
I am typing this post offline now – something I haven’t done yet. So I am not sure if I told you people that I apparently screwed up my GD/PI at the IIMs – I didn’t get through to even one. I am sorry if I appear to be cribbing a lot in this post, but I can’t help it now. It’s really been a f*^$ed up semester. It started with the theft of my cell phone and ended with the loss of my camera. In between I have seen new lows that I never thought I would encounter in IIT Madras. I saw my first E grade (not in my project), put a 6-point GPA for the first time and had the most disappointing and unsatisfactory academic experience of all the eight semesters I have been here… oops, I mean, there in IIT Madras. I guess I still haven’t got used to the fact that I have come home for good from that place. All this makes me feel grateful that I am done with that place.
But once back home, one gets hit by nostalgia. I miss the damn place so much. As it is, I don’t have much to do here in Hyderabad and so am shit pained to death with boredom. I really miss the hostel zone and the Senthil shop of Taramani. Anyone who lived in IIT-M would know what I mean about the Senthil shop, but that is beside the point now. I just look back upon the last four years and see how much I have changed and all that shit. I am sure that I would have been much the worse for it had I been anywhere else. Call me sentimental, or whatever you want to, but I tell you, there’s no place like IIT Madras to spend your under-graduate days in. I guess that’s enough of senti for one post. I will catch you all later with what’s happening in Hyderabad… This time, I promise to be more regular in my rantings… I know, I know, I am making this promise for the n’th time!!
