Google and devine presence

Meeting rooms are always a source of new ideas for me. I get to hear people talking about work, about personal life about so many different things. It gives you a perspective. Plus, unlike standing in a public place eavesdropping on other people, in meeting rooms, you belong. At least physically.

I overheard my colleague talking to someone by the name Dharmic, and she went like - "Dharmic, we will investigate...." I only heard the first 2 words, but it seemed as if she is talking about some Dharmic investigation. Quite an unlikely combination of words. I have never read or heard such words together.. Imagine overhearing phrases like, "Divine investigation", "Dharmic Investigation" etc. it sounds unnatural. You could hear "Devine intervention", but never "Investigation".
However, "Dharmic investigaiton or "Devine investigation" could simply mean investigating the devine forces or the dharmic karma. someone who is on the quest for divine leanrings but has a flair for adventure and ends up investigating instead of pursuing the answers of the universe. I think once I am old and more learned and probably seeking spiritual answers, I would simply say, I am chasing answers or investigating answers of the universe. It gives me the opportunity to be quirky and a bit .... 'different'

In the same meeting, people were discussing about finding answers to excel related errors.. and the most common way people end up finding these answers is through Google search. entering different combinations of text in the search engine, till they get their answer. one cant help but think that, if God doesn't answer your questions, font lose hope, at least Google can answer your queries.

One of my friends from college had once put a message on facebook, "Completing MBA is a matter of using the right combination of key words in Google search" (or something similar to that)..

At the end of the day, I cannot ignore the fact that Google is now an integral part of our lives. I cant imagine a life without cell phones or google. I can still imagine a life on another planet.

Tracing my love for SUVs

My fascination with SUVs can be traced back to 1993, when I saw the movie Jurassic Park with the Jeep Wrangler. The open top Jeep Wrangler has been my favorite four wheeler ever since. The way it handles itself in rough terrain, oh I just fell in love with it. The Jeep Wrangler has come in many movies and used in all sorts of action scenes. However, I never liked the long wheel base version of it.

Gradually I got hooked on to the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy when I was a kid and used to see my dad drive it in Manipur. That was an Indian version of the tough Jeep that goes anywhere. And, oh, even in Bourne Supremacy, the Gypsy is driven by Marie through the field when running away from the assassin.

In late 1997, I saw the movie Jurassic park 2, with the Mercedes M class with it's raw power trying to pull the trailers falling off the cliff. That was one heckafa scene. 

In 2006, the movie blood diamond had a scene where a convoy of relief workers gets ambushed and one of the vehicles is a Mitsubishi Pajero carrying Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Housou is also hit. DiCaprio takes over and drives the Pajero out of the ambush. That was another scene where I was awestruck by the handling of the Pajero. (I hate the design of the new Pajero Sport).

It is obvious that when it comes to SUVs , I have always loved the nimble, agile ones. But I can't dismiss the fact that I have also been liking the heavy monstrous ones like the Chevy Tahoe. The main reason being - Most movies and TV series have the Black Suburban / Tahoe as the main SUV for the government agencies. I was never interested in the Hummers or the pickups like the Ford F series, Ranger etc.

In India, the closest match has been the Ford Endeavor and I used to like the older one (shown below), and not the new facelifted one (not worth showing here).


With the Indian public going crazy over SUVs and sales numbers for Renault Duster, Ford Ecosport & Nissan Terrano are a strong indicator of the SUV appetite. I still do not like any of these SUVs. My dad likes the Duster for the imposing stance, which I do acknowledge is fine. I would never be able to enjoy an SUV which does not have a powerful engine. And no, anything around 100HP is not powerful. I need an SUV to have close to 140 BHP. The only SUV under Rs15 Lacs to have power similar to this is the Tata Safari Storme (at 138BHP) or the Mahindra XUV 5OO (at 140BHP).

However, I do not associate these 2 SUVs with the words 'nimble' or 'agile', though I like the fact that they seem like SUVs (and not soft roaders) and come with at least 4X4 option .  Unfortunately the build quality of a Tata or a Mahindra is extremely disappointing.

And ofcourse, I do not find the Duster, Ecosport or the Terrano to be agile either.

The soft roaders (compact SUVs)- Duster, Terrano, Ecosport are the ones that just give you some road presence without actually having any off-road presence. (Forgive me if I do not acknowledge the offloading events organized for Duster owners recently). Let me confess something.. A few years down the line, I might end up buying a soft roader too. With passage of time, I feel that I might not be going for Offroad events - for lack (or unaffordability) of a proper off-road SUV (like a Wrangler) and also lack of that fondness for offloading. It is quite likely that in the last 8 years, the 2014 Auto Expo would be the first one that I would probably skip, despite being in Delhi at that time, a painful realization for me (I always thought of myself as an automobile enthusiast, or at least an amateur automobile enthusiast).

I guess, with passage of time, one loses the interest in those fantasy thoughts that once were there for the younger me. I often wanted to drive an agile (or a strong heavy) SUV over rough terrain. Maybe a few years down the line, I might end up buying an old Pajero

the complete airport experience

Airports are great places to see peculiar people. I flew from Hyderabad to Delhi today and throughout the journey I found very ......well, funny situations.

Most of us would have either already seen or been part of the desperate queue that gets formed at the time of boarding as soon as the boarding announcement is made. I have actually seen people run to form the queue. I'm a bit surprised as to why people not realize that once you have a boarding pass, its quite unlikely that the airplane with takeoff without you. The ground staff usually is desperately trying to find the passengers left behind. But while I make fun of the situation and how so many of us behave, I need to acknowledge that sometimes it helps to be quick in boarding the aircraft. So many times I have faced a situation where I'm among the last few people to board and there is no space in the overhead storage areas. This brings to light another nasty habit of us Indians- we travel heavy. Even men.
The same habit of ours continues when the aircraft lands. Everyone gets up from their seats and desperate to de-board. (in all fairness, I have seen the same thing on a Delta flight from Detroit to LAX.)
However, the same habit of rushing to get on or get off continues with the buses. So today while boarding the bus from the airplane to the terminal I was in the queue and about to board the bus just when two short and heavy ladies rushed from my left and right sides and struggled on to board the bus. I was a bit taken aback by the "ambushing" body language. But then I have learnt to let it go.
Well, these buses also usually get overloaded with people squeezed together. But then I can't blame the airline for saving the bus trips. Its a cut throat world and cost is all that counts.

In the bus I happened to stand next to this guy who was playing subway surfer on full volume. The same guy had really weird ringtones for his whatsapp messages. And then he started singing some song in a very low tone. Talk about crammed spaces and etiquettes.

well this brings to an end to my airport experience where I was shifting between getting irritated and finding these same irritating things funny.
Since I'm not out of the airport yet... I may still come across more such funny situations. But for now, let me post this and hail a cab.

Posted from my Windows Phone

An insight into what makes the the great Indian Weddings...Great

We Indians love our families, we love our country (I think so) and we would die for our booze. I went to a wedding recently. I had been so closely involved in a wedding only after a very long gap.
Booze can come in many shapes and sizes (of the glass you pour it in).
As part of pre-marriage day ceremonies, booze is poured in normal glasses. I know that because I had a glass of whiskey and a little bit of vodka during one such ceremony. During late night gossip sessions, booze can go into any container, such as steel glasses, coffee mugs, soup bowls. I know that because I saw some people sloshed one morning next to the new found utensils just before the wedding. I wonder how many of the pre-marriage day ceremonies have booze that gets popped open post mid night in the quiet corners of the guesthouse for relatives.
Booze often gets sneaked into the actual Indian marriage ceremony where it is frowned upon to drink. But don't worry, once you are drunk, you wouldn't even remember that old man or old lady frowning on you. (BTW, try not to throw up at least on the lucky new couple).
Another interesting place where one can find booze is usually in the trunk of a close relative of the groom. (A few years back I had one shot of whiskey and dont remember what happened for the rest of the night). A close relative of mine told me that this "Tradition" of serving the groom's side of relative s the booze right out of the truck of a car is called "Car-O-Bar". The trunk gets popped open only when the Baraat reaches the venue. I wonder if I can start a business of supplying booze in the middle of the night to the groom's best man. They are known to be forgetful and forgetting booze is not forgivable in such occasions.
A close friend of mine (who I refer to as the Enfield guy), recently purchased a lot of booze for the cocktail party. He had gathered close to 25 large bottles for some Whiskey, 14 bottles of Vodka and 10 of Old Monk Rum. At first I was shocked on hearing this, but then I realized, free booze is devoured by many. And on top of that, this booze needs to be served during all the 4-5 days of the marriage related events. So I guess, he was being conservative in estimating the booze consumption. After discussing with me the estimated consumption, the next day he went back to the wine shop to gather more stock.
Now remember, we have already covered booze in Pre-Marriage day ceremonies, during the marriage ceremonies, and now comes the post the marriage ceremony. During the reception, there is an open bar, and here, no one really judges you if you get sloshed, but it would be appreciated, if you don't thow-up on the new couple, or hit on the close friends/sisters/cousins of the Bride or Groom for that matter.
And if you happen to travel in groups to any of the venues, the journey itself is made interesting if you have the company of Bag Piper. (Bas aap,main aur Bagpiper).
All in all, its part of 'Tradition' and it would not be justified if I dont honor such a tradition. So my friends and family, don't forget to invite me to your weddings. Even we would like to share your "Happiness".


FYI, the above text has very minute resemblance to what I actually saw. Some parts are purely for the purpose of making this 'illustrative'

How Indians can change the impact of a simple idea

So I saw this video recently (Youtube Link), which talks about how a simple idea of helping people find parking spots is making waves in South Korea.
Honestly, I think it was a very good idea and initiative that is helping the planet save on fuel consumption, help reduce the inconvenience to people. And hence overall a novel idea. I have faith that there are always people who might be able to come up with an idea that can help in the "Greater Good". Apologies for the cliche.

However, I wonder how this situation would have turned out in India-

Scenario: A major petrochemical company (HPCL/BPCL/IOCL) puts these balloons at different parking spots.
1) People would park so wonderfully that they would end up pushing down 2 balloons - hence probably occupying 2 spots.
2) If a family drives and occupies that spot, then the balloon gets taken away for the kid. Its the birthright you know.
3) People would start placing bricks to demarcate their parking spots. Conversations would go like- "Hey, I had my brick placed there. That spot belongs to me. You wanna take it, you gotta come and fight for it."
4) A "Poor" man would want to make his "Living" (with a Budwiser?) - I am sure the balloons would be taken away in less than 24 Hours and would be sold roughly 20meters away (or if they are bold enough, right at the same spot).
5) India has a lot of entrepreneurial spirit. Indians love to monetize on resources that don't belong to them. Be it illegally encroaching land, footpaths, taking away anything of value as long as it is on the open. Some random group of people would make it a business and start charging people a "nominal fee" for parking in the "New and Special parking Lot" even if the Petrochemical company would have arranged this for free.
6) A few teenagers would probably run around the parking lot bursting the balloons to see who brings down the most. (Though I guess this one can happen in any country)
7) Uhh... I think I'm unable to figure out other possibilities of how Indians in general would have made this initiative worth nothing....

Am I being too negative and judgmental of my own countrymen?

TV shows - Under the Dome & Graceland - Its all about expectations

So recently I completed watching the first season of two interesting TV series - Graceland (IMDb-7.6) and Under the Dome(IMDb-7.3). And here I write a little bit about them - 

 

 

Under the Dome is a Sci-Fi Drama created by Brian Vaughan (Writer and Producer of The Lost). There is a book by the same name written by Stephen King (personally, I have a mixed opinion of Stephen King's books- some good, some not so much). Under the Dome is about a small town called Chester's Mill that gets captured by a supernatural force field with no one or thing allowed to enter or exit the area under capture. It's so powerful that mega bombs are not able to destroy it. The show starts off well with interesting storyline and decent performance by its actors. Unfortunately after a few episodes, the story starts zigzagging between the problems being generated by the special extra-terrestrial forces, and the crooked people in the town. On top of that, there are moments when you feel let down due to overacting and the over-dramatization of the situations. Example, audacious teenagers who know it all and ordinary people of the town getting overzealous one moment to be suddenly doused the next moment by the Councilman (Big Jim). You would probably wonder, why are some mature people behaving this way? But hey, its a TV show.
Anyway, if the story gets dragged by another 3-4 episodes (or more), I might give up watching the show.

Graceland, (written by Jeff Eastin from White Collar) is another action/crime drama based on a group of agents from different divisons (FBI/DEA/Customs) living in the same house. The story revolved around their cases, their undercover assignments, and how their personal lives are intertwined. The pilot starts with one new agent in FBI right out of the academy sent under cover to investigate another FBI agent living in the house called "Graceland". The rest of the story hovers as this theme as the main background, and multiple smaller cases/situations coming and forming the episode wise story between the different divisions. The idea seemed a bit weird about the different divisions operating under the same roof. Why would the FBI, DEA and Customs be sharing logistics (technical resources, gadgets, house etc), considering the level of frequent inter departmental secrecy, conflict etc. I am no expert here (and obviously would welcome criticism), but having 3 different major departments in a small piece of real-estate doesn't really make much sense to me. Of course, questioning the logic in a TV show is stupid of me, so normally I don't consider that the occupants of the house as agents of different departments, and just for the sake of watching the show, continue watching it as if they all were part of the same division.
Fortunately the story went alright and hence watchable, despite the average initial expectations.

I believe its all in the expectations that get set at the start of the show - The trailer and the Pilot episode both. In the case of "Under the Dome", the expectations for a Sci-Fi were set pretty high and hence at later stages, it became a bit dull. In the case of "Graceland" the show set the the right expectations - not really high (either knowingly or unknowingly) and hence was watchable till the last episode of the first season. Interestingly, IMDb score places them close to each other, yet Graceland scores a little bit more.

Accepting the Lumia. How I once hated the Lumia and now like it... a lot

I don’t always stick to the ethics of downloading music legally. I try my best to avoid downloading new songs through pirated means, but at times, I do succumb to the temptation of downloading mp3s. During my MBA I mostly used to stream music through Youtube while I worked on my laptop. At my previous job (prior to MBA) I used to stream music on Windows Media Player’s internet radio on my Desktop at the office. Needless to say, I love listening to music. I confess that most days even when I go to bed, I put my earplugs in and set the vintage iPod on auto power-off after 30-45min. I strongly believe that if you aren’t able to sleep, then enjoy that endless tossing and turning on your iPod/mp3 player. A couple of years back when I didn’t have an iPod (or any mp3 player), I used to listen to music on my cell phone even when going to sleep. During my sleep once I accidently hit some buttons on the phone and dialed home, waking up my parents at 3:30AM. My parents who panicked after being woken up ended up calling a friend of mine to check up on me at around 4:00 AM since I was in too deep a sleep to notice their 15 missed calls between 3:30AM and 4:00AM. That was one night that made me think again about listening to music on my cell phone while going to sleep. I soon moved to using mp3 players after that incident.

Anyway, coming back to the point, because of my addiction, I always felt the need to download music. Recently when my dad got an iPhone, he handed me his one year old Nokia Lumia 710, since my 2.5 year old HTC Desire HD Android phone was nearing its demise(loads of issues). One of the features of this Lumia 710 phone is - getting streaming internet radio (a feature that I later found through an app in the HTC Android too). Internet Radio is something that I have been missing out on since my new office has highly restrictive IT policies. I am unable to use my laptop on the office net for streaming youtube/internet radio etc. The Lumia gives me loads of Internet Radio options for the latest streaming music. It also gives me the option to download music legally using the Free Downloadable Nokia Music App. And yes, I am talking about downloading free music legally. This is one of the best features of this phone. I have resorted to listening to music on my phone even when going to bed (I now make sure I lock the screen before I sleep). Just because of the free music download and radio features, I am willing to overlook the numerous other shortcomings of the Lumia. The Lumia isn’t the best when you need to share files between two devices over Bluetooth. Its volume control is really messed up. If I change the volume for the music that I am listening to, then that also changes the phone ringer volume. The default internet browser isn’t very comfortable to use and unfortunately I have not been able to install any other browser like chrome or Mozilla or Opera. Also, it does not allow memory expansion. I find the 8GB claimed (actually 6.5GB approx) memory quite insufficient. I have never used the iOS, but I do hope that iOS on iPhone 4 has atleast the option for streaming internet radio and allows for downloading music free.

Enough bashing of the Lumia, so let me close this by acknowledging that the Lumia has an amazing interface. Its UI is simply different from the usual iOS or Android – basically not just numerous icons scattered across. I happen to like the capacitive touch of the Lumia more than that of the HTC’s capacitive touch. I guess my initial dislike for Lumia has now turned into pleasant acceptability of the Windows based Finnish product.

PS: Android Supporters, I never needed Zillion+ apps, and I never needed to tweak the OS for my HTC, so I guess, I am ok with the factory made OS of any mobile phone, and the apps I need are available in both Windows Marketplace and Android Playstore.