Whoosh

It's amazing how a simple thing like a cool breeze can cheer you up. I remember going back to my room thoroughly exhausted late one night last week and fortunately I got hold of a bicycle from someone. The downhill roads are everyone's favorite (but of course) but the stretch from GEC, via Reception towards ECC and beyond is by far the best. It's like a runway and that night it felt like I took off. I did a Leonardo (a la Titanic) with my arms outstretched (hope no security folks are reading, nothing could've happened, I had a helmet and knee pads, the works) and had this huge Grinch-like grin by the end of it that I didn't need to shout the words 'I'm the king of the world!'. Two days ago I sat at Gazebo for like a good half hour (before being dragged away by two pesky females who just wouldn't let me enjoy it) with my eyes closed and just feeling the gusty breeze hitting my face with a sort of violent calmness (?? I know oxymoron but there's no better way of describing it). Heaven I tell you. Yesterday we were in the swimming pool and the clouds were out of this world. It was like watching an hour long episode of 'The Best of National Geographic' on clouds and the evening sky. You had to be there, I can't even begin to describe the colors and the hues and the filtered sunlight and the silver linings and what not. I was sitting outside my block with my still unfinished Forsyth at midnight just to enjoy the weather (damn mosquitoes had me running back up in less than half an hour). And the cherry on top - it rained today! If you're reading this right now, STOP AND GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW! Thank me later :D

Oh by the way, News!

:)

:))

:)))

I'm coming home! Finally! Oh what a relief! Two more weeks to go though :( At the risk of jinxing it, hope the weather remains as it has been for the past week. Then these two weeks will just pass like a cool breeze, which is exactly what I'm going to go out and enjoy right now.
Good night!

Playlist

Woke up late. Actually woke up really early (0615 hours!) but then went back to sleep. Came to class at 1035. Have been listening to music since. Got new headphones from Bangalore, nothing special, normal Philips 150 bucks stuff available anywhere, sound's great though. My Panasonics are too big and too noticeable (red and silver remember?). They are very comfortable though, this new one is a little uncomfortable because I'm not used to the in-ear variety now. Here's my playlist for the day (on shuffle):

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love (*****)
Dev D - Saali Khushi (*****)
Delhi 6 - Masakali (****)
Bluffmaster - Parde Ke Peeche (****)
Led Zeppelin - The Battle Of Evermore (****)
Guns N' Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine (*****)
System Of A Down - Chop Suey (***)
Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song (*****)
Outlandish - Aicha (***)
Nickelback ft. Santana - Into The Night (***)
Dev D - Duniya (***)
The Rolling Stones - I Can't Get No Satisfaction (****)
Richie Valens - La Bamba (***)
Velvet Revolver - Set Me Free (****)
bodhiTree - XL Ki Kudiyan (****)
Norah Jones - Sunrise (****)
Gorillaz - Dirty Harry (***)
Coldplay - Fix you (****)
Dil Se - Satrangi Re (*****) ((One of Sonu Nigam's finest))
Let's Enjoy - Mundeya De Dil Hil Gaye (***)
Nelly - Hot 'n Here
Led Zeppelin - Kashmir (****)
Led Zeppelin - Communication Breakdown (****)
U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name (***)
Coldplay - Speed Of Sound (****)
Will Smith - Party Starter (***)
Iron Maiden - Fear Of The Dark (Live) (*****)
Rang De Basanti - Rang De Basanti (****)
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World (****)
Propellorheads - Spy Break (***)
Taal - Kariye Na (****)
Bohemia - Kali Denali (***)
Black Eyed Peas - Pump It (***)
Coldplay - Death And All His Friends (***)
Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker (****)
System Of A Down - Toxicity (****)
Johnny Cash - Personal Jesus (****)
School Of Rock - School Of Rock (*****)
Coldplay - Brothers & Sisters (****)
Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of (****)
Delhi 6 - Genda Phool (***)
Black Eyed Peas - Bebot (***)
P.O.D. - Sleeping Awake (****)
Coldplay - The Scientist (****)
Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away (****)
Bob Dylan - Mr. Tambourine Man (***)
Guns N' Roses - Welcome To The Jungle (****) ((I was just thinking about this song!))
Modjo - Lady (***)
3 Doors Down - Krytonite (*****)
Coldplay - The Escapist (***)
Kailash Kher - Allah Ke Bande (****)
David Gray - Sail Away (****)
Rammstein - Feuer Frei (****)
ACDC - Back In Black (****)
Amy Winehouse - Rehab (***)
Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane (****)
Arctic Monkeys - Fake Tales Of San Fransisco (****)
Audioslave - Original Fire (****)
Javed Jaffery - Mumbhai (****)
Rock On - Zehreelay (*****)
Lucky Ali - Tere Mere Saath (*****)
Eagles - Hotel California (Hell Freezes Over version) (*****)
Coldplay - Politik (****)
Rock On - Tum Ho To (***)
INXS - Need You Tonight (****)
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na - Pappu Can't Dance (****) ((This song is much more fun when you have a friend named Pappu :P))
Rock On - Ye Tumhari Meri Baatein (****)
Rage Against The Machine - Calm Like A Bomb (****)
Bally Sagoo - Roop Tera Mastana (*****)
Radiohead - Punchup At A Wedding (*****)
Coldplay - Strawberry Swing (***)
Dil Chahta Hai - Tanhayee (*****) ((Another one of Sonu Nigam's finest))
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes (****)
Coldplay - Viva La Vida (****)
Lenny Kravitz - American Woman (****)
James Brown - I Feel Good (****)
The Verve Pipe - Bittersweet Symphony (*****) ((I was asked to name my favorite song. I couldn't. She could and this was it.))
Apocalyptica - Life Burns! (****)
Taal - Taal Se Taal (Western) (****)
The Zeest - Sutta (***)
Panic At The Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies (****)

Phew! That's it for today. I'm tired. Last Count - 75+ :D

Peace

Dated: March 2nd, 2009

Four and half months of torturous training filled with sleepless nights, bad food and homesickness has finally come to an end (POST is supposed to be easy, that's what I was told, so it has been excluded. It is super boring though, yawn). The feeling can be best described with the expression 'sigh of relief'. There is a sense of inner peace.

The next three months or so are going to be fun (*kneels down, hopes and prays to God*). Planning to buy a PS2 this weekend and maybe an (gulps) iPhone soon after (camera plans delayed even further, but they still exist on paper.) We're already planning weekend getaways to Goa and making plans to go home for a week, spending most of our time in the ECC etc etc etc. Sounds like a retirement plan, doesn't it? The scene from Dil Chahta Hai with the guys in an open top Merc heading to Goa has been playing in our heads on repeat ever since. Even if we don't manage a Merc, we'll get our hands on a Contessa Classic Convertible, but that scene has to be relived at any cost :D

Shit happens

Highly sleep deprived. Have been going back to my room "early" at night (OK earlIER than usual) thinking it's the only way to catch up on some much needed sleep. But as is the case with everything I do, whenever I want to do something it suddenly becomes the hardest thing to do. When I WANT to study (very very rare occasions I assure you) there is something completely different going on which I MUST do. When I want to sleep, I have these bouts of insomnia which are impossible to cure. I reach my room at 1 and end up watching TV till 4, and NO it's not because of the TV that I'm awake Mr./Ms. Smartypants, it's because I can't sleep that I have to turn it on hoping that something completely and utterly boring would put me to sleep but it usually gets interesting after a while. Sigh. I hate sleeping during the day because it just keeps me awake at night. Like yesterday, I went to sleep at 5.30, slept like a baby till 8.30, felt great, was on my way to the Gecko when I passed by Shilpi and she wished me all the best for my exam today with the kind of smile that just lights up your face. Studied for a while, went back at 1.30 and voila, no sleep! Tossed and turned till 4.30 and finally managed to fall asleep. Woke up at 6.30 feeling sleep deprived again. The handson couldn't have been better so I won't complain too much (don't think there's scope for any more anyway). Came back to class to sleep (the AC is on here and it's burning up out there. Who turned up that Sun?!) and surprise surprise no sleep. I thought I wouldn't even have to try to sleep in this place but now I know better. Sleeping pills here I come.

P.S. - Shilpi met with a terrible accident just after we met last night. She's still unconscious in the hospital :.(
Here's praying for a speedy recovery. Get well soon.
Please leave your wishes here.

**Update**

Shilpi was in the hospital for 4 days and has recovered fully now.

I.D.C.

It's that time of the training again. One module to go, one week to go. But this time it's different. I'm not as concerned or worried about it. I have stopped caring, hopefully not enough to not even pass. Old habits die hard. Stopped paying attention in class after the first few modules, thanks to boring teachers, and haven't been able to go back since, even when there are pretty good teachers (you can also blame it on the fact that we have a PC at our disposal which makes it pretty hard to pay attention; that is why some teachers make you switch off the monitors and concentrate, but then they become the bad teachers). Stopped doing assignments don't even remember when. Stopped studying for tests more than a day before just after.....actually haven't been able to do that since eternity. Lost my train of thought, dammit! Bah! Chuck it. Later. Can't wait for this Friday to get on with it. Even the weekend is supposed to be utilized to study for Compre. It just gets better and better! Sigh.

Have been browsing through the SLRBB and found some really amazing shots. Sharing a few with everyone. Hope the photographer community doesn't mind. (*Cannot display pic right now. Will post it sometime later*)

P.S. - I.D.C. = I Don't Care
P.P.S. to self - "We knew it would become worse before it gets better." - Alfred to Bruce/Batman, The Dark Knight.

NOTE: If you can't see the image, it's because I shut down my computer whenever am not using it. In case anyone knows of a server location where I can store images, please do let me know. And switch off your PC when you're not using it. (You can’t upload images here, you have to host them on your own server. But the server is active only when you’re logged on.)

Lost

There were a lot of things I used to do on a regular basis which have now completely disappeared from my schedule of activities. Reading is something I miss the most. I had started reading 'The Day of the Jackal' by Frederick Forsyth barely a week before coming here and I'm still stuck at page 175 (I was at 154 when I left!). Part of the reason for that is my inability to sit in my room for long durations of time. I'm still using my room just as a place to keep my stuff and for performing activities related to maintaining basic hygiene. I sometimes sneak in a few hours of sleep as well. It is never occupied for more than 6 hours in a day (8 hours tops) on weekdays. Even when I'm there I prefer to channel surf or listen to music because by the time I reach the place the brain has usually given up and reading has become a highly complex task. I also miss reading the newspaper first thing in the morning. The first thing I do in the morning these days is curse myself for being late again.

I also miss following all my favorite sports. Cricket is a default favorite, we grew up on it (also I think that it is the only game I know inside out that's why following it is much easier). I don't even know when the matches are scheduled these days. But I don't miss it as much as Football. I haven't watched a single match from start to finish in the past three months. Oh the horror, the shame! Used to follow Tennis, Formula1, NBA and had just started following Golf (yes that's right, GOLF). The only thing I've been able to watch from start to (almost)finish is the final of the Australian Open, but I would rather not talk about it.

I used to have stuff to write about. I would just start typing a post in the middle of a very boring day or just a pick a piece of paper and start writing something. Nothing cheers me up more than writing down a few random paragraphs. I miss my old blog.

I miss my computer. It was ancient and in dire need of upgrades, but my dad thought I would just waste more time with it and my brother would not be able to concentrate on his studies (he was right). But I still loved spending hours on it doing maintenance work, organizing my Music Library (in excess of 2000 songs) and surfing the net at will. I miss limitless access to the web a lot.

I miss the weekends at home the most. Not that the weekends here are bad, but they were something else.

Gems from class

T: "(explains something). Did you understand?"
(Silence)
T: (looks about helplessly) "Are you...."
YES!
(snigger snigger)


T: "What do you mean by (something)?"
(Silence)
T: Think and answer.
(Silence)
T: Who will think?
(Controlled laughter)


T: "What is J2EE?"
(Someone shouts "Java2 Enterprise Edition" amidst the mumbling. DUH!!)
T: "Good. What is Enterprise?"
(Loud mumbling. Same person answers again. Something about a company..)
T: (smiles) "It's a Big Company?"
(Eruption of laughter)

*T=Teacher

Blank

Sometimes it just jumps out and hits you in the face when you least expect it. I mean, here I am sitting, trying to study for a test tomorrow and my lovely brain suddenly decides to ask myself about Life, The Universe and Everything. Thanks ol' buddy ol' pal!!

I'm not sure what the question is today, but it's something related to life. "Is this it? Is this what I'll be doing for the rest of my life?" Something on those lines, but not quite that. I've had a lot of moments like these, but something's different today. It's this empty, hollow. vaccuumish, sickening feeling inside me which is traveling it's way up to my head and making it spin in a way that is making me want to throw up. Is it the music I'm listening to? OK, my brain just went numb. Drawing a blank. And the worst part is I'm not even exaggearting! What the @#$% is going on!

The ORACLE

Oracle: "Hey kid. You look different."
Me: "It's the tie, and maybe the haircut and the facial hair."
Oracle: "Come sit down, have a candy."
Me: "I'm OK."

*pauses, sits down and takes the candy*

Me: "You knew that didn't you?"
Oracle: "Sure did."
Me: "You also knew I was going to flunk?"
Oracle: "Yup."
Me: "Then why the hell didn't you tell me?! I would've studied harder. Is dropping a mail or just an SMS asking too much!"
Oracle: "You had already made the choice of not studying."
Me: "RIGHT! What about the next module?"
Oracle: "You haven't made that choice yet."
Me: "OK. I'm going to study really hard from now on. Is that good enough a choice for you?"
Oracle: "Yes it is."
Me: "So now I'm going to pass?"
Oracle: "No. Sorry kiddo."
Me: "WTF!! Then what is it going to take?"
Oracle: "Bingo! That is the right question."

*pulling his hair out in frsutration*

Me: "Why you little @#$@#$%#%^&#$$%........."

*pulls out the monitor a la Sunny Deol and hurls it at her, turns around and flies away*


P.S. - For those who are confused about why I posted something like this, well let's just say the current module going on is called ORACLE and I hate it to death. It's so boring I can't even zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

More Nothing

Date: Jan 22, 2009

I was wondering why I haven't posted anything in a long while(including the last post which amounts to nothing) and the answer is simple, I have nothing to write about. Life is monotonous to say the least. I can write about the monotony but that is just too boring. And it's not just me who's getting bored either, my last "post" fetched more comments than any of my previous 400+ worders.

Java is vast, full of lengthy assignments, takes time to find space to fit in my brain and not to mention Boring. The teacher is great but before she's able to generate enough interest to keep me glued she's able to induce sleep with her super-slow-mo typing and slide transition. From my room to my class(if and when I can get up) to the food courts to my class to my friends' class to my room is my usual route these days. I haven't set foot(literally) in the ECC for over a week now and doesn't look like I'm going to either before the weekend.

Another 3 day weekend approaching and I'm as enthusiastic about it as a cat about to be bathed. Just want to sleep it away. My friends want to go to Bangalore or any other place which is atleast two hours away from here but the idea of sitting in a bus for more than 10 kms just puts me to sleep(which I can't seem to be able to do when actually on the bus). So if you're reading this people, I think(I'm quite sure actually) I'll pass.

I thought knowing C++ would make my life easy in Java. It has just made me more impatient and ignorant to the subtleties of the language. This is not my idea of learning another language. I should've stuck to Learning French because this stuff sure as hell isn't far away from German to me right now. Au revoir.

P.S. - I hate to be a cynic, but as much as I like Obama I think the hype is getting to everybody. He isn't Superman and he still has to work with other people who are, well, OTHER PEOPLE. So I won't be surprised if he doesn't go down in history as a great leader of our times, but he sure as hell knows how to inspire hope. Therefore, here is to the hope of seeing miracles happen and at least some CHANGE for the better.

Something

Date: Jan 23, 2008

After a very long time I had the pleasure of enjoying a nice quite evening all by myself. I went back early yesterday afternoon and caught a much needed nap. Woke up to re-re-re-runs of Friends, had a decent dinner along with Manas, picked up a few supplies from the store and was tucked into my bed with a CR by 9pm. In 2 hours I was able to study more than I have been able to through the entire week and there isn't a more satisfying feeling. Which calls for a celebration, but naturally.

So I put some music on my phone and decided to freshen up. Switched on the TV to watch Donnie Brasco (finally), made a piping hot cup of Rich Tomato Soup, some sweet bread covered in butter and a packet of namkeen I was given by my friend (along with a lot of other stuff) from back home whom I met last week in Bangalore. Now this is what I call having a good time, just sit back, relax, enjoy a movie with some nice snacks. Just the thought of it makes you want to run back to your room right now! Doesn't it?

P.S. - There's always a catch. I forgot to swipe out again yesterday, you know, out of sight out of mind. Sigh. What is the point of having an entire system to approve single swipes, if the requests are just ignored? Hmph.

Embarrassed

I stayed up till 5 am for an exam! ME!! What has the world come to!?!
This is one of my lowest moments.

Also, got JAVA for stream.
Most people in different classrooms, and some more in different buildings :(
Coffee breaks won't be the same again.
This was our last night together *winks* :P

P.S. - In my defense, I didn't study or anything, was here for err... moral support. You know, I'll be there for youuuu.....

Incomprehensible

I, for the life of me, can not comprehend the reasons for compromising on the effort that should complement the time I spend in the classroom in front of the computer doing nothing when I should be completely engrossed in compiling a compendium of all that has been done till date. Maybe it's complacency, but since I can compare the efforts of my compatriots to mine and come to the conclusion that instead of complaining so much I should rekindle my competitive spirit and in compliance to the general concensus and the constant compunction, get down to actually studying. I have to compress the compulsion of whiling away precious time and showcase my competence. The only complication I'm facing is that old habits decompose very slowly. After years of performing under pressure (completing the entire syllabus in one night), preparing for an exam which is more than a day away seems like a waste of time. But what seems like a waste of time right now is me composing this post and trying to turn all of your brains into compost! Before anyone loses their composure, I think it's time to complete this entry with a *wicked grin*.

Get Set Go

Great start to the new year:

1 - Studied till 3 last night and forgot to swipe out. One more EL(Earned Leave) wasted
2 - Flunked today's exam.

The new year seems promising.

Post 1 0f 365

Welcome to the same old new year.
Nothing much has changed apart from the calendars.
Nothing much is expected to change either. Sigh.

Have made absolutely no use of any facility in the ECC for the past two weeks. Maybe that's why I'm so lazy, or vice versa. Vicious circle, bah!

Resolutions: What's the point?

Great end to the year by the way - met my family after almost 2 months. Hadn't been away from them for more than 2 days ever. Tasted home-cooked food (read HEAVEN)! Missed all my friends back home a lot though. Oh and I finally got my hands on the 6th Edition of Free Radical (more on this some other time) and it looks great.

Have you ever noticed that you tend to notice stuff which you normally wouldn't when your getting bored in class? For instance, you're suddenly very interested in the mannerisms of your teacher and other people in your class or you suddenly find out the answer to the question "what does this button do?". I just found out that Hrithik Roshan has autographed my mouse!

Is it just me or is there is a major shortage of holidays at this time of the year? Need a few more 4 day weekends. Sigh.

Another week gone by

Mon-Wed: SDM, UID, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Thu-Fri: Road trip to Wayanad, Trekking, Waterfall, bad food, loads of pics, sightseeing, bad food, loads of pics. Managed to do some photography of my own, will share the decent ones soon.

Sat: Zzzzzzzzz

Sun: Transporter 3, Laundry, Zzzzzzzzzz

That about sums it up.

Family arriving tomorrow, YAY!!

Happy New Year!

P.S.: I don't know what's wrong with me. I had thought about writing a mammoth post about the holidays but just don't feel like it now. Sorry blog.

The week that was

Note: 3 days after last post.

I'm having a hard time recalling what happened in the last week now. Hmmm let me see, RDBMS test, AOA module, SDM, snore snore zzzzzzzzzzz.

Other than that, I hit the gym and swimming pool on a regular basis (happy happy), ate a lot (happy sad), had an upset stomach (sad sad), went to Bangalore (happy tired) and was in high spirits (hic happy hic happy). The friday night thing was so much fun, we took an oath that come what may every friday night we're going to do this. Classes were so boring that even the Slumber Gods abandoned us (not exaggerating). Time actually flew by. Have another test tomorrow, will start studying soon. Bangalore was fun, but need more than half a day to enjoy it (nightlife et al).

Did you know: Everytime I'm on my way to the hostel late at night, the Hell Freezes Over version of Hotel California always, ALWAYS, plays!

Question: What is the procedure to change the room? :(

P.S.: I just went through the post. Doesn't sound like much but it was a lot of fun.

Chilling

AOA, SDM, UID etc. What a waste of time! Therefore me chilling :)

Will post something new when I feel like sitting in front of the comp screen for a longer duration of time (or I have to).

Note: Sorry for the prolonged absence. Things don't fall in place according to plan sometimes. This was posted 5 days after my last post.

Moonshine

Did you see it? Did you?! Oh you missed it. It was brilliant!

I'm talking about the moon. After having a very very disappointing meal (the second of it's kind today) after what had been a very good day, I came out of FC2 and stopped short in my tracks as soon as I laid my eyes on the moon. The last two days saw the moon shining at its brightest this year (this is a fact, you must've noticed) and today it must've been at its quietest and prettiest. Words fail to describe what I saw but for the sake of public interest I'm going to try anyway. So bear with me on this one people.

OK, so the extra-bright white luminescence was gone and it was replaced by a dullish-bright (?) creamy sort of whiteness. There were clouds all around it, thick and thin, light and dark, big and small. The first time I saw it tonight there were two streaks of thin grey clouds stretching in opposite directions, one near the top and the other near the bottom. The moonlight shone through these four sections and there was a diffused glow among the surrounding cluster of clouds. Then the game of hide and seek began, the beauty sometimes hidden by a thin veil of smoke and sometimes eclipsed by a dark cape of fluffy cotton (fluffy cotton?! that didn't come out exactly the way I wanted to, told you words fail me today). How I wish I had a camera!!!!! Sob sob....

Complemented with the right music to suit the mood (Oasis - Wonderwall, Sonu Nigam - Muskura (Dasvidaniya), Coldplay - Spies, Strings (not sure) - Sabse Peeche Hum Khade) I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. I actually sat down on the grass (take that you whistling party-poopers!) for the duration of this playlist and just kept looking at it. Believe me, it WAS that beautiful! I am high on moonshine, literally :P

If anyone was fortunate enough to have clicked this setting, please please please please share it with the world. And send me a copy too!

P.S. - For the uninititated, check out the meaning of moonshine on wiki.
P.P.S. - Does anyone have a spare camera? :(

Blogger's block

I find it really difficult to find topics to blog about. Posting about nothing has its limitations too, there's only so much you can write about nothing without it amounting to something. I read other people's blogs and I see one-two line entries which are just questions or maybe a joke but I for the life of me can't make myself do that. Maybe it's the OCD kicking in or because I feel that I owe it to my blog to write at least 200 words in every post before I can even call it a post.

Why do I feel the need to write something when I don't have anything to write about? Again it's like an obligation towards my blog, I owe it a post every two days at least, maybe because it doesn't complain no matter how much I crib, cry and complain about everything under the sun. It has reached such an extent that i tend to look for instances and incidents during the course of 'normal' life that I can write about here. But by the time I actually get to the 'New Entry' option it's all gone and I have to write about something totally different from what I had originally thought of.

For eg., I have been trying to think of something to write about since 2 pm. And this is what I came up with in the end.

P.S. - 241 words including this line. Done for the day. Here you go blog :)