the stormy nite

It was least of the things I imagined would ever happen. I made my friends party in this ritual. My wariness was of no use this time around. It all began on a stormy night. The rain started like a water sprinkler in a public park. It was smooth and soft, the first drops of the monsoon on my glasses ( I was driving a bike). The ground before me reacted with even more excitement. It was like it opened its mouth to quench its thirst , that it has been waiting to do so for years. I kept driving in this lite mizzle towards my destination until it was dark. Shutters were about to be closed on the coffee shop that I was longing to visit for 1 and 1/2 year.

My friends were still waiting for me, damning and cursing but all in friendly spirits. I was at my usual forgive me smiles and actions and (I) got a warm up smile back from them. There we are finally, at the post that used to be our usual rendezvous on lazy Friday evenings. Anybody else at our age and level would be thinking of hitting a club or a bar for a couple of beers. No but not we. Each one would wait for the other to join and finally to cheer each other with a cup of coffee. Could sound little odd but it is true.

But that was long ago. Things are a little or should I be saying a lot different now. Not that we do not want to see each other anymore, but the destiny made it happen that way. Some have moved to other places and some have other things to take care of. Except for the occasional reminiscence of the past there is not much we are doing.

But today I chanced upon this meeting. It did lack the energy of those days but still alive. That made me feel gay. I was here on a vacation and we friends decided to meet at the same place. Not everyone turned up. That's expected as we are bit "grown" ups now. We talked about past actions and the people. Few brought big laughs and few were bland. In all this mentations we forgot about the rain which now is pouring in buckets. Half the place was inundated and we had no idea on how to reach home that night. The coffee shop was empty by then and they already switched off all the lights. We four were still hashing out how to get the hell out of this place. We turned on the radio to know the weather report. Just heard that a cyclone is predicted and already 70% of the city is under water. Even if we figure out a way to go home in this rain, we were not sure if we will reach home safely without getting flushed any of those open drains that are a regular in this part of the world. Now our place is totally dark and we could not see anything but the cups that are reflecting light from the rare emergence of a car head light on the adjacent road.

None of us have won a bravery award in our lives and we are no Bollywood heroes. Amidst all this chaos we saw a small light coming from a corner of the shop which even in a broad day light has no activity. It is a kind of abandoned part. We did not pay much attention to it, thinking it is some fire fly or a random reflection. But it started making strange movements and light was getting bigger and bigger. As if to make us s*** in our pants, we saw some strange voices coming out of that place. We started sweating heavily even though it was dead cold because of the rain. We four held each other's hand and transmitted with our eyes that we are one in this now and will take care of this...whoever it is.

We looked around for some thing hard like a rod or a stick. I did not think we would be so fortunate in this unfortunate hour of the night. We moved closely to the spot. The light became dimmer and dimmer as we moved closer and closer. We were worried if the splash sound that was coming when we were walking in water would alert the "thing". To our surprise it did not. As we corned the target, raised the bar to hit it hard. Then two hands came up in the air and a big shout emerged from the corner. We were startled and four of us ran into four different directions. Then the man came out running into the middle. He switched on all the lights and then we recognized him. He is the security guard at the shop. He was doing his routine security check, that is it. We just over reacted.

We laughed that it was a eventful night and had some thrilling fun. By the end of all this, the rain subsided ( our weather guys never change). We bid each other adieu.

No, not in India!

It is generally said that some odd things can happen only in India. But there are certain good things which would not happen in India for at least another century. Let me tell you what I am talking about. Other day I got a mail. So what's the big deal about it. Not really, if it was any regular mail that anyone gets. It is actually a claim form. It says, I quote " You may be a member of the Class if you paid dues for a monthly membership at 24 Hour Fitness". Last year (2009) for about 6 months I went to this fitness club called 24 HR fitness. It was all fine but later I cancelled my membership thinking that I would soon be leaving to India (of course, it never happened). But as a company policy, they collect first month and last month dues during the membership registration. Another smart thing this company does is, we need to give them our account information during the registration as they want to deduct the amount every month due, automatically (no provision to pay in cash on due date). By the time I cancelled my membership, they have already deducted the money. Now they have 2 months of my money for no good reason.

It so happened that some guy who is concerned about all this, filed a law suit against these guys and as a general trend this company denied of any wrong doing or going against law ( there argument is that members signed a agreement when we joined, which means we have agreed to this arrangement.)

The point is, this particular practice of 24 HR fitness is against the California state law and now the company in the picture is liable to this situation. They are for a out of court settlement now and even before judge comes with a ruling against or for, they have to pay all the members ( who come under the rules of this class) either a 20 US $ fee or give a 3 month all club membership access! Isn't it kool.

Now let me tell you guys my intention of writing this whole story. Picture the same scenario in India. Now it is not about criticizing India like every second Indian does. To put things in perspective, it would be a miracle for something like this to ever happen in our country. Let alone this, can we be sure to get justice in a lifetime for something like this even when filed on our own. When there is a clear evidence also justice is denied on our land where Babudom and money rule the roost. I was talking about this with my friend who also happened to be in US currently. I said, really hope something like this happens in India at least in a century time. He said he hopes so too. He also felt, but for it to happen before that time ( I know am being ignorant about how things work in India) , population is a primary hurdle. Then I said, look at China. It is far ahead of India even with a bigger population than India. He countered saying China is a bad example, it is a country where freedom has no meaning ( a simple Google search cannot be done freely there).

Agreed. My point is not that. We are the biggest success story of democracy and the largest existing democracy in the world. Traditionally we have done a stupendous job even with so many internal problems and never went to any form of government post independence. And the secular , socialist and republic principles are shining diamonds in our parliamentary system. But where are we in this world. Are we No. 1, 2, 3...10, at least 20. Now do not tell me we are part of G20. Merely being part of G20 does not make us great. We are there because of our size and geographic significance ( or probably the super power US wanted us in there). What is the relation between G20 and law suit? It is a package. You grow become a developed country with making sure you do all such things right to be finally there and truly called a developed nation.

When are we going to be there? Guess, no body has answer to this yet. This is a concern of yet another Indian living on uncle Sam's green bucks and feeling everything is bad about India (except that we have a wonderful family and friends back home). Phir bhi mera bharat mahan!

Life isn't fair

Life isn't fair. Oh really...let me think. Ya I know life isn't fair. The other day, our practice head - NA(industry vertical) was here at my work place on one of his regular business visits. My Project Manager wanted him to talk to the team(I always thought that this guy is not really interested, it's just that our PM pushes him). It was a regular pep talk, he was like guys things are not going to work if we continue to do the things the way we have been doing. What happened is that we went to this guy with lot of complains and excuse for the low quality and delay of the project. That guy was like...I cannot do anything guys,you just got to take control of the situation, I cannot help you much...life isn't fair. Period. Then I was like...oh come on gimme a break....do not give me the same gyan...tell me something that I do not know.

Anyway the point I am trying to make here is, life isn't fair only to few. Trust me, why is life so fair to prince Williams. What did he do to be so rich and famous. No I am not talking about some hard working guy becoming rich. He earned it. But tell me about guys who are dumb asses of this world, but still get to enjoy all the good things in life. What I am saying is life is not a fair dealer in the first place. Life is not fair to only unlucky guys. Some people call luck as right things falling at the right moment with some right decision made. But tell me how is this possible if life isn't fair. That's wrong then. Life is fair to people who are lucky. But life can indeed be made fair. I mean it would still not be..but how to make it feel fair is...just get used to it. We stand no chance. Their no choice! Now stop making assumptions that this guy is such a loser. I know I am not.

my resolutions for 2010

One survey says 92% of the resolutions are not kept. That's very impresive. We can do even more better..something like 98 99 would be a better number. Come on who on earth can really keep their resolutions. I thought let me google and see top ten new year's resolutions. some of them goes like.. working on body fitness, helping others, spend more time with family and friends, enjoy life more,...and many were on these lines. Surprisingly thing here is, these are the most simplest things one can imagine to really follow. But in real world as we see,quite a big deal. Did I ever took a new year resolution before...let me think ...hmm..notihng as I recollect. Who cares ;-) I do not care.

But just for a change i came up with my set of resolutions for the coming year 2010. And it is going to be quite big. 10 for 2010. They are like..


1) stop reading NEWS - (ibnlive.com,cnn.com,greatandhra.com,news.google)
2) stop chatting (including orkutting,facebooking,twiterring..)
3) stop eating junk(including indian junk..)
4) No movies(not even free downloading..)
5) running in the morning( if possible in the evening too..)
6) no unnecessary shopping( not even window shopping)
7) walk more,no car(want to earn some carbon points..)
8) pray to god(and some religious stuff my parents always wanted..)
9) date a american girl( am a indian)
and finally
10) work from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM(follow american labour laws..)

Now do not picture my face and start laughing at me like never before. Everybody has resolutions, what's wrong if i have some. okay you are right..i was just trying to be little serious and more funny. chill guys...resolutions ko maro goli and just take the things as they come. Now, my real resolution - never take resolutions again!!

an idoit's voice

I can't believe this. For many it is like living their dream. But was it roughly the same for me? If I ask myself I donno. Crossed 2 oceans and and traveled some thing like 8721 miles or 14035 KM to do what. chal teek he yaar. chod e sab baat.
Other day I watched this movie called 3 idiots. Are they really idiots. I do not think so. They were idiots only for their college in charge Mr. Viru Sahasrabuddhi...what kind of a name on earth is this. This guy has got a hair style of Einstein and thinks he is a newton. Anyway movie was all about gyan and things like do just what you want to do...education is all about excellence and not running behind success so on n so forth. It is like it is easier said than done. Lets think about our own India. With the kind of education system we have, with the kind of complex(mindset) society we have and family system we have, is it really possible. Com'n now do not say everybody blames the system, i am just one of them. Of course we blame the system. I did not make the system. In the first place for anybody to do what they really want to do, one got to know what they can do. No, do not say that it is being very dumb.

Even you know that it is not easy. If people in the west have been doing what they wanted to do(most of them as we think)...they took time to arrive at what they arrived at..we will reach there one fine day...we have so many other things to iron out first...with so less resource available at our expense, i believe have been being reasonalbly well.What if we have so many engineers and doctors. Others do not have so many of them and trust me it is their loss. Otherwise they have no reason to allow so many of us into their countries and serve their people. They are short of them. They let their kids chose what they wanted to be. Now they see the result. Agreed things would be lot better if we can do what we really want to do. Even in my case I believe what I am doing...I do not like doing.it But that may not solve all the problem. It all takes time. Just few decades ago, we did not have even these engineers or doctors on our land. But look at us now. Entire world is envious about us and what we are. Of course we still wear that tag, developing country.
Of course we are...1.2 billion..it is not going to be easy...agreed we are lazy..no but we are not out. We are still in the crease and this is a long innings. No buddy this is not some emotional drama...I was just trying to understand my dear friend here. He got a point, i thought. So just putting his mind here.

The great gambler

So what if you loose money on a slot machine! Now stop laughing. There are people on this earth who bet n loose money even on slot machines....Yes I do not play roulette, black jack, poker...nothing. I like to loose money in smaller proportions at one time and ya of course finally loose everything I have.What has that lady in the bar got to do with me loosing the money. Poor girl. Or is it me....I was thrown out of the Casino for yelling at her. The girl even threatened to call 911. Never thought I will involve in anything that has 911. Do not know if I pleaded her not to call 911, was so drunk am not sure what really happened. I guess my friend quickly intervened and cleared up the things. But did that stop me from playing that stupid game. I went to another casino called Casino Royale. The first one I went is called "The Stratosphere". This Casino had a rule, anybody who looses money on slot machines will not be allowed to play in their Casinos. Does that mean everybody else is winning money and am I the odd man out. Then why is not everybody playing these slot machines. No time for logic in Vegas.

I moved to this new casino and so did my luck. It started going the other direction, from down south to up north. Is it gonna go all the way to arctic. I kept on pressing the buttons and was clocking jackpots. I started with a modest 35 USD. Guess what is the number on the machine now, 378 USD and still climbing. There were 6 people surrounding me and literally screaming at top of their lungs. Not that 378 is a really big amount by Vegas standards but it does not happen often on a slot machine. Okay I kept going and then wanted to know what is the maximum that one can win from this machine. I mean the maximum possible. On the machine the number is 999 USD. Holy crap. 999...!! put 35 and take home 999!!I thought is that going to happen to night. Somebody from the spectators ..oh yeah there were a good number of them as I reached 568 USD.....tapped me on the shoulder. My friend who always plays every other game except this slot machine, has also returned and stood beside me watching me winning, feeling jealous of my luck. There was one more guy who is jealous, the pit supervisor. I could see his green eyes. Somebody from the audience said, dude take your money now and leave the casino for good. I looked at him,like you p.... off. It is my money. Who the hell are you to say that. After this I lost a group of spectators. Never mind. Who cares about the people, when you have free money coming your way. I reached 745 USD. Now my friend also started saying, buddy time to go. He said, "You won more than 20 times the money you invested . Lets go".
I did not pay attention to him.I looked at him, "you looser"!! Now after that episode, I came down by 89 USD. Is the back of my luck pinning, after climbing so much. I started thinking, should I listen to my well wishers. Thought I will leave after recovering the lost ground and I was right. I climbed back to 750 and then quickly reached 850. I thought I will leave this casino only after striking at the top.

My luck ran short of gas. I started coming down and down and even more downk to 448 USD. People around me started booing me. I am not the one to relent so easily. I decided to get all that I lost. Slowly started gaining again. But not much. It became really pathetic now. I was to 2 digits. I thought should I leave at least now!..No...so stupid that I am, started playing bigger combination s so that I get more money when strike score. I was wrong, I was back to 40. You should look at my face then. People around me laughed at me...I was all alone because my friend also joined the chorus. I pressed the collect winnings button and came out. Everybody play to win. But what anybody should remember when gambling is, when to stop playing. Never mind, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, it does not come home with us!!!