muses of an insomniac at dawn on the 43rd parallel

Season of TV shows blown out of cloud... for good • The Register

2011-04-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

Bit off the usual path. I try to keep my entries sterile of technical blurbs as they tend to inundate most of my time. But this article was worth mentioning. Something for everyone to keep in mind when looking at 'cloud' solutions.

Not so long ago I had a similar experience when the VPS (Virtual Private Server) provider I subscribe to experienced a malicious attack on their server cluster resulting in massive data loss. Fortunately the server I run is a staging\test environment and did not have any active projects past what I would like to refer to as Stage 1 (install and fiddle). It would have been disastrous had I put in some time and brought it to Stage 2 (Beta release + active use)

Season of TV shows blown out of cloud... for good • The Register

Man on the Sheppard platform

2011-03-27T11:52:00.003-04:00

As usual on my evening commute, I had my nose buried in a book, lost to the world, while waiting for the Sheppard train. In my peripheral vision I noticed a man approach me with a note in-hand. Years of navigating through droves of panhandlers and street urchins have developed an instinctive, doctrined reflex that sprung into action and curtly dismissed the man before he he encroached my personal space. I felt my head nod ever so lightly and in a fraction of a second the action was complete. The reasoning part of the brain arrived at the scene of the crime like so many TV shows a few moments too late and immediately radioed for backup, Guilt. Guilt arrives instantly and boy does it do a really throrough job. I was ashamed. What if this man was impaired and just wanted directions ? What if he was mentally challenged and wanted some help to get back home ? The note might have been given by his caregivers to use incase he was lost. Guilt, like a good defence lawyer, takes you apart at the seams and questions your sanity. I flipped the book closed and looked around for the man. I could probably walk up and find out what he wanted to know. The terminal was filling up with the evening commuter crowd and the man had disappeared.

I combed through the crowd while the train pulled in to the terminal and the sea of people rapidly moved in to filled it up. I was still at the platform, when the doors chimed and closed. I walked back to the bench to where I was sitting, annoyed at myself, one for not finding the man, the other for missing the train. As I watched the compartments slowly roll by, filled with tired bodies on their way back home, I saw a man get up from his seat and approach a fellow passenger with a note in hand. Last I saw before the scene passed out of view was the passenger handing the man a Loonie*....

* Loonie: The Canadian 1 dollar coin (commonly called Loonie) is a gold-coloured, bronze-plated, one-dollar coin introduced in 1987. It bears images of a common loon, a well-known Canadian bird, on the reverse, and of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.

All for want of a shiny new toy...

2011-03-25T20:44:00.001-04:00

Once the feet began to ache it dawned on me that I had now become one of those people who you see in the news waiting forever in a line to pick up a shiny, new, over priced, over-hyped, under performing fashion accessory that's apparently a must have in this day and age.

That's right the iPad 2 launched today in Canada and I am in line to pick one up. I will bite my tongue, swallow my pride, steel up and stand with the black turtle-neck clad devotees, bear with their snooty talk while guzzling their Venti cafe-whatchaminghtcallits. All this while blue t-shirt clad drones buzz around giving advice, controlling crowds and handing out little cards with little fruit logos on it. Let's just hope I don't see anyone I know walking about in this mall

Armistice Journals - IV - Mandal Dilemma

2011-03-12T11:41:00.002-05:00

Some more from the Armistice series. Mandal,our dorm-mate, kept kept dropping in about something or the other ever so often one day. Ich and MT took it upon themselves to get back at him by mounting a counter-annoy tactic, which worked really well and he ended up storming out of the room yelling explicits in several languages and us laughing till our stomaches ached . I then proceed to my trusty, battered, blue writing desk that was precariously balanced on 1.5 textbooks on one leg and writing out a short piece. This is the draft and the final copy. No edits have been made. I was rather pleased with it. Can't say the same about Mandal. :-)

I hope he is doing well. The last time I spoke to him was in the summer of '03. He had just moved to Navi Bombay and I was in India for a short visit.

There was this guy called Mandal

Who once went after a vicious vandal.

The vandal he had kidnapped an actor

And getting him back was the deciding factor.

The bandit, he hid in the jungle

And the whole operation Mandal did Bungle.

Mandal, he, never did find the actor

Instead, stayed home and bought a tractor.

Drove it around for his friends to see

What a smart chap he be.

Then one day she rode to town

A southern belle in a long flowing gown.

As she walked across the square

Everone at her did stare.

She looked around and smiled knowing

The interest on her the people were showing.

Then our hero rode to town

Stopped at the sight of the one in the gown.

Crazy did he go right then

And serenaded her for the next days 10!

She finally agreed to seal the matter,

but, for tying the knot

he was to get rid of the tractor!

Mandal next day went to the market

Exchanged the tractor for a Luna and a Locket.

Smiling he rode the luna to her gate,

Checked his watch to see if he was late.

Just then a Porche stopped by.

Mandal wondered 'Who's this guy?'

The horn sounded twice and the door flung open

Out she ran, and there stood Mandal hopin'

She looked at him and waved him farewell

Jumped into the car and left him

High, Dry and Unwell.............

13 Rules of Indoor Cricket

2011-03-07T14:27:00.006-05:00

While in our first year we had several distractions that kept us from achieving the success that our family had envisioned for us. One of the chief distraction was cricket. Ever since the cricket scandals of '96-'97 I have had an advent dislike for the game and was never an avid cricket fan. But something in my short post secondary exile and the lack of other more appealing stimuli, gyrated me towards a variant of the sport.

In the first few months we were subjected to several occasions of hazing and this had limited our movements to the confines to our hostel rooms after classes. I must admit my fellow roommate in crime and myself used to get ourselves intentionally picked up for these sessions several times just for the sole purpose of scamming a free coffee and snacks after their silly antics. Most of the tasks they assigned us to do were trivial and in some cases fun. But it was the consolation coffee and snacks we looked forward to every other evening. Subsequent they did catch on to our scam and we paid the price for it. But I digress.

My friends in the designated 'mallu' room on the ground floor devised a very clever variation of indoor-cricket to wile away the spare time We had between dinner and lights off. I was quite happy to be left alone with my school work or good book, I was drawn to the intricacies of this improv game that appeared to occupy more and more of my friends time. Eventually I joined in one evening and the next thing I knew was that it was the eve of the exams, we were wrapping up the tournament at 4 in the morning and was scaling up the school wall to sneak out to the telephone booth for a drink and ice-cream.

Th games were all held in room #9 (the mallu room) and the rules were crafted by the way items were positioned in the room, the beds, suitcases and other objects were part of the obstacle course that determined the way the game played out.

So here is a cheer to Shynu, Vinu, Gireesh (lungi), Gireesh (ich), Dhiraj, Ballsgopal and others who partook in this insane game that was probably responsible for a grade or two drop in our final marks.

Rules of Indoor Cricket

Venue: Junior Boy's Hostel rm#12

GVIT,

Two teams max 5 a side.
Bowling - under-arm only. Ball must bounce once before reaching batsman
Ball should not bounce over waist height. Should a ball be thrown and it bounces over set limit, 1 run is awarded to batting team.
Wicket-keeper must be behind batsman at all times. Knees on bed. It is illegal to stand on bed.
It is illegal for wicket-keeper to step in front of batsman or block his shot.
Boundaries are the established 3 walls the batsman is facing.
Ball must bounce before touching the wall to be awarded 4 runs.
Should the ball not touch or bounce off ground, bed or suitcase, the batsman is out. No direct shots to the wall are allowed. All direct shots result in the Batsman being out.
Bowler must be seated in a chair opposite to batsman at a distance of at least 17 feet.
Standard ball is a regular tennis ball bound with electrical tape evenly wound around the ball.
Vinu's bucket is the Wicket.
If a match runs for more than 2 hours, players are mandated to break for drinks and refreshments for an hour.
Match can be interrupted only under the below circumstances:

Warden's surprise visit to hostel
Seniors roll call for ragging sessions
Trip to Stadium, interrupted by senior or staff intervention.

Please note that some of the finer details escapes me. Please feel free to drop me a line to update the details.

Armistice Journals - III - The blue Swatch I never wore

2011-02-27T23:43:00.003-05:00

I have always had a watch for special occasions or times in my life. The first ever watch, the one that shared my time in highschool, the first 'slightly higher pricy' watch i bought after i joined engineering etc.. In all these different wonderful pieces that counts the minutes that pass us by, there was one particular piece that I've never really worn for too long. Back in '99, i was visiting my folks in Dubai and ended up helping out a friend of my dad's with some computer issue. The gentlemen were nice enough to gift me a blue Swatch Irony series piece. It was a very heavy piece and I loved it! After wearing it for the first day, I realized that my wrist actually began to ache.

I took with me back to my college. the first person who saw it was MT. he couldn't stop talking about it. Come to think of it, he just summarized everything into one word.. 'Awesome' I remember walking up the stairs to his little room on the upper floor and first disaster occurred; I scratch the pristine face on the concrete wall. Dammit! I didn't wear it around the dorm or college since it would become the prime target for theft, In fact I believe I left the unit in Mahesh's room till he moved into the dorm with us. After a few months, an insult to injury, the unit stopped working altogether. Now since I wasn't willing to take this watch to be repaired locally, I shelved it deep inside one of my suitcases and made a mental note to get it fixed once I go back to Dubai or wherever.

As fate would have it we eventually moved out of India and the Middle East and landed in Canada in '01. The watch remained safe and partially forgotten in an old suitcase. Over the next couple of years and with us moving around the country, it was frequently 'rediscovered' and boxed away. Eventually one day, I dug it up and decided to get that battery replaced. The local store was pretty good with these things and they had the watch running in no time. I was happy and decided to wear it for this party that i had planned to go. On the night of, I get ready, check the time to find that I was quite early and decided to wait till a more appropriate time. I settled in living room with a book, and spent the next half hour or so reading. When i noted the time again, i realized that the hands were not moving. The watch had stopped again! After this second attempt at resurrecting the watch, I gave up and put it back into deep storage where it stayed until I moved back to my condo in the city.

Some of the deep storage boxes followed me and with it, the blue Swatch. During my purge exercise, I came across a few watches I owned over the years, including the Swatch. My lovely wife knew of a place that could replace the batteries and it was very close to where she worked. She took two of them, my brushed metal CK, a watch i bought with my first pay-cheque, and the blue swatch. The next day, she brought them both back, each ticking away and in perfect working condition. I was still a little wary of the blue fellow, so I wore it for the next few days, just to keep an eye on things. It seemed fine! It was ticking along, didn't seem to slow down. That's great! The watch can be finally worn! It had been close to 10 years since I had seen this guy work for more than a day!

I was visiting the folks last weekend and figured I should show them the watch that hadn't been functional for 10 years and if they remembered this specific one. As I was closing the door to my balcony, I felt a great weight slip off my hand, and crash on the floor. F!!

I pick up my poor blue Swatch from the floor, One of the metal links on the watch had sheared right off. I stood there in bewilderment, broken watch in hand, half-in and half-out of the condo with time still ticking on by.

Armistice Journal - II

2011-02-21T23:35:00.004-05:00

This was written in a calculus class and I was distracted by this girl with a clanging chain on her hand. Yes she was quite pretty too..

Morose encantations from another relm

Leaves the mind in a cloudy swirl.

Hypnotic, surreal, misty haze,

droning mumble from a distant stage.

Amongst the lot, around? yonder?.. behind?

muted tinkles arouse the mind,

Real amongst the myrad of symbols,

wake from comatic slumber

cutting like a beacon horn,

Benevolent lass sitting beyond.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

RETRIBUTION

One great slip in love's delight

darkened her world, once so bright.

She sighs and picks the pieces,

Of shattered life and darkened faces.

gone further by the day

Burned the bridges along the way.

Her precious bundle to her breast she clutches

Miserable though, proudly she trudges.

Her eyes, they, don't betray a thing

Of things she feels deep within.

People, they stare at this ragged child

Woman by age, a child inside.

Once, once is all she strayed

Broke the rule, Oh! how she paid.

Of the past she needs no more a thought

But for shelter for morrow she sought.

Her life she knew she couldn't end it yet

But fight the challenges that fate now set.

A tiny room in a big city

Not wanting anyone's pity

Looking outside the window she spies

the dark city under the gray black skies.

Now the east turns orange & pink

A motion on the bed brings her back in.

Her baby son, on the covers he lay

Sucking his toe busy at play.

He looked at her with his eyes so blue

infant blue, as the very heaven's hue.

Beside him on the bed she lay

As the city began a brand new day.

---------------------------------

This one is one my personal favs. written in under 2 hours before a mid-term or final exam.

GREENSPRUN

I know of this place called Greensprun

The people there, they, eat their young!

I've seen this with my very own eyes,

I swear to you these aren't tall tales or lies.

The Coopers first time had twins,

One a son, the other a daughter.

The son they turned him to mince,

While the daughter, they took to the slaughter.

Got it cleaned all skin and bone,

While the eyes and tongue to the butcher they loaned!

Tommy Bower loved his brother,

That's why he didn't share him with others.

He kept the fingers, pickled them in oil,

For by now, they were getting the spoil.

Ol' man Turner boiled his grandson

The night when the Lakers had won.

He boiled him long, he boiled him good,

For, once where his teeth were,

Only gums, now stood!

The Hurbeths ran a store,

What sold best there, were his cans of gore!

He got his supply from the local clinic,

Cans of puree, they seem to mimic!

All this meat had begun to rot their brain,

And from it, they just couldn't refrain!

Their young now dwindled in number,

For the meat greater grew their hunger!

Alan Stalked his pregnant neighbor,

Cut her up, when she was in labor!

Drenched in blood, they saw him eat,

Holding the babe by the feet!

Soon after, a panic ran out,

The strong remained the weak died out!

No bird in that town would sing,

Nor would the sweet smell that flowers usually bring.

Man-eating men, men no longer,

Worse than animals nothing to name them after.

People say they see them still,

On that town, beyond that hill.

I know better, I was there after,

Five were left Doyce,Green,Solly and Dhamer.

The first two ate the third,

Atleast that was the word.

Doyce moved to Alabama and Green to Kentucky,

about Dhamer, I heard that he was caught in Milwaukee.

Armistice Journals - I

2011-02-19T13:05:00.003-05:00

While my wife and I are slowly getting into the rhythms of living together and most of the bigger decision wars have slowly come to shaky armistice I've begun to purge a lot of older 'stuff'. Sometime last week, I came across a notebook of mine from college days. The first few pages looked like lecture notes, the rest were stupid silly poems I had written up on people and random things.

While reading through some of them, I realized that I was one mean SOB! I've said some really mean things about people. But you can't let all this go waste now can you ? There was a series I began in college called... 'Pretty Maids All in a Row...' and once published it'll reside for a very long time on the web..and google cache ;-).

Alright folks, this was a long time ago, we were very young and I seemed to have a lot of spare time on my mind. Laugh at it, still mad ? Give me a shout, I promise to show up and you have one free shot (just dont hit the left side of my face!)

PRETTY MAIDS ALL IN A ROW:

(i)

shes got a Special-spot that i'll tell u about

touch her there and she'll scream and shout!

this is where it came about

that time when she fell off the pot!

this is the were and how of it...

it happened when she went for a shit,

she finished the job that much i know

now all that wuz left was to clean up the show.

she reached for the soap way up high

she might as well have reached for the sky.

then her stubby legs did give way

all because of an untimely sway..

Into the pot one of them stuck tight

and wouldnt come free without a fight.

out went the call for a trusted aide

in rushed 'Aunty' with a spade

i want u to get my leg out dont u see

pull out my leg..set me free

i have exam that i must take

how can i now my leg break?

'Aunty' now rushed back, now with an axe

but the toilet still would not call a ROMANA PAX.

push and pull came to shove

carrying the olive branch out came the dove

the end of the conflict was plain to see

a white plaster cast had she below her knee.

Oh! My! Oh! Me!...look all yee

tween the pot and the ground many a Slip there can be!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(ii)

Have u ever seen the likes of Bhoon

Who talks funny and walks like a toon!

Her hair tied to a pony tail small

With her six inch heels she stands so tall!

Look at her ambling to class

Walk of a penguin going for mass.

She walks past us and gives the look

For in her books, we are but crooks!

Though she is a sweet girl as such

To us she doesnt talk that much

Maybe the fault is all but ours

By pulling her leg at every hour.

You may think we are but mean

Dont take to heart

For we are all noise and not what we seem!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

(iii)

They say a pictures worth a thousand words,

And about you I'd say, could turn fresh milk to curds!

Drunk are you in that empty vanity,

You think you can drive men out of their sanity!

Oh! how dissolutioned are you my poor girl,

better get out of the dream in which you twirl!

On your face pimples roam free,

Count them One,Two,three!

There was this tale about some frog

who when kissed turned a prince,

I bet you are waiting your turn still!!

Though you think yourself a bomb,

you look old enough to be my MOM!

The intension was not to hurt ma mere,

the object was to compare!

Now I know when they say 'Loves Blind',

When the age diffrence between you two your boyfriend don't seem to mind

Sad am I to break this party,

For your bofriend behind you too calls you 'Aunty'!

I wonder if you can understand all this,

For I know how limited your vocabulary is.

But don't worry and dont despair.

For I have a dictionary for you to spare.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(iv)

Shes one weird chick

The thought of her just makes me sick.

Her face in the morning riuns the day,

And you can be sure ill luck will come your way.

I fail to see what some see in her

Or maybe they just fancy her rear!

She thinks she's of a higher institution

To us she seems like a step back in evolution!

Can't write more,lost my appitite,

Till tonight I won't be able to take another bite.

For food she can destroy all cravings,

Just think about the money you'd be saving!

As I think of the extra cash in awe

She struts by, dear 'Parimal-'awww''!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

(v)

Theres this female whos way over her head,

Who basked in glory of what people about her said.

You can see her prancing about,

Trying to rope any guy no matter thin or stout.

She thinks the guys fall under her spell,

While in mosts mind,she's nothing but a bitch from hell!

No matter what i say or write

For her its a compliment all right.

The fault is of some guys,

Who lift her ego up to the skys.

On them,she can put blinkers,

While on some,nothing happens

How much ever she tinkers.

One thing is clear and thats her stamp

To us she ain't nothing but a slutty ol' vamp!

On this slander,we shant take more time,

Oh! what a waste of so much a rhyme!

For those of you who came in late,

And still a face to this dame they can't relate,

Too bad!!...tough luck mate!

This is my post in a very long time

2010-10-05T20:01:00.002-04:00

Just showing Jonathan how a blog works. I will probably use this as a catalyst to jump-start my postings.

Where's G ?

2010-08-03T16:39:00.002-04:00

That would be the question of the year if you ask most of my colleagues, friends and family. Well folks, I finally tied the knot!

After months and weeks of planning, screaming and yelling, my lovely bride and I got married July 9th, 2010. i don't expect the posts to be similar to Mil's postings (a tleast not any time soon!!) but will try to still keep it independent with a smattering of what the Mrs. thinks or said. I suppose its time to tie both blogs together now...

http://chandnigautam.blogspot.com -> the missing months can be found here :-). The pictures should be posted in the coming days. I'm currently without a pc (yes it is true) and all post-photo editing is currently stalled. Hope to buy a new rig asap and start cranking out some of the long overdue videos and pictures.

Btw. my other best friend got married in May and I had the opportunity to attend the wedding and reception in india. Oh there is a story behind this as well, must write that up in the next posting. I'm going to call it the Journey to gallows. The last man standing goes to the galley in the next few weeks. Times a tickin' and boy have we all grown old fast

wistfully humming... 'im outta time - Oasis'....

California Dreamin'

2009-12-15T11:52:00.002-05:00

Highlight of the month.. California! Finally I made it to the West Coast. As my fortune be, it was one of those family trips where you end up meeting scores of old family friends and family. The ones you like and others you'd try to avoid. All in all it was a good trip. I managed to persuade the folks to take a trip to Alcatraz and San Francisco. Surprise isn't the word I'd use to describe when it took over 8 hours to drive from LA to SF.
San Francisco is a dream. I'd go there in a heartbeat. Probably one of the prettiest cities I've seen so far. Then again, I saw very little of it. Was able to squeeze a few pictures off while on this trip. Here is a link to my picasaweb album http://picasaweb.google.ca/gautam7/CaliforniaTrip#

Now, looking out of the window, seeing the snow bellowing from the cold North, I close my eyes, California Dreamin'...... on such a winters day...

Letters

2009-04-17T19:36:00.002-04:00

Letter writing is an art form. Many years ago back in middle school a teacher once introduced this art to his pupil. He began with the general structure and the usual salutations. The one thing he emphasized was on how you address the person the letter was intended to. He said the first and biggest mistake was using the phrase 'Dearest'. He said reserve that for just one person. Everone gets either 'Dear','Sir/Madam' etc. It is not to be used for parents and friends either. Another aspect he points out is the sign-off. Classic ones include Sincerly, Respectfully, 'I Remain'... reserve 'Much Love' for someone who you might be friends with but it is an indication of interest or affection and lastly 'Love' only to the one who was addressed 'Dearest'.

Over the years I remember that first class on classic letter writing. The ripples of giggles and winks through the crowd of tweeners. I remember making a mental note regarding the Reserved words.Over the course of the next decade or two, several sweethearts and several heartbreaks, the one thing I always held back were 2 songs and the reserved words. Finally at the turn of the century, I met someone who was to make a huge impact in my life. From the moment I first saw her, there was a sense of familiarity. I knew her from somewhere. It was something elemental. I just know that I knew her from somewhere. We drifted in and out of our respective lives for the next few years, being there when we need someone to listen or talk to. Circumstances and a series coincidences brought us back to a place where we had a choice to make. This time around, we saw each other. We found each other. I knew

Our journey has only just begun and the road ahead lies in shadows. But least we have each other to travel with and with every step we take together, the shadows seem to retreat.

'Love will find a way, Darling Pretty
Find a Heaven for you and I.'
-Darling Pretty - Mark Knophler (Golden Heart)

Centaurs

2008-12-26T16:30:00.002-05:00

But fix thine eyes beneath: the river of blood
Approaches, in the which all those are steeped,
Who have by violence injured. ' O blind lust!
O foolish wrath! who so dost goad us on
In the brief life, and in the eternal then
Thus miserably o'erwhelm us. I beheld
An ample foss, that in a bow was bent,
As circling all the plain; for so my guide
Had told. Between it and the rampart's base,
On trail ran Centaurs, with keen arrows armed,
As to the chase they on the earth were wont.
- Inferno Canto 12, Dante

As Virgil and Dante descended into the 7th circle of hell, they see a circular river of blood Phlegethon. Murderers, tyrants and others who violently shed the blood of others in life are immersed in it.Centaurs, led by Chiron patrol the river's shores, armed with bows and arrows. they shoot any who attempt to raise his head out of the river.

Centaurs are creatures, half-man, half-horse. In traditional mythology they were skilled warriors,poets,astronomers and physicians. Centaurs nursed and taught heroes of old like Achilles and Hercules. Even though they are romantic symbols in modern storytelling and often portrayed in positive light by classic authors like Ovid and Statius,they are in fact symbols of insane wrath.

Amazing Grace

2008-11-02T16:34:00.002-05:00

Something heard .. and noted down... Pardon my lack of posts, other priorities have since taken precedence.

She was Grace,
in name and in essence.
To those she loves,
she exudes strength, life, laughter and light.
To me, also sorrow.
for circumstance had bound her to my best friend,
through whom we met
in the warmth and serenity of her home.
Nothing from the first day I saw her
and no one who has happened to me since
has ever been as frightening
and as confusing.
For no person I have ever known
has ever done more to make me feel
more sure,
more insecure,
more important,
and less significant.

Wonderwall

2008-09-08T18:33:00.004-04:00

Can a man ask anymore ? Random lyrics.. random thoughts.. will add more to this post later ..

...said maybe... you gonna be the one that savess me.... and afterall.. you're my wonderwallll..... ..I don't believe that anybody...Feels the way I do, About you now.... ..said maybe... said maybe... maybe. I said maybe....You're gonna be the one who saves me ?...And after all....You're my wonderwall

--

till later

GJ

-------------------------------------------------
"per astera ad astram"

Best Days, Summer Haze

2008-09-03T18:29:00.002-04:00

I know I have been absent ever since the knopfler concert back in July and I am truly sorry. Let me fill in the details ( or at least try to ), but first a confession:

This summer has been one of the most amazing four months in my adult life, its possible I might have experienced this state of mind at some point in the past, but it seems so long ago and so far away, the resonants are very faint. It almost seemed as the darkness had finally passed and the demons finally laid to rest. After my trip to Singapore and meeting up with Mahesh, spending time seeing places and things ...art, photography.. I began to remember..
There was a me before all this, there was a time when things were different. There was a world outside Dark City. I remember again. I live once more.

Melodrama aside, Made some significant changes, the major one being moving to my condo permanently. The commute was getting to be a killer and the distance a buzz kill when it comes to party invitations and staying sober all night long so that you can drive back home.

Prominent lunar forces have brought about a sense of calm and purpose in my life. The question is, are these forces temporal or of a permanent nature ?
I suppose their purpose and reasons could be worked out in the following weeks or months. But they demand patience.. should ? could ? may ? shall ?

Summer is coming to an end, and i wasn't able to go rafting this summer, perhaps next year ? I will however do a roadtrip down to the US to Falling Waters. There is a house built by Frank Llyod Wright that I'd like to see. So September is here, the summer is almost over, fall creeps in... and I think of that Killers song 'Change your mind'........

Racey days
Help me through the hopeless haze
But my oh my
Tragic eyes
I can't even recognise myself behind
So if the answer is no
Can I change your mind

PS: Heading for the Oasis concert this weekend. It will be good.

Telegraph road, Telecaster, Knopfler Concert (July 17)

2008-07-19T15:20:00.009-04:00

I was 8 and at a Christmas party when I first heard a Dire Straits song. Walk of Life, hit from their album Money of Nothing that was released earlier the same year. One of my dad's friends performed and from what I can recollect, he did a fantastic job at the guitar and the vocals.

20 years later, in another life, another city I finally saw Mark Knopfler live at a concert on Thursday. Can't believe I've waited 20 years to see the man play live. It was amazing. He still got the voice, and the signature guitar strokes. This concert was to promote his new album Kill to get Crimson. He started off with a few new ones, followed by the classic Dire Straits tracks like Romeo and Juliet, Sultans of Swing etc. I was really hoping he would play Tunnel of Love or something from his Shangri-La album.

As the notes played out, each song, an ode cried for a lost memory..Remember listening to that album in our empty apartment in Scarborough? Lady Writer, Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Brothers in Arms... Darling Pretty (Golden Heart) .. a song for each... minus one. When he started playing Telegraph Road, something flashed through a series of fail-safes put in place carefully over the years.. and the floodgates burst open... the diffused swam into focus, everything was just obvious... nothings that complex. Nothing is ever completly futile. Nothing...

You know I'd sooner forget but I remember those nights
When life was just a bet on a race between the lights
You had your head on my shoulder you had your hand in my hair
Now you act a little colder like you don't seem to care
But believe in me baby and Ill take you away
From out of this darkness and into the day
From these rivers of headlights these rivers of rain
From the anger that lives on the streets with these names
cos Ive run every red light on memory lane
Ive seen desperation explode into flames
And I dont want to see it again. . .
from all of these signs saying sorry but were closed
All the way down the telegraph road...........

EDIT: The pictures of Knopfler were originally taken by a gentleman who was at another one of his shows. These are some amazing pictures, and he has very generously allowed me to use one or two. For more
pictures here is a link to his site

YouTube video of the above song :

Quacks, Hacks and 60's Tracks

2008-07-15T08:46:00.002-04:00

For the last couple of days, as a form of therapy I was compiling this document and was to be posted on the blog, however due to circumstances beyond my current realm of influence, it wont be available for a while.

In other news, the other buddy seems to have begun a blog as well. He is currently using a service, what seemed to be very similar to MySpace. Whats annoying about it is the fact that we can't post anonymous comments ( or comments by users without an accounts ), a typical rookie oversight. I also recently reactivated my deviantart account and posted a few pictures from my summer trip. One or two of them got about 54 hits in one single day. A definite improvement from the 32 hits ( in 3 years for previous submissions ) lol.

Health-wise, its on the severe patch right now. Before the nodding and tsk-tsking begins, I've been actually pretty good the last month or so, alcohol comsumption has droppped a whopping 75% and smoking by about 98%.. not too bad I'd say. But its been rather uncomfortable the last couple of days and I think I might have to finally bite the bullet and see the doc. I hate having going to doctors. Specially the ones i dont trust, and no I don't trust the ones out here, well anywhere for that matter. What really shattered my belief in them is when guys / girls I knew from school started getting into Med school after highschool. Now before most of you start to take offense to this, I must state that I am talking about the select few, yes yes you buddy. I know what sort of a hack job you did through school, and how you passed your science courses both in highschool and college, and i would trust your judgement because......... ?

While on the subject of hackjobs, Microsoft has given a release date on windows 7, vista's successor. This one will be a whole post by itself...Now I'm getting irritated ( but that could also be due to the lack of nicotine...). Time to get some green tea and step out to muse and smok... frak.. yeah step out and muse...

PS: As most of my friends know my Beatle-mania here are three quotes of Lennon that kickstarted my day. Each for particular individual I wish I could say upfront:

     - Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.

     - You're just left with yourself all the time, whatever you do anyway. You've got to get down to your own God in your own   temple. It's all down to you, mate.

     - You don't need anybody to tell you who you are or what you are. You are what you are!

John Winston Lennon (1940 - 1980)

Addendum : I was reading through this post later in the day and I really felt bad about the quacks some of my peers turned out to be. This edit is just to emphasize that even though a majority turned into quacks, there are the genuine cases, who I'm sure adhere to the sacred oath and are skilled at the job... I can rattle off a few names off the top of my head.
The Quacks are obvious.

Resonant Echos

2008-06-21T19:33:00.005-04:00

I've always enjoyed Edward Norton movies over the years. He is one intense actor, extremely talented and picky on his roles. Right from Fight Club to the new Hulk, Norton always delivers.

One of my favourite movie of all time is one he did called 25th hour. He plays a small-time drug dealer who is busted eventually by the cops. He knows that he has been betrayed by someone and suspects his live-in girlfriend to be the one. He is then asked by the cops to testify against a russian mob he is working for, which he refuses. The result.. him being sent to the worst penetentiary in the state, where he knows he'll be lucky to get out alive.The movie shows how he goes about wrapping up his affairs before serving his seven year sentence and a brief glimse into his childhood and friends, their lives then and where things changed for him and events that led to the present day. Being a Spike Lee movie, it centred around post-911 New York city and the main elements thats unique of NYC.

There is one specific monologue in the movie that struck a cord somewhere when I first saw the movie. It came back to me last night, while driving back home on dark Highway 5 and here it is :

Reboot - back to reality

2008-05-29T17:14:00.004-04:00

I finally got back home (how good that word feels) after my amazing two week journey to the Far East. For a person who never belonged anywhere, Toronto is the one place I can finally call home. There probably only one other city that accepted me and I embraced, Bangalore. But that was a long time ago and I doubt I can live there anymore.

The first day back, I decided to go through my notebook for comments or notes to self. Being OCD that I am, I did make extensive notes to follow up on projects and ideas I was trying out at the time. Turning the pages, I was faced with a myriad of symbols, numbers, diagrams and acronyms that was anything short of gibberish. By the time I reached to the end of the list I was completely puzzled and utterly lost. To my horror, I couldn't recall ANY of it !

In a different time it would have set me on a state of panic and would have huffed and puffed till the place blew over. But to my surprise, I found myself folding the sheet of paper twice over and neatly tossing it into the recycle bin and proceeded to go get myself a cup of coffee and meet the natives.

In most computers we've noticed a considerable degrade in performance when left on for an extended period of time. A lot people who work with me know how much I loath re booting my machine. Normally I have it ON for weeks at end till something freezes over and I am forced to re boot. Often accompanied with a string of colourful language and threats of painful death to the pc and os manufacturers. This was pretty the scenario in my case, it was as though the brain underwent a re boot, cleared the cache and started afresh with new vigor. Not sure how my minions feel about that, but
they don't have an opinion anyway.

Overall it was great to spend time with my best friend and do something else other than just 'work'. You might have also noticed how much I love my camera. I have managed to upload almost all the good pictures to my online picassa account. Here is a link to it : Singapore May 2008

I will try to talk about a few places in the coming weeks.

It was a good day.

And to my friend I hope you find what you are looking for. One of the few people I do respect.
(Now since you don't read the blog/know of its existence, I can state it here ! Damn mac users ;-) )

And here's to Wolf, I would have loved to show you these pictures and listen to your remarks. I miss you my friend.

Finally to the minions at oz IT. Exceptional work I am truly proud.

GJ

Salamat Datang !

2008-05-25T02:57:00.005-04:00

Greetings from sunny and humid Singapore.

Probably my first and only post when I'm traveling. I think I might have a few posts queued up, I'll check and fire them off when I get back home. This has been an amazing time-off. Sitting on the PC tapping away, the sounds of ghazzals in the background and mahesh dozing in the afternoon, classic flashback to college days.

I did end up picking up a decent tripod from Sing. Trudging through the dusty and crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur I understood why the pros stress on picking up a good light tripod. If this thing was any heavier I'd be half-dead from lugging it around.

There are a ton of pictures I took on this trip you can find a limited albums here

Indonesia
Malaysia
Singapore

I will try to sort out the pictures I have and pick out the good ones and post it. There way more pictures and over the course of the next few days these albums will be updated.

Apparently someone's hackles were raised by my previous post. So just to confirm some of us don't require to carry dictionaries or thesauruses (the little book that tells you similar words, thought I'd spare you from checking the dictionary again) around. Strict curriculum and amazing teachers back in school made sure we had a generally large vocabulary and develop a knack to pick up popular vernacular. But I'm sorry wannabes hardly have any credibility.

DSLRs & Imbeciles

2008-05-12T08:50:00.003-04:00

So I finally bit the bullet and picked up a D-40 ( Nikon ) with a kit lens ofcourse. I think I'll wait a few months before I pick out a quality lens. I must say its pretty easy to use, once you've understood the whole shutter speeds, isos, light metering etc. I'll pick up a few accessories out later this week. They say that tripods matter a lot and investing in a good tripod is probably a wise thing.

So that was the first half, the second half, the imbeciles. Had a twat visiting this weekend. Supercilious cock. I don't particularly mind arrogant people, but they better be able to back that arrogance. Throwing ignorance into the mix just changes the way the game is played. When the camera box was opened, the twat jumped on the manual and began to read it cover to cover much to my annoyance as I prefer not to read the manual and turn to it as a last resort. I've always found it to be more fun discovering things on a new toy than completely knowing about its workings before you touch it. After browsing through the manual he exclaims 'Oh this camera has a lot of features and options to expand'. I raised an eyebrow. 'Its almost like my cybershot.' A circuit or breaker went off somewhere in my brain. I almost tore him limb to limb. How dare you compare a bleeding Point-and-Shoot with a bleeding SLR camera!

Twat.

I was warned about a blog on a certain historical-mythical topic and I happened to read the first paragraph or so of it. Poorly researched with no clear defining line between sci-fi and myth and most of it seemed to be the opinion of the individual rather than any core fact. If there were any facts, it was poorly cited. Then again its just a blog.

Twat (2)

Thats my $.02 for the day.

Adieu

Jay's Game and Large People

2008-05-11T09:57:00.001-04:00

I got to go to the Jays game last night with ST. One of those last minute things. Wicked seats, 6 rows from the field right behind the home plate.

This is probably the first Toronto game I've gone to and the home team ( TO, be it the raptors or jays ) actually won! and they won good ! final score 5-2 Jays.

So we get there a bit early, find out seats, order the ale and start to settle into our seats... two innings down, and people who had tickets to seats next to us show up. A rather big chick, hey I'm not a broomstick myself. She passes me and then her boyfriend, I had to step out of the aisle to let the big boy through. No I mean BIG BIG. He was so big that when he sat down, half of him was in my seat!

Not to be talking down about big people, being averagely big myself ( but i did fit comfortably into one of those seats ), but seriously should you even bother coming to a crowded stadium ? I mean I'd have felt bad to oust someone from their seat. I understand you (the big person ) too paid for it ( not the case here ) but would the stadium actually get them to buy maybe 2 seats ? Maybe thats how it should be. These two actually occupied 4 seats at the Rogers Centre.

After about 2 minutes of sitting squished, ST and I moved over to the next aisle. But I argument is that I shouldn't have had to move ! What if the real owners for those seats showed ? Apparently a few years ago there was a huge stink about having a separate seating area for large people, and how they felt it was discriminatory and was against the Charter of Rights (Canadian).

Reset the Ticker

2008-05-02T23:01:00.001-04:00

If there is anything I'm used to and adapt well to is turning the ticker back to zero and starting again! So I'm going to give it another shot. Currently Day 2.

However this time round, I've been noticeably less irritable or edgy. Deep breaths help. :-). The weekend will help since I generally smoke less on the weekends.

Well Simona, you know how the song goes... 'here we go again.'

Cheers

GJ

Another Year

2008-04-16T13:44:00.003-04:00

Over the course of close 3 decades of this current existence, I've come to see many different places, cultures and people. People have always fascinated me. The way they interact, react and reflect on situations.
Again if you pull the sociological aspects and the science of human interactions togerther, they aren't very appealing to me from an academic standpoint.

Then again very few topics are (to me anyway )the minute you affix marks, thesis or academic to it.

Couple of years ago when things were simpler, I was posed a very simple question.. 'so what would you like this year? Although i don't remember what my reply was, I'm sure, in accordance with the time and frame of mind and in the company of the individual who asked the question, it might have been something linear, one-dimensional and most probably fluff.

And I'm rambling.. this song has been in my head for the last couple of years..

And you ask me what i want this year
and i try to make this good and clear
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

cause i don't need boxes wrapped in strings
and designer love and empty things,
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

Chorus:
so take these words
and sing out loud
cause everyone is forgiven now
cause tonight's the night the world begins again

and its someplace simple where we could live
and something only you can give
and let's faith and trust and peace while we're alive

and the one poor child who saved this world
and there's 10 million more who probably could
if we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

so take these words
and sing out loud
cause everyone is forgiven now
cause tonight's the night the world begins again

i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight
just a chance that maybe we'll find better days

so take these words
and sing out loud
cause everyone is forgiven now
cause tonight's the night the world begins again

cause tonight's the night the world begins again

Happy Birthday GJ.

Another year in the Tundra

2008-02-17T22:59:00.005-05:00

A slight change in the summer plans have left me a bit disoriented. I must admit I do not like being caught off-balance but the recovery is pretty quick. Except for this one thing/time.I was really looking forward to this summer. Somethings will always remain unfed, ignored and abandoned.I can hear the sound of raindrops knocking against my window pane, supercooled droplets that freeze on contact, slowly making the glass opaque, shutting out the light, until all that remains is a diffused glowing portal.February weather, not the greatest. Infact I'd go on to state that by far the most miserable month in the year out here. It right around this time, about 7 years ago, a ragged family from the south-asia made their first entry into this country. Looking at the pictures that scatter lazily around my desk and floor.(always procrastinated putting them up ) .. its curious to see the faces and places, and thinking back , we never once thought that we'd meet here.Chimpu, V.Amma , Mahesh, Wolf, and a couple of other faces, smiling, frozen in time.

Watched a movie the other day, I haven't been keeping up with that scene in a while now. Stardust, the usual fantasy blah.. but somehow it captivated my attention and i actually watched the whole thing.Claire Danes was amazing. Something about her, reminds me... no not of someone...just the idea.. I had a dream where I was on my way to get something, now what it was or what had set me off on this path in my dream, i do no recall. But all i do remember is being curious, a bit blue and going a particular way, not knowing if it were right or not... just had to find ...And all that musing just to get off doing this report thats due
tomorrow. Cheers all. ;-)

'Switched Off'

2007-12-01T12:16:00.003-05:00

I'm a huge fan of Kal Penn and some of the movies he has starred in. Specially the Harold and Kumar series. I can't wait till the next installment comes out sometime next year. Here is a link to the trailer, I strongly suggest you see it to see the context of this post.

I finally got a short break and went partying in Boston last weekend. Hotwire.com , fabulous website to use, specially for us Canadians looking for cheap fares to destinations in the States, as long as you are flying from Buffalo Niagara Airport. As I was waiting to board the aircraft, passing through the various security checkpoints, the Harold and Kumar trailer kept flashing in my head and it took a lot of effort to suppress the chuckles that kept occurring. It was curious on how we were all greeted while entering the aircraft, The hostess was cordial right up till the only brown person ( yours truely) emerged from the concourse into the aircraft. It is true when they say that in the animal kingdom predators can smell fear. She froze for a split second, regained her trained poise and smiled at me, a pensive smile. Now I do understand why, and I do appreciate the effort. I really do. Its way better now than it used to be, at least they are trying really hard not to stereotype people. I can almost hear them say in their minds 'Please don't be one of them, I have a cat/dog/child/husband waiting for me at the end of day.' 'Why my flight ??' 'whyyyy'. I walk along the aisle and I can almost hear most of the passengers echo the same concern. Which is still fine with me, as I'm rather well behaved in public and mind my own business, the polite Canadian, settle into my seat, open a 'politically correct' novel and eventually nod off for the rest of the flight. While disembarking the flight, you are greeted by a beaming crew, no more fake smiles, a relieved look on their faces, 'Have a good day Sir', and they really mean it. Again I can hear their thoughts echo, 'Thank you so much for not flipping that switch and letting me/us live another day!'

Overall, my second visit to Boston was interesting. Met a few people I haven't seen in a while. I know I will be returning to the city many more times in the future, but might not be in the presence of the same crowd. The surprising part was how I managed to 'switch off' from work for 4 days. How it was hard to adjust and function without a mountain of work and the constant tension of meeting deadlines. And we thought highschool and college was tough!

Its good to get back to Toronto. Go back to being 'normal'. Recharged and back to the grind. Fancy a drink ?

Edit: thought i should embed the trailer couldn't stop laughing

Bangin' Weekend

2007-11-13T20:41:00.003-05:00

So here is a take on client services, from an experience I had over the weekend. I was covering for my Dad at the rental agency, manning the counter, doing the bookings, reservations and turning around cars etc.. or so I thought.. I've been in the client services field for a while now.. four - five years now, noting the body language, tones, gestures .. Over the years it turns to a form of art like mimes ( if you call that art ). At my workplace I am the top dawg, the shite, the-man-to-go-to ( or so I think, yes the ego has landed ).
What I did forget where the initial years, when it did feel like a form of art, the adult industry sort of art. At this point I am going to pause and state that I am not one who is going to deny that I've watched adult oriented (pornographic ) material. Yes I have, some rather bizaare stuff too. Stuff that you wish you hadn't seen before... ANYWAY!, back to the point.. my initial years in customer service was very much artsy.. pornographic, gangbanging artsy. The sort of feeling you'd feel after being violated by a melon artsy.

And thats how my weekend was. Still very sore, very raw, rather amused, grimacing at the fact that I have one more weekend to bear and stay with much more respect for those daring women in the sex industry ( men too I suppose, haven't checked that scene before.. 'the women never camee!!!..'* )

I remain
Yours truely ( and sorely)

GJ

* -> for those who recognized that line from 40 year old virgin .. or was that from another movie ?

Secret Society Security Breach

2007-11-04T00:12:00.002-04:00

This is now getting to a point where its downright annoying. So most of the lads/lassies I've known over the years have/are getting married. Why do they just drift into another plane of existence after they tie the knot ? Is there some kind of an elite secret club that they get interred into? Or do these folk now think they are just better than the rest of us singletons ? Or is it the fact that perhaps I/We know just too much about their pre-marital existence that they rather the world not know ?

For those who are reading this blog, damn straight I mean you Mister/Missy ! I've been noticing this for a while, but you know the rules:
- Once -> hap-happens
- Twice -> Co-incidence
- Thrice -> Enemy fire!

I understand the fact that things change after 'the event' but you can't just erase your own identity completely. this little tricks been going on for a few centuries apparently..I'm on you people! and this post is to make the public aware of its existence.

I'm going to make this post short and simple ( I think I'm being traced as I type this), in event of my 'mysterious disappearance' or 'sudden nuptial'. All readers beware.

Signing out in fear of his life and individual identity I remain...

Your truly

GJ

--

till later

GJ

-------------------------------------------------
"per astera ad astram"

'Indian' Identity

2007-08-06T21:20:00.002-04:00

I tried to refrain, more than once, gritting my teeth and nails digging into the palm of my hand. I JUST CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE so here goes...

My fellow Indian/Brown/South-Asian folk. In all social blog sites, some of you, well most of you outside the North-American Continent, have listed yourself as 'ASIAN'. Asian ethnical classification is for the 'Chinese' folk specifically. South Asians, especially Indians belong to another category 'East-Indian'.

Now for those of you who are wondering why the prefix 'east'. Blame that on Columbus and his discovery of 'India'. Over the centuries the Caribbean came to be known as the West Indies. Now this you should know since most of you are rabid cricket fans. You DO see the 'West-Indian' players. So for the rest of the world, 'Indians' from 'India' are termed as the 'East-Indians'. In the Americas, both North and South, there is the presence of another sort of 'Indian'. No, you DONT call them 'Red Indians'. That's a derogatory term. They are the First Nation people (up north) or 'Native Indians'.

At this point, my fellow Indians, who love a good debate and senseless arguments to prove the validity of their statement, will state that India is also a part of 'Asia' hence, they are Asians too. Look at the geography books again lads and lassies, we come from the 'SUB CONTINENT'. It is a very significant lanf feature and section of Asia, like 'Indo-China' or South East Asia. There is a sub category available for you folks specifically called 'South-Asian' or in some cases for those of you Pakistanis who do get offended for being classified as 'East-Indian' a more generic classification would be more suitable.

This post was purely for information sake, and lads – lassies, please look-listen-learn-inculcate. We all learn something new every day.

Post Scriptum:

For those Pakistanis who were offended by being called 'Indians' now you know how we feel for being called pakis all our lives! (Just kidding, we are all in the same boat in the wide world, South Asian it is.)

Paradise Lost

2007-07-23T20:00:00.002-04:00

Scribbled and scratching
Half finished pages at dawn
People that live here are wondering
Where all their strengths gone.
Moments of splendor
Wind up like ashes in rain,
One look you're smiling,
Another your face is in pain.
I wake up at night
With the sweat on my head.
A look in your eyes
That will haunt me 'til dead.
I just can't seem to shake it
Something about what you said;
How love's like an orphan,
A motherless child gone unfed.

So we laugh with the joker,
Hold back the tears 'til they're gone.
Drink and be merry
They'll find us all dead men at dawn.
We're so far away
From wherever we came.
That sometimes
I wonder we'll see it again
It's true, what they say
You can't always go home
You can't always be warm inside.
That in love we're like orphans,
Strangers in paradise

I promised Mahesh that I would post it in sync with his posting. So there. I believe I have posted this poem before. Reminds me of the book Hearts in Atlantis. Curious no matter how much your universe expands, the core lessons that molds your ideology remains the same. Over the decades, you may add a book or two to that list, but its always the same select few.
She was brilliant. I remember quite vividly. Ours was left unfed, orphaned and abandoned. We've built our own since then. Tangential Universes. We met years later, we knew the words, words left unsaid.. strangers in our respective paradise.

Behind the Iron Curtain

2007-05-06T19:30:00.002-04:00

I have wrestled with this thought for years and I have finally made up my mind. With Andreea's help I have plotted my little Byzantine Adventure.

It all begins at the centre of the greatest civilization in Europe. The city of 7 hills, the city founded by the two brothers Romulus and Remus.. ROME

Addednum ( May 6th )

The following are the cities in the initial list. However, the question of going down the Dalmatian coast is another factor. stay tuned for more updates !

1. San Marino

Many years ago a brazilian Formula 1 driver broke into the scene and began to be a serious annoyance for the then champion Nigel Mansel. He was no other than the great Arton Senna. I followed his career over the years till it abruptly ended when his car crashed into a wall on a rather dangerous turn during the San Marino Grand Prix. There was a controversy of a faulty gear box etc that dragged on for a few years later.

I have to pay my respects to my childhood idol.

2. Genova

The great port city of Genova, the scene for many a play and fable.

3. Milan

The architecture, the history, the hotties from the runway. ( Milan is one of the world's fashion capitals ).

4. Verona ( undecided )

5. Venice

No trip to italy can be completed without a stop over at Venice. Considering the fact that the city might not exist in a few decades ( thank global warming and other factors ). Plus it was a city designed by da vinci. Cant miss that one out!

6. Triste ( Slovania )

The first step into the old iron curtain. Border town boasts of some fun joints.

7. Budapest

One crucial stop in my little tour. Capital of Hungary, the old Magyar stronghold. The twin cities of Buda and Pest holds a horde of treasures for a history and architecture buff.

Also a lot of wicked nightclubs as well.

8. Sibu

9. Brasov

Brau castle around Brasov is where Dracula's castle is supposed to be located. Vlad Teppes III, Vlad the Impaler, Vald Drakulya was a transalvanian prince known for his cruelty to both his enemies and friends alike. He is said to have done quite a lot of unspeakable things in his life. A member of the Order of the Dragon, created by the Magyar Kings at the time to fend off the Ottoman invaders from the east, Vlad Teppes fought and defended his part of the Balkans. It is said that Saladin had his head on display in Istanbul after he was eventually killed.

10. Bucarest

Some R&R in this the capital of Romania, Andreea should be filling us in about this leg of the journey.

11. Constante

The first glimpse of the black sea. I wonder if there is a ferry or some service from here to Istanbul ?

12. Istanbul

Constantinople, the heart of the ottoman empire, the heart of Byzantine, the envy of Rome. And rightfully too. Strategically located at the straights of Bhosphorus, this was the link between Europe and Asia. The Silk route, the access to the Black sea, over the centuries right into the cold war, the Bhosphorous was the unsaid neutral zone where espionage and drama was daily part and parcel of life.

Noir

2007-04-30T22:41:00.002-04:00

Here is an experiment. I know a few read this from time to time.. how does this story continue..

The jangle of the telephone cut through the heavy silence of the night like a knife. An unsteady, nicotine stained hand sweeps through the desk , lifts the Bakelite black monstrosity and disappears behind the desk. After wrestling with overpowering nausea from the mind numbing antifreeze the Spaniards call wine from the night before, I reach for my crumpled overcoat and stumble out into the night.

It was quite late in the night, or too early in the morning, whichever way you see it. Lighting a match I cross the wet cobblestoned streets towards the pier. She said to meet her there. Something wasn't right. Some things are never right when she is in the picture. Still intrigue and an old familiar pang lead me into the mouth of madness like a divining rod. A light April drizzle befriends the mist and further reduces visibility. I stumble through the rubble and rubbish that garnish the pier. She was nowhere to be seen. Turning up my coat collars, I trudge towards an old familiar haunt. The Boathouse.

A sharp crack pierces the monotony of the rain. Gunshot! .. I race , two steps at a time, run towards the sound Instinctively, the right hand was already on my Walter shoulder holster as I burst through the door. The streetlight drew a sharp silhouette … a single rivulet of blood trickled down the steps into the river below. She lay there motionless..

A Rude Awakenin'

2007-04-17T17:07:00.003-04:00

Its curious how oblivious we get to certain things after a while. It was always a known fact that a byproduct of smoking was the unbelievably strong and repulsive odor that clings on to your clothes and hair. It has been 5 days since I stopped smoking. Not a very big achievement but the experiment has been interesting. Day 3, I was sipping on some tea, reading something from a very drab book, when this gentleman walks by and sits on the next chair. The events that followed has left a lasting impression on me. He was a smoker. There was a cloud of some kind that engulfed his aura. He reeked! Oh my god! Wasn't I that same man a few days before?

You dear reader would probably not be surprised to find another post on my nicotine quitting streak. This whole blog is peppered with mentions of the various failed attempts. But till recently I just didn't have the right kind of motivation to quit. So what is it that's brought this about ? well now..;-)

addendum: Another reason why it hasn't been very difficult so far is probably cause of a horrid head cold I've been having for the last two weeks. We'll have to wait till it passes to see if I can stay off the butts. peace folks.

Raging Bull

2007-04-12T21:59:00.004-04:00

I remember those cheers
They still ring in my ears
After years, they remain in my thoughts.
Go to one night
I took off my robe, and
What'd I do ?
I forgot to wear shorts.
I recall every fall.
Every hook, every jab
The worst way a guy can get rid of his flab.
As you know. My life wasn't drab.
Thought I'd much… though I'd rather hear you cheer.
When you delve… though I'd rather hear you cheer
When I delve into Shakespeare
"A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse", I haven't had a winner in six months.
Though I'm no Oliver
I would much rather … And I'm no Oliver
If he fought Sugar Ray
He would say
That the thing ain't the ring, it's the play.
So give me a stage
Where this bull here can rage
And though I could fight
I'd much rather recite
That's Entertainment.

That was the opening scene to Scosese's Raging Bull. An overweight, over-the-hill Jake LaMotta played by Robert De Niro lights up a cigar and goes on this rant. De Niro actually put on 45 pounds to play the role. The story is about a boxer back in the '40s. He was known has the Raging Bull for his fury in the ring. The story portrays his ring skills and his private demons he. We all have our demons. The length some people go to shut them up. … Cigarette ash flies in my eyes.. I smile.. careering through the universe.. axis on tilt.. guiltless and free… song from years ago. Moments passed.

The weather has turned to be quite a bitch. Old man winter's one last blast I hope. I haven't been back on Yonge Street in the last week or two. Too cold, the café's haven't put out their chairs and the crowd just shuffles as quickly as possible to their respective destinations. In addition to that, I seem to have lost The Eagle. Sorta kills the charm of having to walk up to a table and popping it on a pack of smokes. I wont be buying another lighter any time soon. Hopefully wouldn't need a lighter in the next few months. No, I don't plan to develop some self igniting cigarettes, although, that would be pretty slick. Crack it like a glowstick and inhale. Brilliant. I trademark that!

cigarettes and ignorance

2007-03-31T02:18:00.003-04:00

RSS feeds are one of the best things since sliced bread. Sitting at this café the other day and the signature smoke in hand, I was reading through some of my friend's blogs. Agreed, I'm not one to post very often. Mahesh does it quite often and the others… well I must admit, I check just out of curiosity.

Between smoke rings, I almost choked on an article this bird wrote. She might have a certain command over the language, but it is interesting to note the way she covers her lack of substance with metaphors. But hey, I neither have a degree in English nor do I profess the superiority in prose.So that was a let down. Here was a bird I thought could pull herself together and write something worthwhile.. le sigh.. I suppose not. The ashtray is filing up quickly. I muse over what Gene Hunt would have said about all this. Have you seen the TV show 'Life on Mars' ? Its an amazing Brit drama. When it comes to humor, you have to give it to the British to come up with something spectacular. I've always been partial due to our old colonial ties. And fuck you all, the new SMS generation. Get your spellings right… yeah you too you bleeding Americans!

The waitress, a buxom blonde with a rather perky dispossession refills my cup as I complete my latest achievement, The Alchemist. Honestly, it was rather plain. An interesting philosophical take on a few things, but I'd prefer the English Patient. Hmm.. I wonder what her name is again.. Stacie? Shelly? Crap I should pay more attention the next time. The clock strikes 6, twilight. People start to fill up the streets as the waitress begins to place little candles on each table. Younge Street slowly comes to life and you can almost hear it like the approach of an oncoming train.

In Memory Of...

2007-03-04T23:27:00.002-05:00

It was a Thursday night, and I was restless and disturbed. Nothing new, just another day in the life of J. But there was something about that night, couldn't put my finger on it. It just wasn't right. I was fresh out of my vices, the liquor cabinet empty, the tobacco sachet bare, my list of friends, incommunicado.

Wolf had left me a message earlier in the day to be careful of the storm and to take care driving under the conditions. I didn't call him back. I didn't know the number at the hospital. Another excuse.

He died later that day. I got a call late Saturday, but since I was hibernating all day, I didn't get to it till Sunday afternoon. In a way it was a relief, in a way I was crushed. The last time I saw him, he had shown me his hospital release form that was more of a death sentence. He as disturbed by it and hadn't slept a wink for the last two days. I spent the rest of the evening with him, till 'Bathroom Divas' was over. The last sight I have of him, smiling, his blue eyes twinkling, completely out of place in an aged body. His gruff voice saying 'Maybe I will be able to see you a few times more.'

He was a friend. A good friend, that I had the privilege of knowing for a few short period of time ( a shy of three years ). Art, literature, music and a hearty conversation was all he asked during the last few years of his life. Over the time I've known him, I came to learn a great deal from this odd gentleman. His matter of fact dialogues, his fatherly concern , and his joy in sharing what little he thought he had to offer. Fine wines, Benny Goodmann, Red Dwarf, Frank Lloyd Wright, Saint-Exupéry.. are some glimpses of a once alien world he introduced me to.

He is in a better place now. Although knowing Wolf, and being a staunch atheist, he would have argued otherwise. I will miss him dearly. But as they say 'Everything is eventual' as is the passing of friends.

So it begins.. The watcher waits, the watcher notes. Ever vigilant.

Wolf C.Simon
1933 - 2007

Heavens Wail, Guitars Weep, Ode to George

2006-10-17T17:32:00.002-04:00

The only regret I carry from childhood is the lack of skills or patience to play a musical instrument. Its raining outside. Dark, grey, gloomy, a hint of mist hanging in the air and woeful strings of George Harrison. 'While my guitar gently weeps'. The strings twang in succession, one slowly dragging into the focus the next. Such is the song, written by Harrison scoffed aside by Lennon.

Harrison went ahead and recorded the track with another legend and friend Eric Clapton. Clapton and other artists have covered this track in later years.The gentle and quaint Harrison referred by most as the quiet Beatle was the more spiritual amongst the fab four, converted to Hinduism later in his life. He was often overshadowed by the more flamboyant and lively Lennon and McCartney throughout most of his career. Fallouts between McCartney, Harrison and Lennon towards the end of the 70s sealed the deal for the legendary band. He was also very much into Indian classical music and introduced it to western mainstream music. He was introduced to Pandit Ravi Shankar in '65 and soon both went on to become good friends. The Beatles through George had been introduced to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and was introduced to Transcendental Meditation.

After their breakup in '69, Harrison was the first Beatle to have a Solo No#1 hit. A heavy smoker, he battled lung cancer throughout the 90s. Survived a knife attack in '99 which left him with a punctured lung. He succumbed to cancer, that re-emerged and was found to be terminal. He passed away on November 29, 2001. Location was kept secret to avoid avid fans scrambling for memorabilia. In the last few months, he and McCartney had made peace after years of hurt and pain.

Originally from Liverpool, the Beatles broke into the music scene in the early '60s to forever change the face of the music industry. So powerful was their success and achievement, the history of the music industry is divided into two eras.. Before-the-Beatles and After-the-Beatles. In no time they swept the charts in the UK and eventually Beatlemania creeped up across the pond and took over America by storm. At one point in '64 they held the top 5 spots on the Billboard top 100 list, a feat that has never been matched since. "Can't Buy Me Love," #2 - "Twist and Shout," #3 - "She Loves You," #4 - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and #5 - "Please Please Me,"

Everything came to an end with the Album 'The Beatles' or the White Album as it is popularly known. Their last commercial album Let it be, was released in 1969.

Okay, what started with the weather ended up being a rather detailed piece on George Harrison. Hmm such be the muses with smokes. I better get back inside and dry up.

Some women!

2006-10-12T10:55:00.001-04:00

Due to a certain nature of this post, I was forced to retract some parts of the original. But here is what remains.....

Here is a conversation I had with someone I had on my yahoo messenger list. Least to say, I might have been thankfully removed from her list by the end of the conversation.

Do not judge me.. oh wait.. yeah go ahead.. screw you all.

GJ: okay so?
born_2u_win: so... is he think that i'm ignorin him?
GJ: are you a libran?
born_2u_win: no
born_2u_win: why
GJ: whats your star sign?
born_2u_win: why
GJ: thought psychosis was limited to Librans
born_2u_win: WHAT
GJ: oui so whats your star sign?
born_2u_win: cancer
GJ: i guess they are nuts too oh well
born_2u_win: v. funny
born_2u_win: can u plz tel me
born_2u_win: now what shd i do now
GJ: that you are nuts?
GJ: sure..
GJ: You are nuts.
born_2u_win: ya
born_2u_win: fine
born_2u_win: tel me yaar
born_2u_win: shd i cal or sms him or wait for his cal
GJ: jesus. you want to talk to him call him
born_2u_win: i caled yesterday but he said he'l cal me
born_2u_win: so let him cal
GJ: then he'll call you
GJ: if he wants to
born_2u_win: what if i cal him rite now n he dont wanna talk then
GJ: then he doesnt wanna talk
GJ: ever think that mebbe he might find you too annoying to talk to ?
born_2u_win: means
born_2u_win: why
GJ: thats something you might want to ask yourself.
GJ: why are you asking me to solve your issues?
born_2u_win: want sum help
GJ: yeah you need help alright
born_2u_win: then help me
born_2u_win: god
GJ: yeah i meant help as in meds, a shrink and a straight jacket.
born_2u_win: :-|
GJ: aye now you get the picture. mebbe..
born_2u_win: hey
born_2u_win: shutup
GJ: lol
born_2u_win: :-P
GJ: oh wait i wasnt even joking
GJ: have you tried a psychologist?
born_2u_win: go to hell
GJ: my pleasure

Now that was fun.

Super Heros

2006-10-10T20:43:00.002-04:00

Initially this post was about a game of dice called craps as many have been a little curious and confused about my yahoo/msn nickname 'sNaKe EyEs'. But then thought the Osgoode IT Helpdesk techies need a mention. Specially since they make me look good! The Obiter, Osgoode's newspaper did a feature on the IT Department this week. Here is the direct link to the Online Edition Obiter Dicta

For those of you who dont have access to highspeed or really dont want to go through the whole thing.. here is the article:

Ten Reasons Why Osgoode's IT Helpdesk Staff should have Superhero Complexes

1. Their superior communication skills. Can you come up with thirty ways to explain how to find the "Start" button on your computer's desktop? No seriously…try…I'll give you a minute. What if we offer you a prize? Still nothing? 'nuff said.

2. An uncannily cheery disposition. Despite being holed up in a windowless fish bowl-like headquarters, you'll always be greeted with a smile within thirty-seconds of when you first tap on the glass (now compare this with other window services at Oz).

3. Mystery headquarters element. Although the fish bowl seems innocent enough you have to ask, what is that discreet back room for anyway? With space at a premium the way it is at Oz, it must be important.

4. Ability to make the impossible possible or leap tall buildings with a single bound. Like that time you needed to print your 150-page Ph.D. thesis in the ten minutes before it was due, using only the performance-challenged Smalley-Baker Lab printer, or that other time you showed up late for your exam and couldn't get your summary to print.

5. Courage. They'll fix or at least try to fix anything that is wrong with your computer that doesn't involve use of a screwdriver. There are some pretty screwed up ways to make your computer stop working.

6. They're not law students. This instantly makes them more charming, more interesting, and more entertaining to converse with as they diagnose your computer. Plus contact with the outside world is good for us, I promise.

7. Crisis management instincts. They regularly and civilly deal with excessively high-strung individuals for whom laptop failure is as emotionally scarring as your parents forgetting to show up for your kindergarten holiday concert. As a high-strung law student, was this my fate, I would have, more likely than not, broken down and assumed the foetal position while rocking in the corner incessantly whimpering "I hate my life."

8. Two words: super-hero uniforms. The now infamous IT t-shirt clearly demonstrates their superiority and distinguishes them from their Clarke Kent alter egos.

9. Their mysteriousness. Aside from seeing them swoop in and out of the technology challenged professor's classroom, nobody understands the hidden depths of the front line IT staff.

10. Upstanding moral fibre…this one is selfexplanatory.

That being said, thank you Amanda and team for their kind words to the humble minions at the desk. The bastard child of Oz ITS salutes you and will make sure that your 2 new dells are installed and fired up as early as possible.

Pipe Dreams

2006-10-07T21:42:00.001-04:00

White curtains, early morning light starting to stream through. A section of the wall was all windows. French. One of them was ajar. The curtain moved when a light breeze found its way into the room. She slides off the bed...rumpled sheets.. she turns towards the soft light and begin to bunch up her hair, tying it into a bun.. she turns sideways and looks back at me, her lips curling to an impish grin. I reach out for my camera and snap away. It was perfect. The lighting, the pose.. and... I wake up.

But she had smiled. Thats a first, she smiled. I remember the face. Eyes without a face .. a face without a name.. As the day progresses, identities take shape and the smoke spires dissipates.. she fades, the curtains are drawn open.. beds are made. coffee cup rings on counter top, lipstick on the shirt collar, unfnished letter..reminders, traces.. empty picture frames and memories that remain unmade...

This post reminded me of a poem I once started writing. Never finished it ofcourse, back there was a steady flow of thought and words. Thought I should share an excerpt from it.

Swirling dust, trapped in light
peers through shutters,prying eyes.
streaks the floor..the wall..
phantom frames..no longer grace,
smiling faces behind glass plates.
Flower-pots stacked..the flowers long gone
broken cups and hearts. muted phones veiled in dust..

Equinox

2006-10-01T09:22:00.002-04:00

An almost perfect song for the day would be Rocket Man by Elton John. I rather like the Shatner edition to the whole thing as well.. its a riot but unique.'

And i think it's gonna be a long long time
Till touch down brings me round again to find
I'm not the man they think i am at home
Oh no no no i'm a rocket man
Rocket man burning out his fuse up here alone...'

On the way to work yesterday, staring at the purple-black autumn skies, and listening to the lyrics of a half forgotten iconic metal band from the 80s, I made up my mind. Got to work, poured myself a coffee, a fag or two, thought about it one last time, and then went up to the Bossman and quit. Well atleast given notice, the 'quit' sounded better for a dramatic effect. So thats now almost in stone, April-May 07, Sayonara Oz. Time to fix some of the leaks in the tub. I'd spare the mental angst as this blog isnt for whines and groans, just thoughts.

The trees are slowly turning to their fall colours. Flaming red. Soon the woods will look like they are on fire, a carpet of orange, yellow, red and brown will form over the lush green lawns and backyards.. and the flora will be going to sleep for the long winter. I should include some pictures of past winters here. Once I figure out how to add them.

Capitalism, tombstones and endless roads

2006-09-27T18:01:00.002-04:00

I was driving by hicksville USA down the I-219 to state college, PA, and was rather curious to notice candles on every window. Some electric, some looked like the real McCoy. Maybe they were just better quality electric ones. It was pretty late at night and keeping my eyes square on the road was more of a challenge. For most parts it was rural roads with a scattering of houses every few miles. The houses were dark by this time, with its occupants safety tucked in bed. The glowing candles had a welcome feel to it. It was like a light for a child or spouse who was away and was expected any minute.

I started digging up into the reason behind this practice. Apparently its very common in the east than the south, where its mostly during the Christmas festive season. Some mentioned it as light for the soldiers returning from war. Another group put it out after 9/11 as a sign of respect and mourning.

Another common sight down this route seem to be antique stores and cemeteries. I stop by one of them for a quick smoke and a breather. Some of these gravestones were marked from the 19^th century. The writings were faded and the sites were showing signs of faltering upkeep. Hmm loads of dead people and others selling of selling the deceased's wares. Capitalism in its true sense.

Testing blog via email

2006-09-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

So i thought, why not set this up. I am on the road a lot and hitched with a bberry. The thought process gets working when I'm stuck in a certain situation or two.

While on the post, thought I'd add a few more things... I've decided that I never really had much to say. The more important posts are too personal and I rather not have it online. I will go through my personal journal to see if there was anything significant or interesting. Most of it being doodles and idle mulling of a senile mind.

Tried to sift through the Yahoo 360 blog. Didn't find anything of any value or use. more junk. I'll be cleaning out the profile later this week.

-------------------------------------------------
"per astera ad astram"

Meteora

2006-09-26T14:23:00.000-04:00

All we are looking for is a constant. Something to balance our equations. A missing variable that would end an endless sequence of figures and variables. Or maybe thats just me.

So i was sitting outside and smoking a cigarette... looked up and I saw an old friend.. Orion is back in the skies. Winter is almost here. He asked me... and I gave him the same response I give every year for the last 2 decades or so since I saw him first. he chuckled and twinkled from above.

Someone once asked 'Tell me, did you fall for a shooting star, One without a permanent scar...' Shooting stars.. magnificent, majestic and sparks your mundane existance for an instance.. Is it wrong to fall for 'em ? Perhaps. But that one instance.. one flash.. if they ever knew.. They'd always have the Observer.. he'd be the constant.. the 'c' after you integrate. They needn't always be accounted for. But if need be yes..

Disappointing.. to some extent.. disheartening.. very.. But the night skies be full of 'em again tomorrow.. maybe.. just maybe.. Hate compromising, its just not an Arien thing..

---------
Tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet
Did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day
And head back to the milky way
And tell me, did venus blow your mind
Was it everything you wanted to find
And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

------- Train - Drops of Jupiter

Whiskey by the Barrel load

2006-09-23T10:17:00.000-04:00

The light at the end of the tunnel could be the signs of an oncoming train...

Thats pretty much the view we keep in mind when working at the Oz. The unit has given me quite a lot. Experience, an unbelievable amount of patience and a certain intuitive knack that seems to be integral for all network admins ( although my official job discription doesn't involve administering the network here).

Things started off with a rough Monday and progressed slowly as issues were found, fixed and fumbled with. The front lines are still holding. Mostly due to the diligence and the earnest approach by all my techs. ( yes! they are MY men not 'the' techs). Keep their nicotine levels high and the alcohol levels higher and there is no Juggernautical force out there that can't be overcome.

Have I mentioned before that I can't deal with incompetence? The best kept open secret in all organizations is that the work of the whole is actually really done by 2-3 key personnel. Just to be fair, Oz is great. Most and at this point please read between the lines... MOST of the techs I work with ( this doesnt include my men, we are one entity) are brilliant and very competent. I guess you can't have it all. That would just be too perfect. Again in argument for the slacker.. I guess it is really difficult to copy profiles and rename. All those clicks and keystrokes and changing windows. gosh I feel stressed out thinking about it.

In other news I got a new object of affection. Havent seen her yet. She should be coming by real soon. Real reall reall soon. mmmmmm lets call her cassie for now ( Cassandra)

Oz Status: All Units Green.

Just another brilliant Monday

2006-09-18T12:22:00.000-04:00

Another week begins. Brilliant start, around 5 AM i wake up from a dream.. I know I was dreaming about something about the New England Patriots ( leftovers from an episode of Family Guy) and suddenly the phone starts ringing. In my dreamscape, the number pops up as 'Outside Caller' and for some reason I couldnt seem to switch it off. It was driving me out of my mind. Then, I wake up, and search for the f-ing blackberry that was bleeding ringing in the middel of the night, tucked away under layers of clothes in the laundry hamper.. guh..

Day 3.. nicotine free.. and dying! Ironic. But I did tell T that I'd give it a shot, well even if it is for only a few days.

Its 11:00 AM, Mailserver is still down and 3 cups of coffee later I'm wired, gittry and in need of a damn smoke! Maybe I should blog my recovery from smoking. Hows that for starts? I wonder if I can get a chest xray and see the damage and post every couple of months graphic images of a diseased lung.

Well on the flip side, the lungs get better as the liver gets larger. Doesnt seem like GJ is going to sign the organ donation card. Do they use fingers or toes for transplants?

Update: 12:22 -> Server still down.

Starlight star bright

2006-09-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

The only day of the week I get back home early and guess what.. The lights go out! The whole sub division was engulfed in shadow only to be briefly illuminated by the random flash of lightning.

Darkness and candlelight takes me back over the decades to instances in the past. One vivid memory is grams and the old house. We were lil 'uns back then. Once the lights went out ( which it did quite often back then ) we used to huddle together and she used to recant stories of my uncles childhood antics. It was like she had chronicled the whole thing, his growing years. There was always a spark and glint in her eyes everytime she retold them and we'd never get tired of listening to them.

Fastforward a couple of years into college, the power went out right before the exams. The university used to be near the gold mines so the surrounding, but distant buildings, were on the national grid. They resembled stars as well, distant, faint and ancient.The rest of the countryside was pitch black, people relying on either moonlight or starlight to navigate through the meandering country roads and paths. And the skies? adorned with stars, millions of them. I'd never seen so many stars in my entire life! On a clear night you could see the band of the milky way and shooting stars. God the number of shooting stars I've seen! Do you believe in wishing on shooting stars? I know I do/did. It might have been an act of desperation at the time.

Maybe I just had a lot of time on my hands back then, to gaze and ponder on the light from distant gaseous bodies now possibly long dead and gone. You feel the growing distance as the years go by.. reminds me of a poem from schooldays..
`Tis was childish innocence but of little joy,
to know that I'm further off from heaven
than when I was a boy..'

Now the sodium lights blot out these dreamy tapestries and the constant drone of machinery and modes of transport distract you for those delicate seconds a meteor streak by. I will close this entry with a mention of a iconic character, Major Tom, from an iconic year 1969.

I still hang on every word

In a world of faded memories
Where you're still in love with me
I can see it in your eyes
A look as if your major tom has lost control.

PS: The above song was actually by Cold - A different kind of pain. Major Tom is the main character mentioned in the track - Space Oddity by David Bowie, released in 1969. The release was to mark the Moon Landing.

CarnEvil

2005-03-19T15:01:00.000-05:00

So I thought i should get around more and maybe be a lil more benevolent to my fellow creatures . Hence I ended up going for the Bharatiya event last night. After dropping my folks off initiallyand checking on the office coz the nimrod couldn't figure out how to lock it, I arrived a few hours earlier than I was expected. Found myself getting thirstier as the minutes ticked away. So I dropped by my favorite pub at York ( Cock'n'Bull) every few minutes to wet my whistle and more importantly keep my sanity.

It was interesting to watching kids. There is a time in your life where you do things that makes yourself look stupid by default. As you grow older you need external stimuli to induce stupidity.

I sat in the background and watched a whole slew of kids do that yesterday. I remember our own stuff back in the day. Nothing close to any of these tame ones.

The universal shape or structure is a sphere in 3d or circle in 2d. The planets, the structure of atoms, Ring of Power, The Halo Ring, marks on my term paper...
Everything goes around in a full circle. I went back to my first job last night. Deja Vu.

This weekend, I'm going to get something that I've been meaning to get in a long time..... Sleep.

-----------------------------------
"'When the moon is full and trees are bare,
walk through the cemetary if you dare.
Where skeletons rot and corpses fester,
locate the tomb with the skull of a jester.
Feed him the token all shiny and new,
it is then that CarnEVIL will return for YOU!'"

Life Universe and Duct Tape

2005-03-18T02:13:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you are the windshield, sometimes you are the bug.

And sometimes you are the guy standing on the curb minding ur own business and get splashed by the asshole driving the car.

I seem to get more and more disconnected from the world. I know what A is talking about . Specially when you relate your personal life to the universe... scattered thoughts through a big dark void, held together by chaotic, unexplainable forces....
sorta like 'The Force' from star wars... .. or duct tape.

Neverending Mondays

2005-03-15T01:31:00.000-05:00

How is it that no matter what you try, mondays just drag onn forever.,... Had a 12 hr work day today. 7:30 in the morning till 7 at night.

*Remember to talk to boss about converting all that overtime to cash* ..

Sometimes conversations are like a drug. The mind aches for the fix. The pain and spasms ravage you till the words douse you in a sweet ether.

--------------------
"Every thought that I repent,
There's another chip you haven't spent,
And you're cashing them all in, Where do we begin.
To get clean again,
Can we get clean again. "
------------ Third Eye Blind

Eras end. New trails

2005-03-12T18:49:00.000-05:00

It is official now. The 90s is finally over.

M flies down to Singapore in weeks time. Everyone else has moved out of Blr. Everyone.. but one. The days of thunder have passed. The seaons have moved on.In time the cycle will repeat. The winds will change, good times will come again and We'll rock like the Hurricane.

At a distance the shores of the Emerald Isle glistens.

Folks are going back to the old country this week. 2 weeks, 5 cities, mayhem.

Watching the snow settle down.. like a blanket, it covers everything. All know or existing roads, paths, trails covered and leveled. you get to make you're own trails and paths. Start over.

A word of advice.. dont taste the 'yellow' snow cones.

Weekend

2005-02-25T10:52:00.000-05:00

Is it here yet ? Friday.. ahh. So the Reading week is coming to an end and the mayhem will begin again.

Paperwork.. we are techs, we shouldn't have to do paperwork!

Rewind-Rewire

2005-02-24T15:36:00.000-05:00

Havent been to this site in a while. Well time for new beginnings , new stories.

So I'm in the prime of life.. seems like somone smiled and showed me the way ahead... things are looking good.. house, car money, ok we'll skip the last one.

Quick recap from the last few months :

Bought a new Condo. I'll add some pics of it later this week. Its pretty slick. After the sale, i've been pretty much wiped out. Flat broke.

Work chews up your spirit and your creativity I guess. I havent done a single new piece of work since '03. I should try something. Need something / someone to write about. Ideas anyone ?

muses of an insomniac at dawn on the 43rd parallel

Season of TV shows blown out of cloud... for good • The Register

Man on the Sheppard platform

All for want of a shiny new toy...

Armistice Journals - IV - Mandal Dilemma

13 Rules of Indoor Cricket

Armistice Journals - III - The blue Swatch I never wore

Armistice Journal - II

Armistice Journals - I

This is my post in a very long time

Where's G ?

California Dreamin'

Archives

Letters

Centaurs

Amazing Grace

Wonderwall

Best Days, Summer Haze

Telegraph road, Telecaster, Knopfler Concert (July 17)

Quacks, Hacks and 60's Tracks

Resonant Echos

Reboot - back to reality

Salamat Datang !

DSLRs & Imbeciles

Jay's Game and Large People

Reset the Ticker

Another Year

Another year in the Tundra

'Switched Off'

Bangin' Weekend

Secret Society Security Breach

'Indian' Identity

Paradise Lost

Behind the Iron Curtain

Noir

A Rude Awakenin'

Raging Bull

cigarettes and ignorance

In Memory Of...

Heavens Wail, Guitars Weep, Ode to George

Some women!

Super Heros

Pipe Dreams

Equinox

Capitalism, tombstones and endless roads

Testing blog via email

Meteora

Whiskey by the Barrel load

Just another brilliant Monday

Starlight star bright

CarnEvil

Life Universe and Duct Tape

Neverending Mondays

Eras end. New trails

Weekend

Rewind-Rewire