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2006, Aug 11

Tag, Tag, Tag!

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 19:45

Tagged by Divya:
 
Instructions:   Name 10 of life’s simple pleasures that you like the most, then pick 10 people to do the same. Try to be original and creative; try not to use things that someone else has already used.
  1. Popcorn and a fizzy drink (or black coffee) at 3-o’clock in the night.
  2. Waking up to a clock set forward, and realizing that there’s still time to get up from bed.
  3. Sleeping under a heavy blanket with the fan / AC on full blast.
  4. Dad’s brinjal chips.
  5. Waking up to an SMS in the morning.
  6. Deep thumping bass-lines.
  7. Passing obscure references, and someone actually getting them!
  8. Perfect alignment of the morning schedule (*).
  9. Watching people run here and there, getting wet and miserable in the rain, while realizing that I don’t have to go anywhere today!
  10. Achieving Zen (usually by means of a more generic solution to a problem).
  11. Yes, yes, I know, but this extra one is an after thought: I love trains.
And I free you all from the slavery of tag-land! Still, if you feel inclined to get yourself tagged, send me a track-back!
 
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(*) = I love optimization. So, if I am able to leave my house at the perfect time to catch a train that perfectly times with me meeting my friend at XYZ, or catching a connecting bus, or whatever, my day is made. Saving three minutes by taking a fast train instead of a slow one, with all the calculations to determine if the wait for the later fast is worth it, gets me high! Ditto for combining multiple tasks so that all of them are performed in one shot. Maybe I should go join the ATC! :-P

2006, Aug 10

Manna

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 13:25

Manna By Marshall Brain. Go read it.
 
Coming to think of it, the later part is kind of true. In fact, the whole of it is true. But what strikes me the most, is that, as humans, we need pretty little stuff for leading a good life. Most of our wants are superficial, and they can usually be fulfilled very simply. Especially because they are superficial.
 
However, the issue that the story does not tackle properly, is human emotion. There will be envy. Sure, you could always obtain anything that you see around using your credits. But what if I want to spend time with a person? And for some reason, say that person does not like me, I cannot? What happens then? A solution is to make a virtual copy and spend time with that copy. Go be a vite. I think I would.
 
You want power in your hands? Sure, get your own virtual kingdom! You want to commit a crime, do it in your virtual space. But then, will we have people who want the real thing? What do we do about them? If the virtual experience is as good as or even better than the real one, should they even bother?
 
Such is life. :-D

Inner Voices

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 13:25

“I can hear the sounds, ” he said.
 
“What sounds?”
 
“Those far away sounds…”
 
“Huh?”
 
“The constant hum that fills my brain… If I concentrate, I can distinctly make out voices.”
 
“What sort of voices?”
 
“Hard to tell, but one day, I’m sure I’ll be able to try hard enough for me to understand them.”
 
“You really feel so?”
 
“Oh yes! But this is so tiring. Taxing. Drains me out completely.”
 
“Well, I for one, can’t hear anything!”
 
“Wait, I think I can make out this one clearly.”
 
“What does it say?”
 
“Darn, I was so close!”
 
“Try again! Try again!”
 
“Nope, not getting it now! But they are clearer when I’m fresh. They get muddled later on. I guess, the trick is to not try too hard.”
 
“Or is it?”
 
================
 
at least we tried to make it
but in these days I’m so confused
oh my love, at least we had it
let me hold on to you
- Moby, At Least We Tried from the album 18

2006, Aug 05

Of Sleep Deprivation and Dreams

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 13:05

The August issue of Reader’s Digest says that Indians are chronically sleep deprived, with as many as 61% sleeping for less than seven hours when the average time should be just over eight. Wow! Eight hours of nightly sleep? What screwed up world do they live in?
 
The best I could do during my college times was about six hours continuous sleep at all days of the week. Sure, the weekends I would sleep for twelve, but that was probably to fill up the sleep deficit. Anything more than six on a weekday is almost impossible. Where is the time?
 
During my internship however, there were times when I was so drained that I just had to sleep. Usually that would happen when the previous night I had slept late, and gotten up at my usual 6 AM time and reported to office at 8 AM. Then yes, when I came back home, I just had to sleep by say, 9 PM… And I used to sleep as a log! All communication was shut down then, including the landlines and the cell, and of course, the messengers! That was some beauty sleep!
 
======================
 
Of late, I’ve been having rather uneventful dreamless sleep. For about the past two months or so. Which is rather sad, because you don’t have anything to contribute when you meet other people who are discussing their dreams. Unless you want to and can believably fabricate good dreams. I do not really know why — maybe because I was content, or maybe because I was tired, or what?
 
Anyway, I had the my first (recallable) dream yesterday night, and I’m damn happy about it. No, I’m not telling you what it was, because that does not matter, the point being that I can dream again!
 
And the thing that these analysts say, you dream of what’s on your mind, must be kind of bullshit. Cause, for the past two-three weeks atleast, there has been a lot on my mind, almost a chaos, if you’d call it that, but I haven’t been dreaming. Maybe it was too complicated for my poor little subconscious to decipher!
 
There is one thing that I don’t mind sharing: There were three people in my dream, apart from me. Two do not matter, and the third one does not remind me of any particular person I have known. Which is pretty sad, cause it probably means that my subconscious, and therefore I, is (or am?) not sure who the person is, but I must know who it is, because the dream has no real meaning otherwise. (Actually it does, but I do not want it to be that.)
 
================
 
As a side thought, my current MSN nick is: “Hello. I’m A Cliché, And So Are You.” Kind of hits you right on the head. Maybe a trackback later…

2006, Aug 04

Be Prepared!

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 14:25

From the movie, Hoodwinked.
37 years ago a witch done put a spell on me
A spell where when I’m talkin’ I’m singin’ it with glee.
When you’re always singin’ you got to live alone
That’s why I made this mountain shack my home.
 
And when you’re on the mountain, you got no guarantees
That life will turn up roses or turn out as you please.
When you’re on the mountain, there’s lots to be a’feared
That’s why this here old mountain goat’s prepared!
 
Be prepared, be prepared,
This lesson must be shared,
This lesson must be shared,
Be prepared!
 
Be prepared, be prepared,
And unless you got a spare,
You got one life, so handle it with care!
 
(goat yodelling)
 
I got horns that open bottles,
And I got horns that hold my keys,
I got horns that when you turn ‘em right, they help me watch TV.
 
I got horns that open pickle jars,
And horns that come with hair,
I got horns that hang my other horns -
I always come prepared.
 
Be prepared, be prepared,
This lesson must be shared,
This lesson must be shared,
Be prepared!
 
Be prepared, be prepared,
And unless you got a spare,
You got one life, so handle it with care!
 
Yeeeheeeee! Keep your hands and feet inside of the vehicle at all times!
 
(goat yodelling and more)
 
Ooooooh, an avalanche is comin’ and I do not feel prepared,
It’s rumblin’ like a mountain lion – I must say that I’m scared,
And if not for the witch’s spell you’d hear just how I scream,
But since I’m only singin’, I’ll just yodel ’til we’re creamed!
 
(goat yodelling…)
 
Baaaaa!
Well, what are you waiting for, go watch it!

2006, Jul 26

Am I a push-over?

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 02:55

Lousy mood. But that’s not what this post is about.
 
The question I’m asking here is: Am I a push-over? Or if that is too big and harsh a term, Do I look up to people with the intention of pleasing them?
 
Or maybe it is just desperation hitting me.
 
Gawd. This sucks.
 
And this prolly will be the most unintelligible post ever.

2006, Jul 13

Long Time And Then Some More

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 22:15

It has been a reaaaaalllly long time, and I am kinda feeling sorry about myself, for that… Anyway, quickie updates, as usual, so here goes:
  • The internship is still on! We had some major spec changes and so an extension of two weeks. Aiming to finish by the next week, so wish me luck.
  • School Reunion: Had that on 8th of July. Some 56 odd people turned up. But was a blast. Met old friends, flames and all, and some new ones! People change, and how! I’m so glad we took the initiative! More about that later. (In some new post, that is!)
  • Many friends are going off, some already have… Feels kinda empty at times, but those are rare.
  • Found an old notebook, with some of my year 2000 stuff in it. Gawd, I wrote crap! Or maybe, I was in love, and as usual, stuff flopped.
  • Tracing this girl called Neha from school, I suppose. Last known in my eight grade, and have her telephone number of then, will give her a call on Saturday or something. Just for old times sake. Don’t think there were many of those, but oh, what the hell!
  • Getting myself an iPod. 60 GB. Black. Video. $399. Engraving on it: HT: Uber Geek and I will know when I do.
  • Suddenly, somehow, I have time tonight, and very few people to talk to… Usually, in recent times atleast, it was the other way round, weird!
  • Saw an elephant walking in reverse, imagine that. Near Andheri station, on the road full of traffic. Too hilarious!
  • Guy saying to gal (couple) overheard at Borivali station with a smirk: Tum sirf dekho, aaj mein tumhari maa ko aankh marunga… I almost burst out laughing!
  • 7/11. Saaad. We are all safe. “One thing is certain… Even terrorists don’t have the guts needed to enter II class compartments during peak hours. Hail Mumbai!”
Gee, it’s time up already. Good night world, and sweet dreams. Will miss certain folks, you know who you are! ;-)

2006, Jun 14

Stuff. Mostly Random.

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 22:35

Loads of things have been happening… Here’s a brief:
 
I’ve joined Atos Origin as a Project Trainee from the 12th of June. It’s more like an internship, and we are building an automated (aptitude test) paper generation solution to be used by Atos HR. Here we = myself and Meghana, also from SPCE, Computers. Very chilled out atmosphere there… More updates on that some other time…
 
Had my b’day on the 7th of June. Friends crashed at mid-nite with the cake… Was a wonderful experience. Stayed back to watch movies and stuff…
 
Engineering is over. Hard to get over that fact. And that I’d be working soon, full time, in an office.
 
Friends are going to move away – jobs, further studies and what not! Going to miss them… Others, I’m getting in touch with after a bit… New lives.
 
Whatever you do, Coldplay never ever goes out from the favourites list. They are just perfect! Currently listening to Sparks from the Parachute.
 
Orkut is amazing. If only they do something to improve the UI for the scrapping interface!
 
Basically, as always too many things to do too little time… So the ISF is taking a back seat… Though I don’t want it to. But there’s only so much I can do. Anyone interested in going about the entire thing, I’m ready to share the vision.
 
School friends want to have a reunion… If anyone of you guys are reading this, please get in touch… Let’s plan one. Or you take the initiative, and let us all know!
 
Anyway, too many things on my mind. I really wish I had the pensive of Albus Dumbledore! What a handy tool indeed!
 
Look at the stars…
Look how they shine for you…
For all the things that you do!

2006, Jun 01

An Exam In Shorts

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 23:45

Today was (hopefully) my last engineering paper at the Mumbai University, and in due time, I’d finally get hold of my Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering…
 
Anyway, the point is, it was raining pretty heavily today morning, and I woke up, groggy and hopelessly late. Called up a friend who was to meet another friend and go by car to college, and decided to join him.
 
Except, he wanted me to leave immediately.
 
Now, I’ve just woken up, and I’m not a big fan of rain particularly when I have to face them… So I decided to skip bath (had one yesterday night, so it’s not like I’m all dirty), shaved, gulped down some milk, and was off…
 
… Wearing the shorts and tee that I had slept in.
 
Of course, I was carrying clothes to change in to, but that idea got progressively boring, and I decided to chuck it – who cares anyway?
 
So then there I was, in college wearing shorts and a crumpled cotton tee, and some sandals that I laid my hands on in the hurry. I took the exam, it was moderately okay, but the setting was oh-so-comfortable! It was as if I was at home!
 
And then, I had this big discussion with our HoD and another professor about our pet project ISF, and in general about college and stuff… Yes, I did not change. And no, they did not seem to notice, or atleast made no grudges about it. :-)
 
Finally, I took back a train home… In conclusion, shorts are unusually comfy. I should be doing this more! ;-)
 
=========
 
Leaving for Goa tomorrow, will return back on the fifth. Family. And extended.
 
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Some favorite songs:
Foo Fighters – Walking After You – The X-files Moves OST
Jonny Tillotson – Poetry in Motion
Chris Isaak – Wicked Games
Parikrama – But It Rained…
Sting with Cheb Mami – Desert Rose

2006, May 31

But It Rained…

Filed under: Mailed-in — Hrishikesh @ 02:20

Well, I get monsoon. I also get pre-monsoon. But this is just stupid!
 
As I write this, there is a torrential downpour outside. And it has been like this since about the past three hours. Of course, it started out slow, lightning and thunder… In fact, Nadeem and I were discussing the speed of sound. He asked because he saw the flash, and twenty seconds later heard the bang. That was some thunder, about 7 kilometers away!
 
So anyway, I’m a bit concerned. 7/26, for one. Also, I still have another paper to go. And then there’s the flight to Goa. Dad is gone to Pune, so he has to get back before that. A lot of friends have plans to go many places, and if it continues like this, I don’t know what will happen!
 
Konkan has beet hit pretty hard, I’m told… And KR is out of business because some train jumped tracks and derailed. Same old things all over again, I’d say.
 
And I’ve already had an hour long power cut, something shorted somewhere! When will they get their act right?
 
So, anyway, the best thing out of this is that the temperatures have significantly dropped, which is a wonderful thing. And of course, rain is rain. Always wonderful!
UPDATE: It has stopped raining now. Feels kinda nice, much cooler, wet atmosphere. :-)

MORE UPDATES: It has been raining since morning… In fits and bursts. It’s very cloudy, and cool. I love this atmosphere… If only there was no paper tomorrow! In related news, the trains are running slow and late. But still, it is fun so far!

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