Travelogue Part 1 : landing a house in paris !!

Well, at the end of a long hiatus…i have dedicated this link to providing a complete description of my adventures here in paris.

Lets start with the flight…gulf air connecting to bahrain, stopover for 4 hours and then paris – needless to say, gulf air dissapointed me! no in-flight entertainment b/n delhi to bahrain, no hard drinks offered etc etc. The only good thing was the flight was so deserted i could spread my legs out and sleep with no care in the world

Bahrain is a very rich and industrius country…..the dinar is worth 120 bucks and the people are real wealthy. The connecting flight from bahrain to paris was great. An airbus A330 assured we had in-house entertainment (i ended up watching a pathetic movie titled Moondance Alexander and a decent one titled Then She Found Me)

We landed in paris….the CDG airport was great !! We passed through covered glass lubes into the luggage area and couldnt find our luggage only to understand that it was kept at some other counter…which also made us realize how big CDG actually was

So we got out….i got my dollars coverted into euros (they charged a significant commission :X) and were looking at ways to reach montrueil (i had fixed an acco there) when a french guy enquired from us. He had a cab and he took us directly to the place at 20 euros each…pretty decent by european standards, i guess (although in india, you could probably reach from kashmir to kanyakumari cheaper !! ) Having accomplished all of it, we headed to the acco.

here is where the sad part begins…..the acco i had fixed up was in such pathetic condition that probably a pig sty would have been fitter place to habitate in. Its not got to do with the water swollen walls or the dusted crockeries or the endless layers of dust we witnessed but the sight of the bathroom that disenchanted us entirely. How can human beings survive without a clean bathroom ?? I have always maintained that life is about moving to higher orders of cleaner toilet…..that is what humans have tolied after for years and years put together – cleaner, safer bathrooms where possibly one could live some day…..How was I to lower my own standards ??? We decided we will make a move as soon as we found a decent place – thus began “the frantic search” for a room/studio/appt. in paris.

Unluckily (or luckily) we borrowed the laptop from one of the persons residing in the appartment for this “frantic search”….accidentally we stumbled upon one some of the websited he had visited – a gay chat site was included !! we got suspicious and went through his personal folders – some very dirty details not including here, the guy was most definitely gay (not that there’s anything wrong with it) and was into “sadistic pleasure giving video” watching

We took off with our luggage at that very moment….booked a hotel near cergy pontoise (about 1 hour away)

Well, i will let you know the problems we faced from there on……..in the next post !!

Self-Congratulatory Hell

I should have been studying….but the sudden idea of a random post on a blog i am sorry to have had almost given up on, inspired me

It goes without any rhyme or logic that this shall be another feather in my cap as far as arbit, random posts go. Not that I really care…..since I stopped thinking…. back when Princess Diana died (yes, she was madly in love with me, and I owe it to her to never think again)

Naah…..sad…….. although I wish that were true – would have explained my loneliness on a valentine’s day eve and my subsequent frustration thereof. But, as they say, nothing plans as happened (or is it the other way round….really those novels on time traveling ain’t helping) and I’m stuck here while P.D. is probably sipping an exotic drink somewhere in heaven or hell

Anyways, I have thought of dedicating this blog to all the valentine-less junta around the world. People who have waited too long for perfection, people who have never settled for mediocrity, people who still think self-improvement is better than self-destruction (for the hidden symbolism, see fight club again) – may your depraved souls enjoy the hells of St. Peters’ (or whoever he was) day and u sit alone in a dusted room punching keys after keys on your laptop trying to inflict your miseries upon the sorry world.

Am sorry, I started thinking aloud there. But a man’s got to think while he’s not eating <sigh>

PS1: am experimenting with different genres of music – black metal, death metal

PS2: surprisingly, i am beggining to really like both of them

PS3: i should have been studying

PS4: i should have been studying

PS5: Mahabharata still rocks…

PS6: dexter is way too coooooool…waiting for another season

PS7: i should have been studying <sigh>

The return of randomness

I have returned from a self-imposed exile of 2 months or so……..(or has it been more, i dont remember )

Lots of things have happened during this period: our neighborhood cat gave birth to two kittens (we are still investigating who the dad is) , cricket being played after oh so many years and personally, a gradual foray into drinking activities (although not that heavily, for fear of puking exists) This is of course apart from the so-so summers process and a not-so-good term 2.

Although I did learn some great things :

a) you can download 4 seasons of just shoot me in 2 weeks but can see them all in 2 days

b) i can watch a max of 7 movies in a single days……although with great degree of discomfort, i can stretch that to 9

c) your desire to watch a movie is inversely proportional to its availability in your immediate envoirnment

d) Flop Show by Jaspal Bhatti still rocks…….

PS: no PSes this time……..i am still overcoming boredom

Questions People Ask

Ever since the day of my joining at IIM Cal, I have been asked a volley of questions – question i have been answering in a diplomatic, far unconnected-to-me manner.
If given the choice, I would like to answer in a slightly more interesting way. following is a sample of my “ideal world” responses

Q. Hey, How have u been ?
A. Not that I was doing great but My disinterest in life has been further increased by ur questioning. Thanks so much

Q. Hows IIM Cal treating u ?
A. How can a place possibly “treat” me. I am not used to taking treats from places or non-living objects of any kind. If I had any such tendency it wd have been characterized as Schizophrenia (not that there’s anything wrong with it)

Q. You must be getting sleepless nights ?
A. Yes, people here are known for their cruelty towards sleep. We can hang you for sleeping (pun intended)

Q. It must be great to study in an IIM ?
A. No, it feels awful…….I know they are the best places to study in India but somehow I hate institutions which are the best in their disciplines.

Q. So, what else ?

A. Apart from your troubling me, nothing much. I had some happiness before the start of this conversation……unable to get access to it anymore.

Then there are others, who despite having gone through the trouble of opening my profile and scrapping something horrendous like “Where r u these days ?”  cannot bother to look into my professional tab.

Inspite of spending about 25 hours a day on orkut, people havent got hold of that feature as yet……..

sometimes, mind just wanders…….but on most occassions, it wonders – what the fu** ?

Things to do

I am sure that there is more to life than making shallow, fairly obvious observations that I have accustomed my life to….

These days, i am thinking of making an A-Z list of all popular people….and also mark out all the schizophrenics. I intend to find out whether all geniuses were schizophrenics to some degree of extent.

Secondly, i am thinking of visiting every nook and corner of delhi and eat up its unbearable heat. I think that would be an excellent tribute to my home town. For the rest of my life, my last impression of this town would be that of the burning heat……..rather gud one to have (have often always wondered why there is not a song “dilli ki garmi”)

thirdly, i also intend to meet up with my old friends…..mostly because i have nothing else worthwhile to do

fourthly, i have to arrange all seasons of seinfeld…….but before that i wd hv to buy a portable HDD (80 gb preferrably)

i can’t think of much else now……

further in my next post

After a long hiatus

I had imposed a break on blogging for some time now….but am back at the request of some of my friends.

Now I was asked this question today: why do u not write serious stuff on your blog, connected to your emotions and feelings ?

I had a lot of trouble understanding the last 3 words of that question. had to take a dictionary out and read the following:

emotion – an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.

feeling - an emotion or emotional perception or attitude

finally, i got some hang of the question. But i waited too long. One of my friends came up with a great rejoinder “kucch feel hone ke liye dil mein kucch hona bhi chahiye”

hmmm…..that set me thinking. Do I really not possess any emotional depth ? [if u r wondering how i know the word, dont bother......i still dont know its meaning, but it sounds cool]

Anyways, i was wondering where did my “emotions” and “feelings” go……i perfectly remember having carried some of it into my first year. Did it go away with time ?

Were 4 years of college able to erase all traces of “senti stuff” i had ? Maybe…..but I am pretty senti when it comes to food.

also, i get pretty senti when “friends” is referred to as better than “Seinfeld” and when veggies criticize non-vegetarian food. Really irks me :X

I dont think I am doing badly at all…..

PS1: cd hv lengthened this post….wasnt in the mood

PS2: needed some topic to write on……

PS3: am goin to IIM C this summer (hopefully, if some ass**** doesnt fail me in my final year)

PS4: BTP ki bahut fight hai………

PS5: Some girl I like, messed my PRG end sem exam. With due credit to her, she also messed her own

PS6: Golcha started his own blog….writes lot of gud stuff

On Media, Celebrities etc.

The following post does not contain my own views. The information supplied is by a friend who is awaiting his IIM results and can’t get over the fact that Media is obsessed with Ash-Abhi wedding. A story in his own words :

” I recently made a call to the top executive at this media company – @#$%. Firstly, I must thank the guy for picking up the phone…..i am an ordinary man and he was not supposed to talk to me – bt somehow he did manage to. I will recount the conversation verbatim:

I : Sir, I have seen blatant disregard of certain burning issues on your news issue

D (Top Executive) : So??

I : ummm….well, it seems the only thing your channel can highlight is the wedding of two stars of the film industry. There are more burning issues at hand

D : I think you have gotten it all wrong.

I : So, you do plan to cover other burning issues ?

D : Not at all, I just meant that this wedding is the most burning issue.

I (confused) : But, its just a wedding !

D : Just a wedding ? How dare you ? These are the two most successful people in film industry !

I : but…….

D : No buts, do you know who all are coming to this wedding ?

I : why should I bother ?

D : What does that mean “Why should I bother ?” Listen kid, you are wasting your time – this wedding is a matter of national urgency.

I (getting irritated) : I did not see you giving such coverage to the plight of farmers in Vidharba !

D : What about Vidharba ?

I : An average of 10 farmers committing suicide everyday – because they are too poor to buy seeds

D (thinking) : I did not know that….(to himself) It might make for a good 10 min slot……Listen, Are these farmers connected to any political party ? Better Still, are they in minority ?

I (flabbergasted) : No !

D : Then, what use are they ?

I : But, 10 farmers everyday…..don’t you think that’s telling on the Indian Agricultural Scenario?

D : What good are dead people ? And what about the Agri…what ? Anyways, most of our time slots are taken by this wedding…we don’t have time to show deaths and misery

I (giving up) : And what about the IIM / IIT fiasco – the reservation issue ?

D : Too banal. We Have already covered it. Besides, it does not come under our policy of supporting minorities

I : What about the future of 1000’s of aspirants ? What about the standing of IIM / IITs as global leaders ? Wouldn’t their repute take a strong hit ?

D : The country is committed to protection of minority rights – As for general candidates, they have been rich and educated for centuries. Surely, they need no protection.

I : but…..

D : Listen, its a very complicated issue. You can come to our channel for the weakly debate and express your opinion. I am sure we would be able to change it.

I : What ? Change my opinions ?

D : Ya….of course. That’s what we have been doing for decades now – shaping and re-shaping public opinion to suit our interests.

I : Your interests ?

D (Hastily Adding) : No, No – I meant the country’s interest

I (confused and angry) : You don’t understand ! The problem is that THIS WEDDING is attracting too much attention

D : What is your problem ? The whole country is tuned in. Why do YOU bother ?

I (angry) : Because, this is a f***ing news channel , for god’s sake ! You should report NEWS- not a goddamn wedding !

D (losing temper) : If you had any idea how much I got paid to cover this wedding……..

I : So, thats the deal ?

D : Yes, that’s the deal. Do you think we are in the least bothered about the plight of poor people or of the country losing hundreds of talented students ? What good are these issues ?

I : What’s wrong with you ?

D : What’s wrong with me ?  If anything is wrong, its with your whole goddamn country ! We need news items that the whole country watches with bated breath ! We just show them what they want to see……..

I : Well, to an extent……

D : Hey listen, I have to go….Some new footage of the wedding has come up ! One of our reporters climbed atop a tree and took exclusive pics of aishwarya’s cousins’ pet dog. Of course, he broke a leg in the process , but getting exclusive pics of the pet dog……..worth the effort !

I (giving up) : sigh

D : (hangs the phone)

—————————————————————

PS 1 : While he was recounting his conversation, I was busy watching exclusive pics of aishwarya’s cousins’ pet dog…..I might have added or left out a few things by imagination.

PS 2 : My own view on the topic is one of continued, sustained indifference.

PS 3 : I have nothing against the media. However, my friend believes that it is a bunch of idiots.

PS 4 : I believe the media coverage is extremely warranted in cases where children fall into potholes, men drive their cars while sitting on passenger seats…….. and the latest is this wedding, of course !

PS 5 : Media is doing a great job by advertising the wedding…people are really concerned about this grand wedding

PS 6 : It is in general public interest that the filth and squalor of society be ignored…..and instead, focus be on grand weddings where we can see celebrities getting high and wild

PS 7 : Why do I not see a single dollar being paid in charity by ” celebrities “. I guess their desires are much more than that of 60% of our population which lies below poverty line.

PS 8 : Oh, I have nothing against celebrities too…..My friend though, believes they are all a**holes.

PS 9 : The views expressed in this post are those of my friend. I am merely responsible for the exclamation marks.

PS 10 : Everybody has an agenda. Except me.

Friendship Gifts (2)

I’m tired of pretending to be excited every time its somebody’s birthday. I mean, at 21 years and more, what’s the big deal ?

how many times do we have to celebrate that someone was born? Every year, every person, over and over?

All you did was not die for 12 months……..

This is the big accomplishment ?

frankly, i don’t like being sung “happy birthday” to. I don’t like those frosting cakes too…..and i don’t like pretending that i liked a gift.

“did u like this tie?”

Lie – “of course, I did” Truth – Actually, i don’t know y u cud not get me a pen drive…….it’d certainly have been cheaper and i cd hv used it, who needs a stupid tie anyway?

“Are you sure?”

Lie – “yes, i love it” Truth – i just said it, Moron!!

“I cd hv gotten u a shirt too”

Lie – “no problem” Truth – yes, prolong the agony….i’m sure ur shirt would have matched this ghastly tie.

“I knew you’d like it”

Lie – yeah, its perfect Truth- i don’t like ur gift, its stupid….i already knew u were an idiot, bt this is beyond anything u have ever done.

————————————————————

PS1: got through SUNY buffalo, ranked 14 in my dep 

PS2: no funding though

PS3: got hold of this book “the inheritance of loss”

PS4: mental note……hv to dwnld stuff tonight

discs, pubs, bars….

yes, been there.done that and hated it…..

people are unquestionably enthu abt visiting any kind of “happening” place…….some of my friends would love to spend the rest of their lifetimes in a pub with hard music blaring into their ears

I have gone to every possible “abode” earlier at bangalore and now at Delhi too…..somehow, i dont share the enthu. It sux bigtime, i end up getting bored and wonder how clean the glasses are? and how much do these guys make per day? and would i be able to arrange this music at a VHP/RSS convention ?

i am normally able to tolerate extreme envoirnments  (I can stay alive on KCN for 0.3 sec more than the national average) and thus actually act like i find the place really cool…..my friends are happy and i wd nt like to destroy their illusion.

which is precisely the reason i blog…..now i will tell my friends to make a point to read this post, they won’t (Its called Anti-suggestion paradox) and i wd happily make more derogatory comments

general bakwaas

I hv succesfully avoided orkut for almost 20 days now (yessss!)  and feeling rather gud with myself….infact, i see no reason y i shd hv joined orkut in the first place

On a more philosophical note, life as usual rocks and sux simultaneously its a blissful feeling when u have been handed a failure bt u know tht this ws the worst possible outcome and u cd nt get any lower…..gives u real perspective :O

One must never lose sight of the goal. As one philosopher aptly remarked-

after each failure….. comes the great sulking

AMEN