So, last saturday it seems was International Free Hugs Day and on friday, the local newspaper had this article about this guy who was planning to give free hugs on Pune's main MG road in the evening on Saturday. Seems he is inspired by Juan Mann. I too watched his video on youtube and it made me emotional too. A simple gesture of a warm hug and it makes such a difference doesn't it?
Frankly, I was a bit sceptical as to the reception this IT professional will get in Pune. But I guess every one needs a hug!! The next day, the papers were full of pics showing him spreading the love around. I definitely think this free hugs concept augurs well for mankind!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sigh... copycats
Yeah, nowadays Bollywood is synonymous with copycats. Last saturday evening, I was glancing at a movie airing on Zee English (or whatever is their movie channel) and 30 minutes into the movie, I sensed that it seemed similar to a Hindi blockbuster. Worse still, this blockbuster had won a spate of awards at the multitude of leading award ceremonies and all. The English movie is Eye of the Needle and the much feted inspired Bollywood movie is Fanaa. These directors, story writers have no conscience it seems.
In recent times, amidst all the stale stuff being dished out, the movie Aamir seemed to stand out. But some time back I was saddened to know that it is a complete copycat of a movie called as Cavite.
Was just wondering, if some of them feel any pangs when their inspired creations win awards and they get all the credits.
I guess, since even the name Bollywood is inspired from Hollywood, we really shouldn't blame them for not being so original after all. Sigh.. I say
In recent times, amidst all the stale stuff being dished out, the movie Aamir seemed to stand out. But some time back I was saddened to know that it is a complete copycat of a movie called as Cavite.
Was just wondering, if some of them feel any pangs when their inspired creations win awards and they get all the credits.
I guess, since even the name Bollywood is inspired from Hollywood, we really shouldn't blame them for not being so original after all. Sigh.. I say
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Dubai Rocks!!
So on my way back from the US, I decided to do a stopover of around 3 days in Dubai. It came in free, you see, because my company was flying me to-fro on Emirates. Plus I have my cousin sister staying there with her family, so wanted to visit them too.
Had heard a lot about Dubai being visitor friendly and even though I was advised to take a visa from India itself, based on some suggestions by past visitors and my own laziness, I decided to do a visa on arrival. Oh how costly that turned out to be. Normal Visa charges in India would have been around 40 US $. But Emirates guys have some fine print that if one takes a visa on arrival from them in Dubai, that person has to necessarily buy hotel stay for the entire duration from them. I was like WTFFFF!!! Much to my angst and anger I had to shell out 400 US $, even though I was not going to stay in any hotel. So future travelers, beware!!
Thankfully, this turned out to be the only sore point of the trip. I was blown away by Dubai. This place rocks. Its like a globally cosmopolitan desert land, which has a thirst for concrete development like no other. I was told Dubai houses 25% of the world's largest cranes. Dubai just wants to be the best in everything that they construct. Add to that other very important freebies like Zero Tax and it makes it to rock harder. Though its an expensive place with rentals and real estate prices touching the roof. But an always eager rest of the world making a beeline, its sustaining the load. Was there for 2 days and checked out the different places. The Dubai Museum gave a fascinating glimpse of the Dubai of yesteryears and how under an ambitious, visionary, driven and very liberal ruler, it has transformed into this business hub in Asia.
Here are some pics of my tour. Check out the place at least once is my recommendation :)
Had heard a lot about Dubai being visitor friendly and even though I was advised to take a visa from India itself, based on some suggestions by past visitors and my own laziness, I decided to do a visa on arrival. Oh how costly that turned out to be. Normal Visa charges in India would have been around 40 US $. But Emirates guys have some fine print that if one takes a visa on arrival from them in Dubai, that person has to necessarily buy hotel stay for the entire duration from them. I was like WTFFFF!!! Much to my angst and anger I had to shell out 400 US $, even though I was not going to stay in any hotel. So future travelers, beware!!
Thankfully, this turned out to be the only sore point of the trip. I was blown away by Dubai. This place rocks. Its like a globally cosmopolitan desert land, which has a thirst for concrete development like no other. I was told Dubai houses 25% of the world's largest cranes. Dubai just wants to be the best in everything that they construct. Add to that other very important freebies like Zero Tax and it makes it to rock harder. Though its an expensive place with rentals and real estate prices touching the roof. But an always eager rest of the world making a beeline, its sustaining the load. Was there for 2 days and checked out the different places. The Dubai Museum gave a fascinating glimpse of the Dubai of yesteryears and how under an ambitious, visionary, driven and very liberal ruler, it has transformed into this business hub in Asia.
Here are some pics of my tour. Check out the place at least once is my recommendation :)
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bon Voyage!
Well, my short stay in America is over. I will be leaving on Friday. Was pretty much an AMERICAN stay here. I ate a lot of American food - steaks, salads, omelettes, soups, glazed ribs and what not. The best place according to me was Benihana. I just loved the concept of someone cooking food on your table in front of you! I can already feel the combined effects of all this food on my belly.
I drank a lot of American beer - coors, ambiere, samuel adams and the likes. I did not like the coors light beer at all, it tastes yucky to me. I sampled a lot of american shots too this time around - yeager bombs, goldslager, pineapple upside-down and all. (No I am not a drunkard if you have started thinking so, I was just socializing you see :)) and even interacted with a lot of cool American colleagues from my office :).
Am planning on buying some stuff from here before I leave. I always get a beating back home because I don't take some stuff back. But you know, you pretty much get everything nowadays back in India at pretty much the same price. Some things on the list are - cheap external USB drive, toys for my nephew and my cousin sis' kids, some toiletries for the ladies back home, chocolates etc. Everyone has been paying for most of my meals and drinks here, so I have some dollars to spend on all of this :)
Will reach Dubai on Saturday where I will get a visa hopefully and check the place out. I hope the jetlag does not get to me while am in Dubai, otherwise I will be sleeping when the Sun is shining brightly down upon me :). Heading back to India on Monday. So more travel updates soon!
I drank a lot of American beer - coors, ambiere, samuel adams and the likes. I did not like the coors light beer at all, it tastes yucky to me. I sampled a lot of american shots too this time around - yeager bombs, goldslager, pineapple upside-down and all. (No I am not a drunkard if you have started thinking so, I was just socializing you see :)) and even interacted with a lot of cool American colleagues from my office :).
Am planning on buying some stuff from here before I leave. I always get a beating back home because I don't take some stuff back. But you know, you pretty much get everything nowadays back in India at pretty much the same price. Some things on the list are - cheap external USB drive, toys for my nephew and my cousin sis' kids, some toiletries for the ladies back home, chocolates etc. Everyone has been paying for most of my meals and drinks here, so I have some dollars to spend on all of this :)
Will reach Dubai on Saturday where I will get a visa hopefully and check the place out. I hope the jetlag does not get to me while am in Dubai, otherwise I will be sleeping when the Sun is shining brightly down upon me :). Heading back to India on Monday. So more travel updates soon!
Monday, June 2, 2008
RailsConferencing
Have been updating my other blog since I am visiting RailsConf in Portland, Oregon. Am back to NJ today morning. Checkout the stuff that I did there during the conf. We also managed to get someone post a pic of our booth on Flickr :)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Driving around in the CITY!
Ya, the new car has kept me away for a while from blogging. Actually drove it to Mumbai and back on the very next day of getting the car and it was a great experience. The ride and the journey was comfortable for both me and family. I was a bit worried about finding directions, but that is quite a non-issue in Mumbai. People are always welcome to help you out. And not only do they help you out but they provide the shortest path directions too! Did a decent 400Kms plus total for the 3 days that we were in Mumbai. So a good trip overall :)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Eros - Part Deux
A while back, much to the consternation of some, I professed my love. But as always give something time and practicality takes over. I would have wanted to covet her, but pure number crunching and limited resources made me to pause and rethink. A big reason in the limited resources department (the biggest reason being money ofcourse :)) is the size of my garage. What a CRETIN I can be some times. When I had a wide variety of car parking sizes available to me, I ended up choosing the most cramped, most awkward spot that anyone would want :(. I can defend myself by saying that I did not own a car then and new zilch about the finer points..
Anyways, the sane, practical me has gone in for this beauty in Carbon Bronze Pearl color. Will get the car in about a week or so. And yeah, I had to sell off my old car to accommodate this one in too. Felt a tinge of sadness when I handed over the car keys of my old car yesterday to the new owner. So that means currently we are without four wheels and myself and Pi trundle about to office on a nice sporty two wheeler belonging to my sister in the meanwhile :).
UPDATE:
--------------
So my car has finally arrived. It was supposed to arrive yesterday (i.e. Thursday), but arrived today on Friday. The car dealer was kind enough however to provide a temporary car overnight :). Yet to get the number plates though! and without them I cannot take the car out of the city. Am planning to attend a wedding in Mumbai over the weekend (I should get the number plates max by Saturday morning).. See you around in the CITY then :)
Anyways, the sane, practical me has gone in for this beauty in Carbon Bronze Pearl color. Will get the car in about a week or so. And yeah, I had to sell off my old car to accommodate this one in too. Felt a tinge of sadness when I handed over the car keys of my old car yesterday to the new owner. So that means currently we are without four wheels and myself and Pi trundle about to office on a nice sporty two wheeler belonging to my sister in the meanwhile :).
UPDATE:
--------------
So my car has finally arrived. It was supposed to arrive yesterday (i.e. Thursday), but arrived today on Friday. The car dealer was kind enough however to provide a temporary car overnight :). Yet to get the number plates though! and without them I cannot take the car out of the city. Am planning to attend a wedding in Mumbai over the weekend (I should get the number plates max by Saturday morning).. See you around in the CITY then :)
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