Why must side plates always be on your left??

Went out for dinner today with Mom and Dad to Balwas. As usual, nice ambience and food. Managed to somewhat drown out the sorrow of India having lost its first match of the season. The Tandoori Chicken course had me wondering. Wouldn't it be nice if side plates were on your right (for a right-hander), instead of the usual left? Yet, table etiquette demands that the side plate MUST be placed on your left. Nice idea if you were working for a detergent company. It would present you with a nice opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of your product. Or wait a minute!!! Hmm.....seems like the person who decided on the etiquette was a southpaw!!! Yes, that must be it!!!

Why, oh why, must side plates be placed on the left???? Aaaarghhh!!!!!

ILP - I Lack Patience

Was supposed to attend the Initial Learning Programme of my company from the 28th of July. Only one problem. No flights took off for C'batore on either the 27th or the 28th, coz of the heavy rains here. End result?? My company told me to go and join the next ILP starting on 16th August at either Pune or Calcutta.

So, now I am at home for at least 2 weeks with nothing to do. Guess BCL will have to help me out again.

Now, do I call this situation luck or a spanner in the works???

Submerged !!!

Was preparing for departure to C'batore the next day when M called in the evening. Said he was stranded and needed a place to shelter, coz of the heavy rains. V was with him. After some confusion which saw M and V end up in Tardeo, I finally met them at Grant Rd and got them home. Slowly, news of the plight of others started reaching us. P had got stuck in Bandra with a few colleagues and finally spent the night there. R and AB were stuck in office. RS had to camp at SCH's place. We were unable to contact SC, so his fate was unknown. Ditto for the rest. Experienced the frustration that, I suppose, our parents' generation must have experienced, what with cells not working and landlines dead.

Hail Thee O Rain God for bringing our Shanghai-drunk heads back down to the Bombay gutters. Hail Thee for providing an opportunity to flies and germs to thrive, guess they also need to enjoy sometimes.
Hail Thee for bringing out that indomitable emotion we call the Spirit of Bombay.
Hail Thee for reminding us that no matter what, we are always at your mercy.

Adieu!!

Well, my training in C'batore starts on the 28th of July. That means today is my last day in Bombay for quite some time. It'll be the first time that I have been away from the city for so long. I will really miss this place. Adieu, Bombay, the city of dreams, the lifeline of the country, the symbol of hope for millions, adieu!!!

Results are finally out!!!

Well, the Sem VIII results were finally put up yesterday in college. The overall performance is very good for Civil with 7 distinctions. Only 2 guys with a Second Class and one with an unfortunate KT. The rest have secured First Class. This is one of the best performances of Civil in college for a long time. My heartiest congratulations to the entire class on its stellar performance!!!

Met all profs yesterday and appraised them of the situation. All were extremely happy with the scenario. It is hoped that the unfortunate guy who got a KT will clear the subject in reval. Well, the class keeps its fingers crossed.

T'was nice to meet up with most of the members of the class. We sat down for a few hours and reminisced about the happy days. Sigh!!!!

Came to know later in the day that our class topper was only 6th in the University rankings. It seems guys from DMCE are at the top. I guess that was bound to happen, what with all their profs distributing marks as if they were Indian bowlers distributing runs!!! I think I am beginning to sound like Sidhu Paaji. So I will just shut up and sign off!!!

CIAO.

A Day out with Friends

Met up with R, G, T, M and GA today. T'was good to see them after such a long time. We first went to Vrindy's where we caught up with each other's lives. Finally, the era of going Dutch for rick expenses seems to be over. Everyone seemed to be keen to pay up on their own. Hmm...things are sure changing when GA offers to pay for a rick journey to college on his own!!! Lunch was on M as he suddenly decided to be generous and cough up the entire bill amount. Guess all that needling about he being the only one to have received a salary worked!!!

We then went to G7 to watch Viruddh. Nice movie. Review is in previous post. T'was nice to unwind and watch a movie lazily on a Sunday afternoon with friends. A was supposed to join us but she got delayed and by the time she called us up, we were already entering the theatre. Awww!!! Well, that was all I could think of!!! ;-)

Unfortunately, everyone had to get home for some work or the other in the evening, so it was curtains on our day out. We bade each other adieu and headed for our respective homes, hopeful of such wonderful opportunities of a rendezvous with friends would present itself pretty soon.!!

( Sniff!! What a touching reunion!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!)

Viruddh - A Movie for Mahesh Manjrekar

Went to Viruddh yesterday with friends. Liked the movie, in general. The papers seem to be right. Even I got the feeling that Mahesh Manjrekar has made this movie for his own satisfaction rather than for the masses.

The first half builds up the story of the retired AI employee and his ex-principal wife who lead a middle-class existence. They squabble over petty things and make up quickly too, getting mushy at times, a la Baghban. Then enters the only son who is here on a visit, with his firang girlfriend in tow. Hitler Mom makes them marry and everyone seems to be very happy. But then the son goes to a party and witnesses a killing. Trying to intervene, he gets shot in the ensuing scuffle. Down come their dreams in an instant when the news of the son's death reaches them.

The second half is about how the father tries to get justice for his dead son by fighting the corrupt system and a very unsympathetic police force. However, when all seems lost, the patriarch takes the law into his own hands and kills his son's killer in cold blood. I don't seem to understand the difference between the father and the son's killer. Murder for revenge should not be forgiven!!! And the court actually sets the father free without so much as a suspended sentence!!! Bad precedent for the young minds out there!! Tut, tut, Mr. Manjrekar, why the Vaastav mixed with Saraansh???

Performance-wise, John Abraham is surprisingly fresh and crisp. Maybe its those sparkling kurtas which give us that impression. ;-) Anousha fits the bill as the foreign girlfriend. Just keep out the overacting and unnecessary expressions, baby, and you will do just fine. Sharmila Tagore puts in a performance expected of her. Whether its as the stern wife/mother or the loving mother-in-law, she excels in every emotion expected of her by the director. AB is, of course, miles ahead of the rest. He renders the role of the grieving father with aplomb. Of note is the scene when he watches his laughter club members laugh, just days after the death of his son and tries to join them. How empty and full of grief that laughter sounds!!! AB, we bow to thee!!!

Civil might make a record !!

Well, heard the good news today that C had cleared his Sem VII KT exams as well as the original one through reval. That means that the class result was 100% for Sem VII. Which now leaves Civil in a position to try and get to the 100% pass percentage record which, for Civil, will be a great achievement. Hope we manage to do it. Sem VIII results expected soon, so we shall soon know.

Sarkar - The Desi Godfather

Went to Eros and watched Sarkar on Friday. Very good film. RGV seems to have regained his lost touch. AB's mere presence exudes a lot of menace throughout the first half. He says a million things without even speaking a word. AB's baby is good and comes into his element in the second half. He takes over quite seamlessly from the senior Bachchan but I guess he has miles to go before he can even come close to his father's screen presence. He sure seems to be headed that way though. Girls - Continue to drool over this hunk!!!!

The surprise package seems to be KayKay. He delivers a KO performance which is bettered only by AB. He is one very much underrated actor, somewhat like Pankaj Kapur (that's Shahid Kapoor's dad, for the uninitiated). Hope he continues to get such good films.

The roles of the women in the film disappoint me, though. They just seem to be there as showpieces. They had the potential to play a much larger role as the anchors at home but RGV does not seem to have given this angle much thought.

All in all, a good effort and I will certainly call it a very good tribute to that Baap of all gangster films - THE GODFATHER!!!!!!

The Vacation Dwindles

Slightly less than 2 weeks left for me to join my company. Now that I think of it, there are so many things that I feel I could have done but haven't. Guess this happens to everyone. Still a lot of shopping left to do. Gotta get shoes which can be polished but do not rot due to rainwater, a bag which looks formal enough but does make me look older and lots of other things that I cant even think of now, but I am sure I will once I reach C'batore.

Now, with S back in Cal for good, there is hardly anyone to talk to on phone. The others are working and I don't have the heart to disturb them and make them jealous of my inactivity. On second thoughts when did I have a heart? Yeah, I WILL call them up. HehHeh!!!

I am not in the greatest of spirits currently 'coz of this stupid 'flu which refuses to subside. This damn thing's left me feeling very weak and sleepy. Hope I get over this thing soon.

R coming to Bombay today at night. So, finally, I will have someone to talk to, even if its for a day!!!

CIAO.

Happy Birthday to RK!!!!

Time for the third birthday of the b'day spl month, as I call it. RK's b'day today. He turns 21. Must be good having your b'day on a Sunday when you have worked for a week. I still dunno what that feels like. Guess I will have to wait for at least a year for that experience.

Had gone to Pune on Friday for overseeing a bit of furniture shifting from Bombay. Pretty boring day it was with me having no energy left over even to go for a movie in the evening. Somehow, Pune seems to bring out the worst in me, at least in terms of mood!!! Saturday was a bit better, considering that it was my turn to drive. Still, the stupid scooterists in Pune don't leave you in exactly a very happy mood after a stint in the main city. At least, I managed not to knock down someone. Run from Pune to Bombay pretty uneventful except for the sight of the mangled remains of a freshly knocked down dog on the Pune bypass road. Gory sight that. Now I know how I must have looked when I dislocated my arm. Ugh!!!!

Pretty disappointing not to have any rains here recently. They lend a nice cool nip to the air which is not to be experienced at any other time of the year. Well, I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Since my last post, V, P, RK, RS, YD, AE have already joined work. Hope they are enjoying it. At least, I hope its better than college.

CIAO.

A Congregation over Lunch

Had SC,SCH,V,P,RK,M and SB come over to my place for lunch today. T'was rather fun to meet up again after a long time and do something together, even if it was for a short while only. M had office today and had come during lunch time. It gave us great pleasure in announcing to him our grand plans of enjoyment after his departure!!! Sure hope that he felt jealous of all of us throughout the afternoon sitting in his office. Naah!!! Missed his enthusiasm, actually!! Everyone seemed to be determined to put on a show of their best behaviour and this lasted until we actually got down to playing cards for passing time. The sheepskins were off then and the wolves' claws were beginning to show! Had a few good games and I managed to pull off the look of an extremely stupid person at cards!!! (Actually, I WAS feeling rather stupid!!) All in all, not a bad day at all, as compared to the large no. of boring days I am having at present.

On the personal front, there was also something to cheer about. Got news yesterday night that Dad had been promoted to the post of DGM, and that too, out of turn. Finally, Govt. offices have also started adopting this trend and I think its quite healthy. Let's hope this trend continues.

R left for Cal today so, I will have to wait for some time before I can trouble someone with continuous msgs. Unfortunately, she is the only one using the BPL service amongst my friends.

Nothing more to say, so I sign off!!

CIAO.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Went to college on Wednesday to meet up with friends. Was nice reminiscing about college days and trying to predict everyone's future. Caught up with a lot of gossip regarding the dept. also. It seems admissions for ME (Enviro.) have already taken place and classes will commence soon. That is as soon as the main professor MMK manages to reserve time for it from his busy schedule full of invitations to conferences, prize distributions and "televised" interviews. After all, these are the main duties of a professor aren't they? Teaching is always secondary!!

As expected, PHS could not keep quiet and immediately announced 2 PG part-time programmes!! His policy seems to be like Brazil. You score 99 goals-fine, I don't care. I will score 100!! Entrance exam for the ME programme in CM was held on Tuesday. S saw RRR sitting nervously in the class before the start of the exam, looking very nervous. I wish we all were there to see this sight. It would have been fun to point at her and laugh as if she was some caged animal. As of now, she is not caged!!! Guess PHS asked to join the programme just so that he could have the pleasure of failing her in the entrance test. Or better still, let her pass the test and give her reams and reams of assignments, just like she used to give us when we used to be her students!! Way to go, PHS!!!

Its my birthday today so I sang myself a song today!! HAHAHAHA!! I sound loony don't I? Barrage of calls today from friends so I am quite busy on phone. Had messages from R and RS at midnight. Feeling rather sleepy today, though. Will be going out for dinner today at night with Mom and Dad. Lets hope I enjoy the year ahead.

CIAO.

The Birthday Season starts!!!

Its 23rd June today. RS' birthday today. The month long birthday season which has as many as 4 birthdays in it. Yaay!!! However, this feeling of happiness receded after a few minutes this morning when I realised that my company has asked me to read a few books before joining them and I have not yet touched a single book. I guess this will be like engg. exams. Last minute cramming!!!

Dad said that it was an important day in office for him. He didnt say why, though I kept on probing him for the information. Even Mom says she doesnt know. What can be so important for him today, of all days?? I must find out somehow!!

Rains continue to lash the city continuously, with hardly any respite. I wish the hostelites were here now. I am sure the skeptics amongst them would have been turned into believers when they saw this season's monsoon.

I dont know why I am rambling like this nowadays. Maybe its because I have nothing very interesting to do, except read. I really miss the sporadic bouts of malaria I would get because of the mosquito. I miss the bossiness and Just-do-it attitude of PHS. In general, I miss college. SIGH!!!!!

Is that a Bird??Is that a Plane?? No, its a Plane with Sumo on Board!!!! :-D

I seem to have got up on the wrong side of my bed today. I have a very stiff neck and I dont know what to do. Someone please help!! Slept almost through the entire morning to get rid of the stiffness. Problem is that it has worsened!!

Had a debate with Dad on the choice of airliner for travelling to Coimbatore for training for my job. Methinks IA is good, he thinks Air Deccan should do. Lets see who wins the battle.

My life's sooo boring now that I dont even have something to say on my blog!!! This is terrible. BooHoo!!!!

Sumo's Back !!

Feels great to be back after a long hiatus. Had gone to Pune and hence, could not write on the blog. Pune seems to be quite horrible at this time of the year, at least it was when I visited. The days are extremely hot and plus there is the added burden of power cuts which adds to the agony. A four-hour power cut is third degree torture for God's sake!!! I dont know what' wrong with MSEB. I am told that power cuts in rural areas last for 8 hours!! Can you believe it?? To top it all, a few weeks ago, in an MERC meeting, MSEB had the audacity to suggest that power cuts be imposed in Bombay and the resulting surplus power be diverted for MSEB's use. Thank God, Tata Power had the sense to veto this ludicrous suggestion outright.

Watched a drama and a couple of movies in Pune. Nothing much to write about. Strictly timepass fare. Good enough to evade the power cut, but just about.

Congratulations to M on starting his new job. Hope he does well. My joining date has been declared as 28 th July, so I have a long wait.

CIAO.

BURP !!!!!

Was invited over to M's place for lunch on Sunday. Central line trains were pretty tedious but it was good fun otherwise. Had a lot of fun at Mangu's place, esp. during the card-playing sessions, thanks to an over-zealous JD failing to realise that playing cards are ambigrammatical (Hope this is the right word !!) and, can be read from the other side too!! Food was great and M's parents and sister made sure noone went hungry.

Later, I went to do some shopping for monsoon footwear. Although my size is 11, size 10 can do, albeit its a tight fit. At least I dont have to go and order for specially made shoes or go about searching high and low for them!!! ( ;-) -----> VV)

Had my project viva today. Hardly felt like a viva, though!! We are so used to sitting in PHS's cabin that it now feels like a second home and we are never uncomfortable there. Plus, there is the added advantage of having an external who has no idea of what GA is!! Kinda makes my job easier!! HehHeh!!

Went to SC's place after the viva. Once again, a sumptuous lunch, excellent hospitality and AC in this sultry weather!!! WOW!! SC, M and their respective families, you guys rock!!! Everyone managed to poke some more fun at JD and his non-flattening stomach. :-) Got some excellent songs from SC's comp on my flash drive. Will help me on my drive to Pune tomorrow. Went to BCL later and got a few books. An Agatha Christie, and 2 Keatings. Oh, and yes, a British Autocar too!!! Should hopefully last me for the stay in Pune.

Mind's blank, got nothing more to say so will sign off. Next post probably on Monday.

CIAO.

Rating Sem VIII

This is how I would rate the curicullum for Sem VIII.

Point system is out of 10. Points are alloted for the following :

1. Interest in the matter
2. professor rating
3. easy in studying (assignments) during college
4. easy in studing for the exam
5. nature and satisfaction over the exam paper.

1. Construction Planning and Management: 8|8.5|7|10|5
2. Quantity Surveying Valuation and Estimating: 5|6.5|8.5|3.5|9
3. Soil Dynamics: 8.5|9.5|10|9.5|9.5
4. DDRCS: 8.5|10|5.5|7.5|3.5

Thus I give the following subjects the following rating

CPM : 7.7
QSEV : 6.5
SD: 9.4
DDRCS: 7.0

This gives SEM VIII an overall rating of 7.7

Nemore additions and suggestions ?

*** Note that this rating solely represents the view of the author.

Parineeta's too Cool !!!

Whew!! Finally, my work in the project has come to an end. Came back home at around 1700 hrs and promptly went off to sleep. 1830 hrs. saw me land up at Liberty to watch Parineeta. Lovely movie, excellent camerawork and stellar performances. All-in-all, a must watch for anyone who eschews good stories.

Got to go to M's place tomorrow. Someone please help me keep my eyes open!!! YAWN!!!

Who's bothered about the Project??

I had talked to PHS yesterday and he had asked me to be there in college by 1100 hrs. I dutifully reached at around 1055 hrs. What to do - I guess some old habits die hard!! I still have to learn to be "fashionably" late, a concept PHS is no alien to. Well, he certainly proved that today by making an entry at 1215 hrs. After a few deliberations about the project, it was decided by me with some help from SC and RS, that working on a project was an extremely silly thing to do, esp. the day after your last engg paper. So we decided to go and watch KKHH (which, BTW, is certainly NOT Kuch Kuch Hota Hai).

1550 hrs saw us land up at G7 for a 1515 hrs show, but what the hell!! At least I am a few kms away from college!! Movie was good for a few laughs and I certainly thanked my stars that any of my friends from the opposite sex was not with us. The show got crappy at times but then, what do you expect from a Balaji Films product?? I mean, c'mon, guys in coital poses with cats??!!!!!

After the movie, M spotted C and A and we rendezvoused with them for a while. All in all, it was a very nice first day of my vacation. Here's to a few more days like this one, albeit, with some work actually done!! (Heh!!Heh!!)

CIAO.