I am still up :-/. Wonder when I will improve and become one of those model daughters my Dad would be proud of!!
Hi folks, just popping up to say Hi!
If any of you had dropped in to check if I have been writing.. Merci beaucoup! Will start blogging soon! :)
B
P.S: I started my "gen" label - things which I cannot slot into any other group goes here. Something tells me I am more likely to put things in gen than anywhere else! For the uninitiated, gen is short for general.. BITSians love to shorten the words :)
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Valentines' Day
I hope the Ram Sena is not monitoring my blog ;)
As a ritual, I always crib on 14th February for not having the "right" company. But, with many a friend getting married off late.. I find fewer people sharing the same thoughts about this day!
So, will celebrate(sigh!) the day with a cheesy joke my friend pinged me today..
"
In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India, and to top it all, in the state of Gujarat !!!
It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Patelani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin to make chapattis). Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him.... only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.
This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.
The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.
Thereafter, on 14th February every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.
Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreign tongues, this got anglisized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.
And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now you know the true story of Valentine's day.
"
Well.. if you don't find the joke funny enough.. don't blame me.. I warned you that I tend to crib!
B
As a ritual, I always crib on 14th February for not having the "right" company. But, with many a friend getting married off late.. I find fewer people sharing the same thoughts about this day!
So, will celebrate(sigh!) the day with a cheesy joke my friend pinged me today..
"
In spite of what you have been told by everyone, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India, and to top it all, in the state of Gujarat !!!
It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Patelani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin to make chapattis). Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him.... only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.
This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan. There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad.
The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelanis.
Thereafter, on 14th February every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day - the wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.
Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweets. This is how the tradition - Velan time - began.
As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, the ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time' !!! In course of time, their foreign tongues, this got anglisized to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.
And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day and now you know the true story of Valentine's day.
"
Well.. if you don't find the joke funny enough.. don't blame me.. I warned you that I tend to crib!
B
Do you recognise me?
Honestly, I feel this blog will go dead if I don't write.. so am trying to come up with something! Anyway..
I was in Chennai for a family function last week. Now, I am very poor with faces and being out of the family social circuit for a long time now.. I hardly knew most of the people who attended. Even otherwise, I doubt I would know ;). Anyway, this time, I had quite a few people walking up to me and saying.. "Ennai teriyudha" and I'd go blank! Some faces looked familiar, but most of them were strangers to me :|. I'd go sheepish and reply.."Illai teriyalai". I don't think that looked a pretty answer, but I did not think anything but the truth would help in such cases. What if they asked me more questions!! Thereafter, I went looking for my Mom/Dad who could then introduce me to the said people. My Dad would say.. He is Kannu's son and I'll nod my head. On pressing who is Kannu, he'd give an unhelpful.. He is Labour Officer Kannu's son. I give up!! B gives a polite smile and moves on to the next group.. :|
Well, I don't know if I have always been this way or its something I have picked up in life. I surely know I was bad with faces in BITS, but don't remember before that :-/. My friends resorted to showing me photographs time and again to ensure I remembered a face. Maybe I should attempt that now.. Ghajini style :D.
B
I was in Chennai for a family function last week. Now, I am very poor with faces and being out of the family social circuit for a long time now.. I hardly knew most of the people who attended. Even otherwise, I doubt I would know ;). Anyway, this time, I had quite a few people walking up to me and saying.. "Ennai teriyudha" and I'd go blank! Some faces looked familiar, but most of them were strangers to me :|. I'd go sheepish and reply.."Illai teriyalai". I don't think that looked a pretty answer, but I did not think anything but the truth would help in such cases. What if they asked me more questions!! Thereafter, I went looking for my Mom/Dad who could then introduce me to the said people. My Dad would say.. He is Kannu's son and I'll nod my head. On pressing who is Kannu, he'd give an unhelpful.. He is Labour Officer Kannu's son. I give up!! B gives a polite smile and moves on to the next group.. :|
Well, I don't know if I have always been this way or its something I have picked up in life. I surely know I was bad with faces in BITS, but don't remember before that :-/. My friends resorted to showing me photographs time and again to ensure I remembered a face. Maybe I should attempt that now.. Ghajini style :D.
B
Monday, January 19, 2009
Cricket, a way of life
I am short on topics to write! So thought I'll write in a few words about... Cricket!!
Now, we are a cricket family.. in the sense all of us watch it with a lot of passion except my Mom of course. I think that's partly to do with the fact that we are so obsessed with it all the time!
Dad watches cricket of every kind. He fought with me the other day because I was not allowing him to watch the Saurashta v/s Bombay Ranji match! As my mom puts it right.. "Mattaiya thukkindu vandhutangala.. ", any match with a bat and ball is all that is required to get his attention.
Bro was slightly better off. I mean he watched all India matches and a bit of other exciting teams, like Australia v/s South Africa etc etc.
I watch matches with India playing in it. Period. Others I am not keen, though off late, I do track matches in which Australia is on the losing side ;)
Now, cricket has the unique ability to decide our moods. The day India wins, We are in the best of moods cracking jokes and laughing loud :). The day India loses albeit fighting, our mood is fine with some laughter missing. The day India "really" loses pathetically, we are in mourning and a simple request by Mom to remove the book from the sofa would invariably result in an argument and tears :(
So, happy days,
- The Hero cup final in 1992. First time I saw the magic of Eden Gardens lighting up papers to rejoice the victory :)
- 1996 World Cup match against Pakistan :). During 1996, we(bro and I) used to call the Indian team the "One-way" team ;), they had a chance to win only if they batted first :D and fortunately, we did it that day!
- 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan :). Sachin the genius !! I remember seeing a photo in the Outlook magazine where a chai walla had a board offering FREE tea to everybody cos of the win. I've tried hard to locate that snap, but haven't managed yet!
- 1998 series against Australia :), Sachin again :D
- 1998 Sharjah series against Australia :). Sachin was phenomenal in the last two matches :D, complete mayhem of the Aussies !
- 2001 series against Australia :). Vacation time, was at home :). The Kolkata test had the ability to cool frayed tempers between bro and me over some petty issue ;)
- Independence day Dhaka final against Pakistan :D. Saurav and Kanitkar did the trick.
- Natwest series final against England. We were returning from Shirdi and escaped the England batting marathon. Morose, we never watched the Indian innings for sometime after Sachin's dismissal... but the neighbours of my uncle's in Bombay ensured we did watch the match after all :D
- T20 world cup final in 2007 against Pakistan :D
- 2004 Series against Australia in Australia. That’s one of the reasons I bought a television as soon as I moved outta my aunt's place in Hyderabad :) not waiting for the roomies to say "Yes". Its tough to get women to decide on buying something together, more so when its for cricket!!
Before 2000, we used to win so rarely, most of them due to Sachin's sheer brilliance that the wins are so vivid in my memory. It also helps that I was in Chennai around that time. I barely watched a couple of matches in Pilani.. there was hardly any company :(. And to argue for the TV in the hostel common room is pretty annoying, so I sticked to 'The Hindu's report on matches!
Sad days,
- 1996 World Cup semi final. It still hurts :(. Bro and I couldn't sleep that night.. don't remember feeling so miserable any other time
- 1999 Test match in Chennai against Pakistan :(. We were about to win, but botched it up in the end. I watched this match at my Grandfather's place.. got so angry at the end, shouted and walked outta home without saying Bye to thatha :(. I am sure he was worried, every grandfather is worried when the "girl" child in the family is so aggressive ;). The only silver lining, I refused the offer to go and watch the 5th day of the match at the ground.. don't think I could have handled that :(
- 2003 World cup final :(. I slept through the first half hoping Australia would be bowled out for a paltry score.. they made 359! @$#!!!@#$#!&^%^
- 2008 Sydney Test match against Australia. Again #$@#$%^!$&*
There have been many other defeats, but can't remember anything that rankled for long.. I mean before, 2000, we lost 3 outta 5 matches consistently :), so can't be too worried about them all! I started watching cricket during the Sachin era.. watch matches as long he is there and then switch off... there was no hope/chance to win without him! Sachin is truly truly the GOD!
Ironically, my work deals with building a product for Australia! My secret desire is that if ever Cricket Australia were to buy this product, I would perhaps resort to some "rogue" coding :D. Fortunately for them, my biggest enemy - Mathew Hayden is now retired.. and if they continue their losing ways against India..I might just be nice :).
As for Hayden, if he continues to play for Chennai SuperKings and plays well enough.. I might support you also !! Strange are the ways of cricket!
B
Now, we are a cricket family.. in the sense all of us watch it with a lot of passion except my Mom of course. I think that's partly to do with the fact that we are so obsessed with it all the time!
Dad watches cricket of every kind. He fought with me the other day because I was not allowing him to watch the Saurashta v/s Bombay Ranji match! As my mom puts it right.. "Mattaiya thukkindu vandhutangala.. ", any match with a bat and ball is all that is required to get his attention.
Bro was slightly better off. I mean he watched all India matches and a bit of other exciting teams, like Australia v/s South Africa etc etc.
I watch matches with India playing in it. Period. Others I am not keen, though off late, I do track matches in which Australia is on the losing side ;)
Now, cricket has the unique ability to decide our moods. The day India wins, We are in the best of moods cracking jokes and laughing loud :). The day India loses albeit fighting, our mood is fine with some laughter missing. The day India "really" loses pathetically, we are in mourning and a simple request by Mom to remove the book from the sofa would invariably result in an argument and tears :(
So, happy days,
- The Hero cup final in 1992. First time I saw the magic of Eden Gardens lighting up papers to rejoice the victory :)
- 1996 World Cup match against Pakistan :). During 1996, we(bro and I) used to call the Indian team the "One-way" team ;), they had a chance to win only if they batted first :D and fortunately, we did it that day!
- 2003 World Cup match against Pakistan :). Sachin the genius !! I remember seeing a photo in the Outlook magazine where a chai walla had a board offering FREE tea to everybody cos of the win. I've tried hard to locate that snap, but haven't managed yet!
- 1998 series against Australia :), Sachin again :D
- 1998 Sharjah series against Australia :). Sachin was phenomenal in the last two matches :D, complete mayhem of the Aussies !
- 2001 series against Australia :). Vacation time, was at home :). The Kolkata test had the ability to cool frayed tempers between bro and me over some petty issue ;)
- Independence day Dhaka final against Pakistan :D. Saurav and Kanitkar did the trick.
- Natwest series final against England. We were returning from Shirdi and escaped the England batting marathon. Morose, we never watched the Indian innings for sometime after Sachin's dismissal... but the neighbours of my uncle's in Bombay ensured we did watch the match after all :D
- T20 world cup final in 2007 against Pakistan :D
- 2004 Series against Australia in Australia. That’s one of the reasons I bought a television as soon as I moved outta my aunt's place in Hyderabad :) not waiting for the roomies to say "Yes". Its tough to get women to decide on buying something together, more so when its for cricket!!
Before 2000, we used to win so rarely, most of them due to Sachin's sheer brilliance that the wins are so vivid in my memory. It also helps that I was in Chennai around that time. I barely watched a couple of matches in Pilani.. there was hardly any company :(. And to argue for the TV in the hostel common room is pretty annoying, so I sticked to 'The Hindu's report on matches!
Sad days,
- 1996 World Cup semi final. It still hurts :(. Bro and I couldn't sleep that night.. don't remember feeling so miserable any other time
- 1999 Test match in Chennai against Pakistan :(. We were about to win, but botched it up in the end. I watched this match at my Grandfather's place.. got so angry at the end, shouted and walked outta home without saying Bye to thatha :(. I am sure he was worried, every grandfather is worried when the "girl" child in the family is so aggressive ;). The only silver lining, I refused the offer to go and watch the 5th day of the match at the ground.. don't think I could have handled that :(
- 2003 World cup final :(. I slept through the first half hoping Australia would be bowled out for a paltry score.. they made 359! @$#!!!@#$#!&^%^
- 2008 Sydney Test match against Australia. Again #$@#$%^!$&*
There have been many other defeats, but can't remember anything that rankled for long.. I mean before, 2000, we lost 3 outta 5 matches consistently :), so can't be too worried about them all! I started watching cricket during the Sachin era.. watch matches as long he is there and then switch off... there was no hope/chance to win without him! Sachin is truly truly the GOD!
Ironically, my work deals with building a product for Australia! My secret desire is that if ever Cricket Australia were to buy this product, I would perhaps resort to some "rogue" coding :D. Fortunately for them, my biggest enemy - Mathew Hayden is now retired.. and if they continue their losing ways against India..I might just be nice :).
As for Hayden, if he continues to play for Chennai SuperKings and plays well enough.. I might support you also !! Strange are the ways of cricket!
B
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
New Year Wishes
I am still up now! Last time, I was up this late was in BITS.. I think :-/
Anyway, a happy new year 2009! Lets hope this is the year of peace, change and action!
To celebrate the new year, I'll attempt telling a joke..
This incident happened early last year while I was traveling to Chennai via train. As we were approaching Chennai, so went the discussion of my co-passengers..
"Sir, how will you go home?"
"I am thinking if I can take the electric train to Thorapakkam."
"Good idea Sir. Today is Saturday, the Tidel park route should be less crowded"
"Oh No! IT people are a crazy group, they travel any day any time. They don't follow any rule. I will take an auto now!"
B, even with her practiced demeanour of not laughing at a stranger's joke couldn't stop laughing :D! Take a bow, the IT guys! The world thinks we are fools and crazy!
P.S: Now guys, I am not sure if he said Thorapakkam... could be some other place on the route of Tidel park ;). Now, with my notorious reputation of directions and places... this is something you shouldn't mind at all :)
B
Anyway, a happy new year 2009! Lets hope this is the year of peace, change and action!
To celebrate the new year, I'll attempt telling a joke..
This incident happened early last year while I was traveling to Chennai via train. As we were approaching Chennai, so went the discussion of my co-passengers..
"Sir, how will you go home?"
"I am thinking if I can take the electric train to Thorapakkam."
"Good idea Sir. Today is Saturday, the Tidel park route should be less crowded"
"Oh No! IT people are a crazy group, they travel any day any time. They don't follow any rule. I will take an auto now!"
B, even with her practiced demeanour of not laughing at a stranger's joke couldn't stop laughing :D! Take a bow, the IT guys! The world thinks we are fools and crazy!
P.S: Now guys, I am not sure if he said Thorapakkam... could be some other place on the route of Tidel park ;). Now, with my notorious reputation of directions and places... this is something you shouldn't mind at all :)
B
Friday, December 26, 2008
Merry XMas and Happy New Year
Amidst this season of gloom and despair, its decidedly a sombre Christmas and New Year.
Nevertheless, lets hope the New Year 2009 brings in happiness and peace in our lives!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009!
B
Nevertheless, lets hope the New Year 2009 brings in happiness and peace in our lives!
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009!
B
Secularism!
Strange week indeed.. I started off the week by reading an article in 'The Hindu' about the Kashmir elections. One person from a town had subscribed to something called "Islamic law" for them where people follow the tenets of the Koran. To explain what it is all about, he goes on to say "Men have beards, Women wear the burqa"..
Yesterday, while I was walking out of the temple, we had some women approaching us and telling us to join some function - some foundation for establishing 'Ram Rajya' in India. I did not stand long enough to ask what that entails :-/, Did Lord Ram specify how to lead a country in times of the poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and computers?
I believe both ideas are trivializing the issue and closing your eyes to the reality. This is the land of each and every person irrespective of religion and
you cannot ask somebody of the other religion to just go. Where will anybody go? Jump into the Indian Ocean :-/. India's biggest hope and strength shall remain to be secularism and democracy.
I think its high time schools started teaching children the virtues of secularism and tolerance.That would, perhaps in the long term avoid such incorrect dogmas! But... unfortunately, the bigger issue in our education system is not what it is being taught.. but bringing in people to be taught. :(
B
Yesterday, while I was walking out of the temple, we had some women approaching us and telling us to join some function - some foundation for establishing 'Ram Rajya' in India. I did not stand long enough to ask what that entails :-/, Did Lord Ram specify how to lead a country in times of the poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and computers?
I believe both ideas are trivializing the issue and closing your eyes to the reality. This is the land of each and every person irrespective of religion and
you cannot ask somebody of the other religion to just go. Where will anybody go? Jump into the Indian Ocean :-/. India's biggest hope and strength shall remain to be secularism and democracy.
I think its high time schools started teaching children the virtues of secularism and tolerance.That would, perhaps in the long term avoid such incorrect dogmas! But... unfortunately, the bigger issue in our education system is not what it is being taught.. but bringing in people to be taught. :(
B
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