May 7, 2008
Why Blog?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/05/07/blog.therapy/index.html


Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:23 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Apr 17, 2008
What friendship means to meSomething happened that made me think about friends and friendships. I'm hoping this post will make my thoughts go away. Please God, please.We spend a lifetime forming friendships. The ones that we form as toddlers are different from the ones we form as adolescents, which are different from the ones we form as adults. Even as adults, as we gain experience with every passing day, every friendship we encourage is different. Good different, bad different? Who knows? Just different. It was easy to form them as well as break them as kids. I mean all you needed was "Hi my name is such and such, what's yours?"or "I'm never talking to you again". As far as the issue of breaking a friendship goes, if that friend was unusually mature and forgiving about it at that tender age, they would not give up and your friendship would grow by surviving testing times. If they were as immature as you, it would be the end of it all and a time to move on. In my life, I've been on both ends. I've been the immature pig and broken great friendships, and I've been the mature one and weathered it all. All I know is that in the end, when you don't have that person in your life anymore, it's a demerit, a negative mark. Whatever the case may be, it leaves a void in your life forever. Some voids heal with time, some remain and rot like a black hole in your heart. And of course, time is the factor that helps you get over most of it .I've always lived by the rule that if I were to reveal my whole self to someone, they would have to give me back the same. If I expect that my friends can share their joys and sorrows with me, they can expect that I will share the same. I have never learned to be a fair-weathered friend, although it's what's in fashion these days. I mean how can one only share good times and return to their separate quarters and pretend to be happy to their friends when they're in fact not? How does one do that? How do you always keep yourself on your best behaviour with the people that know the real you? How do you live with the fact that others share their wonderful and not-so-wonderful lives with you, while you choose to suffer in silence? Isn't that an egoistic and selfish thing to do? Because you pat yourself on the back and think "I was a good captain even when the water wasn't calm". Is that the only thing life should be about? Being calm and composed at all times? Well, not for me.My friends mean a lot to me. I truly am what I am because of my interactions with them. I blame them for the bad and love them for the good. I can't live without them. They are my support system. Whether they see me the way I see them, doesn't matter to me. I keep trying. I do the things that I would do anyway. I also get insecure when I think something may not be going the way I had imagined for us. I hate them for having this control over me. I love them when they stand by me. PS - Why has "Happy Friendship's Day" become the day that an ex-friend decides to call you? Is it just me?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:49 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Apr 14, 2008
In ControlUntil recently (about 3 years ago), I did not know what "control freak" meant. I was familiar with the breed as I had been raised by one. Just didn't know there was a term to describe that behaviour. Now, let's not attach any negative connotation to the term. It's not a bad thing to be a control freak. Obviously, I can say that because I am one myself. It may be my mother's genes, it may be acquired, whatever it is, I have it in me now. So, the part where being a control freak gets annoying is where you expect every human around you to do things according to your timeline. Also, you trust no one but yourself to get the job done. You take things in your own hands only out of a selfish motive of knowing where the status of a particular project lies. You want to know everything at all times. You end up thinking you do all the work and you whine and you complain why nobody helps you. The innocent souls around you don't even know you are the real freak, and end up feeling guilty for it all. But let me tell you this. A control freak can be tamed. You can earn their trust back by actually doing things on time. Not on their time, but by the time lines set by utility, mortgage, car, gas, power, and trash companies. Us control freaks are not annoying by nature, we like to relax and take a breather once in a while too, but you have to get us there. You have to go above and beyond your lazy a**es to make us feel like we can relax sometimes. I remember when I was a teenager, how mom would follow me around in the kitchen when I decided to cook. She would tell me to turn off the flame even before it was lit. She would tell me not to leave turmeric stains on her sparkling white counter tops even before I decided on the ingredients. Just thinking of it makes me cringe. I may have subjected you to this side of me someday. I hope that you are beginning to understand where I may be coming from.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:51 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Apr 8, 2008
My thoughts exactlySometimes, in the middle of it all, a song starts to play in my head. Like when I'm having a passionate argument with someone and am just about to make my point, in my head, out of nowhere, a tune starts playing and it just doesn't stop. And the weird thing is, that it is not even a situation-appropriate-song. For instance, if I was accused of extra marital affairs, you'd think that in my mind Salma Agha would start singing "dil ke armaan aasuon mein beh gaye.." Or, that time when my boyfriend was sleeping with his boyfriend, I should've started "dost dost na raha, pyar pyar na raha..." That would be appropriate. But NO, noooooooo..what starts playing in my head is "jawani se ab jung hone lagi, ye choli meri dung hone lagi..." or something totally insane like that. This is not supposed to be funny. This is real, it's what goes on in my head at the most intense times. Is it me? Is this the right place to ask a question like "is it me"?? What? What are you thinking? No, tell me what are you thinking right now? Don't dismiss me, I'm serious. I need to know if I need help. Why am I getting such random thoughts? What the hell is happening to me? Why have I heard every Hindi song man ever made on this planet? Why do I even know "gaadi chali baroda se jaane ko patna..main soi thi neend mein koi kar gaya kaam..kho gaya mera samaan oh dayya, kho gaya mera samaan.."???? See? I actually KNOW this song, it's lyrics, the tune...I hate that I have this knowledge. I feel like I've abused my own mind. I feel like I've been violating myself forever. Why the hell should you not judge me when I'm judgemental of myself? I think I'm so uncool. Why shouldn't you? I've banged my head in disgust, why shouldn't you bang my head in disgust? I think the word "judgemental" has been highly misunderstood and undeservingly hated by our generation. However much we want to deny it, our upbringing has been so as to know right from wrong. I don't know about you, but mine has. I have always been taught to think about things before doing them. Mom and dad have advised and their voices still echo "Would you do it if it was not the right thing to do?" So, of course, before anything is actually done, it goes into a mental algorithm where the input is the question and the output is a decision. Whether that decision is right or wrong in anybody else's mind, it usually is right in my mind. There have been times where I've known I was doing the wrong thing, but for patronizing, rebellious, selfish and selfless purposes, I have stuck by those decisions too. In reality, I hate work. I love work, but I hate to work. I hate the routine. I want to be home sleeping till late. I want to make orgasmic meals for SK everyday. I want to be a homemaker. I want to have lots of children and care for them all. I will make a great mother, I know it. I hate it that I'm forced to celebrate a big bonus when we gain patients. I hate it that I am in the business of healthcare. You have no idea how stone-hearted you need to become to think of sick people in terms of statistics to justify a financial budget. In the course of all of this, I know I will lose my real self one day. The things that I love, the things that I care about. What I would really like is to be at the bedside of my nearest living relative and care for them. Read to them, groom them, shape their eye brows, love them. I hate it that even though I know most people at work are jerks and I wouldn't associate with them outside of work, I have to pretend like I want to mingle with them at meetings. I have completely lost respect for certain individuals at work because they are constantly abusing verbally and get so obnoxious and silly when they're drunk. What the hell is this thing about people getting MPD when they're drunk? How come noone gets bothered by it as much as I do? I'm not going to break what I have going here. thoroughly enjoying this catharsis. Writing is so therapeutic for me. It takes away a great deal of stress. It's like gardening or cooking or something. I should do it more often. When I don't do it, my life gets all garbage like. Then I restart writing and feel wonderful even if I'm just a piece of shit. Yesterday we went to the Bahai temple again. I love that place. There are only 7 temples currently (one on each continent) and the North American one happens to be in our backyard in Wilmette. Lucky me. Because it is such a peaceful place. It's not about religion or God or anything cool or uncool like that. It's just about peace and how you can almost touch peace there. The temple is tastefully lit and is so pleasing to the senses. There's something about beauty, it can really be a thing of joy forever. I hope I become that beauty one day. It's the easiest thing. Think about this - for no contribution of your own, just because you have your parents genes, you look the way you do. Although, it is true that our own superficial beauty will fade with age and what will remain is our pathetic nature. Now that is a hard thing to acquire - beautiful nature. I mean think about it. You have to resist so much to be good by nature. It's difficult. I think if I had the choice to do exactly what I wanted, I would do this. Buy a large house. Lot of rooms, a huge kitchen, all attached baths. Get all the people I love to live in that house. All of them. Even if they touched my heart just once, they'd have an invite. And all the people in the house would have to be coupled, just so we could all have the pleasure of company all the time. There would of course be a short order cook. He or she would be the world's best cook. The house would have to be by the Arabian Sea because only the fish that live in those waters make for the best seafood ever. My mom's relatives from Goa would be sending in spices all year round as well. I would have all the movies and board games of the world in there. We would of course have a real movie theatre too. There would be a monthly magazine that I would have Mitali and Gouree copy edit. Yes, you two would be in that house along with your respective boys. The house would be plastered with flattering portraits of all of us so that if we ever suffered low self-esteem, let's just say we wouldn't. What else? Am I forgetting anything? Oh the most important thing. There would be an in house Walgreens. It would be open all the time. There would be little animals all around the house. I would finally get a pup and start to love dogs. I know they have the potential to win me. There would also be an African Grey Parrot in the house. I just want to live in Utopia. My Utopia, not yours. Anyway, before I reveal my entire sick self on a blog, I better stop.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:23 AM 7 comments Links to this post
Mar 31, 2008
Seinfeld EpisodeYes, folks. My life is one big Seinfeld episode right now. It's a perfect Seinfeld episode. You know how everything and everyone is connected in the sitcom right? The domino effect, the misunderstanding upon misunderstanding, the honest open conversations that get twisted beyond imagination, everything Seinfeld. At the end, all of the characters ending up in a jail cell even. That's one aspect I would like to avoid, but nothing is in my control. So if I'm killed, jailed, ostracized, remember this - It was never my intention to hurt anyone. I've been raised to love an respect and trust people. I have not been raised to cheat on my friends, spouse/s, parents or siblings. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Even murderers are innocent until proven guiltyFor the people who believe in "perception is everything"...if perception was everything, why bother with facts, evidence and the quest to find the truth? These same people had said,"The truth shall set you free". What they forgot to mention was that it could set you free provided you really believed there is a truth. If you're always going to pitch your own ego vs the truth, you'll always be the winner in your own eyes - but what good is that? How will you face yourself everyday knowing that you may have been wrong? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Passing Judgementis like passing gas, you just can't control it can you? It's in your DNA. You will pass judgement all the time, look me in the eye and puke "I'm not judgemental, you can talk to me"How then, am I a victim of a blog? My posts have been misunderstood by many of you. Stop it. Stop asking me "Are you alright?" just because you think one of my posts is disturbing. Just stop being curious about me. If you have a question, ask me directly, I will answer. And lastly, I have more hate in me today than I've ever had in my entire life. I hope it stays this way forever.Love you all.me
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:17 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Feb 21, 2008

Shoes Off Please!
Was watching Curb Your Enthusiasm and there's an episode that features me. I don't mean the real me, but someone like me. There's a lady who doesn't want people wearing shoes in her house. It's such a simple rule right? But you'd be amazed at how people react to it. Is it that crazy to ask people not to scrub my floors with their shoes? The shoes that have been licking chewed gum, smoked cigarettes, drops of piss, and God only knows what else. The classic is "But my shoes are clean!" Who do these people think they're kidding? Why is it so hard? As a kid I remember my parents' friends coming into the house with shoes - especially the ladies with their stilettos. My parents hated it especially because they had kids in the house. Although, the Indian custom is to not wear shoes inside the house, more Indians have a problem with it. My parents' non-Indian friends would religiously take their shoes off on their own, no questions asked. My parents still hesitate when asking someone to take their shoes off. I don't. I have to the right to ask you and you don't have the right to refuse while you are in my house, my temple, my sanctuary. And come on, I am an obsessive cleaner, you should know I could suffer a stroke if you even tried.
Just ask yourself this - Do I walk with my shoes on in my own home?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:25 PM 6 comments Links to this post
Feb 18, 2008
Jodhaa AkbarFinally, we watched the movie last night. Loved it.Just want to caution you though. If you're going to the movie with an objective of catching up on a history lesson, I suggest you go to a library. In terms of the language, the movie uses the purest of Hindi and Urdu, and (if you have same-same linguistic challenges as me) you will have to rely on captions to understand most of the conversations. I'm glad I was wearing my contacts. It is a long movie, and if you're the kind to pick faults with everything, that will be your biggest complaint. The lead actors were pretty capable of doing justice to the roles, and they did. I think controversy around the movie is the best way Ashutosh Gowariker can get people to watch the movie. Other than the direction, what impresses me about him, is his phenomenal casting. He recruits a supporting cast that appears seasoned, even though they may in fact be virgin actors. Go take a look for yourself!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:09 AM 4 comments Links to this post
Feb 13, 2008
Why so cynical?Once someone wrote a comment on a bulletin board against a very close friend. The comment was quite accusatory and controversial. It created ripples and every reader had fun at my friend's expense. A few years later, I learnt that my friend believed that I had written that comment. Hate using three thats in one sentence. He/she never made any real effort to trace who left that comment there. Although, our friendship hasn't been affected by this incident at all, it's scary what we will do for closure.What's amazing about humans is this. When you praise them, use positive language to describe them, they never believe you. When they hear from a stranger that you've said nasty things about them, it doesn't take much convincing and they readily believe that you could be capable of thinking those things about them. Why are we such a f***ing cynical race? Why don't we learn to believe in face value? Why are we always suspicious? Why do we think we're always dealing with backstabbers? Funny how I've spent years of my life with some people, and no matter how much I shower them with genuine compliments, words of appreciation, etc, they still think I dislike them.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:25 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Feb 8, 2008
"Why her?""Because she's here"...was the answer I got when I asked a friend why he was in a relationship with someone with no compassion, no courtesy, no warmth and no belief. Not that there's anything wrong with maintaining individuality. But the focus of this post is why someone is with someone else? I mean we're such a populated planet, and most of us could be right for more than one person. My curiosity isn't because Mr. A is with Ms. B and I want to be with Mr. A. My curiosity revolves around why Ms. B? Why not C,D,E or F? I couldn't have gotten a more honest answer. You are with whoever you are because they were there. If they weren't where you were, you wouldn't be with them, you wouldn't have met them. Unless. Unless it was an arranged meeting. But then we all know when something like this is arranged, it's unlikely to be romantic. Since we are all about romance and adventure, we want what we see. What we don't see, we can't want and so can't have. It's kinda pathetic. I mean I know that if I had intervened in many of my friends' lives, they would've been better off. But it relieves me to know that us humans are satisfied with what we have, in spite of knowing how much better we can have it.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 10:07 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Jan 29, 2008
Devil Wears OutSometimes you can tell how two people who've never met, will get along. May be you can't, I can. I have been on the dot with this intuition every time I've had it. It's almost always perception-based and I really can't take any kind of supernatural / calling credit for the ability to do so. In the recent past, I had one such intuition and knock on wood, everything's worked out just fine. Now, I have this really strong intuition about the same person and who she should date. Not that I want to play cupid or anything, because we all know what losers matchmakers are in their own life. To have the time to get two people together when your own life may be in complete disarray! God only knows how they live with themselves. So anyway, coming back to this girl, I know the perfect guy for her. They would get along like Angelina and Brad. But the girl I talk about is already with someone else and I would have to be the devil to even think of this. There, now that I have it out of my system, I feel lot better about not hooking them up.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:23 AM 5 comments Links to this post
Jan 26, 2008
The toughest sport of allThe pen is definitely mightier than the sword. You can interpret, misinterpret, represent and misrepresent so much in so little words. God only knows how many people's feelings I crush with my pen. I wonder if my mouth is more violent or my pen. Every time I make an obvious joke with my boss, I have to qualify it with a - just kidding. Not that he has a dead sense of humor, but American humor can be far from Indian humor and when you keep swinging between both outside of the script of a movie, your dialogues could cause a stink. Also, I think it's good that I've had a block lately, cos God only knows how many lives I've saved by not writing.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Oh I have to tell you about how I asked a really lovely woman if she was pregnant. I never do that, never. But, she looked like she was pregnant and I just had to be obnoxious about it - unintentionally. I continued informing her that she was pregnant in spite of her polite denial. Oh God, I hope she doesn't think she's overweight or unshapely because of me. I mean I don't want to be the cause of her thinking that. I have really done it this time!My life is over.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:28 PM 3 comments Links to this post
Jan 17, 2008
BB ho to aisa!I had wished for fresh banana bread. Soft, delicious, just out of the oven. I had longed for a true friend to make me some with less sugar and lots of love. Last night, my wish was granted. IS got me the perfect kind delivered to my doorstep. She's really great with baking. Last time, she fed us yummy chocolate cake. All my wishes might really be coming true then...
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 9:56 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Jan 16, 2008
Why we think about people we don't want to think about.I often wonder about the people I've met in my past life. Especially about the ones that have influenced me. Some influences have been negative, some positive. But I get influenced (to different degrees) by people I meet.Mostly, I wonder about the girls and boys that topped exams in school consistently. Wonder if they're still the best in what they do. The athletes in school - I wonder if they are still as lean or have they grown fat? What about competition? Did they really care or were they just doing what they could do and happened to be the best in that particular crowd?I also wonder about my crushes, ex-boyfriends, stalkers, and secret admirers. I Google them, but never with luck. So if I did end up with exactly where they lived, would I care? I admit I'm curious about them. Did they finally find true love? Are they happy? Are they leading a normal life? What about my stalkers? If I bumped into them someday, would they laugh at themselves? I sure hope not. Why do we do this? Why do we look for things that we don't need or want? What is this obsession we have over being so unsatisfied with the present even when it's all we had asked for? Why can't we just surrender? Why do I feel the need to ramble on and on every coupla days?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:28 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Jan 14, 2008
I may have said this beforeThere are two types of morons. Ones that illustrate self-identity and others that don't. When I meet someone who doesn't even know about their own capacity for moronic displays of affection, it hurts me. So much moron in so little a body I think to myself. The most fpq (frequently-popping-question) in my head at such times - is he/she a bigger moron than yours truly? This question never goes unanswered. Either one of us is quick to respond and no doubt remains as to who the last moron standing is. In recent times, I've proven to you, you and you, how stupid I can be. When I tell you I'm not judgemental, I mean I lack good judgement. I do. I really do. I know some of you have hearts of gold and have pardoned me. All I want you to know is, I'm the first of the moronic kind.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:09 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Jan 9, 2008
Mom said not to say the f wordThis year, I wont abuse even if in private.If I have to, I will use the literal meaning of cuss words.If I need to say "fuck", I will use "Intercourse off!"If the need of the hour is "piece of shit", I promise to use "You are nothing but a piece of stool."Say someone was being "bitchy", the best way to describe their behavior would be "She can be so female doggy style sometimes".If the moment produces a "fucking idiot", I'd rather " He's such an utterly foolish sexual partner."An "asshole" would be "That anal opening will never learn.".A "slut" would be "Once a dissolute woman always a dissolute woman".The one that rhymes with shunt (for some reason, I can't even type this one) would be "You vulva you." The "bastards" that cheat on my friends would be "Illegitimate children like MG are intercourse having sons of female dogs".
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:37 PM 4 comments Links to this post
Jan 7, 2008
Another Present PostI have this friend. Whatever I give her, she gives me back. She does add in a couple of things of her own once in a while, but everything that I've gifted her, and I mean everything, she has in turn, given back to me. I don't mean that she returns my presents, I mean she actually goes out to a store and buys me another one of what I bought for her. Had I not known her the way I do, I would've thought she was mocking me. Even with the clothes I wear, she buys the exact same and shares the excitement of "look what I found on my own!!" Sometimes, it's quite annoying actually. It's most annoying when I've thought about something for weeks and come up with a unique idea. She isn't one bit shameful for doing so either. Is it just me?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 11:37 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Has no one taught you moderation?Sometimes we love more than we should. Too much love leads to too many expectations.It expects perfect response to the perfect stimuli. Imperfect responses often bear the brunt of extreme emotion.Often, anger is the first emotion to make an appearance at the scene. In no time, it takes over. You do the unimaginable. The unimaginable turns into the irreversible.Don't forget it's all preventable.Learn to love less, everything in excess is toxic. Everything.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:13 AM 3 comments Links to this post
Jan 3, 2008
Testing mobile blogging
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 10:45 AM 0 comments Links to this post
PhD: What it's really all aboutIn the United States, people who want to pursue a PhD receive tremendous encouragement. There is a shortage of people who want to spend the rest of their lives dedicated to one topic. Some people pursue a PhD because they really want to delve into the depth of their singular interest. Some people think they'll land themselves a better paying job. Some want their Summers off. Some need validation. Some start and end their argument with "I have a PhD, I should know". Every time, someone says that, they tell me why they're doing a PhD. Refer to my July 19, 2005 post.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:40 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Powers of The Super PowerDon't get me wrong. I love the country. But some think it's perfect, so...Some random things:1. When I received my I-20 from the University of Houston (College of Pharmacy), it didn't belong to me. The person whose I-20 I had receieved, had in turn received my I-20. Fortunately, we had known each other and were able to exchange our documents on time. 2. All but two of our holiday cards came back to us because I had written the sender's address in the wrong order (in spite of the prominent "from" and "to"). Two cards did make it through because it was sorted by hand. Why sorted by hand? Because they were written in cursive. The machine couldn't read them. 3. During a visit to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the vending machines of two separate restrooms on the facility were out of tampons and sanitary napkins. The machine still ate all my quarters! A giant backward leap for womankind.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:34 AM 6 comments Links to this post
Jan 1, 2008
Wish you all a great 2008!!!it rhymes...
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 12:51 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Dec 14, 2007
Blind Man's BluffThe hardest thing to do is to call a blind man blind, without using the word blind.That's why the game should be played in an area free of dangerous obstructions.Otherwise the player will suffer injury from tripping over or hitting something.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:16 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Dec 10, 2007
Have you ever been under water for so long that you think you're dead? And every once in a while, you pop your head out for a reality check to see if you're alive. It's a tease. You've never let yourself breathe that fresh air too long, because you're afraid you'll be addicted and lose control. But it's there, it's always there for you. It doesn't ask for much. It makes you feel alive. It's good for you, but if it takes control of your life, it could be bad for you too.I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. Stupid is as stupid writes.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:04 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Dec 7, 2007
love is......him leaving the outdoor lights on for you on stormy snowy winter nights.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:00 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Dec 6, 2007
The highlight of my dayI had an 8 am meeting this morning. Who likes those right? But at least it wasn't like my other 7 am meetings. Anyhow, I get to the parking lot thinking if I got a good spot today, I'd feel rewarded. I get to the lot, even the third and fourth rows are occupied. Then, just as I was turning in, I see an illusion. A spot in the front row, right opposite the entrance - the closest spot ever! Anxious, I get to the front row and there it was looking back at me saying come and get me. I lay my wheels (rear side first) on the space and ahhhhhhhh I cannot express the joy, I almost had tears. The fifth and sixth row parkers walked by giving me a how-did-you-manage-that look. I'm ready to take on the world now. If I could get that spot everyday, I would be golden forever. No matter how much we hate him, there's a bit of Costanza in each one of us.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:03 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Dec 4, 2007
Amelie RaT and GB had given me a birthday present last year. Actually, they gave me two. They got me movies - Sleepy Hollow and Amelie. I watched Sleepy Hollow almost immediately, but couldn't find the right opportunity for Amelie. Last night, over a supper of mushroom omelettes, I met Amelie. Sigh. Guys, thanks for a wonderful time. No review, sorry, I don't do justice with those. Here are some pictures from last year... How can giving gifts make someone look so happy? This is how RaT looked that dayI was so thrilled. I miss his blue walls though. Oh and notice the flat hair day I was having?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:27 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Dec 3, 2007
Here's to a good lifeA friend recently told me something very nice. I hope you can apply it to yourself too and live a great life."If you put yourself down, others will do it too"Although, my friends have always tried to uplift me during difficult times, this is something that touched me.Thanks IS for this.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:09 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Nov 27, 2007
Dear friends,I may sound cynical, bitter and hateful this week. It's because I am. Please don't take any of my emails, chat conversations, phone conversations, guestbook comments, blog post comments personally. It's not you, it's me. I'm saying things without thinking first. Actually, I'm saying them as soon as I'm thinking them. The buffering is not happening. Sorry about it. It's best you didn't talk to me during this time. Thanks. -Ketaki
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:54 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Nov 26, 2007
You never forget your first timeI lived in India only 5 years. Living away from family makes me wish I got more packages from them. The only time that a friend sent me an overseas package was last August. MP of Educated Tatya sent me the top that I sport in the pictures below. She had no idea that I was a package virgin. Her kind act is now in my long-term memory. Even Alzheimer's can't take that away from me. I think I love Mitali. Is that wrong?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:13 PM 0 comments Links to this post

We posed with The Bean while NG recovered from the stretching.


NG didn't want to do this, so we stretched her. No ligaments or cleavages were torn during the taking of this picture.

Gimme a break, he's not that tall....he's on his toes..it's almost like he's wearing heels!

Sometimes we behave quite nice actually.

To see how we looked while gossiping.

We talked A LOTT even while SK snooped on us.

NG (left) has never had a bad hair day or a bad picture moment and always lives upto her last name - Gracias.
I have never called her Pavvali to her face.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you my best roomie and the reason I sometimes called her Tweety.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:41 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Life: it's origin, evolution and maintenanceThe above was the title of a Biology chapter in the XIth grade. I think it may have been the 2nd chapter in the text book. I have a birthday coming up. I will be turning 29 and I'm not looking forward to it. I don't remember how I "celebrated" my past birthdays. There's one birthday I recollect vividly. It was my 13th birthday and I was excited as hell. I was in the middle of VIIIth grade then. I was also head captain of "The Peacock House". Just as my classmates, batch mates and schoolmates have wondered about it for years, why I was made head captain still remains an unanswered question. You could be head captain only twice during your school years. It would either be the VIIIth or XIIth grade. And only 4 girls and 4 boys within the same batch were honored with the post. Many jealousies lurked around me. Some were friends and some weren't. I should mention that I have never been an honors list student. All the other head captains of all times had been on the honors list every year of their life. Frankly, I don't even know if it's honors with an apostrophe or not. Rumors were afloat that I was kissing boys behind school buildings, school buses and in "water garden". I had managed to earn a "reputation". The word was the gentleman's substitute for the word "prostitution" in my school. Anyway, at home, my phone was always buzzing with blank, prank, crank and crazy calls. My parents had gotten my sister a present that year and I knew I could expect one too. I don't remember my parents ever getting me a birthday present. I just don't remember. But that year, I knew I could count on one. I was anxious as hell. Just as my parents were stepping out to buy me something, the phone rang. To this day, I don't know what was exactly told to my mother over the phone, but I didn't get the present. They didn't go. There was no cake. No candles. No cards. No new clothes. Nothing birthday-like. Apparently, my parents were told about my so-called affairs. In Bahrain, there was no public transportation, no walking outside the house. So, I was either in school or with my folks all the time. All the time. My parents believed everything they were told cos I was after all now a teenager! People, I never kissed anyone in school, I never even touched a boy, I don't think I touched a girl either. Who cares right? But the point of this post is this. I still feel like I did when I was 12. I still feel like anybody will believe anything that's "not nice" about me. My insecurities have matured, but I still value what my parents think of me. If I managed to keep them happy this year, then it was a good year, if not, then too bad. I have always expected a surprise party on my birthday. The people in the party would only be the ones I care for. The presents would all be those that I've longed for. But never in my life of 28 years have I had a true surprise party thrown on my behalf. Today, I don't care for surprise parties. If you threw me one, I would think you were mocking me. What I really want, is to be left alone. Instead of one special day, I want all the other days of the year to be special, don't we all? But I shall buy myself something nice this year. I have no expectations of anyone and I hope it stays this way forever.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:28 AM 0 comments Links to this post
Nov 15, 2007
Of Marriage and AnniversariesDear Aai and Baba,Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary!! Some night last month..."Make sure you hold the toilet seat up" is the response I got when I told SK I felt like throwing up. This is love. Love for cricket. How? Cos the toilet seat holds him when he "goes", and he clearly doesn't fancy bits of barf sticking to his bottom, that warms the recliner he sits on, while the laptop warms his "ahem ahems" where he continues to read, watch, or play cricket!!!!!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:33 AM Links to this post
Nov 12, 2007
Two types of email repliersThe kind that replies normally and the kind that copy-pastes every line you wrote in a different font color and replies line by line. What is that second kind thinking exactly? Can you imagine a conversation with them?Isn't that like being verbally defensive?Someone I used to date did that. I, of course, converted him. Unfortunately, our conversations still follow the old pattern. I can tolerate this if people reply in this annoying style for professional purposes only.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 11:17 AM Links to this post
Nov 9, 2007
Have you noticed howevery secretary to the boss thinks she is the boss?This is a serious problem in corporate America. I can speak for America only because I haven't worked anywhere else. People will throw their weight around just because they are linked to the President, CEO, etc. I have been advised to stay in the good books of one executive assistant to the general manager, just in case. Can you believe it? People empowered with picking the best talent in the world, entrusted with driving billions of dollars' worth business, humongous financial budgets, may or may not be influenced by gossip! Years of being told to be nice to everyone, that we're all created equal, was BS, no, is BS. I may be liked or disliked by some just because my boss may or may not be liked by some. This is not a complaint. This is a report from the insides of a corporate jungle.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:17 AM Links to this post
Nov 7, 2007
Strange SourcesSometimes people do things that they do normally, and have the least bit idea what those actions might mean to the person on the receiving end..I've been on the receiving end in recent times and would like to share this here with you. I'm not accurately labeling what I feel with a single word, but I am trying...WorthyWhen I was in San Francisco this week, my school friend JM, took a Monday morning off just to be with me. He also sacrificed reading about India's victory over Pakistan (in spite of having watched the match live until the wee morning hours).Romance My Italian colleague PN, has toblerone sitting in his office perennially. He thinks it makes a good bribe for getting things done, and offers it to me every time I see him. Did I mention he is charming as hell?PrideMy heart does a virtual twirl every time HM calls me her best friend. Sister LoveIn SF, another friend KP, took such pains at providing me the things I wanted when I wanted them, that I felt like not seeing my sister for the last three years isn't really as bad as it feels.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:00 AM Links to this post
Oct 26, 2007
Hindi MovieWatched Bhool Bhulaiyaa last night. It was a pleasant surprise. That Vidya Balan seems to be really talented.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:15 AM Links to this post
Oct 24, 2007
I have nothingto sayto you.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:06 AM Links to this post
Oct 18, 2007
Chicago Cab DriversFor those of you that aren't familiar with the cab system in America, here's a brief. All cab drivers in America are supposed to be paid a tip. That may have been the case in Bombay too, but I wasn't willing to spend Baba's money on tips (in those days). Anyhow, every cab driver expects a tip where I live. Coming back to my story:The Nigerian The guy made no small talk. I was pleased. I asked, "How much?"There was no answer. Again, "How much is it?"Nothing.This time, loud and clear, "CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME HOW MUCH THE FARE IS?"The meter had run to 13.00 by then. I was annoyed and decided I wasn't going to tip him.After giving him a 20-dollar bill, I demanded to have the rest back.To which, I got a loud-head-out-of-the-window,"Next time, take a bus". I FOed him and walked away. The Somalian"What do you do?" he asked."Pharmacist" I muttered.He continued,"Really? I wanted to be a pharmacist too, but I just couldn't handle Chemistry."I faked, "Aww". Then he talked about how it was important for a cab driver to be safe and not get into accidents. How people would sometimes tell him to stop in the middle of the road and he had refused and not gotten his tip. He went on to say he had joined nursing school in hopes of being closer to patient care. A student cab driver? I decided he was most deserving of a tip than anybody in Chicago.The meter read 5.25 when I got off, I paid him 10/-. The IndianNo small talk. Nothing. It had been decided. He was getting a tip. I got off. Meter read 5 something, gave him 10. Walked away. He ran behind me with the change! I had to explain why I had let him keep it. Does a moral need to be spelled out?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:31 AM Links to this post
Oct 17, 2007
Spouse of HumorI think the only reason A married B was so they could sport a sense of humor. A constantly pokes fun at B in order to make their friends laugh. This wouldn't be uncool if it weren't the only thing A was doing to look funny. But it is, and A is uncool for doing this, and everytime the couple enters a room, they come across as one big joke.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:32 AM Links to this post
Oct 11, 2007
I know this guy...who's relatively easy on the eyes, makes a decent living, has good taste in women, is well-mannered, a decent conversationalist, fun to be with, really smart with numbers - where he also has had effective formal training...So, he's all these things right? But I read his blog, and it's just such a big disappointment. I mean if you were to judge him from his blog alone, he sounds, thinks and writes like a 10-year old! I've tried to ignore his blog because I try to see the good in people, but I keep going back to reading it, and I'm back to square one. It's funny how a completely different person seems to take over him when he transforms his thoughts to print. So much for not judging people and that too through their blogs!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:02 AM Links to this post
Oct 10, 2007
Movies, Masti, MagicHindi movies I've been waiting to watch on the big screen:SaawariyaOm Shanti OmAaja Nach LeJodha AkbarGod, please don't let me die before I get to watch these.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:17 AM Links to this post
Oct 5, 2007
October Fridays at workThis is the month of Halloween. To me, that translates to more free candy at every nook and cranny of the office. If you were to test my blood sugar levels for the month of October, they would be the highest compared to the rest of the year.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:24 AM Links to this post
Oct 4, 2007
StuffThis blog went "by invitation only" for a few reasons. I know I don't owe you an explanation, but it's just my nature to do so. Some of my readers had started to take things personally. Some would take them so personally, that they would focus more on the fact that I was saying those things. The essence of what was being said, was lost, and other than me, no one cared. I was really uncomfortable with the fact that anyone who could spell my name and use a search engine was reading my blog. I really didn't care until they thought they were reading me! How many times do I have to remind you that knowing my blog can never mean knowing who I am. Some of my characteristics do spill into my posts every once in a while. My humor, love for friends, importance of birthdays, etc., are some such ones. But still, if you want to get to know the real me, this place is not the short cut. For instance, here is something vintage:To get on my good side, spell and pronounce my name correctly. Why is this so important? Because, even though I was schooled in an "Indian School" outside of India, a majority (read 99%) of my classmates and teachers couldn't pronounce my name! It would regularly be butchered, and that led me to be ashamed of my name most of my life. Why should that be? Why should I be ashamed of my own name? I have told you how to say my name several times before. Ketaki - kay(as in okay)-t(as in tortilla)-key; Karpe - curr(as in curry)-pe(as in pen). Oh wait, you can't even pronounce tortilla correctly! So, if you can't pronounce something and I understand, why do you frown when someone says "Vhy" in place of "Why"? That pisses me off. You pretend like they said a cuss word or something. I mean how far is Vhy from Why? Do you have no room for accomodation?Sorry for causing so much anxiety over something that means nothing to you. But this is the real me. :)
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:22 AM Links to this post
Oct 3, 2007
How to say "No"SV and I were talking about how shameless some people can be. They've never been taught to ask. Or, they just never learned it. We've said "yes" to certain losers in high school, only because we didn't know how to say no. I've used "maybe" in certain cases, but SV didn't even know to do that. So, we obviously ended up making some bad decisions (unwillingly), the consequences of which have been traumatic at times. Some people will ask unrealistic favors, to which SV's often replied in the affirmative (because of the sudden shock). She realizes what a terrible thing she's done, but by that time, it's often too late. The "yes" is often "misinterpreted" to be a "commitment". We all like to be "men of our words", and now, not even the Gods can intervene. Ultimately, we end up wasting precious time just because we said a lousy "yes". Now, here's how I have handled such situations in the past. Cousin that never kept in touchOne of my cousin's who never calls me, called out of the blue to ask if my mom could carry a package for her back to India. I said,"I'll ask mom and let you know". That was that. She never asked again. I think you've accomplished more than what you set out for, when the person doesn't ask you to do the same thing ever again. Mid-life suffering divorced colleague One of my ex-colleague would always ask if they could touch my hair. I said,"no, not today". They asked about five times more, until I said,"no, never". The important thing to remember is, if you think that your relationship hangs on such weak threads, then it deserves to be reevaluated. Also, when you say yes, think about it for some time. Tell them you need time to think, before you say anything else. Think about how you would feel about asking the same favor of them. Would it devastate you if they said no? Most importantly, should you be friends with someone just because they think you'll do anything for them?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:17 AM Links to this post
Oct 1, 2007
Mahi
So, this little girl is Mahi. I tried to introduce her here a while ago, but here is her official debut. Besides being a source of excitement and enjoyment, she is the new reason for our frequent trips to San Francisco. She will turn 8 months in a couple of days. There are times that I don't like to be around Mahi - when she sleeps and when she cries. One time, I bathed her. It was so much fun. She's like a featherless chicken. She looks her best in white. Her other name is "Maheshwari", I don't like Maheshwari. Mahi is her official / passport name and that's how we shall all address her for the res of our life. She has entered a contest here http://www.star1013fm.com/pages/shining_star.html (# 288). Please vote for her.
Mahi has no ego and makes friends wherever she goes. She's not picky about who she poops on either.
For now, Mahi is vegetarian, however, I do plan on converting her to a carnivore when her mom's not looking.
Latest Update: After chewing on our carpet, my hair, my earrings, random people's clothes, every single cel phone, etc., Mahi got her first tooth last week. Yipeee!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:28 AM Links to this post
Sep 28, 2007
Say a little prayerNext weekend, two of my favorite roommates are visiting. ST is the chicken-cooking-meat-loving-fish-craving-hardworking-messy-hair-wearing one. NG is the loud-speaking-PhD-pursuing-boy-beating-hot-pant-wearing-no-damn-giving paovali. Can you imagine the house with all three of us in it? I can't now, and we lived together for 2 years!A list of our arguments include:Who should do groceries?Why they should be done.Ghosts, Gods, Animals, and Boys all in the same breath.Buying catalog shoes.How long before you should throw those out.Marinating dessert spoons in minced garlic-ginger jars. Why our fourth roommate was such a stuck up? - this was a short one Calling the cops on our all-night-partying upstairs neighbours. Facial hair - one of us insisted on keeping it. Stuffed Animals and their purpose in today's world.How you shouldn't bring hamsters home just because someone in your lab was going to kill them. The prayer would be for SK, thanks much.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:19 AM Links to this post
Sep 27, 2007
Last Sunday
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:56 PM Links to this post
LDRsLong Distance Relationships, just like everything else, are not easy. And I don't mean relationships with parents or siblings or friends. I mean the bond that we form with one special someone. I've had only one successful LDR. I suspect the reason for the success of that one, was a wedding. I have to salute those of you that are not in any sort of legal binding, and have stood through thick and thin in spite of physical separation. One of my friends has had a 5 yr LDR. Even marriages don't last that long! How do you make LDRs work? By making them work, I don't mean how to ensure matrimonial union, I mean how do you manage the phone calls, the weekend trips, etc.? Wouldn't friends or family joining in be considered sabotage? It comes across as being selfish, but the fact of the matter is that you don't want to end up feeling bad about not getting to spend quality time with each other. I would like to know how you made your LDR work. What did you do to keep the flame burning? Little things, big things, everything. I want to know about the sacrifices, the gains, the losses. Not being near your dear ones on special occasions - how did that make you feel? How did you cope with it? Were these things an issue for you, or is it just hype? Do you believe in LDRs? I don't.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:41 AM Links to this post
Sep 26, 2007
UNNNNFAIRMorning's news showed the 10 best companies in the Chicago area for working mothers [really, we still don't get real news here].I don't have anything against working mothers. My mom worked and if it weren't for her work-life balance, I would've turned out different. I guess. Anyhow, I feel like I'm being discriminated against because I can't make "genuine excuses". My coworkers that have kids will use "my kid is sick, day care is closed, day care called, our nanny left, the kids this and the kids that!" ALL the time. Frankly, I've had it with these people who think they are entitled compensation, just because they popped a baby. And also, the ones that encourage this by making policies that favor working mothers and fathers only. Why can't I get compensation for having friends? Why can't I use the work-life balance benefit for being married to a lazy one? Why can't I leave early because my best friend's birthday falls on a weeknight this year? Well, in my case, my boss is cool, so there are no real issues, but I feel guilty nonetheless. Also, what about those that can't have kids for biological reasons? Isn't a company "rubbing it in" by declaring their working-mother-favoring-work-life-balance policies? Tomorrow, I'm telling my boss that India unexpectedly won the 20/20 and I have to take the rest of the week off.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:12 AM Links to this post
Everyone's cursed/blessed with 24 hours per day, no exceptions. I'll do it when I do it.

Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:37 AM Links to this post
Sep 25, 2007
She Walks like a camel. Would like to live in warmer weather. Can swim, and is still afraid of the water.Sings in a stereophonic voice.Dances like there's no tomorrow. Fights for all things - small, big, medium.Argues till she wins. Is vindictive.Refrains from alcohol, tea, coffee and soda.Is addicted to milk, chap stick, coconut hair oil, water, SK, Internet, friends, shopping, movies. Never wants what she has. Is short-tempered and an obsessive cleaner. Plays mom when it comes to some of her closest friends. Is careless about money and material possessions.Believes in God - off and on. Fasts once a year.Grows a mustache easier than some of her guy friends.Never lets her fingernails grow.Loves food.Likes to draw attention. Is fascinated by long, black and thick hair. Loves travelling with her loved ones. Dreams big.Has fought with every roommate she has ever had. Can be cheap, depending on the people she's with.Uses only those, who deserve to be used.Is fascinated by intellect and intelligent people. Wishes she was less honest at times. No prizes for guessing who she is.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:36 AM Links to this post
Sep 20, 2007
Things I loved to doGo to school (middle and high).Stare in the mirror for long hours (after lunch and before cartoons at 5 pm), trying all sorts of hairdos.Watch "Murder She Wrote" on winter weekdays, while sipping some brothy soup.Looking down through the atrium, watching people who're unaware of the fact that I'm watching them.Studying with VM for an important exam, taking numerous breaks (the last of which would be ice cream softy at King Circle's "Seven Eleven").Being on the receiving end of ST's (the bestest roomie) cooking.Chatting on a messenger with SK for long hours even though we were just ten feet from each other. Reading Archie Comics. Listening to Granny's same old stories all night long.Just thinking of these things make me feel good.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:55 AM Links to this post
A NuisanceIt's the most convenient thing ever, I admit. Without one, I'd feel disabled too. But what happens when it becomes the source of constant expectations, disappointments, and guilt? We've all had friends and family constantly nagging about why we don't call them often. I can't even tell you the number of times I've been at the giving end of this one. Several times, I've been on the receiving end too. I can't describe what it is like to call someone just for the sake of it. Whether you care about them is a different issue. I'm only talking about reassuring phone calls, to let people know that they're not forgotten. Some use the phone to test another person's love for them. Some just don't understand that you can't be available when they have the time to talk to you. Unless you are the President of the United States of America, your engagements are invalid. Especially, if you have a cel phone, you are expected to hang one around your neck and answer it, even if just to say "I'll call you back". Honestly, I don't like talking on the phone very much. Actually, I don't like it at all. I like to call my friends on their birthdays, or to ask them directions, or to locate something on the Internet. Why should you spend your time talking to people on the phone when you have people you could attend to in person. The worst is when you ignore real people around you, just so you can be text messaging or phoning someone telling them what it is that you are doing at that very moment. Now, drop the phone down, relax and analyze why you need to be on the phone ALL the time.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:52 AM Links to this post
Sep 19, 2007
I was so wrong
Some watch every Bollywood movie in a theatre. A moving image on their television set, is all it takes for some to thoroughly enjoy a movie.
It's like when you eat enough of something, you develop a taste for it. Right.
In order to develop taste, please check out http://www.wajedafilms.com/. They've introduced certain actors as "Our Discoveries". Heck, you be one of those discoveries if you just tried. They've brought movies like " Jiyaala" and "Hero Wohi Jo Heroine Laye" to Indian Cinema (found under "Our Work" on the Web site). Please don't forget to watch the promos and focus on each dialogue while you're at it. There will be a quiz.HM says she can't not like ANY movie that comes out of Bollywood, now you see the reason?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:17 AM Links to this post
Sep 13, 2007
Birthday WishesIt's SV's birthday today! Ahem ahem, I wonder how young she turns ;)She is the funniest girl I've ever known. Happy birthday SV!!!Our friendship dates back to our wonderful days in Bahrain. We mostly bonded through our share of awkward crushes and I mean really awkward! Forget it, you wouldn't believe it if I told you. Among several funny episodes and stories, SV has given me two things that still make me laugh out loud every time that I think of them. The first quote relates to the fact that Nostradamus had predicted an end of the World by the year 1999 or 2000 or whatever. The year was 1993, while politicians and strategists and technologists were busy planning for the potential impact of the end of the world, SV's reaction was, "the saddest thing of all is that we wont even get to marry yaar..."The second relates to Hindi movies and how as Indian immigrant children on a tiny little island, we constantly fantasized Bollywood's reel life. She would be singing the most vulgar tunes, her favorite being - Sexy, sexy, sexy mujhe log bole.. She requested when she died, the song be played at her funeral, in slow motion complete with the sobbing and sniffles.I'm sure she doesn't remember this at all. But then, that's SV for you. She had to be reminded again and again and again that it was my birthday, even though she had flown across continents to be with me on that very day!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:59 AM Links to this post
Sep 10, 2007
I have a few requests
Please watch the Indian movie "CASH", just watch it
Please don't call your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend your better half..some of your halves are not better than you, they are not even as good as you, they are worse, much worse, much much worse
Please stop being nice to everyone but me, I appreciate consistency more than anything
Please stop talking in circles, you'll never get what you want, when you want it
Please do a spellcheck until you get a "No misspellings found", before you make your posts public, spellings are an important part of growing up
Please get a massage when you feel like you need shoulder surgery, if you save money, you save money - this is no downside
Please don't think this place reflects me in anyway, I'm much simpler or much complicated than this - depending on which way you get to look at me
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:36 AM Links to this post
Aug 30, 2007
Wise Men Saythat in order for a relationship to be successful, you gotta learn to let go of the small things. By small things they mean - leaving the toilet seat up, wearing shoes inside the house, and all such domestic matter. We should constantly try to focus on the big picture, just like at work, or anything else that we're passionate about. I agree with the recommendation made here. It's challenging to not let yourself get wound up. Ask yourself - will this matter 10 years from now?* Heck, ask yourself if it'll matter 10 hours from now. Most likely, it doesn't. According to a recent study, boyfriends did more of something than did husbands. That something my friends, is housework. Husbands tend to imagine their wife not just the mother of their kids, but also their own mother. Isn't that sad? My point is, research and speculation make marriage sound so unappealing. I want to know if the investigators of such studies are married and if so, are they happily married? When it comes to human relationships, does it really matter what research says? If we are all unique, then so are the relationships we nurture. Please, don't let data dump on your relationship. *credits AP
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 6:59 AM Links to this post
giB slriG t'noD yrC
s'tI eno fo esoht syad niaga. I leef ekil er'yeht gniklat ot em ylno ot eugra dna eergasid. ynA ecnetnes I trats t'nsi dewolla na dne. ebyaM yeht leef eht emas? I tsuj tnaw ot og emoh.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:23 AM Links to this post
Aug 28, 2007
Time DamageThe other day, I went to meet a friend who I hadn't met for about 7-8 years. We grew up together, went to the same school, took the same bus, played with the same friends during the holidays, and had a crush on each others' friends at the same time. I drove about 2 hours to get to the place where they were. Didn't think anything of the drive until...until I was given a cold hug and a not-so-excited-to-see-you "hey". Never again, will I go out of my way like that to meet someone who may have changed with time. Never again. ------------------------------My Kinda CrowdLabor Day Weekend is coming. Yes, friends. It's that time of the year again. We will be meeting up with five other couples, three of whom have babies! Even though I can't quite comprehend how people do it all, I love being around infants and toddlers. They never judge me. I also like being around the above 55 crowd. I love them, they love me. We get along like peas and carrots. Don't get me wrong, I like being around "my age people" too, but sometimes I feel like I'm being judged all the time when I'm with them. I know the above 55 crowd can be quite judgemental too, but they have low expectations. A home or two, a car or two, one husband, some babies, a smiling face, Marathi speaking skills, culinary delights, religious beliefs, etc. are enough to please them. Right.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:31 AM Links to this post
Aug 23, 2007
Two people spelled my name "KATAKI" today. I'm really hurt.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:31 AM Links to this post
Don't you wish the week ended already? I do. I want, no, I need - 2-3 weekends to incubate the couch and do nothing else. There's so much to be done this week. Don't know how it's all going to come together. I don't even really have anything to talk or write about. I know you can tell, that's why I say it. I wouldn't admit to the things I lack that you can't see of me. I'm not stupid. I don't remember the correct use of prepositions anymore. I need a grammar refresher real bad. -----------------------------------------------------DogsYou know how I always thought I hated dogs? Turns out, I dislike some of the people who are in love with their dogs. I don't hate dogs at all. I think I could like them. In fact, if I got a pup, I'd be fine with dogs for the rest of my life. I did ask my parents for a "pet" all the time. But with both parents working, I refused to walk the dog if we got one. I mean I like them all until they make poop. Then you have to watch it, may have to smell it even, and of course pick it up! Another excuse that we were given all the time for not getting a dog was this "when it dies, you will be heartbroken and hurt, we had a dog and when it died, we didn't eat for days" I think that approach built a weak pain-threshold in both of us. We can't bear pain. I'm taking the liberty to speak for my sister. We can't deal with death. We are devastated when we lose something (material or otherwise). I lost a goldfish last week, and I'm still not over it in the real sense.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:49 AM Links to this post
Aug 21, 2007
Blog Access UpdateI've gotten very few (no surprises there) requests for access to Same Page.On my own, I may add those that I know of that are regular visitors here.For the rest, August 24th, 2007 [12 am CST] will be the last that this blog will be up for public access.You can email me before or after that day, for access.To tell you the truth, I'm still thinking I shouldn't go private, but then there's things you have-to-not-do and things that you-want-to-not-do. :)
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 5:21 PM Links to this post
Aug 20, 2007
Wonderful or The Most Wonderful?This one's bothered me for a long, long, long time now. I don't think that it continues to bother me anymore, but I do think about it every now and then. By mentioning it here, I hope to get it out of my system forever. Someone had once called me "The Most Wonderful Girl". I know it didn't mean that I really am/was the most wonderful girl in the world, but still, coming from the person who said it, it meant the world to me. So anyway, some months later, I learnt that the exact same expression was used to describe another person (by the same person). I didn't think that there could be two of a kind in the same person's life. I mean barring "best friend", there can't be another "kindest", "sweetest", "most sincere" person in your life. Or can there? I got up one morning and thought of this idea that we should use to classify our friends. Just for our own purpose. So the idea is to label our friends using just one adjective. This is a scrapbook thing, so we would need a nice picture of the friend and then the caption would be their name, and one adjective that you would use to describe them. I'm thinking of describing them using their most prominent quality. So, for instance, if I thought that a certain friend of mine was the most polite friend I had, then there, that would be their title in my scrapbook. Get it? The quality could be good or bad. You could describe a friend as "The Most Arrogant Friend" too. Then you have to tell your friend that you think of them like that and only if they "accept", which is when they sign their picture in your scrapbook, that label/title/whatever becomes valid. I know I've digressed as usual. But my point is this. When you label me as something, please think of anybody else you know in your life that may deserve that title more than me. If and only if, there isn't anybody else, and of course if I see the title befitting, I shall accept the title.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:16 AM Links to this post
Aug 14, 2007
Dear you, I felt like I cheated on you by depriving you of this page for a couple of days, without warning. From now on, only my friends will have access. If you are a friend, and want to continue reading me, you're gonna need to send me a gmail id that I can send an invite to. Sorry for the inconvenience. You have about 10 days starting today.-KSK
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:20 PM Links to this post
Aug 11, 2007
I'm So PettyDo you ever just wake up and think,"Thank God, it was just a dream!"And then, reality happens. It's you against them. Them is the whole world. Your whole world.Everything that could've gone wrong, does. Nobody trusts you because they never have. Nobody believes you, they don't want to. None of the good things matter. All your flaws are magnified. Something that you did wrong somewhere in the 3rd grade catches up with you when you're fifty. Someone told me today,"It's never the big things. It's always the little things. The little things that bring people joy can also take that same joy away." I think that was an awesome thing to put across. I really needed to hear that. It's like if I lose a million dollars at a lottery, I cry for a minute and forget about the whole thing. But when I lose 2 cents extra per gallon of gas, it really feels like a stab in the heart. We are petty, petty people.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 1:00 PM Links to this post
Aug 8, 2007

Last Spring, I went to Hollywood, Florida. This was my view. All I could hear in that room, was the ocean. Sigh.
I used my cel phone to take this. See my first Youtube video here.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 1:30 PM Links to this post
Aug 6, 2007
HM's Happy BirthdayIt ease my good frand HM's happy burday today. I theenk she becoming twunty saiven, not hundraid per sant shoore. Navadayz, we only playing phone tag vith ich other. Not liking this vay. I am thinking to buy present for her. Ainy ideas you hawe?? Please public, send ideas. Vill app-ri-tiate wery much.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:39 AM Links to this post
Aug 1, 2007
080107Eight one seven is the number of the day. If you rent or own an apartment, have a phone number starting/ending, live in a zip code, had a meeting at this time, have a birthday, or spent money with these numerals in this order today, you have a bright future ahead of you. Unless. Unless you manage to screw up and throw it all away again.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:24 AM Links to this post
Jul 30, 2007
I want......to own shoes of all colors and fabrics...to call my friends everyday and tell them how much they mean to me...to have great hair days, not just great hair moments ...to make a list of all of those who have had a crush on me, and all of those who I have had a crush on, to see which one's longer...to play myself and others around me, in slow motion, when I feel like a romantic moment...to tell you so much, but am afraid you may not understand
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:37 PM Links to this post
Jul 25, 2007

I am Famous!On July 19th, 2007, around 8 am, PA sent me an email titled "Femina issue featuring you is out". Here is the article. Everyone, get your August issue of FEMINA. An autographed copy is not an unrealistic expectation if/when we meet. ;)
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:14 PM Links to this post
Jul 16, 2007
I hope you don't mind that I invited myselfSome complain when not invited.Some invite and complain.Some complain and uninvite.Some invite, complain and re-invite.I invited, they didn't show up, can I complain?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:00 PM Links to this post
Jul 12, 2007
The NinetiesThe Educated Tatya sends me down memory lane with this.In our Bahrain house, my bedroom wall, dedicated to Young Times of Khaleej Times and Junior News of Gulf News posters, lies untouched! Dad doesn't take the posters off even during the yearly wall-painting ritual anymore. Let me see if I can remember who all are on there - NKOTB, Kylie Minogue, Danni Minogue, Jason Priestley, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jason Donovan, Jason Donovan and Jason Donovan. Don't remember the rest.Of course, I had a separate board for Madonna posters. It's still there too.
If I ever found a poster at a friend's place in a magazine that I was not allowed to have at home, I would first tear off the poster and then ask the friend, "Do you mind?"
Jason Priestley and Luke Perry lost their boyish good looks somewhere. I had forgotten about Donovan until I read M's post. Now, let's Google him and see what's become of him. to be contd.......
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 8:40 AM Links to this post
Jul 10, 2007
Indian GiverSo this morning, as I was driving to work, there was this show about ex-lovers and expensive gifts airing on the radio.The question was "If you split with a lover, would you return their expensive gift/s?" The particular case at hand, was of a man who had bought a 750 dollar-Coach handbag for his girlfriend on her birthday. They had dated for only 2 months till that point. Then 3 months post-Coach handbag, the girl dumps the guy. They guy asks the girl to return the handbag. I don't know what the right or wrong thing to do here is, but, if I give you a gift, it's yours forever. If you give me a gift, it's mine forever or until the day you asked me to return it. My instinctive reaction would be til load the bag with rotten fish, soak for a few weeks and then sure, return it. But if I thought about it, I'd just write you a check for 750/-.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:29 AM Links to this post
Jul 5, 2007
The Butterfly Effect
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:05 PM Links to this post
An Unbalanced EquationYou watch a show like "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?", and a 50-something adult can't get the right answer to "Does North America lie in the Eastern Hemisphere?", and I think "tch tch tch". I try to give that adult as much benefit of doubt as possible. After all, when you're put on the spot like that, you could forget your own name, right? You think: Was it the teaching style of the 60s and 70s? Does it have anything to do with the pre-Internet era that those kids belonged to? The food? Couldn't be..I mean theirs is the generation that realized the potential for noticing and appreciating the philosophies and subtleties of movies like The Guide, The Way We Were, unlike those that will settle only for state-of-the-art-post-Matrix movies, they read and wrote classics, they invented, they sacrificed, they did things for the greater good. So why doesn't it still fit the equation?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:35 PM Links to this post
Jul 2, 2007
I Had A DreamAnd it came true!Last Saturday, SK and I went to summerfest. I got to yellsing Iris with The Goo Goo Dolls! Can you imagine my ecstasy? I live for moments like these! Cause I don't think that they'd understand...
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:58 PM Links to this post
To Think or To DoI firmly believe that there are those that think, think, and think more. They sometimes end up not doing because the opportunity has already gone away. My thing has been to always do first, think later. I don't remember thinking hard about anything as much as before going to get a haircut.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:40 AM Links to this post
Jun 21, 2007
Less than a shoulderI've said this before........Sometimes we don't need a shoulder to cry onWe don't even need to live or die togetherAll we can be thankful forAre those that are by us when we need them the mostMost days, our life lacks dramaThere are no rules to breakNo sacrifices, no tears, no controversiesWe can have anything we wantBut some of the people that would've made us laugh that extra littleSome we'd have cried forSome of the people that we'd give anythingAre missingSorry, can't finish this one at this time.....
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:28 AM Links to this post
Jun 14, 2007
Open Your EyesSo someone I know is dating someone I don't know.It's none of my business really.But the one I know is hot, hot, hot on all levels known to man and womankind.The one I don't know seems like a mismatch for the one I know (superficially speaking). So I say to PK: I think she's too much for him, I mean he's too less for her...PK: Love is blind.Me: True love is not blind, infatuation is. If you don't do something with your eyes open, you're doing something you may regret when your eyes do open. PK: As long as you click, it's enuff yaMe: Yeah, but click with your eyes open, the pictures will be better.PK: heheheEven though the above conversation was based only on superficial aspects, in reality, I'm implying attributes that are not just skin deep. All my little cousins, you better be listening!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 7:44 AM Links to this post
Jun 12, 2007

HM and I went to Miller Brewing Co. in Milwaukee. It's actually pretty cool.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:17 PM Links to this post
Jun 11, 2007
Two-way MisinterpretationDon't you think some words are completely misrepresented by some people?I'm talking about two-way misinterpretation. Where you say word X because you think it means Y. In the dictionary, word X does not mean Y. But you've known it to mean Y all your life. Your friends and their friends have used the word exactly as you use it. Movies and sitcoms have used the words like you too. Or so you thought. Now, as long as there's two-way misinterpretation happening, it's all good. Negative crosses negative.However, when a few use words in their correct context, they run the risk of being misunderstood. As you all know, misunderstanding is the biggest evil out there.So, some such words are:Cute - most people think they're paying a compliment when they use this oneBusy - people think this is another way of saying "I'm so important, get out of my way"Couple - some think it represents more than two Sadist (even pronounced incorrectly sad-ist) - I don't even know how to tell the story of this oneGoggles - are different from your everyday sunglassesScent - I suspect you've been thinking of this as a bottled perfumeOne piece of advice - your kids are going to count on you to teach them correctly, please go buy a dictionary first.
And that's all we have for our English lesson today.
Don't you guys just love it when I go knit-picking with the intent of changing the world?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:34 AM Links to this post
Jun 7, 2007
NowI'm a big promoter of the word. I need everthing done with reference to the above mentioned word. My moods and feelings and thoughts and opinions are ever-changing so I have to qualify everything I say with "that's what I say/feel/think now". It's also an important word for men, I mean when dealing with men. If you want them to do something, you have to say "now". I think it's only the most important word in the English language.Noone can tell what follows now. It's always "Now's the time", never now's arch rival "then".Every now and then though, the two hang out. It's a love-hate relationship. If by now you haven't realized that you've wasted your time reading this post, you won't ever.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 3:47 AM Links to this post
Jun 6, 2007
Ideal Men, Cigarettes, or InfidelityA friend and I were talking about ideal men and how cool it would be if they weren't limited to just fantasy.In our world, an ideal man does not drink alcohol, abuse, or smoke (cigarettes, weed, etc). Not that there's anything good or bad there. Anyhow, this is what we were raised to believe even though quite a few elders carried the habit themselves. When she said, "he has the worst habit in the world!" I thought she was talking about infidelity. "Cigarettes!" she said. Ah, can get a man to be monogamous, but taking his cigarettes away, isn't that a bit too much?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:01 AM Links to this post
Testing
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 1:57 AM Links to this post
Jun 5, 2007
BSBLAA* wishes OSRemember the one who would go around town asking people to wish them? "It's my birthday! Wish me!" What can you say about such people? They love life. You feel alive around them.OS is one such boy, well actually he's a man now.Our little darling turned 22 on Jun 4th. Too bad I couldn't put this post up on time. The place that puts bread and occasionally frozen entrees on our table has decided to block blogger. So, here's wishing the boy who, to me, looked exactly like my little sister, complete with soft curls, layers of Johnson's baby powder and really thick diapers (hey I was just 6 then) - A Very Happy Birthday!!!!*Big Sisters' and Brother-in-Laws' Association of America
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:41 PM Links to this post
May 24, 2007
My Houston best friend is visiting!!!! Seeing her after a whole year!!!!!!Have a safe Memorial Day weekend everyone. See you later.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 2:40 PM Links to this post
May 23, 2007
LoveHow do people who love each other, stop loving one another?Notice I didn't use the words "suddenly stop".I have heard of a lot of my friends breaking up lately. Married coupled that got divorced, unmarried ones that got "out" of their relationships. It's all fine. Whatever makes them happy. The only thing that bothers me is this - how can you stop loving someone?Obviously, you justify yourself by use of expressions such as "it was nothing but an infatuation/fixation", "just really liked her/him", "I wasn't thinking right", "he was too ambitious", "she wasn't really happy with me", "we fell out of love". It's all okay, I'm sure you're feelings and reasons for not staying together are genuine. But when and how does love die? Because that is the word you had used when you were together remember? You had said "love". You didn't think twice before using the strong word. So, all my friends and the strangers that read my blog, I ask that you not misuse the word "love". Love is forever. It can't be switched off. It just can't.
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 1:21 PM Links to this post
May 22, 2007
The disadvantages of being married:Parents take whatever's left (in our case my younger sister) on a Europe tour.We have to buy everything in neutral/dark colors.I've acquired some of my husband's disgraceful ("it's a man thing") habits.Watching TV together gets difficult by the day (and worse at night).Advantages of staying married:Parents leave you alone.We must buy everything.It's better than him acquiring feminine habits.Why would you watch TV at night?
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 4:22 PM Links to this post
May 21, 2007
The stars are not where they belong...
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 1:42 PM Links to this post
May 19, 2007
कृपया कुर्सी कि पेटी बांधे और धूम्रपान बंद करे धन्यवाद!
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 9:32 AM Links to this post
I'm Back!!The most embarrassing thing (in public) ever happened. Since it isn't something I can hide from you like the other embarrassing things, here's what happened.I wanted to delete my Orkut profile and I ended up deleting my Blog!!!!This goof up speaks volumes of my computer savvy-ness. I know.Such is my life.A prince in shining armor rescued me. Now, don't assume it was SK. The prince who saved my life is none other than Anil of AA. Another prince - UK of Slice by Slice, sent me an archive site that has a back up of all the Web sites of the world. The Educated Tatya also jumped in. Guys, you all rock! Thanks soooooooo much।
Posted by Ketaki Karpe at 9:03 AM Links to this post
May 9, 2007
Truth About The TruthI know I had said to "expect delays", but whatever.Remember how I had talked about some people who didn't allow mirrors in their homes because they said they saw ghosts? The point of that post was that some people go great lengths to prove a point. It really doesn't matter what the truth (and we all know there is no such thing) is. I mean if you believe in something, there it is. That's all you need. That's the truth for you and it's how you know it. Sometimes statistics and your version of the truth don't go hand-in-hand. That's okay too as long as you can provide justification. Justification not to me, but to yourself. It's whatever helps you sleep at night. Speaking of which, am I the only idiot who thinks going to bed early will allow me to sail through my work day and more?
Mad BusyAs of April 23rd, Mad has gotten busy. She has hadn't had time for anything. She will return your phone calls, emails, scraps, offline messages, guestbook messages, etc. as soon as she catches her breath. Until then, expect delays.
Apr 26, 2007
No RecommendationThere are two types of people: the ones who are good at something and the ones who're not. This non-issue becomes an issue when the second group thinks, no knows that they belong to the first group. I mean how do people praise themselves? And why? I can make an exception if they're in an interview or running for office, not any other place! Not any other place. Let your work and conduct speak for itself. If I think you've done a good job, I'll let you know. Don't call me. I don't subscribe to your self-praise. On a separate note, I have come to realize that when your closest friends have babies, some is forgiven and all is forgotten (you all know about my love for procreation). The one coming-soon-baby that I'm excited about is S&S's little one. June seems too far away though.
Apr 25, 2007
Happy Birthday H and K!
Apr 22, 2007
Happy Birthday GB!
Apr 19, 2007

By Demand....

Apr 18, 2007
Of Handmade Gifts
So I took The Educated Tatya's advice and made this for Mahi. It's not perfect, but I pride myself for not losing a single stitch. It's my first big knitting project (baby blanket).

Picture courtesy SK
Apr 7, 2007
Night at Uncool 'sUntil age 15 or so, I thought our family was incomplete because I didn't have an older brother. I so wanted to have a possessive older brother. A brother who would beat up the bullies in school. I also wanted to have an older brother so his friends could hit on me when I was ready or bored. I thought if I had a sexy older brother, all the popular kids in school would want to make friends with me. I thought a smart older brother would ensure my position as teacher's pet too. You all know I don't have a brother - older or younger. I have a sister. A little one. I forgot about her for the time that I was busy thinking about how I could get my parents to bring home an older brother. Then there were those who fell in love with my "cute" little sister. They would want to babysit her and bring her presents. I piled on too and realized having a sister wasn't as bad as I made it out to be. And we live happily ever after. I feel guilty for my last post. :( All I was hoping was for some of you to realize that you have more than what you don't have. I know you think it's uncool to have anything, but you do have lots and denying isn't going to let you enjoy it while it lasts.
Apr 4, 2007
Sweet Somethings In the end it all comes down to how they make you feel, not about yourself, but how you felt when you were with them. Ever since I've known, I've been surrounded by people who love me. Mom and dad, grandparents, sister, parents in law, friends, relatives, random people, and my husband. There have also been people I haven't really spent too much time with, and who have been especially nice to me. My parents have always been supportive of everything I decided to take on and they are the only reason I am who I am. I always wondered about why daddy didn't get all of the "cool" automatic options in his 1983 Mitsubishi Tredia. A couple of days ago it struck me. He probably didn't get them so I could have them when I bought my first car. So he could afford to pay my fees until I finished graduate school! I've also wondered about the aunt who let me address her as an "auntie" in spite of being only 10 years older than I. My aunt's ignorance made me feel like I had family on an island that was actually pretty far away from actual blood relatives. Mom always said that a meaningful gain could be made only if a sacrifice precedes it. The gains (material or immaterial) that my life has shown me today are because mom and dad made huge sacrifices sometime. When I sit back and think of my life, it is these people that make me feel like if everything were to end today, it wouldn't be so bad. Relationships are an important part of my life. I hope that I haven't hurt anyone with my sense of humor and sarcasm. At least nobody that I care about.I've met more and more of atheists today than I did when we were kids. I wish God had worked these people the same miracles that he did for me. I don't know why I'm writing about this (time of posting 1:21 AM). I feel like I've written enough for the cynics out there. It's time to tell you why I believe in love, God and other small things.
Apr 2, 2007
Lets do Pet PeevesIs there anything more annoying than people who make their presence felt by pure mastication? Is there? Tell me what your pet peeve/s is/are and I shall publish them here. Anonymous ones are welcome too. Email me at ketakisk1 AT Yahoo DOT Com
Apr 1, 2007
This review makes me want to watch The Namesake. Thanks KK, you did many a service!
Mar 27, 2007
Cereal FillerOne day, somewhere under my nose, Kellogg's stopped putting in almond bits in their Fruit Harvest cereal and offered no explanation / apologies for the same. It is the only cereal I eat, I continued buying. Since an issue wasn't made by the deceiver, it took me a long time to realize the almonds were missing. It's too late now. I would have to be crazy to whine about it now. I feel violated. What should I do?
Mar 26, 2007
All, I have received 3 forwards already on the roles that you think the Indian Cricket Team will take on in the future. Please, no more. Thanks.
Confessions Part 2- Why do people school their children through vernacular schools? I do not approve.- My current favorite destination is Pt. Reyes in California.- I've spent all the summers of my life in Bombay until I turned 21. A BIG thanks to mommy and daddy.- There is such a thing as "an uncute baby".- I can't fake compliments.
Mar 21, 2007
NoteEverytime I think of writing about something that annoys me (and therefore should universally be considered quirky), I meet the kook that practices the very habit I was thinking about. In an effort not to come across as impolite, I have to try to get really creative while writing about it or just forget about the whole thing. Chronology can ruin everything for me through this blog you know. I mean if I wrote about event A before it happened, it couldn't be taken personally and therefore no offense could be taken. ----------------------------------------------------See Ghosts?All my life, I've been hearing about people who see ghosts (so this one's not about you, just someone I heard of). Never in my life have I ever personally known anyone who's seen ghosts. Or may be they didn't tell me. Whatever. So, one recent gossipy night, once again I heard about the one who sees ghosts. You hear of these people, you give the eye-roll, you move on. Well, this one's home has been frequented by a trusted friend. My friend tells me she saw no mirrors in the house, none. Since a lady also shares the home, that was definitely shocking. So, my questions is: how far are you willing to go to prove to people that you don't see ghosts? You say you don't believe in them, you explain it's another creation of the uneducated ancestors. When you do see your first ghost, I will be there all dressed up to congratulate you.
Mar 19, 2007
Finding a JobSomeone said,"finding a new jaab is like finding the boyfriend".That's a fair comparison I thought. After all, you need to really enjoy what you're doing. On a separate note then, doesn't it make sense to line up a prospect before you dump the old one? Warning: Some period of "double-booking" is inevitable in this case.
Friend, Job, GameI'd written about my long lost "best friend forever" here. We've been talking on the phone every night and some days too. We've been meeting up regularly. Living 50 miles apart, hasn't gotten in the way at all...:)I'm watching World Cup Cricket 2007 (only India). I realized how much I've missed out on by abandoning the cricket scene for a long time. Yes, I was one of those who lost interest after the match-fixing scandals. I think I'm over it now. It's your loss if you're still not. I also managed to change jobs in the middle of all of this!! I shall start work sometime in April...so until then I'm doing nothing other than completing the hundred-pound paperwork.This should account for my time away from you. I've missed being here real bad all through. I think it's become another dimension of social interaction for me, this blog.
Mar 13, 2007
I am not dead. Very much alive.Just have some things happening all at once. You all know how that is...Will update soon...
Mar 2, 2007
Khatta MeethaI've discovered that I can endlessly eat if what I'm eating constantly swings between two extremes. That would mean hot and cold, sweet and sour, hot and sweet, etc. Literally and no-so-literally. Literally - a sizzling fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream. In life, it becomes easier to handle situations when you get a regular helping of what you want and what you think you could do without. It would be hard if all you're ever getting is kind and polite and good manners and appreciation. It would be difficult then to deal with any negativity that came unannounced and unexpected. The same goes for the unfortunate ones who're always hated and suspected of theft and stereotyped and unloved. If they got unexpected kindness, why wouldn't they take it with a pinch of salt? I think it's important to have mixed feelings all the time. If you're healthy, you should be unhappy with your chin. If you're rich, you should be worried that it may all go away one day. It keeps you motivated. It keeps you challenged. It kicks you in your face to tell you "there's always room for improvement". Mood - BittersweetSong - Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
Feb 27, 2007
ISAs in my childhood friend IS. We got along really well when we did. It didn't take much for us to realize that we were going to be friends forever. One summer day in Bahrain, we stopped talking. There were plenty of others in the gang and it split right along the middle. Nobody asked why. Over the years I've tried to find her. I've googled her. I've dogpiled her. Nothing. Yesterday, I opened an email. It was her! She had found me! Thirteen years. We talked on the phone for an hour. We tried to figure out why we wasted thirteen years. We still don't know. Which means the truth is that there was no reason. Isn't it funny how we never stop to ask ourselves "what went wrong?" fighting cold wars, etc. I think I may have come to understand how man sometimes does things out of habit and forgets why he started doing them in the first place. Thus proving how comfort can be a bad thing too. Oh and the reason we spoke on the phone for an hour is because IS lives less than 50 miles from me and we are meeting soooooon......Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy---------------------------------------------------------------------------On a separate note. Some of you are doing great things in the software / hardware / internet / computer field. I hope that you think of better names for search engines. Dogpile. Ugh! It sounds like you know what.
Feb 25, 2007
ConfessionsI don't believe in awards of any kind. It's not such a letdown then that in 28 years, I haven't won any.I am glued to the television set as of 7 pm CST today (love watching the Oscars).I knit. I've never tried to smoke a cigarette. Although it's been on my "things-to-try" list forever.I can't live with a phone that doesn't have caller id.I spend a lot of money on formal clothes and next to nothing on casuals.I used to be addicted to branded goods until I got my own pay check. At least not addicted anymore.I don't like medication. I don't believe in ADHD. It's an excuse for bad parenting.I believe in love.
Feb 20, 2007
It's hard to say anything when you're being taken literally. Like the time I said "I hate animals!" Come on, I don't hate all the animals out there..only the ones in my vicinity. The wolves that dress as sheeps. The chickens in eagle's clothing. The pigs that wear cat fur. I'd prefer if you wore nothing at all. I'd prefer if you could be yourself even if just for a day.
Feb 15, 2007
If you happen to stand behind me at a grocery store check out line, it is more than likely that mine is an overflowing cart. You may have stopped for just a pack of cigarettes or toothpaste. Don't expect me to give you my spot. I have given it to you too many times before. Not now, for every minute of my life is important too.
Feb 9, 2007
JM's happy birthday today!Happy Birthday J!!!! Hope you've taken the day off. Will talk soon.
Feb 8, 2007
Corporate VultureJ is in her late thirties, has a husband and a daughter. J turns up an hour before and stays five hours after the office shuts down. J always takes work home, comes in to the office on weekends, holidays and sometimes even on her days off! J is hardly ever sitting in her cube. She can be often spotted walking through the corridors and sometimes running in them (papers/folders in hand). She's like those who seem to be crossing the street just for the heck of it. Never really reaching a destination. J almost never answers her phone. The only way to reach her is through the interoffice pager. The page that everyone can hear. J has never denied having work up to her nose. In recent times, J has been working regular hours. Know why? Her status changed from "hourly" to "salaried". So each time someone makes you feel guilty by working extra hours, check if they get paid for the extra time!
Feb 7, 2007
2007You know it struck me just last night that we are already in 2007! So what if on the 38th night of the year! I remember when the Nineties had begun and we were so ecstatic about it all. The Gulf War had just started and we thought the world was going to end by the year 2000. SR had said "we wont even get to maarry yaar". We had this sad little story in NCERT English prose about "The House That Died". It was about how machines would eventually take over humans and one day their end would come too. Whoever wrote that must've been aeons ahead of their time. Me gotta find that story. Anyone else remember what I talk about?
Many a lives have been touched by Mitali's favorite mistake. I would encourage you to read it if you haven't already.------------------------------------------Give it up, seriously...Last night, AS and I were talking about how people ask us "How many years have you been married?" which is usually and immediately followed by "Still no children? Is something wrong?" When will this stop? It's not just the relatives back home, it's not just the parents and siblings, it's everyone. All the married creatures and all the single creatures too! Let the baby take its time. It'll come if it has to. Life is NOT a Hindi movie, remember when your parents told you that over and over again? Stop forcing a conversation on me. We can talk about the weather if you're that bored.
Feb 5, 2007
I finally got rid of that ugly pink! So this is what catharsis feels like...Hmmm Nice! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Want to make babies?I would recommend going here: www.prettysari.blogspot.com everytime you feel the need to procreate. My extremely sexy, extremely gorgeous, somewhat intelligent friend has decided to pen it all down. Happy reading!PS - I must mention my friend has no memory.
Feb 3, 2007
Mahi is here!

Feb 2, 2007
CheatsI have No place for cheats in my life. If you've cheated me, or someone I love, you're history. So if I don't talk to you anymore, chances are that I caught you cheating.If you can cheat a person who loves you, you can cheat anyone. You cannot be trusted by anyone. If you've cheated once, you are likely to cheat again. It will even go to the grave with you. You cheat! How could you?! PS - cheating in a game of Scrabble or Monopoly doesn't count. That I can tolerate.
Feb 1, 2007
Alcohol / Sharaab / DaaruI am a teetotaler (it is a real word!). My Amroo friends ask me if that was a word used just in India. Each one of those freinds earned a sarcastic subscription to "Word of The Day" thereafter. So anyway coming back to the point - I don't drink alcohol. Most of my friends and family drink the drink, talk the talk and even walk the walk. I had a friend who would religiously slosh himself with alcohol every weekend. I'm not sure that he still does it. The reason we're not in touch anymore...once, in his drunken state, he called me and said "I love you". Didn't hear from him ever again. He was a close friend who had even made international calls just to tell me how his day went. And now, nothing. Nada. I would love to talk to him like before, but he may be uncomfortable and that's okay. I lost a good friend forever, but life's like that. On a separate ocassion, I had a tiff with X recently and all our post-tiff phone conversations have been awkward as expected. But we have to call each other, there's no way out. Unlike my other friend, X can't shut me out of their life. So anyway, the other day, I spoke with X again. It felt like a regular pre-tiff conversation. Like the ones we used to have before we had the huge misunderstanding. I was like phew, finally X is over it! I couldn't help but rejoice (silently). Yesterday, X called and we had the most awkward conversation of our life. Because I assumed everything was forgotten and forgiven, I was my usual self. After we hung up, I realized what had just happened. X must've been drunk previously! How can a little thing like alcohol have such drastic effects on me even if I'm not the one drinking?!!!
Jan 29, 2007
Stuck in the middleI've been meaning to write about this for a while now. This one I had to think about real hard. By posting this, I could unintentionally be alienating some of you. Unintentionally being the key word here.I have often wondered about people who claim to be something they're not. Like MD boasting about his dancing skills when in fact, he has none. I've seen him dance and he stinks. People give and get this all the time. We've all been subjected to the torture of self-appointed singers, magicians, and fortune-tellers. The most severe case of this disease is when parents tell their children they're broad-minded, when in fact they're not. I've been watching some of these so-called broad-minded parents. In their pursuit of forward-thinking, they've let their children make friends with the opposite sexes. And their broad mind has often ended there. These parents don't let their children make the most basic decisions of diet, sexual orientation, career, belief, marriage, whether to marry, etc. The children I'm talking about here are at least 27 years old, some even in their mid-thirties. It's such parents that make you admire and respect your grandparents all the more. At least the pre-baby boomer generation admits to not having an open mind. I have a friend who I'm afraid might be gay. Afraid not because of anything else, but because of the trauma he will have to go through with his parents (some of you can't help but think of the trauma his parents will suffer, see that's exactly what I'm talking about!). The parents would've aborted their pregnancy if they'd known. Yes, they're that kind. They'd rather see their child die than see him lead a life that he chooses to live. All his life, his parents have been telling him how accepting and open-minded they are. Not by their actions though.Would you choose to live in my generation still?
Jan 24, 2007
Types BouncersTheir one-person-at-a-time fixations motivate them. It's what they live for (at that time). They idolize whoever they're stalking. They try to eat, sleep, feel, think, talk, shop like their current "love" does. They will target anyone in their 10 and sometimes 50-mile radius. WantersThese people have the group-mentality thing going for them. If their freinds are wearing green underwear, they want to wear it too. If they're friends are dating, they want to date. If their friends are having babies, they want to have babies. If all the people at a party are having a Mojito, they want to have one too. RebelsThese are the people who would eat their own shit with the objective of defying convention. Their Tendulkar-hating Ganguly-loving attitude is what keeps them going. Anything that's never been done before is an attraction here. They are harmless and would never intentionally hurt you. They will sometimes go to the extent of attacking with bad breath though. They hunt and hook up with rejects. HabitualsThey live because of their habits. Their only strong belief is that there is a good habit and a bad habit. Their daily activities are a consequence of pure habit. They use the heater strictly only December through March. The temperature could drop to below freezing in July, and they wouldn't have thought of turning on the heater. Travelling from New York to Chicago gives them jetlag. They are usually single. In the rare case that they do decide to get married, a live-in relationship would have to precede, so that a habit could eventually be cultivated.CombosAah this one is my favorite. They are a blend of all of the above and usually get classified as hypocrites. They are at their unpredictable-best at all times. One minute they're Robinhood and the next they're stealing from the gold-diggers. The human psyche is so complicated and we come across all kinds of people all the time. We can't rest until we've figured them all out. Of course, the above labels are not exhaustive and a comprehensive list is unimaginable. Meanwhile, keep doing what you're doing.
Jan 23, 2007
Mistaken IdentitySo a friend keeps herself updated on the happenings in my life through the Internet. No big deal, we all do it. Except that she was reading the wrong blog! A friend's blog is listed as a "Personal Favorite" here. We share the same first name. We also somewhat share last names. Somewhat because her last name resembles SK's last name (with the exception of one letter) and I haven't changed my last name yet. She had a baby recently and yeah I almost got congratulated for it! Life does resemble the movies and sometimes a more exaggerated version I couldn't imagine!
Jan 18, 2007
The Gift That Keeps On GivingOn our first anniversary, I got SK a PS 2. Spare me the "what were you thinking?" bull. Our post-PS 2 life has been unexpectedly happy and surprisingly peaceful. Although my forehead is usually black and blue from all the thinking about what I've done bit, what's a little color on the forehead right? It gives me some alone time. Yet another feather in my how-I-fooled-my-husband-into-thinking-I-was-the-real-fool hat.I know I am not alone here, so how do the rest of you console yourself?
Jan 15, 2007
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Jan 11, 2007
From what I've seen: Part 1- Don't assume fun and geography are correlated to each other; how could you explain NG's unhappy life in all of her coordinates?- Think hard before congratulating them on what you (and once upon a time they) thought was a happy achievement; AS totally blew me off when I congratulated him on his 90K job. - You can't always agree with blood and blood is messier than water.- Don't use your neighbor's computer, it will come back and bite you in the behind; remember how you chewed on SS's for years?- Don't let the husband wander in the popcorn section at a grocery store; the stench always comes home. to be continued...
Jan 4, 2007
Here-a-corn I hate it that my office is located near the lunchroom. Every afternoon, someone makes popcorn and I have to bear the constant stench of buttered corn. For this reason, I've been unable to enjoy popcorn in any setting. Not at home, not at the movies, not anywhere. There was a time when I loved popcorn. Someone's taken away a beautiful thing from me.----------------------------------------------------Brown, Rust or Coffee?Sometimes we intend to say something and it doesn't quite come out that way. Our intention may be to paint a picture brown, but what is brown? Who defines it? And in the end who should decide if the picture was really painted brown? Whose perspective is important? The doer's or the viewer's? The giver's or the receiver's? What about when one or all of the involved parties may be color-blind? Your brown looks like a rust to me, my coffee looks like a brown to you, it never ends! ---------------------------------------------------Got Gas? Since I fully filled my gas tank today, the price of gas will definitely drop anytime now (at least in Wisconsin). I will let you know when I run out of gas again, because the price will definitely get steep then. It must. It's an observation I've been making all of last year, and my theory hasn't failed once! Not once I tell you. Go, get gas, now.
Dec 21, 2006
Read N' Save\http://money.cnn.com/2006/12/21/news/economy/savings_rate/index.htm?cnn=yes
Dec 19, 2006
Holiday ShoppingSo according to store owners, we are a population who would and who should consider gifts like carpet-shampooing (comes with a free turkey), gift cards for the coffee shop we visit everyday anyway, tickets to movie theatres, gift cards for a sub shop, etc. In short, any product or service offered by any business should be considered a gift item now? And then what about those of us that don't celebrate by the way of gift-exchanging? How to explain that without making them feel like we may be weird? How to tell them that in my country, if we shopped for every important holiday, my parents would be sitting on the corner of 27th and Oakland? I'm a little nauseated by the red-green neighborhoods, the constant carols on the radio, the Santa hats, the lights, the trees, the parties...why is all this making me dizzy? Hundreds of miles away, in my home country people are dying to get a glimpse of the real thing. My cousin thinks I'm lucky to be here during the festive season. How to tell the cousin, that where she lives, she is lucky we have more than just a few holidays every year? This post is not an attempt to make a point. I told you I was going dizzy...Happy Holidays!
Dec 15, 2006
In 2006School shootingGirl dyingPlane crashingOne survivingFirm downsizingUnemployment risingHunter piercingGrief outpouringTrains explodingCity surviving
Dec 14, 2006
Of Bums and Bum EarsYou know how sometimes someone says something and we just don't get it, but we pretend to? No, no, I don't mean it the way when we hear something and don't understand. That's different. This is when we just couldn't hear what was being mumbled, and we don't care to ask 'cos we think feelings will be hurt or they'll think we're slowly turning deaf. But of course, we pretend we were listening and our usual response in this awkward situation, is generic talk accompanied by a display of teeth. Like Oh I hear ya, or I know! or Yeah with as big a smile as we can force out for as long as one can be forced. It's all okay when all we're being given is insignificant information. But when it's significant, it's something else. Like the time when that cute guy in college said "I don't think I'm gonna make it through this semester" and I said I know! Of course it was the last thing he ever said to me :(. Why couldn't I just say "sorry?" or "say that again?" Anything! Why do we do this? And I know I'm not the only one doing it, 'cos occasionally, I've caught quite a few of you pretend like you were listening when you really weren't. You dared to respond albeit incoherently. You sound like you would if you were sniffing something and talking at the same time. I thought it would end someday, but it still happens and it happens to the best of the best. Next time I call you a "Bum Ear", you'll know what it means won't you?
Dec 4, 2006
Friends and their relationshipsWhen it comes to friends who're seeing each other, some awkward moments for the people around them are inevitable. Sometimes you know that the two are just not "good" for each other. You know that there's no way your 24-year old college-going friend could make it last with your 44-year old lawyer friend. You are less qualified than the two put together, but you see it the way it is. You can tell blind-folded that they have no future. You want to say to your friend, "What are you thinking?" But you can't and you shouldn't. Never. Let people make their own mistakes and learn from them (hopefully). What may seem like moments of awkwardness, may last forever if you advised your friends against each other. People don't want to hear what's good for them. The moment you start to talk about a "healthy relationship" and all, you become their mom (even if you are a male friend). When it comes to your friends' broken relationships, your friends could still stay friends and hang out like Ross and Rachel did. Come on, that was so real, just like their current so-called relationships.
Nov 29, 2006
Dhoom 2On 11/28/06, Ketaki Karpe wrote:We watched Dhoom 2 last night and it was a horrible waste of our money.Some of the replies I received:"am partial agree with u the songa are not very good but the bips and ash are hot....................and hritik and abhishek is crazy.""hmmm..thats a big social service u've done.thanks for the info..i was planning to go watch it for Ash.""haha..especially ash na?!...she's soooooo sidey...her dialogues arevery bad i thought...actually i had fun watching the movie..coz i saw it with a friend..andwe kept cracking up throughout at how silly the movie was...ahahaa...but the dancing and stuff is good huh..."I still want you to watch the movie for yourself. Especially if you are looking for some pain to make you a stronger person.
Nov 21, 2006
Shopping in Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay) For those of you that are lucky enough to live there, here's another treat - http://swastaanimasta.wordpress.com/ Please also note that the author wont be available to shop with, in the case that I decide to go to Mumbai. Thank you. ------------------------------------------------The N word Lessons learned- Michael Richards (Cosmo Kramer) does stand up comedy.- You are allowed to make those mistakes that can be apologized for later. - When an unsuccessful person makes a mistake, it has less serious consequences than when a successful person makes the same mistake.- Even in this country, there are limitations to "Freedom of Speech".
Nov 20, 2006
For a special friend...I hope your wishes turn into wills I pray that you find warmth in spite of the chills.Just remember that there are places and people in this world Who welcome you and in whose arms you can sit curled.
Nov 17, 2006
Seinfeld show, K laughs non-stop 90 minutes10:30 p.m.CST, November 17th, 2006MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (KK) - On a cold November night, SK and K walked into Milwaukee Theatre to watch a 90-minute performance of none other than Jerry Seinfeld himself. Most of K's friends know that K worships Seinfeld and for those of you who didn't, now do. The opening act was done by some guy who didn't suck at all. But of course, Seinfeld arrived and all was forgotten. K has achieved her life's ambition at a mere age of 27. She has declined to comment on how she feels on turning 28 in less than two weeks.
Nov 15, 2006
The Other MeWhen someone pulls up one of my posts in the hopes of a healthy discussion, I often get uncomfortable. I immediately get defensive and try to end the conversation before it begins. When I write here, I'd like to think that I'm sitting in a vacuum. I don't mind the ocassional compliments. In fact, I look forward to those. But the truth is - I hate controversy. I don't want to know the negative side of everything. Start your own blog if you can't resist. I will visit I promise. My blog is an alter ego that no one knew about for several years. Not even me. I don't know who or what takes over me when I write. Some of the things I write I don't even really want to talk about. But I do believe in everything that is presented here. I detest fanny packs, I love Pav Bhaji, I love my car, I love my friends and my portable DVD player. ---------------------------------------Another thing. I don't mean to burst your bubble, but in my dictionary, friends are people with whom I share a mental connection. I cannot be your friend if you think I look good, have a good profile on Orkut, etc. Over the past few years, I've rarely made friends over the Internet and they've never been male. Pardon my discrimination. Just didn't want to encourage any misunderstandings. Thanks.
Nov 9, 2006
Time for just being; Time for looking back; Time for doing. SA quoting Hadrian. Are these three times in one's life compatible? Can we be doing and looking back at the same time? Can't we just be and do? Will looking back make us stop doing the things we are doing now?The math is simple. The three times are distinct subsets of a universal set of time. No two distinct sets can be coextensional, in other words, have exactly the same elements. If you believe that every moment is unique, then each moment is an element. And therefore, each of the subsets are distinct. Each element and each subset are also at their own stage in the Markov model. The probability that times will change exists in our lives in the form of hope. Some of us go back and forth trying to change the order of what's been done, what could've been done and what should be done. SA has found a way to sincerely justify what he's doing and not doing. Some of us can put things in perspective as they happen. Some of us have to look back time and again. --------------------------------------Birthday WishesIt's my best friend's birthday today. Looking back, we used to hang together all the time, I'd give anything to go back to those times. I could still take a flight and be there, but then I'd have to stop doing what I'm doing now. And, as great men have said, "I feel like doing now, I suppose."
Nov 8, 2006
Anger It's so hard to just breathe!It's so easy to just say or do. Why do I have to think first?What's the point?Oh yeah, I do see the point, still, it's so hard to just breathe!It's fun to see when others lose their temper and are so not in control of themselves. Those few occasions, I love being the one that's calm and thinking clearly. The thrill of teasing those that are angry is something else. When it's my turn though, it's so hard to even just breathe!!!Disclaimer - this is not poetry
Nov 3, 2006
No, don't gazzag me, please!Why is the whole world sending me invitations to "gazzag.com"? What the hell is that? I don't want to know! If you want to be in touch with me there are a million other ways. First, I get scrapped and then you go and find something further impersonal. Why bother?
Nov 1, 2006
In Between I've told SK several times about how I love being at the airport with him. To me, that's the most fun part of our trips together. I don't know what it is exactly. May be it's different people at the same place. No, that's not it. May be it's the variety of luggage they carry around [from the round suitcases to the metal boxes]. No no no, may be it's the little restaurants, the restrooms, the tiny stores, the trains, the golf cart-like-carts that carry people around, the luggage carts, the sophisticated suits, the hippies rolling on the floor, the rare opportunity when we're not the ones being searched and some phirang is, the water coolers, the silly sculptures, the duty free stores. I still don't know why of all places, the airport is my favorite. May be it's the excitement that you can only go some place else from there. I think that's it. I know! I enjoy the gaps in between. I don't like to be stuck in an office for 8 hours, although I like driving to it. I don't necessarily enjoy a loud concert, but I like to think that I would on the way to it. I hate restaurant food, but I like to dress up and think I will like the food. I like the before of the after. And may be that's why I love my handsome young husband too? He's the before of the after, and that after will also be the before of the after that will follow and so on. Haven't I got it all figured out?
Oct 30, 2006
Non Tense When it comes to the tenses, it's such a shame that the present tense lacks lustre. Anything that's here today is so unromantic. Everything that the past holds is golden though. All the music of the past and I mean ALL the music of the past is classic. ALL the lyrics, the singers, the movies, the actors, the makers, the breakers. Every thing. It's funny how a painting that didn't mean a thing then, today means a 50-million and tomorrow may mean a billion. In school, we hated history. Today, we choose filling our homes with antique furniture (and still hate history). The corollary to this is that anything that's new and different and isn't a thing of the past is unappealing to them. Like in the 90s, they didn't like Madhuri. But now that she's history, she's slowly moving in there with the rest of them. Any music that's "fresh" is the devil to their ears. They didn't understand Elvis, but they still bow down to him. They had no idea what the Beatles were singing about, yet according to them, "The Beatles are The Beatles!"Remember the time when people didn't like RD Burman to the extent of actors openly mocking him? I thought you wouldn't.
Oct 19, 2006
No, don't bother keeping in touchIt's becoming harder and harder to keep in touch. I mean on the one hand there are a million ways of keeping in touch, but on the other there's convenience. Convenience of one mode of communication over the other. Remember when people would visit you every once in a while? Forget that, too inconvenient. You gotta dress up, prepare meals and entertain. Letters - you need to take a class on how to write one, pathetic! With the phones, your timezones and work hours have to match. Emails - not time-consuming, but who wants to make the effort? It's not like you're getting paid for it. We're all tired of expressing ourselves through emoticons on instant messengers even. So, what is the ultimate way we can keep in touch without being bogged down? A little something called a "scraps" section on a crazy Web site called "Orkut".
Oct 16, 2006
What's with that?!Oh I have to share this...The other day I was at Harvard taking a course right..so I bump into an old acquaintance (KG) who I went to Kindergarten with and coincidentally we also went to the same college in Bombay. We were excited that we met like that. After some small talk, she asked me, "KK (and she really does call me that), nice bag, what brand is it?" I said, "err...umm..I...aah...don't know" She then said, "Mine's Coach of course!" Please note that I hadn't even noticed the bag she was carrying. I had to say, "Nice!". What I really wanted to say was, "And that should concern me because?" So she goes on to ask me, "KK, I thought you were doing well, what happened? You've changed, where's your branded bag???"In college KG would wear the same two tshirts and the same pair of jeans every other day. Mind you, we spent most of our college lives in smelly organic chemistry labs. I think I could still smell Chem lab on her. KG's next question was, "I drive a Mercedes, and you?"
Oct 10, 2006
Karva Chauth - One StoryLegend has it that, in olden times, there were seven brothers who had but one sister. The brothers loved their only sister very much. They all grew up together and as they grew older, the brothers married off their sister to a suitable boy.Then came her first Karva Chauth (married/unmarried Indian women fast until they've seen the moon). The sister went to her brothers' home for a short visit, she was to go back home the same evening. The brothers loved their sister so much that they couldn't see her starving. They decided to bypass the rise of the moon and showed their sister a half-moon that had risen when the sun was still out. The brothers then persuaded their sister to eat dinner. But as soon as the sister started to eat, there came the news that her husband was very ill. Worried, she immediately left her brothers' home. Upon reaching her home, she found out that her husband had already passed away. She was shocked, realizing immediately that she had made a mistake by breaking her fast prematurely and so God had punished her by making her a widow. She cried and prayed a lot but nothing helped.She decided not to cremate her husband and instead kept his body in their home. She waited for a year untill Karva Chauth came again. This time she fasted till the moon came out in the evening and then offered prayers. Then praying to the Goddess she admitted her mistake, for the life of her husband. The Goddess was pleased with her dedication and sincerity. The Goddess was assured that she was a dedicated wife and gave new life to her husband. That is why some Indian women keep this fast. [Source: Raval V. Karva Chauth Sandesh Oct 2002; 15 (4)]------------------------------------There are various other days when people fast. Different cultures, different beliefs. I think giving up a meal would ensure that somewhere someone has gotten an extra meal (hopefully in a developing country). How? I don't know. I don't know everything okay? I'm starving!
Oct 3, 2006
People with real issues All TS wants to do is go to a Bombay club, dance, drink and party. There is only one problem though. TS is 20 years old. They wont even let him enter a club because he's underage. Last time he tried to get in was by posing as an NRI (Non Resident Indian) who studied in London. For him, the only thing they should've been concerned about was the fact that he'd just gotten back from London! Why should they've cared whether he had any id on him?!! To him, life is unfair. Can you believe it? I can't enter a bar because I'm not 21! What will they think of next? This is TS's life's biggest problem. I am deeply saddened by TS's predicament. Can I ask you (my readers) help me help TS? Thank you! Now, if you'd all please join hands and pray with me," God, please don't let anymore twenty-year-old-pretend-NRIs return home without alcohol in their blood."
Sep 26, 2006
V Imp Seriously, there is no such thing as "today morning". I don't even think it qualifies to be an oxymoron. You, yes, you qualify - to be a moron. It's "today, tonight, this evening, this morning, etc." I'll let you get away with it only if you're older than 30. Get it? Now get out of here!
Sep 21, 2006
It would be dangerous to be around someone who can make you believe:- you are wrong when you are right- you are inferior no matter what you do- your frame of reference is invalid- you are lying when you are not- you are all the things you are notIt's very important to believe in yourself. If you believe you are worthless, it really doesn't matter who sings your praises. If you believe you are deserving, does it matter if they defame you? If someone has always controlled you, now is the time to change that. Know what it means to be in control of yourself.
Sep 20, 2006
First read: A quick tale 158 at www.jikku.blogspot.comThen read this: Around the same time as a quick tale 158God, please let my brother solve this one. I’ve always been told I was the better-looking, charming, friendly, and personable one. My gorgeous wife loves me more than sliced bread. She’s great with the books too! Thanks for everything…Priyank is a mature person, much mature than I. Why nobody notices his virtues, I never understand.I despise our uncles and aunts – the ones that openly declare, “Kumari, your older one is a gem.” To which mom says, “My younger one too, he’s also very much a gem.” Priyank is thoroughly mortified by mom’s open defense, I know.“Ketan, as always, I have no idea how to do this one, please help.”“I’ll be back in a minute, going to the bathroom, Flamenco!”
Sep 18, 2006
Here by accidentSomeone from Saudi Arabia Googled: "why + wwwshaadicom + page + open + everytime + timesofindia" and ended up on Same Page! I hear you, I'm not a fan of pop-ups either. So, if you find out, let me know :).Other keywords that have brought people up/down here:"aisa and milwaukee roommate""tondli bhaji""describe what s.vivekananda did by way of social service""Hello Main Mahajan Bol Raha Hoon""cbse sample paper of maths(class xth)"
Sep 15, 2006
Guns N' Poses" People with guns don't understand. That's why they get guns. Too many misunderstandings. " - Jerry Seinfeld
Sep 12, 2006
Married Without ChildrenEver since mankind, it's been the most basic expectation of every man - the expectation of procreation. Some of you out there are married now. The day after your wedding night (not marriage night - that doesn't exist right G?), you must've been asked by a total or slight stranger about how many kids you plan to have and if they are already on their way. What you want to say is - HOW THE HELL IS THAT YOUR BUSINESS?!! Instead, what you end up saying is , " Kids? We're still kids ourselves! " trying to sound as polite as possible. The fact is, I hate being asked that question and I'm not living up to that expectation anytime soon. The generations before us had to have kids immediately. I mean if Mr. and Mrs. X were married 25 years, their oldest child had to be 24. Anything else was unheard of. I'm sorry, but I'm not a member of that club. I subscribe to the club where I'm asked questions I have answers to. That's how I like it. Oh and no, no kids for now.
Aug 30, 2006
A few days ago, I came across this blog www.lettersforall.blogspot.com I can guarantee, each one of you will relate to at least one letter on that blog.Happy reading! ----------------------------I'm going to be on vacation till September 11. Yayyyyyyy!!!!!Have a fabulous weekend all of you and stay safe.
Aug 29, 2006
For those of you who come here to check on how I'm doingYou will never truly know how I'm doing, because this place doesn't reflect my state at every instance. It's only attempting to measure my general disposition. After all, it's hard for anything and anyone to keep track of moods that change every minute. I know you don't really care how I'm doing, because it would've been more personal to call, write or to come see me. And it would mean a lot too. For your conscience of course, it is enough that you come here and pretend like you care. Can you guess my current mood now?---------------------------------------------On a separate note, I have to say this about yesterday's post. In order to be fair to you, it was not a general observation. It was directed at a couple (duh!) of people in my life. I hope it didn't bother you as much as it did me. When I looked at it objectively, I had no idea what I was talking about.
Aug 28, 2006
Do you get this?"not even a dog would ask for you if it weren't for us""you wouldn't be anything if it weren't for us""we will say anything we like""you shouldn't talk to us like that, what will others think?""respect us!""why can't you be more like them (aka "Nerdy and Nerdier")?""you don't have any talents""you've never studied, or worked hard, God knows how you came this far""everything you do is setting an example, you better not go wrong anywhere"In my defense, and I really don't need to defend, I can only say this - you will believe bad things of others only if you can imagine doing those yourself. If you've hurt someone, and you may not even have known it at the time, and you may never know now, 'cos those people may have even died already, may be this is a way to make you think about what you've done, and not imagine what I've done.
Aug 18, 2006
You Are ElHe Googles me,Yes, he Googles me!It flatters me, Oh how it flatters me!How I'm doing, when I'm not saying,The Internet tells him the life I've been living.Letters, phones, visits,Easy entries, difficult exits.
If it weren't for the world of the wideweb,
Making contact would leave an awkward snare.
Aug 15, 2006
IndependenceI've never been the kind to celebrate "days". I mean I don't believe that there is one Mother's, Father's, Friendship's, Boss's, etc. day. I get really uncomfortable when people ask me how I celebrate Mother's Day, what I buy her, if I made her breakfast, etc. It all seems shallow to me. I don't mean to hurt anybody's sentiments here, especially because I have friends for whom Mother's Day is very special. Yep, once a year, every year, they do make mom feel extra special. For me, it's always been about the whole package. I try to make mom feel special all year, and if there were a few days, weeks, or months that she didn't feel like it, then that is definitely a problem. I think buying flowers on the days mom's down would be a good idea. Why even with friends, is there really such a thing as celebrating friendship? How does one exactly do that? What if there are friends that hate flowers, candy, cakes, presents? What if love and trust are all they want? Then picking just one day to share such feelings would be a sin, no?Likewise, about Independence. I've been getting genuine forwards, text messages, emails, etc. telling me to have a blast today (it being the Indian Independence Day and all). How? I don't know. People dream of living in Paris, New York and other places. I've always dreamed of living in India, always (still dreaming). That doesn't make me patriotic I know (especially 'cos I lived there ~5 years). I really am proud of the fact that I'm Indian and if it weren't for that I wouldn't be me, I wouldn't have you, and I wouldn't know any better. Thanks India.
Aug 14, 2006
Over the weekend....Activities- Lazed in bed (heheheheee)- Lazed on the couch (you can tell by the depression)- Sleep (lots of it)Movies- Kaalia (my #1 favorite movie ever!)- Sideways (refreshing; soothing)- LOTR III (rocks!)- Ek Ajnabee (nice)- Khakee (for the second time and still as good as the first time)- The Bourne Identity (I had missed this; good)- The Bourne Supremacy (better)- The Wedding Crashers (okay)Food- Chicken Frankie (ask SK ;))- Chicken Puff (ditto)- Soups (SK made these, you should've been there; chunky yummy!!)- Tondli chi bhaji (my first time on the cooking end; extra crispy)- Sabudana Khichdi (sago's always been a hit ;))- Blueberries (pigged out on these, they're seasonal!)- Kolaches (okay)
Aug 10, 2006
ummmm I love Jordan almonds....
Aug 9, 2006
You are because I let you beIf you look long enough, there will be no misunderstandings. When you are not present before, during, or after, you are not an appropriate person to judge a situation. Even if you saw and heard, who said you can be trusted to not let bias and prejudice affect your opinion? Judging a situation, you end up judging the person, their siblings, their parents, their children, their ancestors! You assume the past and predict the future based on your hollow thinking. You are pathetic and I feel bad for you. There I go judging you again. And please, don't give advice when it's not asked for. Learn from me!
Aug 1, 2006
Random Thoughts (exclusive rights: AN)Easy to be just a person, difficult to be a just person...My geography can only change my autobiography...Being there for someone means doing the silliest of things for them 'cos they may never need your shoulder anyway...Sometimes people's falling in love is a fault of vicinity yet sometimes vicinity isn't enough...----------------------------------------------------------Current Movies- Saw - tight thriller; a good watch- Saw2 - thriller; watch for closure- Crash - excellent; just watch it- Krissh - entertaining; you may watch this one- LOR I & II - better late than never right?; just awesome - 3 Deewarein - better never late be; Nagesh Kukunoor does it again- Pirates 2 - um um gooood; must buy dvd
Jul 31, 2006
Martyr: How would you know if you were one?For those of you who don't know what the word means. Martyr: one who suffers for the sake of principle; willing victim; sacrificial victim. In the present day, it's so out of fashion to be one only if you are the kind that wants other people to think you are one. Some signs that you may be one:- thinking you are the one- wanting sympathy- feeling other people are far better off than you- always forgetting your own good health, wealth and wisdom- never being satisfied with what you have and focussing on what you don't have or could've had- first you want this, then you want that, then when you have both, you move on to the next thing and not getting it makes you unhappy, that's how you like to be anyway so that once again you can be called - The Martyr!
Jul 25, 2006
The End?If this was the end of the world, how would we know? Would every human life need to be affected before they declare and we accept this as the end? Is the ultimate irony then that we would be the last ones to know/accept that this truly is the end? Is that why beauty pageants are now dismissing "world peace" as an elusive cliched unachievable ambition?
Jul 24, 2006
Gas prices up to record highSunday's poll found that drivers in Charleston, S.C., paid the least, at an average of $2.77 per gallon; drivers in San Diego, Calif., paid the most, at $3.28.Here are some other prices:-- Atlanta: $3.00-- Charleston, W. Va.: $2.99-- Houston: $2.93-- Milwaukee: $3.20-- Omaha, Neb.: $2.92-- Salt Lake City: $2.80-- Seattle: $3.02-- Wilmington, Del.: $3.12Source: http://money.cnn.com/2006/07/23/news/economy/gas_lundberg/index.htm?cnn=yes
Jul 20, 2006
Limited Freedom of Speech and ExpressionDid you know that in order to ban one or two "fundamentalist" blogs, the Govt. of India has blocked the entire Blogspot group of sites? Is this for real? I am not sure, it's what I just heard.According to The Indian Constitution's Fundamental Rights: Freedom of speech and expression, generally interpreted to include freedom of the press, can be limited "in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence". [source:http://www.iloveindia.com/constitution-of-india/fundamental-rights.html]But from whose perspective? Who defines order and disorder? Security? Decency? Morality?--------------------Read about it herehttp://in.rediff.com/news/2006/jul/17blog.htmhttp://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/19/india.blogging.ap/index.html
Jul 18, 2006
Dear readerDid you know that the two most important senses to have are a) Common Sense and b) A Sense of Humor? The fact that I talk of it today should be enough evidence to prove to you that I know. Still, about 94.7 % of the times, I happily laugh away at your expense, while you take it in your stride too. But when tables turn, I'm grumpy, annoyed, irritated and least of all stride-taking. Also, I rarely use common sense that is supposed to be commonly found in me. I hardly ever think logically. My brain concocts the most illogical explanations to everything you do, so I can rest in the fact that you are stupid and no good will ever come from you. I've been doing this for the last 27 years, I don't think it's going to be an easy habit to get rid of (I know sentences can't end in prepositions, there I did it again! I know everything but I can't apply anything). The easiest thing I can do at this point is get angry, throw tantrums and cry. That is how it is.Good luck trying.--Ketaki
Jul 12, 2006
Mumbai, formerly named BombayWhat was he thinking when he decided to divide the country in two? Was it enough that he did what pleased everyone at the time? How many more lives to sacrifice over a power struggle that happened decades ago? Others will condemn and criticize our nation. As if...
Jul 11, 2006
Birthday WishesDear RS,Hope you have the bestest mostest funnest birthday! You have a big presentcoming your way in a few months. Good luck, enjoy!
Jul 10, 2006
In the Present DayIn my younger years, I loved getting them. I liked giving them only because I wondered what I would get in return. I longed and prayed and wished hard that nobody forgot my birthday. Forgetting my birthday would mean forgetting to bring me a present. How sad it would make me knowing I could've had 36 presents instead of just the 35 (kinda like Harry Potter's cousin, but I was much cuter I like to think). Anyhow, as I grew up, there were no more birthday parties. I did not want to cut a cake and I did not want to hear my pubertal friends sing for me. It would've been mutual torture. But I secretly hoped that the presents would keep coming. I wanted them. I wanted surprise packages on my desk. I wanted the living room to be full of little goodies on the morning of my day. As an adult, some mysterious presents would be left on our doorstep, in the mail, etc. I wondered who sent them for two days and then I forgot.There was a time when I used the phrase, "But I don't believe in gifts". It helped me hide the fact that I wanted any. It also helped me make a philosophical excuse for not getting you any. Reality is, I love getting presents. I don't necessarily like giving them to some of you. Because in the past you haven't really liked what I got you and had the audacity to let me know that too! You didn't for once think about the "thought counts cliche", you didn't think of how much time I might have spent looking and thinking for you. How could you be that way?
Jun 16, 2006
Mahajan SpeakingI was reading an article about how Indian filmmakers lately have been resorting to turning real-life stories (read tragedies) into movies. You mean to tell me I was running around trees in vain all this time? Anyhow, another people-making-money-off-of-other-people's-misery. So what's new? What upset me was the potential star cast of the movie. Raj Babbar playing Pramod Mahajan? I thought PM was a good guy. RB in no way can ever be a good guy, even if he's supposed to be one, you know he's upto something somewhere. Could it be anymore inappropriate? PM's brother will be played by Anupam Kher who can be versatile, but nonetheless, you start to think that the brother might be a nice guy in real life too [in keeping with AK's recent roles], is that fair? I don't really care. Oh and last and never least, the title - "Main Mahajan Bol Raha Hoon" Have a good weekend.
Jun 15, 2006
Once...He sits staring at the screen for all of the 12 hours he's there. He scratches his head about a 150 times. He pushes his spectacles back, he takes them off, he cleans them, he wears them again, another 10 times. He waits, he waits and he waits. He writes a few codes, he's proud of himself. He reassures himself of the house he will own in another couple of years. He wants his dogs and kids to be able to play in the backyard while his wife cooks him a meal. The meal doesn't have to be good. As long as it's served to him, it will keep him happy. He thinks of how much he loves her and if she didn't like to cook, he would offer help regularly. His long day's over and he's about to leave. He gets up, takes a look at the screen one more time. There she is! When did she sign in? How did I miss that?! He curses, drops his keys, and sinks in his torn chair again, all the while staring at the screen. She signs out and appears offline. He bangs his head onto the keyboard. Tomorrow, tomorrow, definitely tomorrow...He starts to head home, he walks to the parking lot. His phone beeps. It's one unread message. He curses at the phone. He opens it. It reads, "Cn I get ur address? Home address, pls. Gng online in 10 min. C u there? -me"He curses himself again and again. He phones her. She doesn't answer. He curses again and doesn't leave a message. She calls him, he answers at the fourth ring like usual, trying very hard to hold his excitement back, he says "Hello?". "Hi! It's me. I had messaged you a while ago. Can I have your mailing address please? I'm getting married! And I so would like you to come......For old times sake". He tells her he will email it to her. He never does.
Jun 14, 2006
Equal and Opposite ReactionIt all comes down to the way we react, doesn't it?I mean really how many times do we remember what the actual cause of the fight was? How many times do we attempt to remember? It puts us to shame even to think that it may take us more than 10 seconds to remember what exactly the argument was about. As kids, it was easy to forget. It's a different monster now though. It's the things we say during fights that are most hurtful. It's the way we modulate our voices. It's whether we caused physical injury at any point or not. It's when you realize what people really have to say and think about you, judge you and mock you. Of course it passes and then you live life like you always have. Until another one of those arguments turn into quarrels. When does it end?
Jun 13, 2006
FYI onlyWhen did it go from being "FYI" to "FYI only"? I'm assuming that previously some of you must've been responding to these emails (the ones that started with "FYI"). You couldn't hold it could you? Or did you not understand? 'Cos if you did, then "FYI only" wouldn't have come about and I wouldn't have taken offense. My expectations of your manners have risen. When my boss thanks me for even the expense reports I submit for signature, I think it's justification enough.PS - You may respond to this if you like, of course ;)
Jun 9, 2006
BTW The "Director" thing was a joke...
Jun 8, 2006
"Why no write?" You ask?Time and Tide, my friend..time and tide.Everyday's been like a wave, bringing in the unexpected. I don't want to lose the opportunity of becoming Director of my division lest it were to come exactly while I was writing this blog. Stupid I know, but I secretly dream of getting there someday. Okay, so now you know I write here when at work. But it's only when I take a break. Haven't been taking any lately, so.I have a hundred things I want to tell you about, but it's just been one thing after another at work and home. Parents visiting, friends visiting, sightseeing, lunches, dinners, shopping, etc. Uninteresting stuff, nothing else. This is what they call "solicited babble".
Jun 2, 2006
:)Thanks for all your genuine concern guys. It was just one of those times when you have one bad day after the other...It's all good now, cross your fingers...
May 30, 2006
Somebody up there hates meYou know that feeling you get when nobody cares or understands? Now I get it. You wrote about it not too long ago. I wondered why anyone would feel like that. Now I know. See, He and I have this deal. Anytime I don't know a feeling, He puts me in a place where I will know. And now I do, so get me out of here please!!!
May 26, 2006
.............His head's down, he's staring at the floor, his eyes roll forward and backward and forward again. He sees you from the corner of his eye. He stops. He waits. You bump into Leah from IT. Her day's not going so great. You comfort her. Meanwhile, he continues what he has to finish. You continue walking down the long hallway. He stops, he starts, he stops again. You want to leave him uninterrupted for the rest of it. You hop onto the little floormats, avoiding stepping onto the wet floor. You're praying you leave no shoeprints on the still-damp hardwood. The floormats fall short, you have to step onto the naked floor. You tiptoe, you leave shoeprints. He smiles. You smile back the smile of a 10-year old, baring your soul to him. He doesn't say anything. You don't say anything, Thank God.
May 23, 2006
One and the otherCan somebody please explain to me the difference between hunger strike and suicide? And I mean difference in terms of intent and outcome for the doer. You can email your thoughts to ketakikarpe(at) gmail (dot) com. You can keep them anonymous if you like, I will publish your thoughts here. Watch this space for the compilation exactly a week from today.
May 16, 2006
AnjuIn 1985, I asked Anju, "Did you have a love marriage or an arranged marriage?"She replied, "Arranged marriage".In 1990, I told Anju,"But you had an arranged marriage yourself.."Anju replied,"Well, it was half arranged and half love".In 1995, I concluded Anju was in a secret affair with her husband before marrying him, and co-incidentally Anju's marriage got fixed with him!In 2006, I said,"Anju, you had a love marriage, you should know".Anju laughed,"No way, ours was a love cum arranged marriage".What does Anju want?Why do other people like Anju use all of the above answers [except the very first one] even when they marry through a website like www.shaadi.com?Why it matters to Anju? She couldn't find someone on her own, she wasn't the type to fall in love, she didn't care about relationships, she couldn't keep her promises, or she just wasn't lovable enough to reach the point of being marriage-material in the first place. There is nothing to be ashamed or proud about either way. Seriously, nobody cares.
May 10, 2006
BewareIf you ever walk into an IKEA, Walmart, or any public place for that matter, thinking it could be a safe place, think again.You may end up in the same zone as certain creatures who belong to an organization called Quick's Tar or something like that. These predators will hang out at the above mentioned places with the intent to shop alright, but what they are really looking for are bodies; not furniture, not appliances, but live human beings. They will typically use phrases like: "We have met before" or "Your face looks sooooo familiar" or pretend to be new to the area, in the hope that you somehow would hand them your contact information. They will try and stretch the first conversation to "Oh I also come from Houston/Bombay/Bahrain/Neverland, what a pleasant coincidence!" Eventually you will receive a phone call which will go something like this: "...small talk, etc., My friend has just started a business and he/she wants a professional with exactly the kind of qualifications you have to partner with....." That's it! That should be your first clue. If you try and ask directly, "Does this have anything to do with Quick's Tar?" The reply will be,"What do you know about Quick's Tar?"SK and I have then instantly hung up on at least 3-4 different occassions. You shouldn't think twice either. Good luck.
May 4, 2006
The reason I haven't been updating lately, is that recently I haven't been experiencing any clarity of thought. My thoughts may've been appeared unclear to you in the first place anyway. Now, I feel the same way, like my mind has too much clutter inside. Like it needs to be spring cleaned like everything else this time of the year. Please, don't confuse that with me being busy or anything. It's just that I can't hear my own voice anymore. Rusty and Ketaki, thanks for missing me. Feels nice to know that my absence can make people miss me, little me :). Will update as soon as I get my head examined. More later.
Apr 22, 2006
Can't I share my joy with you too?Most people enjoy hearing how badly other people their age are doing. They ask you how life's going for you, expecting to hear a "not so good". They spend hours with you over the phone and/or online chatting away about how miserable they are themselves. They love to tell you how you could improve your life and so on. Both sides feel better and each gets back on routine. Now, ocassionally you do do better than most. You want to share your highlights with them. They somehow sense your happiness from the tone of your voice or from the depth of your emoticons. Suddenly something comes up, they have to go and you don't hear from them for ages, or at least until you leave them a distressed offline or voicemail. What's up with that?
Apr 21, 2006
I feel for you.They say that certain people make you feel certain ways. Like your friends draw out positive energy, sometimes even draining you of it. Then there are those that you avoid being around; those who bring out your negatives. So if this theory was to be believed then each human being's uniqueness, should be fostering unique feelings too, right? Okay lets put our million infatuations aside for a minute and think about this. It would be impossible to discuss each human emotion here, so I will talk about just one. The emotion of *pity*. How is it that whenever I see this certain someone, and I mean literally see them, the only thing I can think of is how sad their life must be and how much I wish I could do something to change that. Now mind you, this person, let's call him DD, has not been very nice to SK. I hate him for not being nice to my husband. I don't want to socialize with him or anything. SK doesn't care and I don't want to either. But for some weird reason I do. I feel sorry for DD. I feel like he could've done without his Porky Pig features. I know he's smart, good with the books and all that. He doesn't stink or anything. He can drink, party and make merry. And although I feel hatred and want to be insensitive, my *net feeling* for him is that of pity.
Apr 19, 2006
What's this urge that makes me check email every 5 seconds when at work? It's pretty dizzying. And that too only to find that I have no new mail. :(------------------------------------------------A day in the life of meSo this morning, I put on my favorite necklace before going to work. It's one of those with a clasp locket. In a mad rush to match my watch and necklace, I grabbed a silver Ann Klein and slid it on. The contrast between my antique silver necklace and my shiny silver watch was unbearable. I decided to be a girl about it and changed my watch. Now the watch that I wear right this minute is an antique silver Timex Carriage. It was a present and I cherish it. There's just one problem - the watch had stopped working years ago. And of course, I'm having one of those days where people ask you the time knowing you have a watch on. I've been trying to tell them the right time by checking my fake watch, making a long "umm" pause, looking around at the wall clocks through the corner of my eye [yeah, you'd think they'd do that themselves, but nooo too time consuming] and trying not to blink all at the same time. The price we pay for fashion. Pray for me.
Apr 18, 2006
Without attitude, you'd have to be God!
Apr 14, 2006
Highlights of my weekMonday: NoneTuesday: NoneWednesday: NoneThursday: My friend from Seattle is visiting. He works for Google and got me a t-shirt! [without me actually asking for it, isn't that something?]Friday: PK liked my poem [he called it that, so that was a double compliment:)].
Apr 12, 2006
Empty mindCan't unwind.What use to be a ventNow feels like paying rent.How it changed from time to timeI dont know.And who said I had to rhyme each and every line?
Mar 27, 2006
Cheating husbandsAarthi Thakur (Mrs India World 2006) says, "I would forgive him if he cheated on me" when asked by Amrita Arora (who the hell is that you ask, I don't know either) - "If your husband would cheat on you and later come and confess, what would you do? Would you forgive or forget him?"Thakur said, "We all make mistakes in life. I would definitely forgive him because for me marriage is not a union of two bodies, marriage for me is the union of two souls and I know I have found my soul mate and I would forgive him because he has come and acknowledged and accepted the fact that he has made a mistake and that I am sure he would never do it again." Me thinking:Good for her husband, he can cheat on her at least once.Good for her, she can cheat on him too.She knows he would never do it again, but she didn't know that he would do it once?How does that kind of talk hold in a country like India today? Source: http://in.rediff.com/movies/2006/mar/26mrsworld.htm
Mar 23, 2006
The word is Waste Pouch
Can you believe Gucci makes them too? And it still doesn't matter! You could look like Superman if you carried one of these bad boys in red. It appears underwear-like, or at least has the ability to make you look as silly (when worn on pants instead of inside them - so hiding would be a very good idea for starters). And you better know exactly what I mean. My biggest turn off isn't a big ego or BO or hypocrisy. My biggest turn off is the "waist pouch". Listen, if you guys have things to carry that you must have on your person at all times, please invest in a good coat or vest with a lot of pockets or something. Don't get on my nerves with that thing again. Thanks.
Mar 22, 2006
....wish you were here....
Mar 21, 2006
Dear YN,Wish you all the happiness in the world today and everyday. Happy Birthday! See, I did it (only took me 10 birthdays;)).
Mar 20, 2006
Friends and FamilyHave you ever sensed some of your family members would've been better off as your friends? I have. Can't name them exactly. They wouldn't understand.-----------------------------------------------------On a totally separate topic, A. Lincoln approved! Yipppeeeee!!!!!
Mar 17, 2006
Aunty mat kaho na (Don't call out aunty)If you are of Indian descent, your parents must've taught you to address neighbours, relatives, friends of the family, that were above a certain age group, as *uncle* or *aunty*? I still carry that with me. It's still hard for me to call someone by their name if they have kids 10-15 years minus my age. Now, the annoying part (there's always that right?) is that there's always that mid-life-crisis-suffering-person who will tell you, "Oh I am not that old, you can call me by my name, it's okay". It embarrases you. For a certain time you manage not addressing them at all. You use plain sentences like, "can you please pass me the rice?", etc. Then there are certain times where you try saying their name and your parents give you a cold stare. You then tell them, "but abc uncle said I should call them just abc". Today, I guess I'm in the age group where kids can call out *Aunty Ketaki*. Why would you tell someone to not call you that? Will it change the fact that you now belong to another age group? A better one at that! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I am a proud 27 year old Aunty and am lovin' it. Are you?
Mar 16, 2006
Intelligent driver is not an oxymoron. If you think it is, then clearly, you are not one of us (pompous, pompous, Ketaki is pompous). The interesting thing is that even though you think being able to drive means passing a test, it's much more than that. Sure you know that, but do you understand it? I've been driving since '96. From the most eventful Mumbai streets to the not-so-demanding Bahraini and American ones, the contrast is quite amusing, isn't it? Here, you must look in all four directions while driving. There you must look in all eight directions, driving or not. I mean you never know who's playing a game of cricket on which building's gutchi (Marathi for terrace) or which street has open manholes. Some of your driving really impresses me and I want to stop my car and give you a standing ovation, but of course I can't literally do that. For now, I can do this much. SK and dad, you are the best male drivers I have ever seen and MP you would be the best female. ------------------------------------------------------Please Read (for US residents)I wanted to share a website with you that is a good idea to visit. It is www.familywatchdog.us when you visit this site you can enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as the small icon of a house and red, blue, green, dots surrounding your entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a person will appear with an address and the description of the crime he or she had committed. I was really shocked at how many of these people were in my neighborhood. The best thing is that you can show your children pictures and see how close these people live to your home or school. This site was developed by John Walsh from Americas Most Wanted. Another tool to help us keep our kids safe. Please pass on to anyone who has families.
Mar 14, 2006
Attention:HM, you better call me tonight. I can wait only one more day, or else...
Mar 9, 2006
Some things never change. A recent Times of India headliner says "Class 10 maths paper was lengthy: Students". It also mentions that the exam had been conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). In 1994, I had the exact same complaint about the exact same subject, in the exact same class, and the exact same board! This just goes to prove that they still suck and time sometimes stands still. PS - It also goes to prove that nothing I say here should be taken as the last word ;).
Mar 8, 2006
TIMEBy the time you finish reading this post, you would've lost half a minute of your precious life, are you sure you wanna do this?Yesterday, we were watching a friend's home videos. They kept referring to "in those days this...in those days that". So I thought to myself yeah things in the 80s must've been different. They were surprised to see that they had solar energy stuff installed in their backyard. Amusedly, they commented, " hmm, those were around then?" And I asked about how long ago the videos were shot. Their reply was - 1996. Can you believe it? The year 1996 happened ten years ago! "Back to the Future" is nothing but a tacky old movie now. It's lead actor suffers from PD. AS is governor of California. TC and KH of Dawson's Creek are having a child together, TC could've been KH's father! OW is the most successful and attractive no non-sense African-American. AR (supposedly the most beautiful woman in the world) is 32! I could go on and on. And yet, all this will radically change tomorrow!!!!
Mar 3, 2006
He came, he saw, he conquered and then, he disappeared. I was reading KK's little story on dishonest twerps we could've done without.Unfortunately, I too have a story to share on similar lines. This story begins with a long lost friend of my father's making a comeback after nearly 20 years. He came into our lives in the year 1999 when we were deciding on hiring a contractor to remodel our weekend-getaway house in Panvel (situated on the old Bombay-Poona highway, a 15-minute drive from that famous Misal-Pavwalla). When I was a toddler (in Bahrain), this "gentleman" had purchased a camera worth a lakh rupees (~2000 USD) and spent about 4 loads of film shooting pictures of cute little Ketaki one single afternoon, before he generously gave away this fine piece of equipment to his brother in India. Mind you, those were his only savings from his time on a job away from home.Going back to 1999, mom was thoroughly exhausted from all the driving to and from Panvel, every weekend and sometimes on weekdays. I tried to help as much as I could, but there are certain things best left undone by a 20-year old. So we decided to hire the devil himself to do the job. He would bring me candy and sweets and little handicrafts that made me think he was an angel. I loved him.A couple of months later, our Panvel home was in a mess...our persian carpets were covered in cement and patches of broken tiles, our furniture had changed colors and was shedding layers. Our lawn was drowned in heaps of dirt. Money flowed, no questions asked, no progress visible. Then one day, he left. Not to be found till date. A bunch of my dad's friends then came out with similar stories only to confirm that we had indeed been duped.Unlike KK, I choose to name the twerp - Mr. Hemant Khedekar. This is my attempt to spread awareness in this area. I hope no one has to go through what we went through that year.
I feel like shit and look it too. Weekend, please come soon and wrap your arms around me. I need you.
Feb 21, 2006
Man: Social animal To the extent that it's more difficult for him to live by himself in misery than to live with someone in the same misery. I've known a handful of people personally, who use to be lonely and sad and are now pre-engaged, engaged, or married and sad. Do the *single and ready-to-mingle ones* out there, realize that they are not sad just because they are single? That being with someone doesn't make problems disappear by default? Some friends tell me they feel bad when they hear about other friends announcing togetherness. How do you tell these people that that is not happiness-by-default? That it's yet another part of life that expects you to handle it with love, care and responsibility? In no way, am I trying to associate "being with someone" with "sadness" either. That's exactly it! One has nothing to do with the other. All I'm saying is, it's old-fashioned to play victim using the single's card. The generations previous to ours did, and we should try and remember not to. Are you listening?
Feb 15, 2006
MASKIt's sad (?) that certain people aren't capable of wearing masks. And I don't mean the obvious kind. I mean the kind that we wear to hide our real feelings. It becomes especially difficult to wear the mask of kindness and niceness when the only real feelings you have toward a person are negative. It's easier to mask feelings of love and care with hatred. Why else would you pretend to hate someone when you are actually in love with them? Remember? How you told your friends - I hate xyz! I can't stand the sight of him/her! When all you really wanted to do was to stare your newfound fixation for long hours. Coming back to those who declare, the ones that roam with naked expressions - their natural smile, their uninhibited anger, unmasked, unpretentious, uncovered - it must be hard to live with all that, for you.
Feb 14, 2006
V's DayAs I was telling JM, it has always been the most overrated and undercelebrated day in my life and I'm not complaining ('cos I get to keep the gifts anyway).
Feb 9, 2006
I finally did it!I wished JM on his birthday! We've been friends for, umm, let me see...will have to count back...about 14 years (!!!!!) or so...every year, for some reason, I would call him on the 19th to wish him....his email ids have an explicit "09" in them, but you know me....can never see the obvious in things.Happy Birthday JM!!!! Hope you have an amazing Twenty-Somethingth birthday!!!! ;)
Feb 6, 2006
Wedding WoesShe was filled with joy. After all, it was her wedding day. Excitement, nervousness, anxiety, elation, fear, mood swings, and contentment. She was a melting pot of all of these. There were instances when she forgot the names of the people she was introducing to her significant other for the first time. There were times when she made up names. It was shameful, but what else could she do? This was the only unplanned event in the many events that preceded the wedding.Are we ever really involved in our own weddings? Not completely. Do we care? Yes, we do, we really care (it may be the only one). Is there time? Unfortunately, no. Do we know who're all being invited? It would be impossible to know all. Do we know the ones being invited? May be a few of them are fortunate enough to be known by the bride and/or groom. A couple of hundred, almost a thousand people will turn up to say their hellos and congratulations. Question is - will you be ready?
Feb 3, 2006
John and Jen - Chronicle 3John is tall, dark and handsome (according to them). Jen is short, dark and ugly (according to John). John is a lying, shallow jerk. Our Jen however, is virtuous, intelligent and innocent. John is her first "love" (reality is she doesn't know any better, she's caught between desperation and his lies). John knows blind Jen is his only shot at *true love*. John has cheated on Jen every season of the year. Jen cheats on John only when she breaks her diet or misses an aerobics class. Jen has lost a few sincere friends who saw through John. John has tried to date every friend of Jen's. Jen ocassionally speaks to John's friends to know what goes on in his mind. Consequently, John almost always sends Jen on a guilt trip. Jen swears she wont ever talk to John's friends. John wont change his ways. Jen is willing to change everything she can for him.Who's to blame here?
Feb 2, 2006
The Hole in My StoryLately, when I mean to tell a story, I get interrupted and the conversation goes in directions different from what had been originally planned. So, in an effort to be polite, I try not to interject on my friends' stories / gossip / news / etc. However, the outcome then is that my friends have missed out important details of my stories. Inevidently, those details turn out to be extremely significant and I am scorned at for not being fully honest. I cannot explain to my friends what happened, because then I would come off as being rude, which is why I had avoided saying anything in the first place. How I get myself in these sticky situations - I know, but wont tell.
Feb 1, 2006
Of emails and apartmentsWhen your significant other:- doesn't share passwords = you are not allowed to move into their apartment yet- shares passwords = you've gotten your own set of keys to their apartment- changes passwords without telling = you get locked out - never shares passwords again = time to move out---------------------------------------Dear Mr. Complimentor,I know you mean well, however, I don't consider that particular action of mine worthy of your compliments. I don't mean to burst your bubble, but the ability of the female sex to use a publicly available service like webstats is not an achievement. It is absolutely nothing to be impressed about. Imagine what you would do if you lived in this day and age! Thanks much,KSK
Jan 30, 2006
SourpunchI was kindly informed," The world does not function according to your whims and fancies!! " That really hurt.
Jan 29, 2006
Ketaki (online)You know how people log into a messenger, and are really "away" , "on the phone", "out to lunch", etc. ? I've done it myself a few times. Some of my friends are never online, they are always "busy". I've now stopped logging in when I don't want to be disturbed, duh! When I want to talk to my friends, I log in (because that's what a messenger is for!). So, next time you are "working", you either:(a) block (b) ignore (c) don't log in, simple.
Jan 27, 2006
John and Jen - Chronicle 2So, John called me the other day. He told me he was planning on surprising Jen on her first birthday after they'd gotten together. He wanted to throw Jen a party. He wanted all of Jen's friends and family to be there and he wanted to offer them the best in food, games, music and fun. There was only one problem - John had no money. I lent him the money he needed. The day came, and Jen was truly surprised. John was happy to see that Jen was happy. Jen called me to ask me how John had managed the finances. I didn't tell her. Should I have?
Jan 26, 2006
John and Jen - Chronicle 1John fights with Jen every now and then. They've been told that it's healthy for their relationship. Sometimes John and Jen can't always recall what their last fight was about. Or if they had fought yesterday or the day before. It's to the point that they end up calling each other anyway by mistake. Is this true love?
Jan 24, 2006
Back to PavillionYeah, that's the essence of the names of most of my friends on MSN / Yahoo messengers these days. MSN and Yahoo IDs have been screaming anything from "Back to boring old Indy" to "Back to reality". If a survey was done by month that measured the number of depressed students on University campuses, January would easily be number one, no? It is hard. Going home to India or wherever your home may be, re-visiting old memories, friends, relatives, genuine dinner invitations, sincere "I miss yous" are hard to forget. The reality is that you have to return to a real place. A real life. A life where there are few dinner invitations, fewer sincere friends and almost no genuine "I miss yous".
Jan 19, 2006
Things to Remember- When asked "How are you doing?", always say "fine, good, great or not-so-bad". At the most, could say "Do you really want to know?", but that would be taking it a little far anyway.- Trust Noone.- A B.I.T.C.H. is a B.I.T.C.H. is a B.I.T.C.H.- Sometimes people wake up and go to work decided that they are not going to like someone no matter what.- Go and let go.
Jan 16, 2006
They think that I need to be reminded of my loneliness to feel lonely. That by not talking about it, it will just go away. I wish it was like that.
Jan 13, 2006
Freaky FridayI was surprised to see the package on my desk this morning. The note attached to it said, "Sooji ka Halwa". It really freaked me out because there is only one other gentleman at work who is of Indian origin and I didn't think he would've left it there. I asked around. Nobody knew. The word halwa comes from Arabic. The package I have is a solid yellow mass with chopped almonds embedded in it. I've personally never liked dry halwa. I just found out who left it here and it was a sweet gesture, but........Besides that, my day's going like any other Friday (the 13th).
Jan 12, 2006
Silly MistakesWe all make them. There is a such a thing. Even then, a lot of us think different. There are those that think - a mistake is a mistake, no matter what. Then there are others who think - it's just a silly mistake, nothing big, nothing that should undermine my intellect, not something that I should be judged by (and graded for). For the most part, I've been making them and unfair judgements have been passed. I would've been CEO of my company. I would've ranked highest in my class. Yeah, yeah wouldas shouldas couldas, I'll stop. Let's do something constructive for a change. Let's all start writing a book about silly mistakes. Unlike Kramer's coffee table book (about coffee tables), our books can be not-so-silly books about silly mistakes. We can plan annual conferences and see what the latest trend in silly mistakes is. Every human being could be a member of the Silly Mistakes' Association (SMA). People could talk about silly mistakes that can happen / have happened at home, at school, at college, on a date, etc. Important: Silly mistakes are of least consequence and have a short-lived effect.
Jan 11, 2006
...What do you tell them? What do you give them? What do you swear by? Where do you take them? What do you offer them? There's no way. Words, presents, promises, trips, dinners can't convey it. A person can convince only by making you feel. And, it works both ways, I know. How do you make them feel?
Jan 10, 2006
Pompous ProfoundKK, in response to your post about deep reflective thoughts, I remember from somewhere - "No, I don't have profound thoughts everyday." -------------------------------------------------Deprivation ValueThere are plenty of things in life that have great value. And of course, for an average man to realize value, he needs to be deprived of it first. It's unfortunate how most things go unappreciated while they last. I'm not above average or anything, but I do know how fortunate I am to have.-----------------------------------Birthday WishesDear SJ, Wish you a healthy and happy life. May you achieve all that you aspire. And remember, you will never turn 21 again, enjoy!!!
Jan 8, 2006
Last weekend... Sim, it was so good to have you here. All the best for your last semester. You go girl!
Jan 4, 2006
Cruel Intentions 3Does it matter what your intention was when doing something? How many times have you caught yourself saying - "but my intention wasn't to hurt you"? How you made the other person feel is far more significant than how you meant to make them feel, no? Nobody remembers you for how good you intended it to be. If you really had bad intentions, then it is of course a different story. When you poke fun at someone and say - "don't take it personally", the only thing impersonal about the joke can sometimes be you. Even if you are ultimately doing the person good, it doesn't matter to them. What matters there is that you were being selfish and therefore malicious. You may have saved and improved a thousand lives, but if you did it for fame, then it's all in vain. Did you know that regular people are fast-disappearing? We may one day be an extinct species. Soon, we will be looked upon as the weird ones with a sense of humor. We may also be looked at as the only ones who can't take a sentence for its exact opposite meaning!
Dec 19, 2005
'Tis the SeasonTake the color red, take the color green.Add a few million ecstatic people.What do you get?A big bonus, some holidays, a lot of gifts, food, and cheer.DE's wife was in a car wreck a couple of days ago. The wife and her father were the only two people in the car. The car crash killed her father who was sitting right by her and she had to see him die. Horrendous. I was struck with horror as another colleague told me this story. At the end of the narrative, as a punchline, they said - and that too just a month before Christmas! What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Dec 13, 2005
Moving onIs there really such a thing? Can there be? Is it possible? No matter how much you try to ignore me, you think of me. You think of how you should never call or talk with me. You plan on not meeting me. You take the routes that don't interject mine. You think of how you should do things that will upset me. You think of how easy it is for you to go on with your life even though I'm not by your side. Every minute that passes by feels like a year, you say it doesn't matter to you. Time seems to stand still and you think of all the times we've spent together that slipped through like dry sand. You are not like the rest who can kill brain cells to cut out chunks of memories [the ones who fake amnesia].You've failed to move on. You are right here with me thinking the same things that I am.
Dec 12, 2005
Thought For YouGermans say: "Der Klügere gibt nach (der Esel hat sein Plag)"Translation: The smart one gives in.Meaning: Go figure!
Dec 9, 2005
When want = need*
* this part of my life made possible by SK's pampering ;)
Dec 8, 2005
We are familyIn my pre-teen years, I thought that the happiest day in my life would be when I lived with my "full family" forever. It's strange how I still believe this.One day, surely.
Dec 7, 2005
What's love got to do with it?Two people meet, fall in love, get married, have babies, their babies grow into adults, fall in love and so goes on the circle of life. Such a simple process. And we complicate it every step of the way. You know how some people say they buy exactly what they need when they go shopping? The darker sex gloats, "What's the fuss about? When I go to a store, I know exactly what I want, I pick it, pay for it and I'm out of there. I never waste time looking for things I don't need or want." Does knowing exactly what you need make life easier? Or does it make it that much more difficult to find Mr. / Ms. Right? How do these people know exactly what they need? And then, when needs become wants, then what? Do some of us let practicality and convenience take over our ideals? Maybe. Do some of us let our wants become our needs? Absolutely. Why else would there be portable DVD players? ;)
Dec 6, 2005
Opposites DistractIs it important that two people should value the same values? Does it matter that they feel pleasure and pain in the same things? When two people get together initially, they sometimes do so because of common interest or even lack of common interest. They may both hate golf. What if gradually they found out that their common interests weren't so common anymore? Would they eventually drift apart? How could they get so close in the first place? It's sad but true. Each one of us is different, no matter how much we overlap. We find joy in different things. One may be passionate about cricket and the other may not even care for watching it on television. One may think that the most important time to spend with loved ones is special occassions - anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, etc. One may not. Does this give one the right to mock the other for being sensitive to different things? I guess it does, after all you are just another average human being, aren't you?
Dec 1, 2005
Special WishesDear MG,You are lucky to be born on the first day of the last month of the year. Only special people were made on this day ;). Your friendship means a lot to us.Happy Birthday!-K&SK ----------------------------------------Dear Dr. JKL,Happy Birthday!
Nov 30, 2005
It's not my birthdayApparently it doesn't matter what day your birthday really falls on. Depending on where people are calling in from, it could be three different dates. In the sense, if it's the 1st in Japan today, then the Japanese will wish you today. Californians and Hawaiians will wish you the day after your birthday and so on. Their excuses are,"Oh but in our country, your birthday is already here, so". Or, "It still is the 1st here!" I have one thing to say to these people,"Get a world clock!" I think that the people who can't wish you on the day of your birthday are the ones that are plain lazy. They would be inconvenienced to just count back or ahead of their local time. How many times do you call your folks at home and are asked,"So what time is it there?" As if the time difference changes everyday [in America, daylight savings and 7 different time zones have messed up even that and I do give benefit of doubt to some]. But to most, no. I refuse to be sympathetic to you just because you can't take one minute out of your time to calculate what time it is where I live.
Nov 23, 2005
This is a post that should be read tomorrow, i.e., Nov 24th, 2005. Dear PK,Happy Birthday!I thank God every day of the year that he blessed me with a sister as delightful and caring as you. Today, you've turned 21. So you can legally vote, drink and do a lot of things that I don't do even at 26. SheeshEnjoy!------------------------------------------------------------Why you should live in Wisconsin- Outsiders pity you and pay a visit ever so often (more than they did when I lived in Houston)- In fact, VM, SK, AP are on their way to Milwaukee right now- You get to experience the traditional snowy Thanksgiving- It's only 60 miles from Chicago! or It's 60 miles away from Chicago! - whichever way you look at itHappy Thanksgiving everyone! Have a lot to be thankful for this year.
Nov 21, 2005
Mumbai, India"Kya Madam? Yaha pe Aadmi ka jindagi ka gaa-run-tea nahi hai..tum saadi ka gaa-run-tea mangta hai?"This is what my mom was told when she asked if the saree she was about to buy could sustain dry cleaning. Sometimes wisdom comes from the most unexpected places. No offense to you, Aai. :)
Nov 18, 2005
India - she's somethingFriends, Romans, Countrymen and Women,
Again, I hate pasting forwards, but this one's exceptional...
Turn your speakers on,Click on this ---> http://www.ku.edu/~kuindia/dhoom_slides.htm And enjoy!
Nov 17, 2005
Weather UpdateRemember when talking about the weather was considered small talk? Well, at least where I came from it was. It is 19 degrees Fahrenheit today, and it feels like 1 degree. Where SK lives, it is 53 degrees Fahrenheit and it feels like that too. I have to make a big deal about this. I mean I thought we were always supposed to use the word *degree* in its plural form. Yeah, yeah now I know.
Nov 16, 2005
WeatherSo I'm driving out the garage and I look at the temperature indicator. It reads 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Distance between home and work = 2.2 miles. Temperature outside work reads 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It feels like 19 degrees Fahrenheit, that's -7 degrees Celsius. It's funny how in adverse conditions people report temperatures using different systems. In Houston, we'd love to say "it's a 110 degrees outside!" In Bahrain, I'd hear it would often be 122 degrees Fahrenheit. I say *hear* as I spent my 17 years there living inside a shell. I was always protected. From extreme weather, etc. In the 5 years that I spent in Bombay, it would always be 32 degrees celsius, always.Today being winter's official first day, can't imagine what's in store. I don't even have the shell anymore...brrr
Nov 11, 2005
Olive BranchForgive me O Lord, for I have sinned. I forgot the rest of my Chicken Castelina at Olive Garden. I promise to make it up to you by going back as frequently as you wish.
Nov 9, 2005
Scorpion Queen We know each other since good old college days and we still talk 20 times a day, everyday. Our conversations could go on for hours everyday, had it not been for other people in our lives. She is on Eastern Standard Time. I called her last night around twelvish (CST). I could hear her other friends say, "Why is she calling an hour later?" I wondered for a little while what her friends were talking about and hung up. Before we hung up, VM said, "I hate you" and I said, "I hate you too". Because of recent cognitive impairment caused by my insomnia, I thought I was having a dream. I jumped out of bed and called VM again to scream, "Happy Birthday!!!!!!!! I'm sorry I forgot!!!!!........." I was actually mad at her for not reminding me, during our previous phone call. I then realized that she was the one who could've been mad at me. But she wasn't. I'm glad I have such friends. And then you wonder how did she get to be so pompous?----------------------------------------My favorite birthday card reads, "Dear Ketaki, it's your birthday and your friends are trying to impress you with all sorts of presents. I'm glad we're above that sort of thing. Happy Birthday!"
Nov 8, 2005
Wishes are horses and beggars can ride I have insomnia. It's terrible. I wished for this in college so I could study longer the day before an exam without having to waste time sleeping. Some of our wishes are granted a couple of years too late. So, be careful what you wish for.
Nov 7, 2005
KK, this one is especially for you.In an adult's dictionary, the word *promise* has no place. It is a word that is frowned upon by the sensible ones. The very mention of this word makes them uncomfortable and defensive. As kids, our friends and loved ones kept us under a notion. The day you stop believing in promises shall be the day you will have truly grown into an adult - the average adult. I haven't reached that place yet, but I've felt it's friction when my world collides with theirs.
Nov 4, 2005
of Jarheads and JugheadsA couple of months ago, I was interviewing someone for a position in my department. It was kind of the first time for me. After it was over, we still had some time left, so in an attempt to make my prospective employee comfortable, I started to make small talk. I had to ask if she was married. She looked like she could be my age, so. She said she was. Then she asked me the same and I told her. I couldn't wait to tell her the end of it - that I was in a long distance marriage and how difficult my life was, etc. I decided to ask her first where she lived and what her husband did. She said she lived nearby and that her huband was away. I was delighted. Now! I thought to myself, now I should tell her about how similar our lives were! She went on to say that her husband was in Iraq fighting the war. It was like a slap on my face. I couldn't move. I was so ashamed of myself. Here I was dying to tell everybody what I thought was the worst thing that could happen to newly-weds. She wasn't a newly-wed, but does that matter? We hired her and she's never been vociferous about herself. I really admire her. Her knight in shining armor returned this week. She has been sick almost everyday since. Sigh...
Nov 3, 2005
U2I was once told that if I was going to make a big deal about something, then I should stick to my story till the end and justify it. At least that way I won't look like someone who is doing something just for the heck of it. And that way, it would convey that I say and do what I believe, not what I think I believe. Phew! Man really, does it have to be so complicated? Am I not a mere mortal after all? So then why can't I think, act and do without being judged? Why is the spotlight on me? Why can't my life just run in the background? Why am I in focus? I'd like to be in photo-finish or something. Please leave me alone. I am not a messiah. I'm not saving anybody. You follow me and you will go down. Once in a while, sure, I'm narcissistic. But it shouldn't be about me all the time. It's not just me, it's you too!
Nov 2, 2005
It's not thinking when you say it out loudYou know how when people say, "I was just thinking aloud!"? Yeah right, they were just thinking. If we praised their decision and sang about it, they wouldn't be saying that. They would be saying, "It just came to me, I didn't need to think about it once!" They think we can't see through their slyness. Some of us are naive. If we don't approve of them and are spontaneously vocal about it, and then are told that it was just loud thinking, it leads to our fatal mortification. We are embarrased to the extent where we start to blame ourselves to be nothing but pessimistic, headstrong idiots. These manipulative jerks lurk around us. Everyday they use a new bag of tricks that fools us about how strange we are . In reality, it is they who need the help. They are the ones polluting our simple, clean minds against ourselves. What could be worse than hating yourself? And then we expect others to love us.
Nov 1, 2005

May the festival of lights adorn your homes with bright times.
Happy Diwali.
Oct 31, 2005
Season's GreetingsRemember when we were kids in school how we had to write an essay on whatever festival was nearing. Like for Oct 02, we had to write - "My Favorite National Hero"; for Nov 14 it would be -"Children's Day" or "Chacha Nehru ka Janmdin" or once again - "My Favorite National Hero" and so on. So everytime we had to write one of these, our "favorite national hero" would change and we'd write about him with the same passion each time. Now that we are out of all of it, it's so different. It's Diwali today, but it doesn't feel like it. I'm not on a school stage singing "Deep Jalao, Deep Jalao, Aaj Diwali Hai". I'm not dressed up as an Indian princess for a fancy dress competition [so I wouldn't have to wear my boring school uniform]. Going back to the essays, I think we'd have to write one every year for every festival, etc. The one sure entry my English composition book got every year was - people going to their friends' homes and distributing sweets. Say, how many sweets have you distributed lately?Happy Diwali
Oct 28, 2005
EgoThose of you who let your ego come in between your relationships, please raise your hand. Not funny, now I have to type using just one hand. We say we don't but we do. We all let our ego come in between. And you may genuinely think that it is not ego, this thus makes you dangerous. Come on, what are you saying? That getting attention from all the boys/girls in middle and high school wasn't self-esteem building? That acing college while participating and shining in extra-curricular activities wasn't ego-bloating? You'd have to be weird to not let all that get to your head right? Men are known to have an ego, to base their entire life and personality on it. We women will justify their behaviour using ego-related cliches. The minute a woman has some respect for herself, she becomes vixenish. Why? Tell me, why?
Oct 27, 2005
TodayIf I had to choose the singlemost busiest day at work [from a total of 7 months], it would be today. So for those of you who theorize that Same Page is an outcome of me having a lot of free time on hand at work, theorize again. No seriously, I have to go now.
Oct 26, 2005
What's in a name? Only everything!Lately, I've been thinking of officially changing my last name. All my significant documents still say *Karpe*. This blog is the only place where I remotely mention *Karpe-Kolgaonkar*. Changing your name can be a big hassle, especially if you've been travelling all your life, have three passports attached to one another, etc. Just the thought of it makes me go ballistic. To top it off, I've changed 3 countries for "higher studies". The only thing high about it was that I had to fly really high to get there (okay, bad joke sorry). So anyway, I've talked to all my recently married friends about this issue and what I see is this. The ladies can be divided in two categories. The first category is comprised of the ones who are on a *dependant* visa and the second category encompasses the ladies who are *natives* or who have been sponsored independant *work or student* visas by their country of residence. My dependant ladies say, "Oh of course, you have to replace your last name with your husband's. It would be very insensitive to do otherwise. It goes against all traditions." The independant ladies say, "The name I've been carrying for so long is the only real identity I have, I don't want to lose it and *this country* allows you that freedom. At the most, I would hyphenate and that too to impress the in-laws, but it would still be a hassle."Then I look at all my friends back home (India). There are some who have hyphenated names, there are those who carry their husband's name and there are a few others who've stayed with their maiden name. These ladies have discouraged me from making a decision. I'm confused all over again and back where I started. The dependant ladies' argument really holds no water. The independant ones are too how do you say, forward? PS - Don't check with your husband on this one, why would you want to involve him? You are not fishing for a biased opinion, are you?
Oct 24, 2005
The vaseShe bought a vase. She wanted to turn their little house into a home, so she bought a vase. Friends and family praised her for her aesthetic sense. Their home was the envy of many. Best in the neighborhood. Then one day, the vase broke. Who broke it? Doesn't matter. It broke. Her husband went to the store and got a new one. They were happy again and it was all fine. Some days went by and the vase broke, her husband got mad. He said, "Why did you buy the vase in the first place? Now we have to fix it everytime it's broken." This time she took it to the store and got it fixed. Her husband loved the way their home looked with the pretty little vase on the center-table. He kissed her and said, "See this is why I love you, everything you touch becomes beautiful." Some more days went by, and the vase broke again. Her patience-depleted husband yelled, "Why did you buy the vase? It just makes no sense to me." She collected the broken pieces and trashed them. More days went by and on their anniversary, her husband got her the vase, yes *the vase*. But of course, it broke again and he said to her, "You know that present was a big mistake. I will have to fix it again. I hate our life." She sobbed. She hated that she liked the vase in the first place. "My home is never going to look pleasant again", she thought. She stopped trying. She stopped decorating. She took it as it came. She cared for her kids, her husband and their home was still the envy of many. It just wasn't the best looking one in their neighborhood anymore. Moral: Whatever you make of it, it's up to you.
Oct 19, 2005
GeographyCulture and nature [of a person] are two different things.When you've never lived on your own, there are lots of things you aren't aware of. Oh but you think you know everything. You think that the girl you met at the foreign consulate back home will make a good roommate. Why? Because she's a "Mumbaite". You forget that people who've lived in central suburbs of Mumbai were different from the ones who've lived in western suburbs who were different from the "townies" and so on and so forth. Just because VJ from Dombivli had been to a college in South Bombay, it doesn't qualify her to be categorized in that "S Bombay Crowd". When I started college, my classmates revealed this harsh reality to me. I'd never known that people justified each other's traits based on geography. I took to my peers' advice as the ultimate truth [never paid attention in Social Sciences class, so].Then one day, I became a roommate and an apartmentmate [that's what happens when 4 people share a 2 bedroom apartment]. I shared my bathroom and kitchen with complete strangers. Aliens from a different land I thought. ST and NG were my apartmentmates for TWO whole years! I've always had rotten luck getting good roommates. I'm glad however, I found ST and NG. I chose to live with them. They were simply the best. The other roommates, came to me. I had no choice, it's what I got. You see, it's hard for me to turn down someone who says she wants to live with me. So I realized that the difference between getting and choosing wasn't a subtle one after all. Could this be the kind of parallel that could be drawn between a love marriage and an arranged one? I will never know. Anyhow, coming back to people being different just because they live in a different area - is what I now call **** **** , get it?
Oct 18, 2005
HappinessHappiness is a decision. It's not the way things are made, it's the way things are made to be. Nothing is innately happy or sad. It becomes what we make of it. A particular situation can make you very happy depending on how you choose to look at it. The very same situation can easily bring out tears if you chose to look at it differently. For instance [there has to be a for instance right?] - on the ocassion of your birthday, you could think of how fortunate you are to see another year, or you could think of it as another wrinkle/weight gaining year. Easier said than done you say? Hmm, I know I've always thought that too. But you know what, I'm gonna change that. When faced with something, I will think about what I want to feel rather than what I have to feel. Somebody get me some Prozac now!
Oct 17, 2005
The FallsFour couples by a lake that turns into the falls that becomes a river that leads to the ocean equals one wonderful weekend. SK and his parents flew there from Houston. I flew from here. KP, HK and his parents flew from San Francisco. I think it's important I note the trip here, because it went by fast. Before we knew it, we were homeward bound. We had all been there before so we thought we knew exactly how it was going to be. Unexpectedly, we got to see "fall colors" too. Yeah, they're big there. After getting back, I noticed fall colors here too! I would've never realized them on my own. I'm a big sucker for not noticing nature's beauty. And an even bigger one after having noticed. Anyhow, going back to the falls, we saw at least ten full rainbows there. We almost touched them too. One waterbody was enough to provide the entertainment and much needed amusement that actually isn't even missing in our lives. Check this space for pictures.
Oct 14, 2005
As if all this wasn't enough...somebody up there loves me too! Thanks you...
Oct 13, 2005
The Feast, The Beast and The FastLast week, we ate at a Turkish restaurant in Chicago. The food was really good. Our Turkish waiter had a pleasing personality. Everytime we took a bite, we told him how good the food was. He had made the pita bread himself he said. After making some small talk about the weather, he said he was fasting because of the Holy month. My friend (also Turkish) asked him why he was fasting. He replied, "I had this really crazy party last week. There were at least a 150 people in my 12" by 12" living room. We had lots of good food, booze, hookahs, etc. We were so smashed after the party that I decided it was time I washed away my sins by fasting for a month." After the waiter left our table, my friend said," Well, I don't need to wash away anything so I'm not going to starve myself." Fair enough.
Oct 11, 2005
Second BabyHe's here! Born October 11th, 2005. We wanted him to share his b'day with Big B, after all some good things do come in really big packages ;).His full name is "Nissan Murano SE". He is a silver color (of course). He's fully loaded with ALL the features you could ever ask for. I wanted to post his birth after seeing him in person, but I couldn't wait. I haven't seen him yet, he's in Houston so....Pictures coming up!
Good looks and bad attitude - a dangerous combination.
Oct 7, 2005
On the Wagon or Off? - which one's normal?As a teetotaler and non-smoker, I'm often asked - Why don't you drink? or Why don't you smoke? Is it religious? What's the matter with you? Is it associated with a bad experience you've had sometime?All these questions! Make me think - Wow! why don't I smoke or drink? Why don't I feel the need to ocassionally get smashed and *forget all my worries*? Is Ketaki's life all about self-deprivation? Why does she have to be so weird? I think real hard before I answer these questions. I don't have any good answers. We are all stressed out in some way or the other, then why oh why don't I choose to relax the regular convenient way? Why am I making inconvenient choices of taking vacations, renting cars, printing driving directions, finding hotels, etc., when it's all sitting there in the liquor store in one bottle? Why can I dance like a mad woman and enjoy a party without alcohol? There must be something really wrong with me!I mean it's not religious and I don't associate it with an experience [mine or anyone else's]. I've tasted everything there is, never gagged or thrown up, then what is it? Noooo, I wouldn't dare ask the alcoholics and chimneys why they do it. What if it offends them?
Oct 6, 2005
Waking UglyIn order to avoid puffy eyes and look presentable tomorrow morning,I need sleep.I should sleep.I must sleep now.I'm going to bed.I'm gone.
Oct 5, 2005
Reply SoonWhen people are prompt, we assume they behave like that because they might have a compulsion to do so. In other words, we take that particular behavior of theirs for granted. For instance, if A replies to all our emails within a day, we think A has a lot of time on her hands or A is obssessed with being punctual and proper. Who takes a moment to justify someone's good behavior beyond a sentence? We don't really care and why should we. Anyhow, now a day comes when we see a change in behavior. A's good behavior has changed to bad behavior. She no longer is the predictable person she used to be. Like many others in our lives, her behavior is difficult to explain in a sentence. Complicated behavior leads us to think of A as a complicated person. We try to dissociate with her as much as possible. She hasn't replied to one email within a day. A is not the person we used to know. A has changed and why? Because she didn't reply to one email within a day.
Oct 4, 2005
Thought For The *Weak*Jews say: "A bird that you set free may be caught again,but a word that escapes your lips will not return."Rosh Hashanah![Happy New Year!]
Oct 3, 2005
Apartment MateDid I ever tell you about Guppy Aur Goldi?Well, Guppy just died. She was one of a kind. She was so naughty, she wouldn't ever let Goldi eat his bloodworms in peace. She was much smaller than him, but she would chase and scare him away. This little fish was a big entertainer. And then there were two.
On StrikeDue to the indefinite strike posed by the writers employed to write this blog, your daily reading may be interrupted. Please bear with me. I'm looking into improving my life in order to offer my employees better career opportunities. My employees demand:- supporting an exciting lifestyle- occasional rumors, gossip, juicy stuff- an office spacewhat to do? what to do? pray tell me, what to do?
Sep 23, 2005
Out of SightIs it true that if I were to disappear from the surface of this Earth forever, I would be forgotten? Of course I would. If I made a re-appearance every now and then, would I still be an unknown face? I would. For most of you, I'm out of sight, am I also out of mind? I know I am [out of my mind I mean]. Do you think about me when you see me, or when you don't see me? I stop caring about certain people if I don't want/have to see them ever again, do you?
Sep 16, 2005
Parag's, Mine, Shripad's , ?'s, Swati's
I found this picture on my college website. It's something I never stopped to look at. It's funny how much stuff like this amuses me now that I'm thousands of miles away from it. I wonder how many such things really exist in my life right now and if I stop to look at them.
Sep 15, 2005
RKThe next couple of days I go to Miami, Florida. It's a work-related trip, but I will also be meeting up with some friends. I will be meeting one after nine years. She wore a bob cut the last time I saw her. If her hair grew an inch longer, life would've been difficult for her. She also detested couples roaming around college campus making it look disgraceful. She was a proud tomboy. I watched my first movie in a Mumbai theater with her, the name of the movie - Bombay. We went to Math and Physics tuitions together. We ate at D.P.'s and Chinaman outside Ruia College. We've exchanged friendship ribbons. She's saved me from berating bullies. Let's find out if our wonder years can be rerun episode to episode nine years later and let's hope five days are enough to catch up.
Sep 14, 2005
What would life at 40 be like? I hope it's no different from life at 70.
Sep 13, 2005
Bombay to New OrleansUK has a way with words. Commenting on current catastrophes, he writes, "Similar disasters, different reactions - Mumbai rain and Louisiana hurricane." Different reactions - that's for sure.AMS just forwarded me some interesting statistics. I hate pasting forwards, but I make an exception.Inches of rain New Orleans - 18Mumbai - 37.1 PopulationNew Orleans - 484,674 Mumbai - 12,622,500 Dead within 48 hours New Orleans - 100Mumbai - 37 Number of people to be evacuated New Orleans - 484,674 Mumbai - 10,000 Cases of shooting and violenceNew Orleans - CountlessMumbai - None Time taken for army to reach... New Orleans - 48hoursMumbai - 12hours Status 48hours laterNew Orleans - still waiting for relief, army and electrictyMumbai - back on its feet and business is as usual
Devil's WorkshopIf nobody's perfect, then everything is flawed. *Design flaw* is a science made up by a bunch of very believable lethargic people. These people went great lengths in describing what the flaw/s was/were. They could see the problem, but were too lazy to refrain from doing it the problematic way in the first place. Not only were they good at describing how bad the design was, they provided plans for improvement. If we didn't implement the plans they suggested, then we had bad customer service. If we had bad customer service, then we were bad human beings, they told us. This created millions and millions of jobs on the planet. Never underestimate the power of indolence. Long live the slothful!
Sep 9, 2005
Gimme a GroomEver noticed how some people will groom themselves occasionally?Coloring grey only before going on vacation.Ironing only work clothes.Breath freshening only before talking to the boss.Using a deodorant only while going outdoors.Showering selectively too!Women will wash their hair selectively.Men will trim their nose hair sometimes, not all the time.When you are in the audience for such people, you feel respected if you are included in their look-at-me-I’m-groomed audience. However, some of us intermittently fall in the look-at-me-I’m-shabby audience. Still others always fall in this sad second class audience.It makes me wonder - what does X think of me? Am I not good enough for him/her? Don’t I deserve a neat haircut at the least? She shaves her legs for him, but she doesn’t care if I see the hairy ball of fuzz that she is?Life’s unfair.
Sep 8, 2005
Writer ShmiterI've been getting fan mail for a while now [ hey hate mail still is fan mail too :) ]. I feel like a celebrity! Thank you everyone, you are too kind. To reinforce that I'm not a *writer*, leave alone *good writer*: "The very impulse to write, I think, springs from an inner chaos crying for order, for meaning, and that meaning must be discovered in the process of writing or the work lies dead as it is finished. To speak, therefore, of a play as though it were the objective work of a propagandist is an almost biological kind of non-sense, provided, of course, that it is a play, which is to say, a work of art." - A. Miller (1915-2005)Work of art? I think not!So there, I'm not a writer.
Sep 7, 2005
Born on the FirstYour first fall. Your first birthday.Your first day at school. Your first teacher.Your first friend. Your first phone call. Your first fight.Your first stuffed animal. Your first pair of sneakers. Your first pizza.Your first exam. Your first gold star. Your first failure.Your first computer.Your first email. Your first audio cd.Your first crush. Your first letter. Your first song. Your first dance. Your first glass of wine. Your first time.Your first baby. Your first teen. Their firsts.Your last kiss. Your last goodbye. Your last day.Firsts last forever.Enjoy your firsts while they last.
Sep 1, 2005
Sep1-Sep6 - vacationing in California
Happy Labor Day shopping to y'all!
Aug 31, 2005
Blog Haters and Cool TalkersIf you are one of the former, please don't force yourself to come here. What's the point in regularly following, always commenting and sometimes appreciating if it bothers you so? It's not like school. Where, even though we hated it, we went. We do realize now how important it was that we went. As kids it was just so cool to hate school. For some life's like that. I mean they hate anything they do, while religiously doing it everyday. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are "grown-ups" now. Let's start doing things we like doing. Seriously, let's do things because we want to do them, not because we have to do them. And who are we fooling? We are doing things because we want to do them. We are making the choices whose consequences we still fear facing. PS - Some people will hate mangoes, chocolates, ice-creams and Sachin Tendulkar. The things people will do to sound cool, tsk tsk.
Aug 30, 2005
Doing ItSometimes you hate someone so much that you do exactly as they do. By the time you realize what you are doing, you've done it so long you can't stop doing it. It's now become a part of you, you think it's you. It's not you, it's them. Them as in - the hated ones. So, if you don't want to be annoying me anymore, stop doing it. It should be easier for you to do, now that you know.
Aug 29, 2005
Sanitary InsanityIf they call us obssessive complusive cleaners, why don't they call them obssessive compulsive mess-makers? Why are all serial killers neatness *freaks*? Why can't the world remember their orderliness as the singlemost nice thing about them? When we clean and clean and clean, why aren't we rewarded any? What are we expecting? A Pulitzer Prize? No, all we expect is that it be kept that way. Remember, it's us who keeps track of all the documents (important or no) so you can find what you need when you need it. Love us, don't label us.
Aug 28, 2005
The Path of Least ResistanceI'm lovin' it!
Aug 26, 2005
A fights with me.B fights with me.C fights with me.D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y,Z all fight with me. I am the common factor. What am I supposed to do? Stop all human contact?Okay.-------------------------------------I am not the government. I don't advocate of you, for you or about you.Seriously man, the ego on you.-------------------------------------Announced generosity is no generosity.
Aug 25, 2005
First FuneralOne of my colleague's mom died of lung cancer. I was hesitant to go, I still went. I didn't want people from work to see me in tears. Funny thing I didn't cry, at all. Everybody else did, now I feel weird.----------------------------------------The Body ShopBody language is everything, spend munificently.
Aug 23, 2005
The F wordNo, not that one. The word is fat. A few weeks ago, I was watching a TV show. It was interesting because it had plenty of really good looking big girls. All of them had at least one *talent*. One had a voice to die for. One killed with her graceful walk. Another one had velvet skin and so on. These girls also had two other things in common - a) they were all plus size and b) they didn't want to be discriminated against based on it. They wanted to declare to America that they have feelings just like skinny people. Fat is not different, fat is a state of the body. Do we really need a TV show to tell us that fat people have feelings? Are we that thick-headed? What have you achieved with that perfect body upto this date? What good is physical shape when the mind is so distorted? Let's leave it to the inanimate objects like sayyy the cellular phone ;) to be discriminated against based on it's sleek look.
Aug 22, 2005

See how thin
Motorazor This is what he gave me last weekend [complete with a wireless headset]You don't know what you've missed until you've had one. Too bad you'll never know...
Aug 18, 2005
Who Me?Couldn't Be.I aint a phone person!Then I look at the call details on my phone statements. I've talked on the phone for an average of 40 minutes per call. You got an average of 90 calls/day from me. On a couple of occasions, I've called you 72 times before you've answered the phone. I've called you at 1,2,3,4,5,6 in the a.m., I've bought international calling cards that averaged 50/- a week on your credit cards; nevertheless, I'm not a phone person.Geez what would I do if I was a phone person?-------------------------------------------------------------How can a gem such as a diamond, pearl, ruby, topaz, etc. predict-the level of happiness or sorrow in your life?-the quality of life you haven't even started?-if your health will remain maintained?How come an astrologer never finds cause for his own poor health, wealth or wisdom? Last question - if diamonds are forever, why doesn't it hold for the people wearing them?
Aug 17, 2005
Six Degrees of SeparationThe best gift ever endowed upon me - my little sister.I tried writing more about her here to tell you how it feels to have one. I just couldn't do it. I then looked to the dictionary for better substitutes for words like - important, mature, loving, frank, honest, selfless, friend, funny, listener, and many more. I couldn't find anything to perfectly describe her. How can she contain so much in her? Can I ever praise her without the use of adjectives?And you think you'd know if you had a sister.-------------------------------------------------A wise one once said, "You can pretend to have anything. The one thing you can't pretend to have is money - that it's make-believe will show sooner or later"
Aug 15, 2005
Self-annihilationAsk yourself this - if I killed myself today, would it make any difference what people think of me? My answer was no, so I'm going to live on.
Aug 12, 2005
July '93Karachi, PakistanWhen I was 14, I got invited for a wedding to Karachi, Pakistan. A close friend of the family was to get married there. An Indian boy was to marry a Pakistani girl. Eye brows were raised, of course. I really didn't know what the big deal was about.[ I went to school with children that came from different parts of the world, and there was nothing different about any of us. We hated going to school, we loved staying in bed till late, we loved making fun of the same teachers, we hated homework and math, we read novels and comics that were secretly stashed under our desks, we said the same prayers and we ate lunch together ]Anyhow, coming back to the wedding, a lot of times I heard this - she belongs to the same religion! and her family had to migrate during the war because of the business they had there...blah blah blah blah blah blah....My worries were different from others'. I was going to attend my first wedding and was excited. First I had to get a dress! Then I had to make sure I had enough jewellery to match it and look like I could be the bride :). Mom got everything for me. I was a happy camper, and off I went to the country called Pakistan.The Pakistanis gave us a grand reception. Chauffeured imported cars and 5 star hotel accomodations in Clifton, Karachi had been arranged. I did only four things while there - eat, shop, dance and make merry. We shopped ninety percent of the time. The shopkeepers were adorable. The minute they were told we were Indian, they would be extra hospitable, they'd order cold drinks [ even if it was a street vendor ], they'd gift us souveniours, and they were so pleased we were there. We went to a one-of-a-kind Shiva temple that looked like it had emerged out of the ground right in the middle of the street. I have the most pleasant memories of the people of Pakistan, except that I had to get back within 2 weeks. Xth grade summer classes :(. Latest Update - the couple is happily married (knock on wood) with the 2 cutest kids in the world.
Aug 11, 2005
National Geographic Channelthe best thing that ever happened to television - just love it!------------------------------------------------------------Capturing LiberatorsCurrent Mood = noneCurrent Read = Who Moved My Cheese? Current Eats = don't ask [pampered by in-laws]Current Car = I know you know :)Current Movie = I've been away from it for so long, I don't know, you tell me!Current Music = My Six-CD Changer has had the same 6 CDs forever, so this one's dated [no, it's not one that needs to be loaded through the trunk, just me being myself - lazy]
Aug 10, 2005
Tring TringYou are not just a phone call away when- at least 25 messages sit on your answering machine daily- received calls = 2 and missed calls = 50- you can't be on the phone and drive - you can't be on the phone and have company - you can't be on the phone and cook - your work hours are 8-6 and evening class hours are 6-10This is a perfect example of the hypocrite that is me, and please give me a break, aren't we all? Only some are more times than others, which still doesn't change the fact.
Aug 9, 2005
At The AirportShe was looking forward to a new life, a new country. Apprehensive, anxious, fretful, twitchy - she was all the things she had never known. At least a hundred others were in the same boat as her and that provided fleeting comfort. All alone she stood watching how every mother had teary eyes. The goodbyes were just too hard to even watch. All around her eyes searched. What were they looking for? Her parents hadn't bid farewell yet. Where were they? A voice in her head said - where's mom? where's mom? where's dad? where's mom? Nowhere. Her parents had taken off even before she knew it. Suddenly all her feelings turned into humiliation. Not looking back once, she ran to the terminal that she thought would take her away from it all.Four years. It's been the four longest years of her life. She always wanted to call it home. She always wanted to want to go back, she never did. She never could.
Aug 8, 2005
Friendship's DayYou don't have to wish me "Happy Friendship's Day". All you got to do is keep in touch [more than once a year]. It's not about running away from friends, it's about confiding and knowing you are being heard by unjudging ears. I thought that should've done it, but obviously you didn't. Wont wish you one happy day, but a lifetime of happiness.-KSK
Aug 5, 2005
Pre-B'Day WishesDear HM, Have Fun!!! You wont have the time to come here tomorrow, so here's to your day :) !Love,SK & KSK
Aug 4, 2005
E-FriendsVoiceless. Faceless. Touchless. Some are only these, yet they hear you, see you and feel you better than the ones breathing near you.
Aug 3, 2005
Issues- why two people shouldn't think alikeplagiarism = copying = lifting = stealing = bootlegging = illegal use = breach of copyrightIf you've plagiarized, or have been plagiarized ----> http://www.copyscape.com- toilet seatsIn an ideal world there would be no commodes. Which sex gets to decide the seat angle [90 or 180]?
Aug 1, 2005
July 26, 2005One difference between the movie "The Day After Tomorow" and the recent havoc experienced by Mumbai (Bombay), is that in the movie they were given warnings at least 2 days before disaster actually hit.Words do injustice to what has happened there in the past few days. I still chose to go against justice, forgive me.
Jul 29, 2005
Question of Life?There are no answers.
Jul 28, 2005
ExamsJust today I wished a friend good luck on her upcoming exam. For the last 25 years, I was so used to a "same to you" type of response, that I almost expected it. Then I realized that I had outgrown that phase a while ago. No more exams for me! Yippee!They tell me that, there will be many more exams that wont come in the form of black & white question papers. They say that I wont even know I'm being tested! Or what I'm being tested for! Will someone even tell me that I didn't do too well? What if I fail them?And I thought they were done with forever... Okay, seriously now cut it out with the "welcome-to-my-worlds"...grrrr...
Jul 27, 2005
Respect- is different from fear- doesn't come for free- has to be earned- shouldn't be paid just because - cannot be earned or learnt by reiterating- is where love is, I promise.
Jul 26, 2005
Oompa LoompaHeaven is....when Johnny Depp and Chocolate come together!Whatever said and done, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory will always be where it is, and nothing, and nobody, I say nobody can take it's place.-----------------------------------------------------------Seven months
Jul 25, 2005
Polish Proverb"Gdzie dwóch się bije, tam trzeci korzysta" - AnonymousTranslation: Where two are fighting, a third one wins.Explanation: If I wrote one, would you remember to not do this? I didn't think so.
Jul 23, 2005
Weekender WoesHappiness is also directly proportional to how busy one's weekends are (among other variables). Is your life planned? Do you have a poa (plan of action) for the next two months at the least? The long weekends? The holidays? If you do, then you are safe, nothing in the world can take your happiness away from you (other than department store sales being called off at the last minute). So right now according to my own measuring cup, I am not happy. I feel like I need to have a plan every weekend. One weekend at home by myself and I am the most depressed person in America. I mean, come on, what do I tell my colleagues at work on Monday? Even my secretary's weekends are better planned than mine. Gasp! This can't be happening! I make more than her! I should be happier than her! Isn't that the rule of life? Tell me it is...please......
Jul 21, 2005
Fantastic Four4 yrs ago right about this time.....

One word - Drool; One emotion - Nostalgia; One impulse - Ticket to India
Picture Credit: http://tburman.wordpress.com/
"Life, contrary to the famous aphormism, is not short. It is as long as the art."- M.T.Southgate, MD
Jul 20, 2005
Falling in and out and in, again...Yes, this one's about love. He fell in love with her. It was love at first sight. I mean, as usual for him it was love at first sight. He promised her the stars, the sun, the moon. She loved him back, not because she was in love with him, but because she wanted to be nice to him. She had been hurt before. She knew the pain. Together, she thought they could understand each other and live happily ever after. Then the day came, he fell in love again. This time with the girl of his dreams. As usual he promised her the ocean. He had no feelings left for the one he loved before.How does love die? If you claim you loved someone once upon a time, how does that love change to nothing? Which one do we believe - the one who's in love or the one who's out of it? Which one is the real you? When you say that you love, do you stop to think if it's about infatuation? No, you don't. When you feel nothing, is when you pass it off as an obsession, a fixation. It's funny how you behave when you think you are in love and when you think you aren't. According to me - you can never stop loving if you really loved. It's like learning to ride the bike. If you've really learnt it that is.
Jul 19, 2005
If you say - I know, I know, I have a PhD! ; you are which one of the following?a. a jerkb. a moronc. a pathetic loserd. running out of ways to show off your education (there are better ways you know)e. all of the above-----------------------------------------------------------------Piles to do before I sleep..Miss one day at work and you'll know what I mean. How did Tom Hanks do it in Cast Away?
Jul 15, 2005
LifeWhy isn't it black and white? Isn't there a cut and dry explanation even? Simple living - how do we do that when there is so much complexity in everything. When you have some, you want some more, and you cheat yourself into thinking - if I had that, then I'd really be satisfied. But you never are. And one thing's for sure. You'll never be content in this lifetime. You may say that you are. You may think and believe that you are. But you aren't. Although on certain levels you might really be and that's why you might take those for granted. You've never stopped to think about those. Not thinking about something - wow how must that feel?
Jul 14, 2005
Hmm
Jul 13, 2005
For the visual learner
Jul 12, 2005
Power PuffIsn't it a natural human reflex to watch your power consumption immediately after you get the utility bill for the same? And later spend hours wondering about how it could ever come to that. But I don't use that much power, I'm hardly home! Okay people time to face the reality of it. Let's make a list of the taken-for-granted:The Air Conditioner (as always first on the bad boy list)The Electric Cooking RangeThe Stove LightThe Sink LightThe Kitchen LightThe DisposalThe RefrigeratorThe DishwasherThe Microwave OvenThe ToasterThe Egg BeaterThe BlenderThe Fish Tank Air Pump and LightThe Exhaust Fan (Bathroom)The Exhaust Fan (Kitchen) One WasherOne DrierOne Vacuum CleanerThe IronThe Hair IronThe Electric TreadmillThe Two TVs(!!!!)Four Yellow Light Drawing Room BulbsThree Yellow Light Bathroom BulbsTwo Yellow Light Bedroom Bulbs and One Night Lamp Bulb (which in my case is a regular desk lamp...sheesh) One LaptopOne Cell Phone ChargerOne Wireless RouterAnd a Partridge in a Pear Tree....
Jul 11, 2005
Nice's ParadoxSo you've been fortunate enough to behave exactly the way others desire you behave. You will do anything for your friends, family, colleagues, associates, etc. In a selfless sense, you have no idea why the phrase 'out of the way' was invented. You don't even think twice before you say yes to someone's request. You are the perfect friend, sibling, parent, child, co-worker, roommate, etc. You will do the pick-ups and drop-offs at last minute requests. You wont ever really tell your friends that they are really ugly and that there is no hope for them. When asked by your fat friend if he/she is fatter than the next fat person who walks by, you are always polite in saying - of course not! For all this and more you are loved by all, and the sad part is you know you are loved by all. Doesn't it make you miserable living up to each one's expectations? Don't you ever get tired? Can one misunderstanding devastate your peace of mind? For once, if you could just be frank, would that give you more inner peace? Is that why (one of my) roommates was always so in-your-face with everybody? Because being nice would just kill her? I guess so. I really feel like there are millions of us walking around overwhelmed and almost suffocating on our own niceness. At the same time, being honest all the time isn't making you too loveable. Is it true then that whether we can be nice to someone is the outcome of the battle between good and bad within us? ------------------------------------------------------MondaysMonday morning. Need I say more? I do, I do, I need to say more... I wish the planet would rotate backwards to give me one more hour of sleep. Weekends mess my schedule soooo bad. Out of all of the days of the week I like Fridays and love Saturdays. I'm neutral about Sundays because they are a little deceptive, you think you have a day off, but you can't stay up late, or else. As Kramer once said and aptly so, Tuesdays have no feel. By Wednesday and Thursday I am so in-routine, that I wouldn't want it any other way. One feeling that has remained constant for me ever since I can remember, is my hatred for Monday. Have a good day y'all! Or at least try to..
Jul 8, 2005
Staying AliveToday, I will get myself a haircut.Today, I will start to use my treadmill.Today, I will try to breed my guppies.Today, I will give my baby a bath.Today, I will reply to all the emails in my Yahoo! account.Today, I will cook myself a deliciously greasy meal.Today, I will not watch TBS 6-11 [instead I will watch it 5-12].Today, I will do what I say I will do.Here I go.........God be with me.
heh heh was just trying out something....
Jul 7, 2005
TV TherapyDo you want to tell your husband that the son he thinks is his, is not really his? Do you want to find out who your real father was - the one that abandoned you, 30 years ago? Are you afraid your teenage daughter is not a virgin?Is your mom having an affair with your boyfriend?Do you know of anybody who has fathered more than 10 children from 10 different women and has disowned each one of them? If so, call The Maury Show!If not, be glad. Trust me, your life will seem so much more normal when you've watched such shows.
Oh My God!
Jul 6, 2005
Now here's a real example of senseless babble....A friend tells me that there's a fine line between love and hate, sometimes that line can be a candy bar, other times it can be a pearl necklace, choose yours. <-----this one really really doesn't make sense, hai na? Or, does it? I don't know anymore, I've lost all clarity of thought. I know I said I didn't have anything to say anymore, but I did and I lied, big deal, who am I to make those decisions anyway, right? Wrong, I make my own decisions..just that nothing is really final with me. Well, may be some things are, not all. Never mind me, sorry if I wasted your precious minutes. Get back to work, come on, get back...later then...
The day has come, I have nothing to say. I knew this day would come. I'm an empty vessel and I can make no more noise. No more meaningless words or philosophies....for today, that is..hehe [evil grin on my face]...
Jul 5, 2005
Sorry folks am off today too :)...yeah, they gave us Tuesday off too!!! feels so nice to be home on a Tuesday :)
Jul 1, 2005
Square 1It's broken,You fix it.You fixed it,The cracks show.The cracks showed,It looks bad.It looked bad,It annoys you.It annoyed you,You trash it.You trashed it,You broke it.
Jun 30, 2005
Leaving America's Dairyland...LD and PD left today. Hope they have the bestest life ahead. Really, life is a journey and all the different people we meet can be airports/train-stations/bus-stops/parking-spots/stop-signs/traffic-lights/gas-stations/accidents(!), depending on our relationship with them.I know I know I'm parked, and safely at that :-).LD and PD, you were my everything here. Thanks for making my life a fun-trip for a while.
Rubbing eyesBad habit. I know. Sometimes it's unstoppable. Was talking to the boss. Had some eye make-up on. Rubbed eye. Lesson learnt - will never put eye make-up on again! At least to work I wont.
Jun 28, 2005
MSN IDs worth mentioning2005 NBA Champions - San Antonio SpursssssssAquagod is goodIts a J E E P thang"...N I R V A N A..."mitsalka in amchi mumbaiAr(L)SaB....Blissful!!!!!!!desiDESTINY'Distance makes the hearts grow fonder'dr_mgoldaEkta jiv Sada shivENIGMAEshaan's MamaFinally! Its Getting Cooler in New Yorkhere-i-mI shot the DJim breathing..... far away from uIm Cold.LeoLive..Laugh &LoveLook WhoMiss Divinemr.gr8Mystiquen.e.w.y.e.a.r......d.h.a.m.a.k.a.Nach Baliye!!Poo.....Pretty OneShE LoVeS Me...ShE LoVeS Me NoTshraddsShredsSwayze..............tougher challenges ahead":[PEOPLE:[" and PLACESwatch this space, I'm open to falling from grace
Jun 27, 2005
something's wrong up on cloud number 9
Jun 26, 2005
Six months.
Jun 24, 2005
A wiseman once said,"Never say never, it's too strong a word"
Jun 23, 2005
There is a difference!
*it's* , *its*
*you're* , *your* , *yours*
*they're* , *their* , *there*
*v* , *w*
*ours* , *hours*
*taking exams* , *giving exams*
*choose* , *chose*
*lose* , *loose*
Jun 20, 2005
Sense of humor"Congratulations! and Sorry" - Feb 2004, Ustaad Zakir Hussain upon hearing SK and I were engaged-to-be-married.
from the depths of a classroom..there was this one, who scratched and scratched till he peeled off skin and muscle to the bone..remember him? he would make a podium presentation and all we'd look forward to was the hows and wheres of his itches.... not his research work, not his recently acquired internship, but the entertainment he provided in our oh-so-routine-class...shaking hands with this one had to be done, at times...and how we'd dread that...it's so inhuman to scratch....humans don't itch, right?? dogs do...hold on just a minute.....my scalp is itchy...oops, sorry, how unbecoming of me, I meant to say - my dandruff is so very annoying!
Jun 18, 2005
Don't wanna be, all by myself...anymore... - C. Dion
Jun 17, 2005
RenaissanceEmpty MindDevil's LandCynical MakethLife HatethMean MotiveActions ReactiveEvil PreferencesSame DifferencesLost SensesGod BlessesKind StrangersRescue RangersBeliefs DealtPresence FeltHe's HereVery Near...K S Karpe
Jun 16, 2005
Argh, have to keep reminding myself :- There's no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.-----------------------------------------------Same old storySo, CB's telling me a story that she's told me once before, not too long ago. She thinks she's never told me it before. She's telling it to me in the same tone that she did previously. She expects a reaction, except that, the last time she told it, I did give her one. I can't fake it now. Or, can I? Okay, so I try and fake it, convincingly too. Now, I feel guilty. what do I do what do I do?? I panick and say to her, C, I think you've told me this story once before.Guys, there's no polite way to say it. I feel worse, I feel like I was too rude. I should've said before she went on, I knew what she was talking about. What should one do when faced with such an intense situation. Yes, it does get intense, depending on who's involved. If it's your boss, are you going to tell him/her you've heard all his/her jokes way back in high school, and don't find them that funny anymore? If it's your closest friend, how do you control the situation? I may've done this too, told you a story more than once. And now I can't decide if you should feel guilty for not having brought attention to the fact, or not. It's easy when you hate someone, all you have to do is say you've told me this at least twice before. Then again, hate is a really strong word and has its own story.
Pewaukee Lake...nice na?
Jun 15, 2005
Ear FearThis message goes out to all our hard-of-hearing friends. You know you can't hear very well. We know you can't hear very well, we understand, we try to be louder with you than usual. Sometimes, you can't hear yourself very well, you then assume we can't hear you, and you scream. It kills us, it really does. You will drive us deaf the rate you are going. Try and keep your volumes low, we can't take those decibels all at the same time anymore.
Jun 14, 2005
it's not a crime to:like clichesnot be busy at workbe a teetotalernot know how to spell the word oligopsony or know what it meansbe online 24/7not have a driver's license till you're 30ask the same questions over and over again------------------------------------------------------------An update on the trash list:NainaMain Aisa Hi Hoon -------------------------------------------------------------Thought for the week"Pehle Agan Birha Ki, Pachhe Prem Ki PyasKahe Kabir Tub Janiye, Naam Milan Ki Aaas" - KabirTranslation: First the pangs of separationNext grows the thirst for LoveSays Kabir then only hope The union to materialize
Jun 10, 2005
Paisa yeh Paisa…[Money this Money..]
JM and me were talking about how we still have absolutely no money management skills, while some of our other friends are buying their second house already! He tells me he's made several resolutions to fix this, but all in vain. I believe him. I told him how as a kid, I was conned [by Hindi movies] into thinking that when I would grow up my maa-baap would give me all of their zameen-jaidaad [i.e., include me in their will]
…turned 18 - no jaidaad, 21 - nothing, married - zilch......
brilliant JM, then suggested we collectively sue the movies for doing that to us..
Now, the reason we took these movies so seriously was because in Bahrain, where we grew up, there wasn't a single Indian TV channel. They would, however, play one Hindi movie per week every Wednesday, on the local channel. So as a kid, and now I speak entirely for myself, I thought the movies were happening in some part of India and that some really cool homevideos were being made there. How JM got fooled, I don't know. Anyhow, these movies weren't the best in Indian cinema [more like the worst movies of Bollywood. I had to watch them to be able to discuss them the next day with my friends at school]
Okay, so now I'm off to suing the movies. My damages will include:Houses - the havelis I never hadFerrari - the one that my dad didn't give me on my 16th bday Aggravation - caused by all the years I spent imagining Amitabh Bachchan would be an angry young man foreverNew clothes for every day of the year - they never did repeat in Hindi movies


This list is just so I remember the trash I've been watching lately. This way I wont make the mistake of watching them again, ever:
Kya Kool Hai Hum [one-half]
Pop Corn Khao Mast Ho Jao [one-quarter]
Bride and Prejudice [three-quarters tried real hard to give this one a chance]
Nazar [one-tenth]
Bunty Aur Bubli [I'd suggest watching "Catch Me If You Can" for those who say they liked this one]
Kaal [dunno when I dozed off]
Jun 9, 2005
"World Series" - and only one country plays, could they be more pompous?
Jun 8, 2005
Acquaintance's Acquaintance (AA) sent me a messenger invitation. Was pleasantly surprised to be added on their chat list, hadn't heard from this person in the last 6 months or so. Our online conversation went something like this:AA: hey!Me: hey yourself!AA: so how's life?Me: great how about yours?AA: I always get good treatment wherever I am, so there's no reason why I wouldn't be fineMe: i see, coolAA: how's SK?Me: hes good too, only we're long distance now, so that suxAA: how come?Me: job, dream job, yadda yadda yadda you get your permanent work permit yet?AA: no, still looking for openings Me: oh okAA: can you look out for me in your company?Me: i wish i cud, but we are a drug company so.....AA: so? I can learn anything.Me: you thinking of going to pharmacy school?AA: no, but I can take up anythingMe: our company's pretty strict about educational requirements [as are all companies duh!]AA: even so, please tryMe: how come you added me to your messenger list?AA: oh that just happened automatically.Me: strange, it never happened to me or any of my friends before...AA: well, with me it's different, I'm special.Me: good god!AA: anyway, I am getting an India call now, so we'll talk later
Jun 7, 2005
Let's not even go thereWhat's the deal with Indian movies made in English? Not translated, but made originally in English. It used to be a unique concept, till people made at least a 100 of 'em. No need to panick till.........English movies are made in Hindi. No, no, not because Hindi is an Indian language, but imagine the abuse it would have to bear. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun! would be - Umm Ap Kay Aye Con!! [the double exclamation mark cos the actor would add one on his/her own at the end of each dialogue, to make a big deal of how he/she successfully completed the line].
Jun 6, 2005
my laptop lost it's voice yesterday...sob..sob....KG helped me fix it, thanks KG! I owe you one :).....-------------------------------------------------------------------------In an Indian language [Kannada], it's said:antu intu kunti makkaLige entU rajyavilla Translation: After this, that and the other, the sons of Kunti did not rule.Explanation: This proverb is reserved for unlucky ones who never make it however hard they struggle.The Pandavas, sons of Kunti, spent their childhood and youth in exile. After they finally won the great battle of the Mahabharata there was nothing to rule but a ghost kingdom.
Jun 5, 2005
it's that time of the week, when you should start to set your alarm again...oh how I hate to get up in the morning, oh how I love to remain in bed...
Jun 2, 2005
Expression OppressionThere's this lady at work [works in a different department in the company]...has an expressionless face...seriously, not an expression on her face ever...she wears the same straight long face whether she's happy, sad, angry, annoyed, scared, embarrased, excited, depressed...you get the point...to top it all, she shaves her eyebrows and draws them out like upside down Us...know what I mean...anyhow, everytime we're in the same meeting, the voice in my head screams you have that face again, what's the deal with that? well, you wanna be that way, be that way...I don't care. You go and you show that face to everybody and you live your life the way you want to live your life...People, it's an advantage we have as the most superior race, to facially express ourself...if we don't express now, it will just look out of place and silly later...[remember the one about the joke told at 10am that was laughed at at 10:01am (the next day)???;)]It's a short life, so express away! PS - meanwhile, have to get that lady one of those magnetic expression stickers/pads, would it be too suggestive a present? I dunno let's find out.
Jun 1, 2005
The power of thought without thinking.The feat of done without doing.The completion of a journey without travel.The success of achievement without accomplishment.From the makers of awi{apprehension without intimidation}
May 31, 2005
Ouch!......after the fun, tiring, long memorial day weekend, even my fingers hurt! Really, they do. Feel wrung from head to toe. For my regular visitors, I promise an update soon. I was about to say "ardent fans" in place of regular visitors..Then I realized how much I could hurt the sentiments of those who don't agree with everything [or anything] I say. "Easy to be presumptous, so hard to be unassuming, and harder to just be...." - K.S.K.
May 27, 2005
Again, expect delays (Fri-Mon).
May 26, 2005
At 7:25 am work email read - "Free Tickets to The Mikado".At 7:34 am work email read - "Free Tickets for The Mikado Have Been Taken"That's why I should be coming in early every morning.PS - it's a good thing I don't know what "The Mikado" is :-)
May 25, 2005
It had to be..Why do we always find what we're looking for after we are done looking for it? In my quest for the pink shirt, I find the candy bar I had hidden months ago, the I-20 that had to be endorsed before leaving for India, the debit card I thought I lost, etc.The times that I decided to sit quiet and dignified in Math class, was the time that the voice in my head was shouting all the right answers to the pop quiz. I forget to wish people on the day and would've spent all month thinking and knowing their birthday, anniversary was coming up. [I hope they believe me when I tell them that awkward corny story, but really it's true.]My boss parades up and down the corridor outside my office, exactly the day I wanted to leave early for my salon appointment.I find my way to Detroit when I am trying to get to Chicago.A microdrop of saliva shoots off at the staff meeting, but alone in my office it's always dry.Why does it have to be the way it is? Why God why?!?----------------------------------------------------------People opinionated against sarcasm [deeming it the coward's way] often deign to sarcasm themselves. Exceptionally, not only am I sarcastic most of the time, but also in favor of it. I love sarcasm. It's the best mockery package that befits truth. No really, can you think of a better one?
May 24, 2005
Thought for the weekThe Egyptians say - "If the moon be with thee, thou needest not to care about the stars"
May 23, 2005
Thesis ShmesisWhen I was writing my thesis, I didn’t want to be verbose. I wanted to convey a lot using as little as possible. In those confusing times, one man inspired like no other. His logic would help me decide what was absolutely required, and what could definitely be eliminated. This man’s story goes like this. The man is a shopkeeper who had to put up a sign that would tell his customers what he was selling that day. So he put up “Fresh Fish Sold Here Today”. He examined the sign and like me he didn’t want to be wordy, so he got rid of “today”. He knew his customers would be quick to realize that the fish would have to be available that day, if it was to be fresh. And so now his sign read “Fresh Fish Sold Here”. Again, too may words he thought. Well, people will know that the fish is being sold here, so there’s no point reiterating “here”. The sign now read “Fresh Fish Sold”. Eventually, he decided to eradicate the entire signboard, because he thought people would smell his fish anyway and know that they’re in there. Thence, my thesis - a 65-70 page book. Sigh, my hero.PS – Say, isn’t a 200-page MS thesis a precursor to a PhD? Thank you, I would think so too.
AS says like attracts like. He thinks he's overweight and that *hot* girl he has a crush on, is never going to like him back. [Just for clarification, he's an adult with a Master's degree]. According to his theory, A is with B only because A is like B physically, and vice versa. I personally know n number of couples who don't look anything like each other, I mean they don't look like they were made for each other, yet they are together because something stronger bonds and holds them that way. AS won't change the way he thinks, I feel sorry for AS. Mentally, he still lurks in high school. He has so much more to discover. May God give him the courage and wisdom to accept real v/s unreal.
May 20, 2005
Two words I hate - understand and misunderstand.
May 19, 2005
Nine MonthsLW is pregnant. This being her first baby, she doesn't exactly know what to expect when expecting. Yeah, yeah she has the book, and we all know the handicaps of bookish knowledge. Anyhow, she was complaining to her husband about how she had ten more weeks to go before the baby comes out. They were watching a documentary that talked about the gestational period of penguins. I think it is approximately 55 days. Her husband then told her that she should thank God she's not an elephant [~2 years]. Some of the more pleasant things to think about when pregnant - baby names, themes and colors for the baby's room, baby shower/s, gift registries, etc. -------------------------------------------------------------Since we are on the topic of names, there was this Star Wars thing that told you what your name would be if you played a part in it. For your first name - First 2 letters of your first name + First 2 letters of your last nameFor your last name - First 2 letters of your last(maiden*) name + First 3 letters of your birthplace* men can use their mother's maiden nameMine would be Keko Kamum...sheesh!
May 18, 2005
What to do when someone doesn't want to talk to you anymore.a) you don't talk to him/her [the don't care attitude]b) try to talk to him/her [sometimes perseverance pays]c) talk to yourself [a sure way to go insane]d) none of the above [ignorance be bliss]I've tried a,b,c,d and at times I've tried [subconsciously] substituting the person (who refuses to talk to me) with someone who closely resembles that person. That has worked best till date! That's how I've moved on. So every time distance, strain, ego, or something like that gets in the way, just substitute. Don't spend your life holding on to something that doesn't want to be held on to. Although, there are some that can't be substituted. What to do when you meet someone unsubstitutable - don't let go, hold on tight and pray nothing gets in the way.
Dear AS,Many Many Many Many Happy Returns of the Day! I know you don't like birthdays too much, but look on the bright side. Next year this day you'll be wishing you weren't a year older. So, have fun and celebrate life while you can. Live it up.Love,KSK
May 17, 2005
Features Tell. Benefits Sell?In one way or the other, we do try to sell ourselves [awful, but true]. Be it at job fairs, interviews, matrimonial sites, relationships [some of us have even tried that], etc. The good part is, unlike inanimate objects, we humans don't need to show tangible benefits to sell ourselves. Our *features* are our key selling points. Makes me wonder though, about how the raw material composition and method of preparation is the same for ALL of us, yet each one of us is unique. We all have different storage requirements, shelf lives, melting points, expiration dates, doses, indications, etc. Why, we good ones even come in small packages [do I hear protests from the big & tall ones??]..just kidding. There are some of us who confuse these features with benefits. Some of us who think superficial attributes [like skin color] should offer competitive advantage in the market of life. It's the 21st century! It's time for these airheads to wake up and smell the coffee! Bleaching your hair, whitening your skin, and putting on an accent is not going to do it for you. Retaining virtues that are so taken for granted is an important part in the formulation of success. Small (??) things like kindness and selflessness, are missing in many of us even today. Selling your idea is a much bigger deal than selling yourself. I find that challenging, don't you?
May 16, 2005
Pot of Gold
the
get to
to
trying
was
I
Thought for the week"The sieve says to the needle; you have a hole in your head." - Anonymousheh heh, if you think about it, we all do it ;)...
May 15, 2005
Beauty of the BeastSome of us make lousy observations such as how does a girl that pretty fall for a guy that ugly, or how do two unattractive people make that cute a baby (??)Why do we think we know what goes with what? Why does the ugly frog have to turn into Prince Charming at the end of the story?None of us is perfect. We try to get there somehow though. Together, two people who might completely be opposites, may complement each other like nothing else. I don't believe in *opposites attract*, because I think two people need to have some similar interest to get together in the first place. Relationships last because we work towards them. I lack qualities that I find in my chosen family. That's what makes my life complete. In my relationship err I mean marriage, I can't directly point the beast out, but there sure is a lot of beauty. Sometimes I can almost touch it.Someone I once knew declared Bombay beautiful. I thought to myself how could a place that dirty and polluted be beautiful? I mean everything else apart, just those two things couldn't possibly make a place beautiful. Never had the fortune of living there until then, obviously. Five years later, I knew, I understood. Sorry, words can't express that place I talk about, and yes, my eyes do behold beauty for it.Stop and think about not how two people can be friends or lovers based on their looks, but about why they do that. Think about how the different places you've lived in have helped you grow, do they have anything to do with how developed or underdeveloped they were?
May 12, 2005
Refer to the April 21st post ;)
May 11, 2005
Invisible InkAt homeWhen on the phoneI almost always willNever find a pen tillThe person on the other endIs done giving directions to Big Bend.Why I findThis pen with invisible ink in its behindI will never knowTill the day it will showUp again at another timeWhen a friend's trading recipes of ginger and lime.Oh mightier-than-the-swordHow will I even get one wordIf you pretend to not knowAnd continue to wooThis humble sweet one :)Who wishes just to get her work done.-K. S. Karpe
May 10, 2005
April showers bring May flowers...In W's case, April - showers, May - showers, June - flowers? Keep those fingers crossed...
May 9, 2005
Clothing CatastropheHave you noticed how when you wear a white shirt or white pants, you involuntarily become this monster of a stain magnet? The smallest Hershey's kiss starts to emit particles that could've made another tiny oh-so-cute-kiss. And on top of that when you try to dust the bits off of your shirt/trouser, they transform into color-smearing crayons. Coming up - Black shirts attract wax stains from scented candles...
May 8, 2005
For you, mom...
May 6, 2005
SWOT Analysis:-
Feel like I would've been a different person had I schooled in a different country. It's my strength that I didn't school at a different place.
Wonder what would've happened if I had'nt had that admit from the graduate school I wanted to go to? It was an opportunity I wouldn't've missed for the world.
Think I should've given Math a chance [not really]. Who'm I kidding? I would be a threat to society had I majored in Math!
Shouldn't've [can it be used like this?] fought with a friend over something that silly. I know it's too late to say sorry now, and that it wouldn't be worth it anyway. But we would've made great friends, I just know we would. Have a weakness for friends, I'm gonna go say sorry anyway...someday.
May 5, 2005
Identify yourself :-)
My fortune cookie said "You will have to overcome obstacles before you achieve success" <---- That's news to me! What would we do without these premonitions...I'm glad I decided to have Chinese today.
Food For ThoughtTo my near and dear ones starving-at-work,I am going to have sweet and sour chicken for lunch, so just thought I'd give you a heads up on that ;). I've had no hand in the cooking, so it will all be really good :).--------------------What I am reading To The Youth of India - S. VivekanandaAnxiety or Anxiety Disorder? [Product Learning Manual]Pizza or Pizza Hut?I think a lot about food these days...wonder why?
May 3, 2005
Arbitrarily (to the tune of Arcot)SM says: Distance makes the hearts grow fonder...I am thinking oh she means to the hearts that are currently in her vicinity.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------SS says: Love is not how much you move on, but how much you hold on to...I agree.------------------------------------------------------------------------------SK says: We always want things we don't have. If we had 'em, why would we still want 'em?I felt wow!
May 2, 2005
Will someone please tell them to quit with the match-making? It's driving me nuts! Aunty No. 1: "The boy wants to marry a homely girl - who currently lives in the US, has her own haich one bee [H1B] visa. She should be tall, fair, sweet-natured and should be able to converse in his mother tongue. That's all the boy expects, nothing unreasonable I tell you da. It would be better if the boy gaat a picture of this girl, no?."Aunty No. 2: "Hum, yes I think so. However, this girl I was talking about is also looking for some "qualities" in thee boy she will marry. She needs him to be yat least 6ft 2in tall, dark or fair doesn't matter, should be sexy, highly educated, nat living out of his parents house, should preferrably be an one-ly child, his parents should own a couple of diamond mines, they also have to be doctors in case something were to happen to the grand children when under their supervision. That is all that the girl expects. She is very homely, sweet, fair and converses in 6 different Yindian languages. Other than that she has a Green Card and I hope that is okay with the guy you taak about. I will also ask about the H1B visa, she must have one, as her family has moved down a cupple of years back."
And then some...
Some More
More Frills
Frills of an Indian Wedding
Thought for the week This one's Irish"You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was." - Anonymous
May 1, 2005
Sunday Bloody Sunday10 am : woke up10am - 11 am : phone11 am - 12 pm : phone12pm-1pm : got some cooking done1pm-3pm : chatted with mom & dad3pm-4pm : did some proof reading for HM4pm-8pm : watched Dragonfly (eeks) and Ocean's Eleven (for the 100th time, yummy) 8pm-10pm : read a bit10 pm-? : zzzzzzzzzzzzThis kind of Sunday adds a tablespoonful of laziness to the pot that's overflowing already, but who cares! The week ahead usually takes care of it ;).
Apr 30, 2005
Good habits result from resisting temptation,Food Habits result from??In a relationship [don't know how I managed to stay away from that topic for so long], one of the most important things [according to me] is to have similar taste. That taste could be in cars, home decor, colors, shoes, clothes, gadgets, books, music and much much more. It's not to say that two people with the exact same taste in all of these things will make the best of friends, couples, colleagues, etc. You could be tasteless to someone in the way you dress. But your interest in books and reading might be similar to their's and you might make the best of friends, especially for understanding each other's taste.Two people's taste in food, however, can be a strong confounding factor in a relationship. I knew this girl who was somewhat vegetarian....until she fell in love with a guy who was not. She then changed her taste buds to suit his, why she even fasted when he did, turns out it never worked out and the girl went back to being a complete vegetarian. I guess people have their own ways of moving on. That's a different story altogether though. So coming back to food, I think it's very important that you have the same [not similar] taste in food as your partner. It brings you closer when you enjoy the same type of restaurants, cuisine, etc. Imagine *liking* vegetables when you were growing up? How much sooner that would've brought you closer to mommy? You want to try it?Go ahead.PS - Try especially sharing a bad habit with someone [smoking, drinking,etc]. See how close that will bring you.
Apr 29, 2005
Daddy, this remind you of someone? ;)Reminds SK of someone for sure :P
On Fridays, you know it's time to go home when.......your boss says "Have a Good Weekend":)
Birthday GreetingsDear AMS,Many many many happy returns of the day! You are among the few lucky ones whom I've managed to wish every year of their lives. At least I would like to think so ;). Enjoy your day, wish you a great life ahead!Love and Luck,K&SKA,P&SK
Apr 28, 2005
Answer back, please?Back Answer - What do those two words put together mean anyway? Or is it one word? I don’t know. In my head, I still hear voices (from school days) - oh my! she back answered Hazel Surrao, can you believe it? Or worse - he back answered Richard sir, man he has some guts there...An instance for illustration purposes would be:-HS: So you have time to put on make-up in the morning, but you don’t have time to pack your bag?Student: I did pack my bag teacher, just forgot to put in the English workbook today, sorry.I remember my parents and teachers telling me – no one likes a girl/boy who back answers. Why, I also remember people telling me – I don’t like people who back answer their elders.Obviously, if one were to put it that way, using those two words, nobody would *like* it. Sounds pretty disrespectful, doesn’t it? However, does that mean that there shouldn’t be any intelligent [or non-intelligent] argument between two people who differ in age? Isn’t it a basic human right to have freedom of speech and thought? I bet you this whole concept of back-answering is foreign to America. No, I am not propagating American culture in anyway nor am I slandering any other culture. It’s just that I realized some time back that I wasn’t being told to not back-answer anymore. I don’t even think twice before I argue with someone twice my age anymore. Know what I'm talking about, don't you?
Apr 27, 2005
Here she is! How about that!
Biggest disappointmentwhen your messenger tells you "You may not send a nudge that often"Biggest achievementwhen you go the whole day without eating free office candyBiggest sense of pleasurenew car smell [did you know you can also buy new car smell?]
Apr 26, 2005
Spent a part of my childhood fantasizing I would meet all of them one day, they seemed so real....they still do ;)
One of the reasons you should go to Austin :)
My First Birthday Cake Made by Uncle NM, he's the world's best chef :) [next to mom of course]
"Why Diversity is Good?I heard a story about the Cuban Missile Crisis. Someone noticed soccer fields in Cuba and pointed out that Cubans play baseball, Russians play soccer. What are the Russians doing in Cuba? You need a diverse workforce to notice things like that or come up with unique solutions to problems. "I'm of Indian descent, that doesn't make me diverse." Diversity isn't only about race and culture. Diversity can be in the training and experience of a person. My background in electrical and mechanical engineering, finance, and practical handywork gives me an advantage when trying to solve real-world business problems. It's unfortunate how many MIT engineering graduates don't know how to jump start a car or change a flat. I put the "engine" into "engineer"." - C.P.Karpe
Race against timeWhat's the deal with setting the clock a little ahead of time? I try setting mine 15 minutes ahead of time. I know some people set them an hour ahead of time! We feel like we buy time, but we don't. It's just procrastination. I would've gotten something done on time if I hadn't set my clock that weird way. So I go back and set my clocks right back the regular way. Life goes at its punctual pace, until I do a sleepover at a friend's place (who of course sets her clocks ahead of time) and I get convinced into thinking I should (again) do the same. My previous trials and errors should've taught me better, but the optimist in me begs to give it another chance. Again, it doesn't work. I've lost track of how many times this has happened. Currently, the clock in my car is the only one that's set ahead of time. Uh oh, I'm going to be late for work.... God! when will I learn?
Apr 25, 2005
Thought For The WeekRather than trying to find the right person, try being the right person. - H.M.Zwaan - Promised God I would eat all my vegetables from now on...(do you think She'll ignore my not eating okra for a few days?)- Have to get a bigger shoe rackno matter what I do, it's never enough for the little shoe-people, always want bigger better houses for their ever growing families...- Have to click pictures of my baby before she grows too old!
Apr 24, 2005
The Sweet Ride
Once Upon A Time, Ketaki Made Lasagne
Read on.....Some people don’t like to read. They just don’t like to read. Sentences and paragraphs to them, are just a bunch of letters and words gathered together on a piece of paper. Do these people even know what they are missing? Will they ever know? Feels bad knowing that there are quite a few of them out there, that they might never know. It's like the Taj Mahal obscured underground and generations of people missing out on its exquisite beauty, its heritage, its story…There’s so much knowledge in books, they can transport you to places you didn’t even know exist. They can transform you. Not only books but also newspapers, billboards, magazines, letters, emails, etc. Someone I know (can’t use her initials here, she will kill me) doesn’t read too much, and is often told tujha vaachan kami ahe – Marathi for you don’t read enough. It’s important that such a person finds a purpose to do so first. I mean, everything has a purpose (or at least is supposed to), right? Okay, so where am I going with this? I don’t know, just this that given a chance, reading becomes an addiction, absorbing comes eventually (although might never come for some), and purpose automatically.
Am really reeaally t i r e d to type...later...
Apr 21, 2005
Expect Delays(Thurs - Sun) ;)
Apr 20, 2005
Star Light, Star Bright"Sagittarians are tactful, they know how to say negative stuff without making it sound hurtful" - NV.I thought that was the nicest thing someone could say about us Sagittarians ;). No, I don't believe too much in zodiac signs, etc, and all my knowledge of the same comes from Linda Goodman, but who wouldn't like to take compliments even if they were seasoned with stereotyped superstitions right? And we are told by some how our shamelessly frank and in-your-face attitude can cause trouble. But that one I choose to ignore blissfully. Oh and NV also said that the best zodiac sign for a woman is, you guessed right - Sagittarius - now with that I completely agree. to be continued....
Apr 19, 2005
Have you heard the one about, umm what was I thinking, I don’t remember anymore..Anyway, the other day I was talking to KG, and he was telling me how passionate he is about sports. Not just cricket, basketball or football, but any sport. I thought, yeah sure, every boy or girl who’s spent a part of his/her life in Mumbai, craves for sports, outdoor activities and all. KG’s case, however, is unique, or at least to me. He was telling me how when he was on a vacation, he would go online and ask his roommates to set up the web cam in such a way that he got a good view of the game that was playing on TV! Now there’s a buff. I did imagine that that could be done, but just didn’t think anyone would take the trouble of actually doing it.LPD tells me she wants to raise one of her (unborn) kids a professional tennis player!Other sports fanatics around me are SK, SBK, MG, AY, AM, VG - the list is endless, why bother?In case you’re wondering, I am not *into* sports as much. The only things I do are swim (zilch in the last 4 years), walk (rarely) and run (rarely). Oh and I love to go tailgating, but that’s not a sport is it?
Apr 18, 2005
Dear God,She counts accomplishments by the number of friends he has,That’s okay I tell her, till she starts to measure everybody’s by the same sass.Popularity impresses her easy,Her oldest and bestest lack accuracy.She believes he lied to her about passions,She was in love only because at the time it was in fashion?She tries to erase him from her memory,It’s not going to happen if he still haunts her poetry.She loved him day in, day out, night in, night out,She should’ve known it wasn’t her he was thinking about.She says she’s found new love, he makes her sing,How do we know it’s not just another fling?They say love is blind,God please, don’t let this one go out of her mind.Loonily yours,KSK
Thought for the weekThis time an African one....Andre iri yo. - A.Dalfovo & J.S.Mbiti Translation: There are no two mothers.Explanation: Nobody can substitute the tenderness and dedication of one's mother. The real mother is one.
Apr 17, 2005
Charm- can be used as a noun or verb- either you have it or you don't- has nothing to do with *good looks*- is not gender-specific- can come from the animate as well as the inanimate- can (and usually will) sweep you off your feet
Apr 15, 2005
Of charter flights... Flew this morning on my first charter flight from Milwaukee,WI to Seymore, IN...I was a little unsure of whether to be excited or scared.. you know Seinfeld's show(the one where Kramer jumps when the plane is in flight, and George panicks and makes a confession that he regrets later...yeah that one!) kept playing in my head over and over again....my VP was sitting right next to me, and I wanted to put on a strong confident face, but I really was scared when the plane started to take off...anyhow, it took off smooth and quick cos it was really small (capacity for about 7 people including the pilot) and I wasn't scared anymore phew...there were no aisles, no washrooms, no stewards, no boarding passes, no photo ids, no luggage scans, nothing....been flying ever since I was 2 months old and this was such an awesome experience! there was a tiny little beverage box that had everything from beer to vodka to juice to soda to water...we had danish trays for breakfast...I kind of missed the flight crew pestering to see if we had our buckles or cell phones on...I really did :)All in all, had good fun.
Apr 14, 2005
It’s hard to be mad at some one who misses you when you are asleep. Isn't it?
Apr 13, 2005
MG and HM wrote to me; it made me happy, I like people taking the time to write, it’s so much more personal. Phones are time-consuming, not-so-convenient-when-at-work, and irreplaceable at the same time. I couldn’t believe I hadn’t spoken with MG and HM for more than a week! Spoke to HM for around 2 minutes and *had* to hang up. Had this terrible headache which somehow disappeared by not being on the phone for sometime. I really wonder where that “cell phone causes brain tumor” research is going. Anyway, am going to Houston soon, so will catch up with them then.
A Baby is born!We got our first new car! Born around 830 pm April 12, 2005 :)). I love it. Not because it's new and has everything (it's fully loaded), but because it's my first car (actually it's mine and SK's), but I will be driving it. SK and me have had cars (used) before. However, the joy of having something right out of the packet exceeds all. Okay let me put it this way, would you prefer eating fresh samosas or frozen ones? I am verrrrrrrrrrry excited about my car, if you are in my vicinity, I will buy you lunch/dinner, whatever (this is a limited time offer). If you need to go somewhere, let me know, I will see if I can take you there, hell I will take you anyway (this is not a limited time offer). My mom had the same (new) corolla back in 1995. Ten years later, I feel so lucky that I could have the same. Hey I know I promised pictures, I will put them up here very soon. Meanwhile, you will have to do with this. It's a silver LE. Enjoy!
Apr 12, 2005
First BabyMight arrive today :), can't wait, am very excited. Will post a picture here for sure, promise.
Happy Birthday!AR, some where down the line we lost touch, I remember your birthday every year. Wherever you are, happy birthday! May God bless you with all the things you always wanted.
Apr 11, 2005
Thought for the weekLove conquers all - Anonymous
Happy MondayWhy is getting and giving flowers such a nice thing to do? I always thought flowers were associated with romance just because.I don't remember giving flowers to anyone. I have, however, received them a couple of times, and trust me, its a wonderful feeling. It feels nice to know someone cares enough to buy you flowers even though they wont last long. The thought, the happiness, however, does. Walked into my office this morning and there was this beautiful vase holding an assorted arrangement of carnations, daisies, roses and some other flowers that I don't know the names of (I'm telling you, I'm bad with flowers). DB got them for me..she's been with the company since before I was even born. Even though she may not know it, I am so touched. I really am. Can't say it enough. That's the best start to the day and week I could've asked for....
Apr 10, 2005
Weekend went by so sooooon.....had a lovvvvvvvvvvely weekend...my last two weekends have been really nice...MC had come down from Schaumburg just to catch up on old times...we went down to Pewaukee lake [this state it full of them and I *drove* down without any directions - achievement, achievement ;)]..its a pretty pretty place...this weekend SP had come down and we met after like 5 years! but it didnt feel like that...felt like we had said good bye just yesterday...6 of us went to explore Milwaukee downtown, and then I realized how beautiful this place really is!LP and PD and me had a tiny little barbeque party..I wish SK was here, he wouldnt have left the grill alone for a minute...its really beautiful weather here...may be next weekend... :))
Apr 8, 2005
TGIF! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!have I said it enough times already?I have come to now truly realizing the value of weekends...gosh, the week goes by so fast, its scary..26 years have gone by and feels like I was born yesterday....thats even scarier....meanwhile, TGIF!
Apr 7, 2005
Office OfficeMy mentor - JF (she's such a sweetheart) has been given a new office. We had the same office-type before (without windows that is). Now she has one with windows, and everybody is congratulating her. Is getting an office with a window an achievement? Is getting an office an achievement? When I was growing up, I never imagined it would ever be on people's list of things-to-achieve. Back home and many other places, offices are required to have some sort of ventilation through a window. I had taken it for granted that an office should have a door and a window. It's not a written rule though. From what I've seen, I think it goes like this - table --> desk --> cubicle --> office(with a door) --> office ( with a door and a window) --> corner office --> office on the topmost floor of a skyscraper --> and then the office that you retire to (nothing beats that one, and we are all getting there someday, only none of us wants to go there before we have gone through all these other different types of spaces)...I am on my way to congratulating JF, aargh, my things-to-achieve list keeps getting longer.....
Apr 6, 2005
Choose your herosome days ago when the Tsunami hit, there were these *heroes* adopting villages and stuff..like there was this particular one - VO, an upcoming star (I think he's still upcoming, or may be he's already a star, who cares!)..Anyhow, he is now being accused of doing it only because he wanted to generate publicity out of it...how could he right? I think more than anybody else, it's the media to blame for making such a monster out of people...the media glorifies anything and everything that these *heroes* do...people are interested in such stuff, it generates ratings for online newspapers, magazines, etc. However, now that he's been openly accused of it, you might still find articles on it, which you may choose to not even read...people just want to believe they know good from bad...they'd like to think they can pass good judgement all the time...VO is liked only because people want to like him...I really dont have anything against him personally, he makes a fine actor (sometimes), but really, people have to stop manipulating the media and vice-versa...I'm sure VO got all the publicity he deserved and more, and even he may've known he'd get away with it, that nobody really would want to read otherwise...Why do we do this to people? Why do we let people do this to us? MKG was idolized, placed on a pedestal, assasinated! was that right or wrong? I will never know...I choose to believe it was wrong....That's a whole different story though, and I cannot continue without sounding politically incorrect or evoking some sort of controversy here....so I choose to stop here for now...bye
Papa: How are you doing beta?Me: Fine, how are you?Papa: Nothing much, same old, same old...Me: Me too papa, am in this ridiculously grown-up routine now..Papa: Life is boring, nothing much happening here...have tickets to an F1 race. Me(excited): You have tickets to an F1 race!!!! and that is boring? wow, how spoilt are you?!Papa: N.Karthikeyan will be there, and they are good seats too.Me (thinking) - How come life wasnt this exciting when I was in Bahrain? Why would most of our weekends revolve around parent-teacher meetings? What good came out of Deole sir telling you I wasnt practising singing the national anthem hard enough? What good came out of VR telling you we made fun of her and giggled the whole time during social sciences class? Why didnt J just tell me he had a crush on me since 8th grade? Why didnt I make the most of it when I was Head Captain in 8th grade? Why did I have a silly crush on.....Papa: ....Are you there? Me: Oh, I am here, send me pictures for sure...bye now....Papa: Good bye and take care of yourself, will call tomorrow.
Apr 5, 2005
Some Days...Sometimes we have so much to talk about, so much to tell. Sometimes we dont. No matter how much you feel something, you just cant put it in words. Today is one such day. I am at a loss for words. I really am. It feels like I cant talk anymore...aargh, its frustrating cos I am not the kind who keeps quiet about anything. God help me.
Apr 4, 2005
Reply SoonDear Life,How are you? Where are you?I miss you.You didn't say you were leaving.They say you will be back soon.I miss you.I miss your sweet innocent charm.I remember your being great for as long as we were together. I miss you. Please come back. Do reply.I am waiting.....Yours,me
Note to self:Making notes is a waste of time.
Thought for the week:2B or not 2B? (I think its a grade of pencil) - H.M.Zwaan
Apr 1, 2005
Fool's DayThe fool's even gotten himself/herself a day! How come there's no Smart's Day? Is being smart that boring? It has to be right? I mean everybody seems to know today is Fool's Day. Some may not know the significance, but then its like that about most of the important events ;). Okay, I didnt know the significance till a little while ago either, and this is the something I got on the net -April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day, holiday of uncertain origin, known for practical joking and celebrated on the first of April. The holiday is considered to be related to the festival of the vernal equinox (The point at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator, the sun having a northerly motion), which occurs on Mar. 21. The English gave April Fool's Day its first widespread celebration during the 18th century.Prior to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, it was observed as New Year's Day by cultures as far apart as ancient Rome and India. (http://www.answers.com/topic/april-fool-s-day)Moral of this story - Being smart (or boring) wont get you on the calendar.
Mar 31, 2005
blah blahI survived! I survived 4 1/2 days without a cell phone :)..Aint that amazing? My worst nightmare is behind me now..I now know that if the same thing was to happen again, I wouldnt have to worry a bit. SK always manages to come up with the best solution...Actually, thats half the problem...I know that he will fix any problem for me, in an instant that too...SK - I am not complaining...I like it this way :)...I love to count on you...Only, I hope you love that I love to count on you...Do you? ;)
Mar 30, 2005
...A friend recommended I watch "The Life of David Gale". I liked the movie, especially because its the kind that provokes debate. I love such types. I was bothered though, by why I had never heard of the movie. I mean after all, it had Kevin Spacey in it, playing the lead role...Then it came to me...it was a good movie, but not a great one...Every great movie follows a logical pattern, no matter how unique the subject or storyline...This one lacked logic in many places, but the one scene that sticks out is this one.....I havent been able to understand why the director let Kate Winslet cry when she sees the unedited, original version of the tape that couldve saved Kevin Spacey's life...That was frustrating to me..I mean here's a guy who is on death row, his execution is scheduled for 6 pm, and Kate wastes much time watching the entire tape, takes her own time crying on it, and then drives (the car that she already has had trouble with before) to the execution scene...of course, her car gives up, more like she gives up on it...she then runs to save Spacey! Aaaargh....if only the director had let me take a look at the final version of the movie before releasing it, I wouldve saved his life....he may even have won an Oscar for it;)What say?
Mar 29, 2005
Learn to live with it...or without itLife is never constant...I dont like change, most of us dont, but I guess we work everyday toward bringing in change...we go from school to college to university to work because we worked towards getting there....and then we complain - gosh! I wish I could go back to school again, become a child - careless and free of all the worries of the world...From now on, I am going to learn to live with it...be happy with where I am, cos I wanted to be here in the first place...I have learnt to live without family, so learning to live without a cell phone or a TV is really no big deal...For those of you out there who really want to be somewhere else, you will get there after having made a few sacrifices and compromises...you will learn to be happy that way too...its not easy at all, but you will get there, its what you wanted :)
Mar 28, 2005
Thought for the WeekFrom now on, every week, I will have a thought posted in here. I will try and live by it when possible :). this one I live by most of the time ------>"No act of kindness,no matter how small,is ever wasted."–Aesop
Aaaachhhooooooooo!I caught a cold. God only knows where or how... I havent been around a school or a hospital in the past few days....Anyway, you know when you have a cold, your friends will tell you do this, do that, take this, take that...and you feel like you just want to melt everything inside you, not go to work and just laze in bed...and you are still wondering where did I catch it? When we were little, we were glad to catch a cold..it meant - no school, hot soups, warm blankets and cartoons! The best part of it was - no pain. Only sniffs. Sniff, sniff we would go, even when the cold was gone ;). Till mom and dad said, okay back to school now! And now, here I am sitting and trying to analyze - the wheres and hows of my sad little cold. To hell with it, I am going to enjoy this cold and go to work at the same time. Only, I'm hoping nobody at work gets it, cos then they will know who gave it to them..:(..keeping the sniffs and coughs as inaudible as possible...hope it works..PS - latest update - just found out from the janitor that most people at work are having trouble with stuffed, itchy noses too, so now I know where I got it from :).
Mar 27, 2005
Can you imagine?...Life without a cell phone? I am sure none of you out there can...I couldnt about 24 hours ago..And yes, now I can tell you how it feels..Life has stopped for me...I cant call SK, nobody can call me, my parents are worried sick, as if I was stranded on a deserted island...I am cut off from the rest of the world...the Internet however, is still within my reach, or should I say, I am within its reach?Thank God for small mercies! At least, I can, lets see - voice chat, send and receive emails, just plain chat, people can see me and I can see them through my webcam, so its not all that bad...I mean its better than sitting at home and staring at the walls - which I did for sometime, and then realized - hey! I have a computer room right in my complex... Boy! I tell you what a relief this is..I mean I could sit here, all day and not miss the phone even a bit...well may be a bit...I miss my phone...as a friend had once put it - Ketaki, your phone is your life line, without it you might not survive...I feel like a vegetable....So, those of you who have a phone near you, please, dont take it for granted...
Mar 24, 2005
Good MorningA very good morning to all. I am not going to be able to write much today as I will be swamped with work for most of the time. Hey rememebr that thing I said about working one hour today, so you wouldnt have to work nine hours tomorrow? Well, chuck it. It doesnt work. In fact, you might have to work eighteen hours the day after. See you later.....
Mar 23, 2005
WordsThere's a saying - A stitch in time saves nine...dont know if that's the way it should be though...I mean what does that proverb mean? I think it means if I worked one hour today, I wouldn't have to work nine tomorrow....hmm, its interesting how most words can be interpreted to fit one's convenience and comfort...Another one is - Rolling stones gather no moss <----this one I think remains the most misunderstood or overunderstood (is there a word like that???)...You get my drift right....What I mean is, on lazy days, I will know the proverb to mean that I will not move from where I sit and my boss, assistants, etc will have to come to me if I/they need anything ;)..however, if I was asked to give a motivational speech, I'd say - guys! you are doing great, you're on a roll today, that should keep your brain from gathering moss...So my point is, depending on what state of mind you are in, you either take the same bunch of words in or against your stride...I know this, I understand this, even then, I misinterpret tons of times.....I'm hoping I read this everyday I am here, and make a note to myself....okay, I think I'll go have lunch now...tataa..
dont know if I can name each one...so this one is nameless :)Okay, so its my 3rd day at work and things have started a little bit...I am reading up on some stuff, or at least am supposed to be ;)....Since SK and me are having a long distance relationship for a while, I decided to rent some movies to kill the emptiness and boredom of my current life :(.......Anyway, I am thinking I'll complete a whole list of movies(old&new) that I've always wanted to watch, but never had the time for...Lately, I have been having really early mornings...I mean really early...So, I have more time on my hands than I did during my student years, however, work does take a lot of time, and, okay where am I going with this??? Well, I just wanted to make an announcement - Ketaki Karpe-Kolgaonkar wakes up 6am each morning. ---- Indeed, what an achievement this is!!!!!
Mar 22, 2005
Second day.....Second day at work: same agenda (meeting people, ordering office supplies,etc). I havent gotten any lunch with me today cos I made soup last night. I feel like driving back to my apartment to get a load of that delicious soup....I think I ll go, but am afraid of losing my way...just started driving, so dont want to be too adventurous..yeah, I call going home for lunch from work an adventure..man! looks like I'm really bored...soon, it will be exciting I promise myself...once work really starts, it will be good. :) Have a lot of things to do...write to dad and mom about my first day at work and now second too...make my office look a little like its been worked in...I think throwing some papers here and there should do it, I saw thats how other busy people's offices looked ;)More later, really dont have the time now....byeeee
Mar 21, 2005
First Day at WorkWOOOOOW...today's my first day at work..I have my own office, my own telephone, my own computer, my own assistants and secretaries!! It's my first real job after grad school and I am so excited..I will do anything to get this company going..I am eager to please, after all it's my first day ;) ...I am sort of on my own for a while, till SK finishes his MBA in May...will drag him here after that (even if it's against his will ..heh heh)..I am feeling great here...browsing through the office supplies catalogue, need to decide what I will need to get me going...I wish I could show you how nice the people are here..only then you would know...sigh...A lot has been happening these past few days, havent had the time to come here everyday, but I think after today, I will be visiting often :)See you laterTGIM!!
Mar 9, 2005
Leaving Houstonabout 4 years ago, I made one of the boldest decisions in my life..came to Houston leaving the best place in the world...yes, had to leave Mumbai...Houston received me with open arms..became a second home to me...found the love of my life here...even missed the place on my last vacation to Mumbai! now I have to leave the city...got a great new job ..dream job...have to go to Milwaukee - smaller place, different people, bad weather :(....lets see how it turns out...worst of all - leaving friends...thats always the hardest part....bye bye Houston..
Mar 8, 2005
Excuse Meguys, sorry about this..I know I have randomly just put up stuff without keeping context, I really apologize for it..I am in the process of just checking out how this site works... Blogging sensibly takes getting used to, for a non-computer type of person...so, please bear with me...I will learn to do better, I promise!
First DayI have always wanted to create a website. Since I have no clue about htmling, etc, blogspot is a blessing :). Cheers to my first day here! This space is owned by me and my husband. We are newly-weds and hope to keep all our friends updated with our latest happenings.If you are here as a well-wisher, you are welcome...If you are here just to snoop on us, get out now!