14 The 30 Questions (Tag)

[Photo Coutesy : jamuraa]

I got this tag this Maverrick who got it from Sailor who got it from Sneha.

[I hope the tag is not an Evil plan by some Evil Warlord to get information about me so that he can overpower me and take over the world].

Here goes..

1)What is your occupation?

I am a central goverment employee*.

*Conditions Apply

( Psst. I heard there is no value in the marriage market for Software engineers. We are a depreciating asset now.)

2)What colour are your socks now?

Never ask a bachelor about his socks >:-

3)What are you listening to now?

I'm hearing Bhumika's voice on the phone persuading me to go to innovative film city this weekend.

4)What was the last thing you ate?

Lemme see:

Wheat flour, (UN)cooked on a flat or slightly concave iron griddle and

Dark yellow colour potato, tomato and onion paste sprinkled with garlic seasoning..

For those illiterate guys, lets say : Roti and aloo curry from the cafeteria.

5)Can you drive a stick shift?

Sorry,I do not know golf. ;)

[searches on Wiki what a stick shift is..]

hmph!!! a vehicle with manual transmission.

Why cant the question be :

Can you drive a vehicle where you have to change the gear manually?

[You don't know to how much extent my wild imagination went to derive the meaning of a STICK SHIFT]

Answer : I can drive and I am a pretty cool driver, but expensive. Last time I drove it cost me around 10,000 bucks.

The back of a stick shift bus came and hit the front of my stick shift car. Not my mistake. Why was the back of the bus parked there?

Indians should be more aware and careful while driving stick shifts . I mean who gave these bus drivers liscence to drive a stick shift.

6)Last person you spoke to on phone?

Salma..

You know.. Salma Hayek..

See I knew you wouldn't believe.

I have an alternate answer ready for those who didn't believe that : the Airtel Broadband Service Guy!

7)Do you like the person who sent you this?

I know Chandan sent this so that he could make me say I like him.

Not the type you think I am, man. aaargh...

8)How old are you today?

Old enough (and 6 years extra) to legally do the FOUR LETTER WORD.. V.O.T.E.

9)What is your favourite sport to watch on TV?

Womens Lawn Tennis. ;)

10)What are your favourite drinks?

Tender Coconut Water :)

11)Have you ever dyed your hair ?

How old do you think I am, 60?

12)Favourite food?

Choru ( kerala rice ) with theeyal (super taty curry from kerala) and fish fry , fish curry and a little chicken and a little bit of prawns and a bit of squids and..

13)Last movie watched?

Why did u have to put such a question in when I am trying to forget the last movie

I watched? BTW its Revolutionary Road.. ( strong sense of sleepiness takes over!!!)

14)Favourite day of the year?

Salary Day.. :)

15)How do you vent out your anger?

I once told my dad I wanted a missile launcher for my birthday. I wanted to try it on the School's official Bully. My dad being a spoil sport didn't get me one.

So my only source of comfort has been my innocent pillow which gets beaten up when I really feel like beating the shit out of someone.

16)Favourite toy as a child?

The neighbour's dog. [ Evil grin on face now ]

17)Favourite season?

The Monsoon. Being a Keralite you will never love any other season.

Esp. when there is a road block and we didnt need to go to school. :)

But there is something special in the air during monsoon in Kerala.

[and its not smell of the sewage overflowing... grr]

18)Do you want your friends to email you?

Yes. Esp. those which say - if you dont forward you will be cursed with constipation for 7 years,7 months and 7 days. In my humble opinion the recession has been caused by people who haven't forwarded such mails and have got the curse of the Email-Server-Gods over our Software Fraternity.

19)When was the last time you cried?

When Diana ,my doggy, the love of my life, died :'(

20)What is on the floor of your closet?

My old underwears, from the time I was in eigth grade, till now.

aaah.. Memories...

21)Who is the friend you have had the longest?

Abhijit : around 13 years now and he still hasn't killed me.

A great achievement, Abhijit.
The Association of Men with Friends who are Unbearable(AMEN. F.U.) bestows the life time achievement award upon you.

22)What did you do last night?

Lemme see now...

Surya,Shanthi,Anushka, bed....

ok...I got it.. I got it..

I went home and tested our new cable connection. Watched Surya Tv (one of the most viewed

malayalam channels). Then I went to Shanthi Sagar for dinner. Then I came back and

saw Anushka's dance class on MTV. Then I went to bed.

23)What are you most afraid of?

Me ? Afraid?

You got to be kidding?

Well...Except if you are not kidding about them slimy,long, reptiles called snakes.

24)Plain,cheese or spicy hamburger?

Cheese.

25)Favourite dog breed?

Dachshund

(Brut,Buddy... I miss you.. Snifff...Sniff.. Chettan (bro) will come back home in a couple of months..)

26)Favorite day of the week?

Yesterday. I always wait for it to come fast.

27)How many states have you lived in?

Two K's:

Kerala and Karnataka.

[But east or west Kerala is the best]

28)Diamond or pearl?

Niether. I am broke, more broke than a church mouse.

29)What is your wish for this new year?

I hope I will be able to go Onsite and clear all my credit card bills.

Amen.

30)New year resolutions?

- Go to office early

- Continue writing Diary

- Read all the books I have bought before buying another one.

- Never follow my Dad's advice on what kind of haircut I should get.

- Call Mom every other day.

I think I am supposed to tag some one else. I tag Clueless and Tony. So Clueless and Tony, if you happen to read this post then there is a tag waiting for you. Any one else who reads this post can also take up the tag.

I am looking forward to reading your 30 Q&As :)

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6 From Olympics To Obama.

[Photo by : aloshbennett ]

The year 2008 was a year for news about Olympics ,Mumbai and Obama. In Olympics it was of course a great year for India. And there was a good reason for the papers to celebrate the crowning of the three young men at the Beijing Olympics. But Beijing was also a photographers paradise. The most hyped and most ceremonious Olympic meet yet, there were enough photos available to the papers to fill all their pages.
But with in a months time Olympics lost its charm in the papers, even though Bindraji gets a mention here and there and in TV Ads.

Teacher: Who won the bronze In Olympic wrestling for India?
Appu : mmmm... i know... iknow.. i know... The Great Khali

Now that Olympics is over and none of the athletes are making news, the best knowledge people would have of wrestling would be of unusually tall men with loads of meat on their body shaped like bricks.

Then came the Mumbai tragedy. Which was a jolt to India, Indian politics, Media, and the security forces. Many heroes were made and many innocents slain. Two months have passed and still nothing is happening. Pakistan is still playing Tom,Dick and Harry. Lets hope everything goes well and we get the bastards!!

2008 was also the time for Obama to do his thing. Every little kid on the block was chanting Obama mantras. The papers had nothing but how Obama dressed ,how Obama ate and how Obama bathed!!! Michelle Obama also got a couple of headlines when the papers didn't know what else to write about Obama.

Teacher : Who is the President Of India?
Appu : Oh Boy! Oh Boy! I know this too .. Obama!!
[Teacher Frowns]
Appu : Oh!! He is then the president of the world, is he?

Indians who had never seen an oath taking of the Prime Minister Of India or the President would have been swarming in front of the T.V. to see the latest news sensation, Barack Obama. Three days of non stop entertainment and celebration by the TV channels ; OBAMA LIVE!!!!.
Our PM's and Prez's should also think of having those IPL girls around during their swearing in. I mean, it makes things more colourful and of course interesting.

Obama even had a comic book released. He is reeling in supporters by such publicity. Why can't Manmohan Singh get a comic? If Obama was a side kick to spider man our PM sould be the hero.


Jokes apart. Let us pray for Mr. Manmohan Singh's speedy recovery.

I can't predict for how long the papers will continue the Obama saga. They are writing everything that falls from his mouth, even the sneezes(I am sure that at least TOI publishes that). Till then lets wait for his swimsuit calender to come out. If all this can happen then why not a calender.

Hoping that the media in 2009 get reasons to share only good stuff. No terrorists, No hurricanes,No wars and India Rising!!!

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13 A Final Good-Bye

The rain had passed. The air was filled with sweet music. The music of water drops falling into puddles. It was on such a day 4 years back that I had lost Sophie. If only she was here with me. My heart began filling with heaviness. My eyes blurred. The heaviness was a sleep inducer. I would soon become tired and fall asleep. My ears received the sounds of outside as though it was a healer. It was like nature was sympathizing with me.

I felt a palm on my hands. A gentle voice called me. 'Appacha..'. I could be dreaming. I opened my eyes and saw my son looking at me with gentle eyes. The tears came back. Tears, a companion all along the way, in your sorrows and joys.

'My Son, I thought you wouldn't come this year. I didn't see any letters, i thought...'
'Appacha, how can I forget. You know how hard it is for me to leave you alone here'.
I was so happy, the heaviness i felt before was gone.
'Where are the kids?', i asked
'They are not coming...', he said with a tinge of sadness in his words.' I came to take you with me appacha.. Whatever you say i am not going to leave you alone here...'
I was tired, I was missing my family. May be it is time for me to stop being lonely and go with my son. He loves me a lot. I shouldn't let him down.
'Who told I am going to ask a excuse? I am coming with you.' , I said my heart filling with all those nice feelings you get when you are happy and excited.
' I will come back tomorrow morning Appacha... I have some more things to sort out before we leave here.'

He hugged me as he had never before. I hugged him as though it was the first day that I had laid my eyes on him. I looked back as he left. I didn't feel the heaviness anymore. It was like I was free from all burden. I waited for the next day in anticipation. I packed all those things I thought was important.I couldn't sleep well that night. I got up early and waited for him.

He came as promised. We visited Sophie's resting place. I made of cup of tea for him. Then I lighted a candle in front of Virgin Mary's Idol as we waited to leave.

A new day dawned on the little village. The rain still remained to give the nostalgic effect of the yesteryears. The green paddy fields and the occasional flock of birds flying for shelter. The air filled with the smell of the soil. Everything was perfect except for the news entrusted with James and Annamma. They walked under a single umbrella holding each other. Neither of them were able to accept it till now. Their childhood friend John had met with an accident in the United States and had lost the battle for his life after one day.They were among the few people who had been close to John and his family. They had to deliver the bad news.

They approached the house where John's father led a lonely life. He had been stubborn with John on this matter. He couldn't even think of leaving his house and his village where all his memories resided. James and Anaamma used to come and give him company in some of the evenings. But today they carried a bad news. They were not sure how to break it to him.They stood on the steps and looked at each other. James nodded firmly, took hold of Annamma's hand and knocked on the door.

'Appacha...', they called. They all called him Appacha. The door was open. They went in. They saw a candle flickering before the idol of the Virgin. Two cups of tea on the teapoy and appachan reclining peacefully on the arm chair. James didn't want to break the peace in the room.

' Appacha..', He gently called. 'Appacha..', he called more firmily. Still he didnt get any reponse.. Annamma was about to break into tears.

I woke up hearing my name called. It was Jameskutty. Johnny's friend.
'He came to take me..'.
' Who Appacha.. ?' asked James
'Johnny, who else? you didn't see him? He was here. I must have dozed off. Don't tell me he hasn't come to meet you. He wouldn't have got time. He was running around with all the work to take me with him.'
Annamma started crying. James couldn't control her.
' Is something wrong Jameskutty? '.
James was silent for a moment. It seemed like he was mustering up all his courage to tell me something.
'Appacha.. There is some really bad news. John had an accident and succumbed to his wounds today morning.'
I didn't believe one bit of what James said. Making fun of me like this.
' I know you planned this with Johnnykutty.. you brats... same as old days eh.. Still childish..'
'No Appacha.. You have to believe us.' James told me.

It was not possible for him to die. He hadn't taken me with him. He will come back.
'Appacha.. Susie and the children will arrive tomorrow with the body. We will do all arrangements for the funeral.'

'So you are not joking... you are not joking... How could he leave me alone?'

I was lonely again. As i had been before. Sophie and Johnny gone. My grandchildren the only reason i can give for my existence. I will go back to my lonely life again. No more letters. No more yearning of what good news he has to say.

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0 Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all of you guys out there. I know its way too "early" to wish you a happy new year but i was a bit indisposed to write blog posts. I hope all of you are holding on tight to your resolutions. As for my resolutions I am thinking of Bidding them a final Good bye. But I have followed them till today. Its pretty hard having a list of resolutions. A list whose beginning you forget by the time you reach the end.

As for blogging in the new year. I hope to continue blogging. And as recession sets in i think may be I have a chance to be a full time blogger. :)

All the best to you. May God Bless you.

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