Check out Kingfisher's smart reply to Jet Airways' Ad Campaign! Kingfisher's ad campaign have always got it right.
Courtesy: Creative criminal
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
Yup, Ladies that's me!
Link: The Online Dating Persona Test @ OkCupid - free online dating. My profile name: : slowsprinter |
Thursday, June 21, 2007
A humbling Police Encounter
By 'police encounter', I don't mean that some gun wielding policeman tried to finish me off instead of arresting me in order to avoid all the hassles and legalities of capturing me legit and trying me in a court of law. By Gawd, no! I am a God fearing, law abiding citizen. I had lost my driver's license and the RTO refused to issue me a duplicate without an acknowledgment from the police.
I dreaded going to the police station because I knew that they would try to fleece me off before they handed me the letter of acknowledgment. Maybe I would have to use up all my refunded caution deposit(all 6k of it) from college on these lathi wielding officers.
Anyway, I was accosted by a non liveried officer at the entrance of the station. Maybe he was just a clerk.
Me: Sir, I need to get a blah blah... and explained what I wanted
Officer/clerk: Where did you lose it?
Now I had really misplaced it at home itself. But even I knew that it would be a dumb thing to own up on the truth to this guy.
Me: I umm..., lost it in the Jayanagar swimming pool.
Gun wielding constable listening in on the conversation: You have to go to the Tilaknagar Police Station for that. The swimming pool is their jurisprudence. (Now of course, he wasn't using such fancy words, I'm only using them to impress my fellow readers about my vocabulary skills.)
Okay, they were at it now. Typical technique used to put you off. I was too lazy to go to Tilaknagar station you see, so I would be willing to bend some rules to get things done here itself. In short, give them money in exchange for getting it done here itself. I would be damned if I gave in to their play. And so was I damned.
Me: Sir, can't I get it done here itself somehow?
Officer/clerk: Nope. What are you doing by the way?
Me: I'm a student sir.
Officer/clerk: Besides, you need to get an affidavit to prove that you really lost the DL. That will cost you about a hundred bucks, so you might as well pay the amount here and rid yourself of the difficulties of making an affidavit.
So that was it took, a hundred bucks. I shouldn't stand upto all this corruption. I must fight it off. Give them a piece of my mind. Even if it means walking back home empty handed and facing the ire of my father. Or I could just pay him a hundred.
Me: Show me how it's done.
Officer: Right this way. I'll tell you what to write in the letter.
While we were sitting at his table and he dictated the letter to me: What are you studying?
Me: I just finished my Engineering sir, in Electronics.
Officer: Where?
Me: KREC sir, Surathkal.
Officer raises his eyebrows in admiration. Wow, this guy recognizes KREC. Boy, KREC rules. The college brand did bail me out on another occasion although I can't tell you that incident now.
Officer: So you looking for a job now?
Me: No sir, already got one.
Officer: How much they pay you?
Now, I'm going to get an obscene amount for a fresher at Nvidia, but I figured if he heard the amount, he would decide to fleece me more. So I played it safe.
Me: Oh, about three and a half to four lakhs.
Officer: Per month!!!
Me: Whoa, no way! Per annum sir.
Officer: You guys are well educated. Me, I'm just a tenth standard pass. Here, hand me the letter. You stay here while I get the signature from the Sub Inspector.
True to his word he gets the job done and hands over the letter to me. My hand goes to my back pocket to fish for the purse but he gives no signal for money. In fact he takes me to the Police Inspector and introduces me.
Officer: This here sir is THE software engineer.
The inspector grunts and goes back to what he is doing. Although I was offended for being labelled a Software Engineer(you see I am a Hardware Engineer), I took it in good stride. I thanked the officer/clerk for his help and left almost overwhelmed that I had accomplished the arduous task without spending a pie on bribery.
Maybe the police force was improving. Too early to tell. Anyway, I walked away with a spring in my step and hope in my heart.
I dreaded going to the police station because I knew that they would try to fleece me off before they handed me the letter of acknowledgment. Maybe I would have to use up all my refunded caution deposit(all 6k of it) from college on these lathi wielding officers.
Anyway, I was accosted by a non liveried officer at the entrance of the station. Maybe he was just a clerk.
Me: Sir, I need to get a blah blah... and explained what I wanted
Officer/clerk: Where did you lose it?
Now I had really misplaced it at home itself. But even I knew that it would be a dumb thing to own up on the truth to this guy.
Me: I umm..., lost it in the Jayanagar swimming pool.
Gun wielding constable listening in on the conversation: You have to go to the Tilaknagar Police Station for that. The swimming pool is their jurisprudence. (Now of course, he wasn't using such fancy words, I'm only using them to impress my fellow readers about my vocabulary skills.)
Okay, they were at it now. Typical technique used to put you off. I was too lazy to go to Tilaknagar station you see, so I would be willing to bend some rules to get things done here itself. In short, give them money in exchange for getting it done here itself. I would be damned if I gave in to their play. And so was I damned.
Me: Sir, can't I get it done here itself somehow?
Officer/clerk: Nope. What are you doing by the way?
Me: I'm a student sir.
Officer/clerk: Besides, you need to get an affidavit to prove that you really lost the DL. That will cost you about a hundred bucks, so you might as well pay the amount here and rid yourself of the difficulties of making an affidavit.
So that was it took, a hundred bucks. I shouldn't stand upto all this corruption. I must fight it off. Give them a piece of my mind. Even if it means walking back home empty handed and facing the ire of my father. Or I could just pay him a hundred.
Me: Show me how it's done.
Officer: Right this way. I'll tell you what to write in the letter.
While we were sitting at his table and he dictated the letter to me: What are you studying?
Me: I just finished my Engineering sir, in Electronics.
Officer: Where?
Me: KREC sir, Surathkal.
Officer raises his eyebrows in admiration. Wow, this guy recognizes KREC. Boy, KREC rules. The college brand did bail me out on another occasion although I can't tell you that incident now.
Officer: So you looking for a job now?
Me: No sir, already got one.
Officer: How much they pay you?
Now, I'm going to get an obscene amount for a fresher at Nvidia, but I figured if he heard the amount, he would decide to fleece me more. So I played it safe.
Me: Oh, about three and a half to four lakhs.
Officer: Per month!!!
Me: Whoa, no way! Per annum sir.
Officer: You guys are well educated. Me, I'm just a tenth standard pass. Here, hand me the letter. You stay here while I get the signature from the Sub Inspector.
True to his word he gets the job done and hands over the letter to me. My hand goes to my back pocket to fish for the purse but he gives no signal for money. In fact he takes me to the Police Inspector and introduces me.
Officer: This here sir is THE software engineer.
The inspector grunts and goes back to what he is doing. Although I was offended for being labelled a Software Engineer(you see I am a Hardware Engineer), I took it in good stride. I thanked the officer/clerk for his help and left almost overwhelmed that I had accomplished the arduous task without spending a pie on bribery.
Maybe the police force was improving. Too early to tell. Anyway, I walked away with a spring in my step and hope in my heart.
Monday, June 18, 2007
My name is Red
Olive is the Murderer. Score! What a no brainer.
By the way, the book sucks. Orhan Pamuk, don't know how you won the Dublin IMPAC award for that. 3/10 would be my rating for the book. But who am I to decide...
By the way, the book sucks. Orhan Pamuk, don't know how you won the Dublin IMPAC award for that. 3/10 would be my rating for the book. But who am I to decide...
On Life...
Is it today, little bird?
Is this the day that I am going to die?
Am I doing everything I must?
Am I everything I want to be?
-from the book 'Tuesdays with Morrie'
Is this the day that I am going to die?
Am I doing everything I must?
Am I everything I want to be?
-from the book 'Tuesdays with Morrie'
Nostalgia Part I
Wild Flowers, Central Station, Munnar
Heaven, Munnar
Is it a bird, is it a rock... Bottom Station, Munnar
Hanging on the Edge at Sheeshaparvata
A misty view of the mountains enroute to the peak
Falls at Munnar (name of the falls I cant recall)
A breathtaking view from Top Station, Munnar
Wild yellow flowers, Munnar
Bird's eye view of Om Beach
The Shiva Linga at Kumaraparvata
The final stretch to the peak at KP
A beautiful view of Sheeshaparvat, KP
Another view amidst the mist of Sheeshaparvata
Om beach at Sunset, GokarnaThere is no way I can post all the wonderful timeless pictures here. Here are a few of the best pics from recent treks...
Kudos to Sunaad for all the organization, loads of enthusiasm, and a goofy smile. You are the best!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
My name is Red: Whodunnit? The Deduction
I write this a personal note to myself and the handful of readers of my blog can give this one a miss as it is irrelevant to you.
Is it Olive, Butterfly or Stork. Although I would describe the characterization of the three suspects by Pamuk as scanty and insufficient, there is sufficient detail in the middle chapters to give a hint as to who the murderer of Elegant Effendi. I will now try to hazard a guess as to who the culprit is at this stage of the story and come to see if my logic worked well enough.
We know for sure that Elegant was a mediocre guilder who nevertheless believed in the Master's sense of art and was against the Frankish influences that seemed to be corrupting Enishte's work slowly and steadily.
Lets consider Olive first. This miniaturist's striking characteristic that differentiates from Butterfly and Stork is that he illustrates solely for his self satisfaction and for the sake of art. He is also the only one of the trio who has an independent thinking and is not bound to the dictates of the masters of old.
Butterfly has a lust for lucre like none others and wants to succeed Master Osman as the Head Illuminator. So these two sins are sure to spell doom for his character. He believes the old masters truly and also believes that he is truly gifted like the masters of old or the next Bihzad.
Is it Olive, Butterfly or Stork. Although I would describe the characterization of the three suspects by Pamuk as scanty and insufficient, there is sufficient detail in the middle chapters to give a hint as to who the murderer of Elegant Effendi. I will now try to hazard a guess as to who the culprit is at this stage of the story and come to see if my logic worked well enough.
We know for sure that Elegant was a mediocre guilder who nevertheless believed in the Master's sense of art and was against the Frankish influences that seemed to be corrupting Enishte's work slowly and steadily.
Lets consider Olive first. This miniaturist's striking characteristic that differentiates from Butterfly and Stork is that he illustrates solely for his self satisfaction and for the sake of art. He is also the only one of the trio who has an independent thinking and is not bound to the dictates of the masters of old.
Butterfly has a lust for lucre like none others and wants to succeed Master Osman as the Head Illuminator. So these two sins are sure to spell doom for his character. He believes the old masters truly and also believes that he is truly gifted like the masters of old or the next Bihzad.
Finally, there's Stork. Again like Butterfly, he lusts for money and has hardly any scruples. This is further proven by the fact that he bribes the page boy and copies a picture of a horse from a painting that he had hidden. He is not content at knowing that he is the best miniaturist. He wants The Sultan to acknowledge this fact too and is ready to go any lengths to achieve this.
Hint 1: There is no actual money at the site of the Elegant's death which proves that miniaturist who drew the horse didn't possibly do it for the money.
Hint 2: The one who drew the horse for Enishte is in all likelihood Elegant's killer. So all we need to find out is who drew the horse.
Hint 3: The horse bears its own style which is a violation of the masters of great.
Hint 4: Before Enishte was killed, the murderer had a burning desire to see the final painting. Only a miniaturist interested in the art itself would be burning to see the last painting.
Hint 5: The murderer regrets having killed Elegant.
Hint 1: There is no actual money at the site of the Elegant's death which proves that miniaturist who drew the horse didn't possibly do it for the money.
Hint 2: The one who drew the horse for Enishte is in all likelihood Elegant's killer. So all we need to find out is who drew the horse.
Hint 3: The horse bears its own style which is a violation of the masters of great.
Hint 4: Before Enishte was killed, the murderer had a burning desire to see the final painting. Only a miniaturist interested in the art itself would be burning to see the last painting.
Hint 5: The murderer regrets having killed Elegant.
Given the three hints, Butterfly is eliminated as Butterfly is believer of the masters and there is no money factor here either. And killing Elegant will in no way bring him closer to his goal of overthrowing Master Osman as Head Illuminator.
Stork is a strong contender. His only desire was to be known as the best. But was that a strong enough reason to kill Elegant? I think not. Also Stork's character has me believe that he would repent having killed Elegant if he did indeed do it but we know that the murderer repents having killed Elegant.
So my logical conclusion is that the killer is Olive. If Olive was convinced that he was doing the greatest horse of all times and this involves drawing a real horse like the Frankish masters, he probably would not let Elegant get in the way of true art. And he is likely to repent for killing Elegant for he has the clearest conscience among the trio.
Therefore, my money is on Olive. So lets see if my prediction turns out to be true. Then I can claim that I have truly understood the characterization.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Yeah its hot!
I have started this article in the usual eye catching papparazzi style to catch the attention of your eyes and to make you skim through this blog. I know you will stop and go through this blog the moment you set your eyes on the title.
Now what can the word 'hot!' in the line aver to:
a. Hot coffee
b. Global Warming
c. A furnace
d. AMD Athon FX 74
A survey taken showed that 79% of the respondents associated the word furnace with the phrase 'hot!' Ahem... do you think I have a jasmine on my left ear? The article we guys think about first is not even on the list.
Anyway, this article is not about that word-of-whom-we-do-not-openly-write-about but about Global Warming. Finally, the world is waking up to the effects of Global Warming. Although what I don't understand is why we as Indians don't realize the issue and start doing something about it first? Why do we have to wait for USA and Europe and Japan and China to wake up before we go -
'Huh, Global Warming... What's that? Should we do something about it? Lets wait another five years, the rest of the world is only started to do something about it now, its too early for us. '
And this from a nation that boasts about its brain power and talent exporting capability. We may have the number crunching capability, but when it comes to thinking on our own and making bold decisions, we draw nothing short of a negative infinity.
Meanwhile, our government make take years to respond to the crisis, they won't take notice until they find the hair on their head singed due to the rising heat. But in the meantime, it is your time to act. Do what you can in TOI's word to reduce your carbon signature by following these simple tidbits:
1. Switch off lights and appliances you are not using. Even devices in Standby draw power.
2. Use only the amount water you need. Plug leaking taps and faucets immediately.
3. Its never beneath your dignity to walk or cycle when you can to save fuel.
4. Install a water heater at home. Shaves off valuable power consumption everyday.
5. Dispose garbage safely.
If you guys aren't inspired enough, I urge you to watch 'An Inconvenient Truth', a commendable effort by Al Gore. I'm sure that if you have an IQ above 90, you will understand and start acting accordingly.
Let us save Gaya
Background Score as credits begin to roll : Captain Planet! You're the Hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero...
Now what can the word 'hot!' in the line aver to:
a. Hot coffee
b. Global Warming
c. A furnace
d. AMD Athon FX 74
A survey taken showed that 79% of the respondents associated the word furnace with the phrase 'hot!' Ahem... do you think I have a jasmine on my left ear? The article we guys think about first is not even on the list.
Anyway, this article is not about that word-of-whom-we-do-not-openly-write-about but about Global Warming. Finally, the world is waking up to the effects of Global Warming. Although what I don't understand is why we as Indians don't realize the issue and start doing something about it first? Why do we have to wait for USA and Europe and Japan and China to wake up before we go -
'Huh, Global Warming... What's that? Should we do something about it? Lets wait another five years, the rest of the world is only started to do something about it now, its too early for us. '
And this from a nation that boasts about its brain power and talent exporting capability. We may have the number crunching capability, but when it comes to thinking on our own and making bold decisions, we draw nothing short of a negative infinity.
Meanwhile, our government make take years to respond to the crisis, they won't take notice until they find the hair on their head singed due to the rising heat. But in the meantime, it is your time to act. Do what you can in TOI's word to reduce your carbon signature by following these simple tidbits:
1. Switch off lights and appliances you are not using. Even devices in Standby draw power.
2. Use only the amount water you need. Plug leaking taps and faucets immediately.
3. Its never beneath your dignity to walk or cycle when you can to save fuel.
4. Install a water heater at home. Shaves off valuable power consumption everyday.
5. Dispose garbage safely.
If you guys aren't inspired enough, I urge you to watch 'An Inconvenient Truth', a commendable effort by Al Gore. I'm sure that if you have an IQ above 90, you will understand and start acting accordingly.
Let us save Gaya
Background Score as credits begin to roll : Captain Planet! You're the Hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero...
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