Hats Off To Shah Rukh Khan

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?
- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

My brother said my smile looks affected and artificial. I had always wondered how I looked while smiling and if I could ever learn to show the exact amount of teeth and pleasingly smile and my brother transformed that wondering into literal thinking. I spent some time in front of the mirror and tried smiling in different ways and nothing looked convincing and satisfying. This was when my beard was a little overgrown and my cheeks and chin weren't visible. I could see my eyes smiling but I knew that if my lips don't smile well, it is never a smile. But since long I have always saluted the people from show-biz who have expertise in smiling and showing teeth. And there are three things I learn from my own fallacy here: I should look into the eyes of people and judge if they are smiling, that I should always mean it when I smile and never fake it, and that there is infinite happiness in seeing people I love smile. I really wish I could write the names' list here.

I received a big parcel from ICFAI today along with a call - letter inviting me for an interview. It said that I have been shortlisted based on the entrance test I wrote some days back and I qualify for the next round of the selection process. There were some booklets along with the letter telling me about the selection process, the placements in IBS, a booklet about some internships offered to the students there, a magazine published by their alumni and also a magazine on Hyderabad city. I loved the last thing and the letter excited my mother. They have asked me for a day in February which I have to confirm and that day I will have to give a presentation on one of the stated topics and then a personal interview. I will go there but I will inshAllah go to the US.

It's pretty clear that my mother wants me to stay here in India at least if not in the city. She says I can meet her whenever I want and the distance would be less than two hours at the most. The cost of studying at IBS is almost Rs. 900,000 and she is ready for that just to have me near her. How much I wish I could explain her why I shouldn't go ahead with it but that I love her always and want to be with her. But there are always sacrifices one must make. I don't want to go out of the country just to get a green card or call myself a foreigner or even take pride in it. Some amount of excitement is always there taken the now infamous "The American Dream" idea. But my idea is to have things extraordinary. I want pace and satisfaction at the same time and I know the life in my country is not precisely that. And I also know that I am working to get out of my comfort zone.

I have always been told by my parents that they don't need me for anything and that they can take care of themselves when I am gone. But I have no plans to stay away from them for long or leave them alone anytime. By the time my brother finishes his studies and plans to move out of the country I will have enough to keep them with me or if they want, come back to where they are. My brother always says that he will never leave India but should he think of it anytime, parents or I shouldn't come in his way. I want him to study architecture and make it as big as possible. I want to see him design big buildings and carve his name on stone. He too is my dream. He is the only person I had started loving even before he was born.

There are more to come and I can't wait for long! This could sound dumb if I explain and weird if I leave it unillustrated. But I can't hold on for long. I love small children - I like everything about them, I like to watch them play, smile, shout, or even just sleep. Nothing looks sweeter than the smiles they give while sleeping. Nothing matches their innocent voices. Nothing gives more pain to see them cry. Nothing could give more happiness to call them my own. Nothing on earth could feel better than holding them in my arms and sing for them to sleep. I wish I could directly jump on to a place in my future life where I would be living all this. I could as well let go what all has to come in between starting from the present. I just want to start living those moments at the earliest.

Some days I go to college with only single objectives - attending one specific class or a lab, submitting one assignment, or sometimes just seeing one friend. These could have no logic in them but they give satisfaction. Usually when I go to the college, I make an assessment of who all would be coming that day and whose smile would be making me feel good. But sometimes it's just the company of all of them. I would never be letting anybody know who brought me to college on a particular day, but somebody is always there - when I am in the college, somebody has to be there. This trend has started only in the final year. And there are very few months left before it ends.

Another thing I would learn at the earliest is to cook - at least some basic dishes that utilise minimal resources. It would surely make things easier for me when I have to stay alone and it always is an asset to know how to cook. Preparing tea, frying eggs or even making fried rice out of plain rice are things I have done many times, making tamatay ki chutney is something I am yet to master. I need to learn how to cook rice first and then some curries. I can keep the bigger things for experimenting. My friend always says "we should be ready for a reality check".

Fresh

I love Mickey Mouse more than any woman I have ever known.
- Walt Disney (1901-1966)

Today is one of those rare days when I log into blogger with an urge to write out and make myself feel better. It is not at all that I am feeling depressed of unhappy - I just always have a right to make myself feel better no matter how good I am already feeling. There was no need for me to ponder upon a title for this post - it was there in my heart the moment I opened the edit page. In a way I also knew which quote to put us here. I usually do these two things after I am done with writing the post. One thing I do not know is what I must right to meet the purpose of this post!

I finished watching a movie 'City Of Angels' and began listening to some music before I came across some songs I used to listen to a couple of years back - almost three years back now I guess - and they reminded me of those days. The exact things I used to have within me in that space of time emerged in my heart from no where just as the old music started to ring in my ears. It wasn't pain or a kind of memory that I never liked. It wasn't anything uncomfortable either. But it was there not letting me understand it's unrequired existence. Peace continues but with a feeling of fear which itself says that it would be no more when I wake up tomorrow. But it threatens the serenity of the time left between closing of eyes and now.

There is simply no reason why I must have these in my heart now. I have moved on and moved ahead of my time. I don't care if I wasn't matured during those days but now I am more matured than the people of those days. It was sheer serendipity that day as I remember even now clearly. It wasn't a lesson. I don't want to go back even a day from today. I am glad I saw my past so closely and I lived it. I am glad I learnt even when I had no intentions of salvaging any wisdom. I always used to think that no matter what happens then, what really matters is what happens by the end of the day. The day is now over and a new day has begun.

I have seen all kinds of friends - right from the kind of friends who never understood to those who understand everything. Even from those who never encouraged me to those who were quiet when I wanted them to talk - even those who were always after me. How they were doesn't matter much now; what they are presently does. Time has made the bonds stronger and memories weaker. Only that some naked strings are left hanging attached to a trigger deep inside my heart. Whenever something pulls them, the sound beeps like hell. The triggers don't activate memories; they shake them to have the dust rise.

I don't have to care for this dust either. I care for the strings, triggers and the memories - they all need to be culminated in a pleasant disposition. I can't end them at will or just leave them the way they are. They must be overridden - not with memories but with the present. It's going to take time and the dust will keep tickling my neural circuitry. I am used to it and I also know how to overlook it but sometimes it feels good to get carried away. It feels nice to stay between the feelings to wanting to cry and not being able to cry. It feels good to hurt myself, then write a post like this and finally make everything feel wonderful.

I am not writing to present anything perfect or an article with no contradictions. It is not rambling too. We don't need explanations or justifications for what comes from the heart as long as we are not letting it interfere with other hearts! Writing such things staying even in a state of bliss can sound eccentric but it is sometimes idiosyncratic to my character. I can't be coherent all the time. But once I am done with the anomaly, I know I am fresh! And that, I can go to sleep with a smile. And I will not even have to lie there gazing at the ceiling.

A deja vu can always throw us out of our mind making us wonder what it was or why it was. That word itself is supposed to give the explanation and we need to be contended with it. I remember a quote "happiness is good health and a bad memory" but I don't need a bad memory. It's only when things come back to us that they can make us stronger. Just that some things need to go or perhaps get overridden. I always miss my grandfather and long to hear his voice call my name. I love my name and like listening to it again and again. I like my parents say it, I like my brother say it, I like my friends say it. If that is like being egoistic, so be it. I am blessed.

Aisle By Aisle

Don’t let it end like this. Tell them I said something.
- Pancho Villa (1877-1923), last words

There was probably a short circuit in the service wire causing a power failure in my house yesterday evening. It took almost an hour before the electricity department sent some men for repair. Things like these have happened before and all the repair used to be the department's responsibility and when these electricians told us that we will have to pay for the charred wire, it got me and my mother annoyed. I abruptly asked them to leave and also said that I would be complaining that to the Assistant Engineer who would take care of it. I could see the change of expressions on their face when they heard their head's name. There were also telling that they would repair it only the next day.

We called up the engineer and requested him. He responded well saying that the repair will be done immediately and that it is we who will have to pay for the cables. An official word always sounds assuring. The electricians returned at 10 pm and they were angry because they were probably rebuked by their officer. I purchased the required wire from a nearby shop and gave it to them. The were constantly showing disregards for the officers in their department as they were asked to work at such odd times. I kept listening to them. Then one of them said that this was their night shift going on which started just sometime back. That made my heart laugh out. It was not at all an odd hour of the day for them. They were in their correct shift and it was their job. There are other people for other times and this time of the day was their responsibility.

The power returned at 10:30 pm when we finally left to attend a wedding function. It was my father's friend's daughter's marriage. They also happen to be our family friends and even my other relatives were there. I had a satisfying time after having to deal with those people and spend some hours in darkness. We were also worried about the empty overhead water-tank that had to be filled when power came and also the meat filling up the freezer. No power for long duration could spoil it.

I have two parties to attend today, one tomorrow and another one the day after. Every time I go to a marriage function or a reception, the thing that irritates me the most is the way the bridegroom is forced to behave. Wearing garlands, standing at the stage, posing for the photographs, meeting people he has never known before and is never going to meet again, trying to be perfect because it is his wedding, and doing everything to make everybody call him smart and good looking. It doesn't end with him. The visitors visit only for the reason of having dinner and commenting on how the bridegroom looks. I wonder if these things are ever going to change. And I can never understand a man's affinity towards flowers - especially in wearing garlands. Flowers are for women - to describe them!

I have always seen good men getting married - they behave well with the people they meet when they are getting married, they look well mannered, shy, pleasing and sensible. They look like the best of all the men who could ever get married - apparently proving to the bride's family that they couldn't have made a better choice. And when they look and behave so good, I wonder where the not-so-good men go. Those men who were not good at studies, who were not good children to their parents, who used to tease girls and keep girlfriends, who had bad company and bad morals - don't these men get married? Or are they the same people who look and behave good when getting married?

Souvenir De Paris

The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1841-1935)

Some times I wonder if I am fool to walk so much even when there are several comfortable means to commute. I walked more then three kilometers in the evening to reach home and I could have as well use the public transport services which have become quite good these days. And also gone are the days when the narrow road of Mehdipatnam used to be a bottle neck; it's simpler now. And it hardly takes 10 minutes to reach my house when I catch a bus from that place. Some times I don't do that.

It gives me a mystical pleasures to walk long stretches without being disturbed. I wouldn't mind if I have company; I just need peace. The noisy traffic and the so assumed deafening sounds of horns of the vehicles are of little effect on me. I forget them when I am with myself. I even forget the loss of energy and feelings of pain in my legs. When people can find peace in their lifetime of wars, why can't I then walking on the side of a busy street?

Yesterday my uncle gave me a small replica of Eiffel Tower. He had brought it from France several years back along with a three foot one which was lost in time. He also showed me a similar replica which was made of glass. It looked liked the most beautiful monument on earth. He has this craze about everything from France. I couldn't understand why but that passion remains with all my uncles and even my father - some genes have transferred to me too! My uncle who is a French national keeps asking us to visit him as though Paris is in the neighborhood. Someday I would definitely go there - for my uncle, Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.

I had plans for learning French starting from January but I don't think it's going to materialize. Perhaps I can make an attempt by myself trying from books but I am not sure if that can be possible or it will be a wild goose chase. After English, it is French and Spanish that are widely spoken in the west and I have always wished I could get along with at least one - French preferably. I am not keen on much with the United States and staying there for long if I get the F 1 visa; I know Europe is a better place and all it takes for an engineer to settle there is the knowledge of German or French.

My mother is not happy with my interests in other countries - she wants me to be with her. And for that reason she says I am callous - emotionally hardened; because I am going to leave her. My uncle says I should go there, study, enjoy and come back. And my mother agrees. Of course staying there in US for long is not my objective. Europe of course sounds better. India is good but we don't have islands for sale here! And I have never liked the life Indians have in gulf countries. Things boil down to parents, money and the island - no matter where I am, no matter what I study, and no matter what currency I deal with. There are good tilts towards friends too.

Commonplace

I have come to realise the bitter truth that I am racist, sexist, biased, arrogant, malicious, and egoistic!

- Poly-vicious Suroor

Even till yesterday night I was willing to go to the college today. In the morning I lay on my bed trying to decide if I should go or not. I had slept after 3:30 am and I didn't want to keep myself deprived of sleep. I had gone for a movie last night with friends and returned home around 1:15 am. It was the last show of the day at 'Prasad's' in it's 2nd screen showing 'I Am Legend'. I was expecting a horror movie as told to me by a friend. I rather found it analogous to a science fiction with some startling scenes. It is definitely not for the faint hearted but any person of my age should watch it once. It brought to my memory a movie starred by Tom Hanks - 'Cast Away'. 'I Am Legend' has a very small cast with Wills Smith taking 90% of the screen-time.

I was searching for valid reasons in the morning for going to the college. I counted the number of friends who would be coming. The number was definitely small but I would have gone for a single friend as well. Somehow that didn't please me; it didn't look logical to go to the college with only friends in mind. I slept and didn't think much after that. I am fresh now ready for the night! A holiday tomorrow sounds befuddling again but I have my ways to enjoy.

I spent a lot of time after Magrib reading several new blogs - blogs new to me. One blog lead to the other but I bookmarked only one from all those I read. Most of these were by people from South East Asia and they were all Muslims. I couldn't believe how extensively these people blog and how meticulously they are followed by the readers. Most of the posts have comments exceeding 25 with several tags and back-links. The topics have Islam in their center and concern with minute details of life. They give a disposition that the authors live to blog. And they write for an audience.

A technician from Sify came to check the computer today. The connection was up and working perfectly fine and I was in no mood to let him touch my computer. But he had to take care of an official formality of making some checks and taking my signature on a paper. It took him less than five minutes to finish the paper before I asked him why Sify doesn't let me run AVG. He had not clear answer but he said it is definitely a problem with many people. I also told him that my account never gets renewed by itself even when I make advanced payments. He said he would appraise it in his office.

I haven't had a complete meal since morning. There were some biscuits around 10 am before I was on the bed again. Then I had kheer in the afternoon and wada before Asar. Then it was ragda after Magrib. It was more of laziness than anything else that kept me taking only snacks. Perhaps this in the only reason for my leanness. I am thin but I find all energy I need to do what all I have to do. I never get into fights so I don't need any muscles either. My primary use of carbohydrates is thinking, sometimes walking, and usually talking!

No Predicament Can Stand Itself

When you decide to be something, you can be it. That's what they don't tell you in the church. When I was your age they would say we can become cops, or criminals. Today, what I'm saying to you is this: when you're facing a loaded gun, what's the difference?
- Frank Costelly, The Departed

I had a brief tryst with cricket today after a long time. It was my brother who offered the game and even my uncle was ready. We played inside the compound but all three of us were hitting the ball hard before finally my uncle raised it above a high wall throwing the ball beyond reach. We tried to get it back but couldn't. The bounce and spin of the ball was good making the short time enjoyable. I have no idea when I am going to play next.

I was offered a movie by a friend and unfortunately I had to decline. I was already at my grandmother's house making me tell him that it would be possible for me if any friend who lives in this side of the city was going so that he could pick me up. This, of course wasn't possible at 3 pm. Maybe the plan will be carried till tomorrow. It always feels nice to have plans for the next day. It gives a good night's sleep and a fresh morning. I had none for day and I didn't know when to wake up - at least till 12 noon.

Yesterday my dinner was at a paternal uncle's house. Today he came to meet us and shared the dining table. We had nehari and paya, a curry made of liver and kidneys, a curry made of meat and lungs, maheykhalya, bagaara khaana, roti, kheer and sevi k meetha. I ate as much as I could and I am still not done with the deserts. Not to forget the chocolate in the refrigerator. I am sure I will find more things if I open the it. Mother had even mentioned about fried meat. We call it Ied! The guava on the table beside me tempts my buds creating contempt inside my heart for the cold I always develop after having it.

A person from Sify called me up asking if I was home so that he could come and check my computer. I first had to make myself realize that he was talking English. Then was the herculean task of understanding his Telugu ascent. I got only what was necessary and I asked him to come on Sunday. I hope that was it with the necessary parts. If there was more, I am sure he won't come tomorrow. Sify should spend some time with their employees to neutralize their ascents. So does the Data Warehouse and Mining lecturer at my college. I had mailed Sify to inform them about the nonsensical behavior of my Internet connection.

It's 12:46 am Sunday now and more than an hour since i started writing this post. Just when I was going to start the fifth paragraph I clicked on the spell-check which didn't yield any results. I tried several times before running ping to check the connection. It was fine. I logged out of my account and tried to relogin. It said my account has expired. This immediately reminded me of the call I received in the morning from Sify asking me if I wanted the connection to be renewed. I said replied in positive. This is after five months that I am having such problem. Even corporates don't seem to understand what service means. The local providers never understand that. Sify of course is not an MNC and no doubt why Satyam is running at losses for last two quarters. Sify happens to be a subsidiary of Satyam.

An Archipelago Of Frustration Surrounded By Bliss

The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts.
- from Life's Little Instruction Book

By the end of World War II, there were a very few number of billionaires in the United States. The top nine have an interesting story. 25 years after the war ended, three of them had committed suicide, three of them were in mental-rehabilitation and three of them had gone bankrupt. And the reason was simple - though they knew the present perfectly well, they had no vision for the future. They didn't plan.

I am not going to write anything about vision or planning here for today, it just flashed into my mind reminding me of some book I had read long back. I wish I had even remembered those nine names with exactly what happened with them. Those people couldn't see how the world was going to change. Others saw it, imagined it, and even shaped it. I was even wondering about the lotteries in the United States that involve millions of Dollars. Statistics show that 90% of winners of those lotteries are left with nothing after 10 years. There are more things to be learnt rather than calling them merely as interesting.

Alhamdulillah the day passed by with all happiness today. I found some problem with getting the paya and sira cleaned and cut. I saw some difficulty while performing the zuba on the sheep: the hair near their throat was thick and knife blunt. I had to give more number of strokes than recommended. Fountains of blood colored my shirt red when the throat was finally slit open. In the evening I had to drive the car even when I was in no mood to concentrate. I wanted to sleep. But it came as a compulsion to meet my relatives. It was nice that my heart was finally alleviated. The day was still good and satisfying.

My mother is on a leave Saturday and Monday. She will have to get back to work again on Wednesday with Tuesday being a public holiday. It would really be nice having her around and spending time with her especially when the day finds her in good moods and a relaxed mind. I have always liked seeing her read the news paper when I wake up in the mornings. For a few days she had hardly found any time for herself. She worked real hard today.

"Atlas Shrugged" has picked up finally. I was barely able to read all these days and any time I found with the books was with the ones with only words to be learnt. I read for some time today. I have a book to be finished and returned to my uncle; two-thirds of it is still left. I have always liked reading Ayn Rand's philosophy; be it from her novels or the newsletters I receive from the website of the publishers of her books. I have read some parts of her books like "Virtue Of Selfishness" and "For The New Intellect". I have liked them all. "Atlas Shrugged" is truly a fest gifted to me by my friends.