Rakhi '09

Don't you think Rakhis are getting prettier each year?

Happy B'day Mom

Its been so long ... innit. Yeah ... I was just being me ... lazy ass. Plenty of stuff happened in the mean time ... specially last week it was my mom’s birthday. I surprised her with a gift and she was so very pleased. The happiness on her face was priceless. I’m not the one with gifts in my hand for an occasion ... never been and probably never will be. That is why she was even more surprised that I ... I ... bought a gift for her. When mom told this to my sis ... she was also blown away. Felt good ... I should do this more often for my loved ones.

Sach Ka Saamna

A new reality show is on telly these days ... Sach Ka Saamna (Facing the truth) on Start TV. It is a franchise of hit (and controversial) American show named The Moment of Truth. Not long ago ... Star World used to air it ... and I use to watch it religiously. The show asked some really uncomfortable questions and I as a viewer was totally engrossed in knowing whether the contestant was telling the truth or not. Some of the questions were so personal that it was uncomfortable to even watch ... I don’t know how the contestants must had felt. But ... the lure of money makes us human ... well human beings. I won’t say that the show was entertaining ... but it was intriguing for sure. The show was definitely not for immature viewers ... and I remember that I used to shoo away my cousins whenever this show was on telly. I even asked my mum not to watch it. Once my cousin told me that what if this show comes on some Indian channel ... in Hindi ... and I laughed at her. I told her that Indian channels are not bold enough to have a show like this ... and I did not believe that Indian audiences are mature enough to watch it. Look who is laughing now ...

Anyways ... couple of weeks back I caught the promos of this new Hindi reality show ... and I was shocked to see that the moment of truth is indeed happening on Indian television. I was surprised to say the least ... but then I thought they can’t ask uncomfortable questions. They don’t have the “balls”. I thought lemme bask in the glory and I thought I would have to opportunity to say “I told you so”. So I sat down and watched it with my family ... and boy it was really uncomfortable. I could not believe my ears ... the questions were tough as nails. So far, I have caught of episodes and most uncomfortable questions were more or less dealt with sexual relationships and infidelity. I am sure that the show will ask few innovative questions as well ... like they do it in the original version ... but judging by the start of the series ... I must say that I am happy to be wrong. Finally, Indian channels are taking some risks ... and that’s a good thing for Indian viewers. Its sad though that almost everything that you see on telly is a copy or franchise of some western show ... but it’s a start and I am sure that Indian channels will come up with ground breaking shows in near future.

6 months @ ION

Recently I completed 6 months at this new office (now not so new) and my probation period is over. Not surprisingly, I got good reviews and now I am a “full time” employee. Yippie!!! I had a video conference with my manager (who is in London) ... and today they gave me the letter of probation period completion. Phew !!!

Now is the time to look back and take stock of the situation ... am I happy with the work and stuff ... I would say yeah ... work is boring but its kinda good. The job is safe which is a big deal in recessionary time. The only thing is that the office culture is really boring ... but then you win some and you lose some. The work is one of the most technical thing that I have ever done ... so in that sense I am learning new stuff almost everyday. Do I see myself working for another 6 months here ... I would say that I wont die sticking around. On the other hand ... would I change it if any (good) opportunity comes along ... I would have to say ... why not. LOL. Its all about the Benjamins baby ... in my case its all about Bapu (it’s the face on INR) ... ahahahaha. I would like to travel a bit more than I am doing right now ... and I guess things can happen in this regard ... may be sometime in medium term. The only major pain in the ass is travelling ... but then it’s a constant issue since I live in the city and my kinda work is in the suburban region ... d’uh.