Scene 1: Voiceover and Introduction
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This is Mr. Customer. Doing a great business the big bad world of Silicon Valley biggies .
Mr. Customer has a daughter, called 'Project' - A complicated, hard to manage , ...but nevertheless, a prized 'catch'
Dont go on her face, she looks like Mac but operates like Windows.
And this is her Boyfriend 6.0 - IBM (Idiot Became Manager)
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Scene 2: Opening act in garden
IBM and Project are walking hand in hand
IBM :- Project darling, love you. But you have never told me about your past - why did you crash, I mean why divorce.
Project: - Hun, dont ask, its a long story
Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed that the new program began making unexpected changes to the accounting software; limiting access to wardrobe, flower and jewelry applications that operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.
No mention of this phenomenon was included in the Husband brochure. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs such as Dinner Dancing 7.5, Vacations 2.0, and installs new, undesirable programs such as SaturdayFootball 5.0, and ClutterEverywhere 4.5.
Under no circumstances will it run Diaper Changing 4.0 or House Cleaning 2.5. I've tried running Nagging 5.0 to fix Husband 1.0, but it all failed.
How about your past hun?
IBM: Well I upgraded Fiancee1.0 to Wife1.0 and it's a memory hogger, has taken all my space; and Wife1.0 must be running before I can do anything. Although I didn't ask for them, Wife1.0 came with Plug-Ins such as MotherInLaw and BrotherInLaw.
Some features I would have liked in her. - A "Don't remind me again" button - Minimize button - Shutdown feature - An install shield feature so that she can be completely uninstalled if so desired (so you don't lose cash (cache) and other objects)
Thats why I had to uninstall her before installing you honey :)
Mr. Customer walks in and sees the two holding hands , gets angry, and calls his Project Manager
Customer - PM , kick this guy out
PM - Sir, but he is IBM
Customer - Yes I know
PM - How do you know sir?
Customer -Incompatible Boring Machine. I know him well. He refers to the tomatoes grown in his garden as deliverables. Daughter, come with me
Project - But dad, he has my license key, I love him
Customer - He is old, slow - PM get me some young fast and innovative grooms for my sweet daughter.
PM - Yes sir
IBM - Remember Mr. customer, the long term 'Support' and 'Services' I can offer to
your Project, you might not get elsewhere...
Customer - Get out...
Customer walks away with his daughter
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Scene 3: Mr. Customers living room. He is sitting alone when Project Manager walks in from door
PM : Sir , I have brought a groom , called Frugal from FountainView
Mr. Customer : Yes Mr. Frugal , can you handle my 'Project'..
Frugal: Infact sir, we can handle it very well...consider this
First, we will make her 'Open Source', Infact anybody can check her out for free, use and modify, and can check back in
Mr. Customer : What crap...
Frugal: Dont get angry sir... there are no free dinners you know, so she wont be free always, we will put her in Beta for two years and then commercialize her. Infact her location will be displayed on Frugal Maps, and we will place contextual advertisements regarding your other daughters too sir, ummm.. I mean Projects...
Mr. Customer: PM.. Kick this guy out...now
Frugal : Sir please, consider this, when some clicks 'I am Feeling Lucky' on Frugal page, we will offer her ...
Mr. Customer: Get out, else I will hit you so hard even Frugal wont be able to search...
PM kicks Frugal out
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Scene 4: Mr. Customers living room. He is sitting when Project Manager walks in
PM : Sir , I have brought a groom , called Bill Late from Microloot
Mr. Customer : Yes Mr. Bill Late, tell me show will you handle my sweet Project....
Bill Late: First thing we would do sir is Patent her, and then make money off her,
in fact we just patented 'Blue Screen of Death' sir,
Mr. Customer: Blue Screen of Death ?
Bill Late: Yes sir, it comes as a result of numerous focus groups and customer surveys. Thousands of Microloot customers were asked: "What do you spend the most time doing at your computer?"
A surprising number of respondents said: "Staring at a Blue Screen of Death". At 54%, it was the top answer, beating the second-place answer - "Hour glass with Booting up" .
"We immediately recognized this as a great opportunity for ourselves sir. Look here,I even announced it
Mr, Customer : God... PM , Please take Mr. Late out
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Scene 5: PM comes with Mr. Leave Jobs from Apple
Mr. Customer: Yes Mr. Leave Jobs...I have heard you spend more taking leaves than you are at office. How will you handle Project
Leave Jobs: Thats true... but since there is an app for everything, Project wont feel alone...,
Mr. Customer: hmmm
Leave Jobs: Anyways. your daughter Project will get something which nobody will have access for the next 6 years - iPhone 10.0. I have a copy with me.
Takes out an iPhone 10.0 -- Take a look at this beauty..
Mr. Customer tries to use the phone
Leave Jobs: I'm sorry sir, the iPhone is turned off.
Mr. customer: "Then why is it glowing?"
Leave Jobs: "That light is to confirm that the machine is turned off.
Mr. customer: Hmmm.... What can it do ?
Leave Jobs: Regarding what it can do, sample this
It can act as blow dryer and face powder kit for you Project (Project blushes )
An elcetric shaver for you..
Even Vegetable cutter
Mr. customer: How about making calls ?
Leave Jobs: Oh yeah that is the game changer...With each iPhone 10.0 you will get a free app called ICALL for making calls...
Project: Oh wow, can I make a call ?
Grabs the iPhone and tries to call
Project wears the gloves and call IBM : Hun, I am actually calling you from an iPhone, in future iPhone can make calls... yippy...
Mr. Customer gets angry, grabs the phone and tries to hang...
How do I hang up the damn call?
Leave Jobs: Oh... hold the LOAD button for a minute, and then download the iHANGUP app, which can hang up the call for you.
Mr. Customer: Thanks you Mr Leave. Now please take a leave.
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Scene 6: Mr. Customers living room. He is sitting when Project Manager walks in
PM: Sir, Next I will be bringing Mr. Dark Suckerberg from Trashbook
Mr. Customer : What is Trashbook PM?
PM: Well sir, the objective of Trashbook is to collect friends.. I like it because I dont have many friends in the real world. Infact I have organized my friends into categories sir:
Category One: People I physically see...
Very less, except for the grocery store lady and the bar girl.. and yeah my wife
too
Category Two: : People from past, like from colleges, not like 100 years ago..... though I had nothing common with them while I was in college, but it seems I do have something common with them now
...ummm Trashbook
Category Three: People I have never met....
Category Four: Good Looking females, which is my most favorite category, and I have further subdivided into other categories...
On occasions when i have nothing to do sir, which is almost always, I spend hours browsing at their pictures sir, and waiting for their status message to change from committed to Single ...
Oh just a moment (PM takes his phone out and logs in )
Mr. Customer: What are you doing
PM: Updating my status...'Talking to an old nerd' ha ha....oh sorry...What??? My wife is friends with wierdo Ashton Butcher...I need to go sir...Will come back in evening with Mr. Suckerberg
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Scene 7:
Mr. Customer : Yes Mr. Dark Suckerberg, letme know if I can hand my Project to Trashbook?
Dark Suckerberg: Absolutely. We have 500 million people, or 1/12th of the world sir, who have nothing else to do in life ....
And yeah, she can grow on to become a successful farmer growing tomatoes and potatoes on the Trashbook itself
Infact I sent a request to 'Project' to take the quiz, what animal she was in last life... Project why didnt you take it ?
Project : And why would I be interested in any information like that ? The only reason I am on Facebook is to track my old boyrfriends and ensure none of them are living more fulfilling life than me
And for all that Trashbook TRASH, please stop this abuse...please stop posting pictures of your dogs..get a life..
I dont want to be in your Mafia, I dont care that you wish you were still in bed..I dont care you cant wait for Friday...
Just then few people come and 'Poke' Project
And for Gods sake, I still dont understand what does this 'poking' mean.....go away....
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Scene 8:
Mr. Customer: PM , Please call IBM. I think that Idiot is best suited for my daughter
PM comes back with IBM. They start marriage ceremony - IBM whistles - and four more guys walk in
Mr. Customer: Who are they?
IBM - Well they are Golbal Services, Business Services, Hosting Services and Support sir. You are getting in a maariage with all of us
Mr. customer bangs his head
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Last scene: IBM and Project are happily married.
IBM: Sweets, just got a call from your dad, told him that I have outsourced you to Bangaluru....
Project: What?
IBM: Kidding...he said he has added you as a friend on Trashbook, and your grandma has poked you and is angry that you havent poked her back.
Also your grandpa is going away for two weeks.. He has asked you to water his plants, specifically potatoes on Trashbook.. and yeah please feed his cows
Project throws a pillow towards him...
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Monday, September 23, 2013
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
November 4th -2008
More than five years in America...and I never felt proud to be here. It was always at the back of my mind, that I have left my home country and family back to be lured by the glamor, life of America. And that guilt always surfaced at times, times when you see those patriotic movies, times when you hear about your countrymen dying of blasts, and you feel like a coward having migrated here.
But tonight for the first time in more than five years, I feel to be proud in America. And not because it still is the best country on earth, and not because it still remains the superpower whose fortune affects countries worldwide...no. Its because it proved today what I always felt was the best part of this country, its conscientious.
Conscientious...a heavy word. Yes, we know that life is about happiness, success, wealth, being famous etc ... but nobody talks about this word. It means someone who operates from their conscience, and will strive to be just. People who are aware of their responsibilities.
I have often told my near and dear ones, that for a person like me to survive in India would have been very difficult. Not that things aren't great back home, but Indians on a collective level are not conscientious. We will take bribe, we will lie, cheat, manipulate....do anything in our capacity to succeed. Have you ever seen the top bosses in any Indian sector. Favoritism is the major major factor for success in India, and hard work and intelligence is secondary. A country more racist than anywhere else. A south Indian will be discriminated in Delhi, Biharis will be beaten up in Maharashtra. We will mix water in milk, we will sell fake Chinese electronics with branded names. Some army people can come and take away your reserved seats in train compartment. Indians are definitely more compassionate, hardworking and intelligent, and have strong culture, but they aren't conscientious. We don't do WHAT IS RIGHT. I know a lot of friends will term me non patriotic for sprouting this, but they know in their heart this is the truth. And believe me, I am very very ill equipped to handle that kind of situation.
And that's where America scores. Trust is the foundation of this country. In all possibility, people would not lie to you. Mostly, you can leave your apartment unlocked for the day, and once you purchase a item, be assured that it wont be fake. Once you buy a property, you don't need to worry that someone will make fake papers and snatch it from you. If you are hardworking and intelligent, in all probability you will get your due, and no, you never dare to bribe a policeman here once you are caught speeding. And chances are almost nill that your uncle`s friend will be able to get you a job in a company if you don't have the merits at all. And I respect this country for this sense of being right.
And today this fact was cemented. Obama became the first African American president in the history of United States. For the last few months I have been following elections closely over the net, and I went through a lot of articles where Obama`s color,his origin and Muslim middle name was being criticized vehemently by Whites. But when it came to the collective conscience of America, they did what was right for America..Obama it is. History was made when America rose above all petty issues about color, ethnicity etc and voted for someone they truly believed was right for USA.
And even if Obama is not able to fulfill some of the promises he has made, this election itself would bring back a lot of credibility back for America in the eyes of the world. Its time for change. And it has begun. Lets be part of new America, and in consequence, new world. And remember this date, for it will always be a part of the general knowledge quiz for the coming generations!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Halloween Scare !
PS: Again reiterating, these blogs should be taken with the spirit of fun. The intent is not to be against any community or ethnicity.
Its all over ! So much so that people are planning to dress as 'Economy' this halloween ! You can see the scare. 3 PM - our coffee time in IBM cafteria, when few of my colleagues take a 15 minute break for some chitchat and Mocha, and that number is dwindling fast. I inquired whats the reason, and two things - Job scare, and save some money by making ur own coffee!!!
Ebay fires 15% of workforce, Yahoo plans a massive layoff, Financial sector laying off in 1000`s - Its all accross the board. America's mortgage crisis has spiralled into "the largest financial shock since the Great Depression" and there is now a one-in-four chance of a full-blown global recession over the next 12 months, the International Monetary Fund warned today.
And few people are taking advantage of this situation, like this boss in a Chennai Software startup who is big Rajnikanth fan, and often ridiculed by his employees. And now is his time to get back ! So he calls all this employees one by one, and employees obviously scared by current economic situation, are jittery to say the least.
Boss - So yes Mr. Rangamannar Rangarajan, I heard you needed a leave because you need to get your house coloured(painted) before Diwali...You already have so much color in your name...
Emp - No saaar...mot anymore..abhi sambhar-rice-cocunut chutney ke liye fight hai...who has money...Sorry saar..
Boss - Okie...answer one thing...who can bring Yahoo shares above $30 again ?
Emp - Bill Gates or Microsoft saar.
Boss - Wrong....one and only apna Thambi.... Rajnikaaanth
Emp - Oh yaaa...sorry saaar.
Boss - Bad...you can go now. Send Mr. Thippeswamy Babykutty in
Mr Babykutty comes in
Boss - So yes Mr Babykutty, heard you needed some advance and vacation for getting your 'baby dog' admitted to Anna University
Emp - Sorry saaar...my whole family has studied in Anna University ..Appa, Ammma, Thangamma..so I was thinking about it. But abhi 'idli-curd' is costing sooo much saaaar... So I dont want chutti for my 'kutty'.
Boss - Hmmm...answer this...who can delete Recycle Bin itself ?
Emp - Rajnikanth saaar...
Boss - Good...your leave is granted....send Mr. Vasudevan Apppakuddi in....
Mr Appakuddi comes in
Boss - So Mr. 'Appakuddi'...you need a leave because ur appa made a kudi..I mean jumped from 3rd floor....
Emp - Ya saar....there was a strong wind and his 'lungi' flew...and sensing the economy crisis he knew he cudnt afford more...so jumped from the building trying to rescue it...
Boss - Hmmm....ok answer this....what is the end digit of 22/7..?
Emp - Rajnikanth saaar...He is the end of everything..
Boss - Wow....go rescue ur dad...or his lungi..or whatever.
And it goes on ! But seriously, this crisis is moving into a dangerous direction, and if the all the warnings and scares are any indication, its time to buckle up and prepare for the crash ! I guess nothing will be able to scare Americans more this Halloween ! Though latest development is that Bush, Obama and Mccain have pressed for Rajnikanth`s services to handle this global crisis, so it might be over in just a few minutes !
PS: I came across some of the posters of movies if they had been made in Chennai :-)
Its all over ! So much so that people are planning to dress as 'Economy' this halloween ! You can see the scare. 3 PM - our coffee time in IBM cafteria, when few of my colleagues take a 15 minute break for some chitchat and Mocha, and that number is dwindling fast. I inquired whats the reason, and two things - Job scare, and save some money by making ur own coffee!!!
Ebay fires 15% of workforce, Yahoo plans a massive layoff, Financial sector laying off in 1000`s - Its all accross the board. America's mortgage crisis has spiralled into "the largest financial shock since the Great Depression" and there is now a one-in-four chance of a full-blown global recession over the next 12 months, the International Monetary Fund warned today.
And few people are taking advantage of this situation, like this boss in a Chennai Software startup who is big Rajnikanth fan, and often ridiculed by his employees. And now is his time to get back ! So he calls all this employees one by one, and employees obviously scared by current economic situation, are jittery to say the least.
Boss - So yes Mr. Rangamannar Rangarajan, I heard you needed a leave because you need to get your house coloured(painted) before Diwali...You already have so much color in your name...
Emp - No saaar...mot anymore..abhi sambhar-rice-cocunut chutney ke liye fight hai...who has money...Sorry saar..
Boss - Okie...answer one thing...who can bring Yahoo shares above $30 again ?
Emp - Bill Gates or Microsoft saar.
Boss - Wrong....one and only apna Thambi.... Rajnikaaanth
Emp - Oh yaaa...sorry saaar.
Boss - Bad...you can go now. Send Mr. Thippeswamy Babykutty in
Mr Babykutty comes in
Boss - So yes Mr Babykutty, heard you needed some advance and vacation for getting your 'baby dog' admitted to Anna University
Emp - Sorry saaar...my whole family has studied in Anna University ..Appa, Ammma, Thangamma..so I was thinking about it. But abhi 'idli-curd' is costing sooo much saaaar... So I dont want chutti for my 'kutty'.
Boss - Hmmm...answer this...who can delete Recycle Bin itself ?
Emp - Rajnikanth saaar...
Boss - Good...your leave is granted....send Mr. Vasudevan Apppakuddi in....
Mr Appakuddi comes in
Boss - So Mr. 'Appakuddi'...you need a leave because ur appa made a kudi..I mean jumped from 3rd floor....
Emp - Ya saar....there was a strong wind and his 'lungi' flew...and sensing the economy crisis he knew he cudnt afford more...so jumped from the building trying to rescue it...
Boss - Hmmm....ok answer this....what is the end digit of 22/7..?
Emp - Rajnikanth saaar...He is the end of everything..
Boss - Wow....go rescue ur dad...or his lungi..or whatever.
And it goes on ! But seriously, this crisis is moving into a dangerous direction, and if the all the warnings and scares are any indication, its time to buckle up and prepare for the crash ! I guess nothing will be able to scare Americans more this Halloween ! Though latest development is that Bush, Obama and Mccain have pressed for Rajnikanth`s services to handle this global crisis, so it might be over in just a few minutes !
PS: I came across some of the posters of movies if they had been made in Chennai :-)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Dusshera Dhamaka !
Few busy weeks, and no time for blog. Navratri celebrations are on full swing in Bay Area and to all my friends, here is wishing a Happy Dusshera ! Probably this is the time of the year I tend to miss India most. Nine full days of masti. Those decorated streets, shining and bright with lights all over, roaming aimlessly till late in the night with friends across the city, visiting Durga pandals all over, trying every exciting food shop which had sprouted, visiting on Dusshera to village for annual puja and collecting money from all the elders, and then going to see that fair in evening...gosh !
Though I wonder with so many things going around the world , how are people celebrating it....and just imagined this conversation among a Bengali NRI family, Mr and Mrs Banerjee, and their ABCD son. Mr. Banerjee works for Yahoo and is settled in Funnyvale, Gay Area.
Mrs - Aejee
Mr - Oye I am Banerjee, dont call Aeejee..
Mrs - Ok...Ami Drona dekhbo
Mr - No Drona rona....else Ill fall slip(sleep) in theatre and ull be reminding me "So-naa"...its tht boring. Lets go to Funnyvale temple for Navratri celebrations. And bhe(we) will hear bhojan also
Son - Dad you can eat bhojan, how can you hear it ?
Mr - Duffer I mean devotional songs....and free bhojan(now food) also...they give good bhejetable
Mrs - Aejee...lets go for movie na....my fabourite bong Joya Bhaduri(Jaya Bachchan) is there
Mr - No no...dont bhaste(waste) money on movie...also I hab(have) to send money to ur stupid brother who lost his job in Kolkata coz Nano said Toto(bye-bye) to ur another fabourite Momta Bonerjee and left for Gujrat..also I need money to buy Bolbo
Son - Dad...its Tata...and do you mean Volvo ?
Mr - Duffer....again you opened ur mouth...After baking up from ur slip(sleep), first learn to remove ur bed-shit(sheet).
Mrs - You are such a konjoos
Mr - Dont tell....my bonk went bonkrupt....WAMU..WHOOOOO....and dada Saurav also retired from cricket. Dont know bho(who) will I watch in cricket now once I lose my job in such a bhague(vague) economic condition....anyways they are luking at me like a terrorist in Yahoo once the news leaked tht recent bhomb blasts in India were planned by Indian Yahoo techie..
Mrs - Are Obomo is coming as president na...economy sudhor jaayega..ull bhot(vote) for him na
Mr - Nah ...Ill bhot for Sorah Polin..ooops Mccain
Mrs - Albhes(Always) bhatch (watch) Sorah Polin....tumi kobhi nahi sudhroge...beta lets go for bhojan...Ill call Mrs Choterjee and Mukherjee also
Son - Mom..last time..Bhajan or Bhojan....?
PS: Lots happening all around the world and for those who missed the Presidential Debates, dont worry here is a series of videos on Mccain you wont want to miss.
And for those who missed Drona, not to worry. Its right here for you
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Aamir Can !
PS:These blogs are for fun, and should be taken in the right spirit. No offense to any community or ethnicity intended.
Ahmedabad - Gujjendra Krodhi and his assistant Jignesh in Office after a day`s work.
Jignesss...phen (fan) chalao, egg-joss(exhaust) ho gaya. Aur ek peeja (pizza) order kar do.
Yes Sir....Sir , Aamir Khan`s Taare Zameen Par is India`s official entry for Oscars
Kaunsa phillam (film)? ..... Agar Narmada ka pani piya hai to...... bhen (ban) kardo Oscar ko ......jaise 'Fanaa' ko kiya tha......Amrika jaate hain .
Sir....sir...Narmada kaun?...Anyways they always reject your Visa. We have tried many times.
O haan...haan...accha tum log jaa ke aao....jung(young) ho...Kalpess aur Diness ko bhi le ke jaa....'Gujju Kote' me apply kar Viza ke liye..
Sir they have reduced our "quota" also, saying we have enough motels and gas stations in US now.....
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Bombay - Maharaj Bhagre and his assistant Girpade in Office after a day`s work.
Sir Aaamir Khan`s Taare Zameen Par is selected as India`s entry for Oscars.
What the f***..? 'Hindi' movie at Oscars ?
Sir...sir..you are speaking in English.
O ya...Girpade, how do you say 'What the f***' in Marathi?
Don`r know sir, anyways wife is on the other line.
Ok...call Markar, Todkar, Chillakar, Phodkar, Dhabolkar, MarondKar and we will put an agitation in front of Aamir`s office.
For what sir? What is the objective?
To change the painting competition in movie to Marathi.
Sir...sir(hesitating)...how can they paint in Marathi sir.... ?
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So will Tare be able to make it to final five. I doubt. Its definitely a masterpiece. But the whole hardwork was undone in the last 5 minutes, where the movie propagated the very principle it was criticizing, and showed Darsheel getting whole hearted acceptance only after scroing 'high marks'. Also I have often felt academy being averse to happy endings. But they have been welcoming movies with protagonists having physical/mental disabilities (RainMan, Forrest Gump), so lets hope for the best. And if it does, it will be Aamir Khan Productions double whammy after Lagaan (for final five nominations). And being a die hard Aamir fan, I would definitely follow this closely.
Also if anybody can bring Oscar to India, it has to be Aamir Khan. Or shall I say Aamir Can ?
PS: I came across this funny spoof on Taare at IIFA awards. For those who havent watched it, have fun.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cheeni Kum Hai !
I invariably don't take lunch to office. Its either the cafeteria, or few of my favorite restaurants nearby, well almost . As my office is located in a quiet valley far from civilization, typical of any Research center, for the nearest restaurant you need to drive at least 4-5 miles.
Anyways today was one of the rare days I had some delicious Hyderabadi Biryani from yesterday, so decided to take it to office. Lunch time , went to the common room to get it heated in Microwave. And alas, a long queue of my Chinese coworkers was there. I can imagine there names being like - "Sum Ting Wong , Kum Hia Nao , Dum Gai, Kent Go". To keep me engaged , while we were standing in queue, my colleague gave me an English translation of their popular names -
Sum Ting Wong - That's not right
Kum Hia Nao - Come here ASAP
Dum Gai - Stupid guy
Kent Go - Cant Walk
Amused, I noticed that something was not right today though. They were all huddled together and discussing something, as if Corolla has just released a new model, or hakka noodles have become shorter. All I could hear is - chee chaa chaaaaa...chinglish (chinese english). Anyways my enterprising colleague told me they are discussing the AIG fiasco and in general Chinese form a huge customer base. That explains, else I would have held Toyota responsible! Notice the irony of AIG in the pic below though. Click to enlarge.
Nevertheless, our queue ended, and we reached the Microwave. And as soon as I opened it, it felt I have reached an open air Chinese restaurant. What an 'enticing' smell. Now don't get me wrong, though I am a fan of Chinese food, I didn't want my authentic "Hyderabadi Biryani" to smell like "Chinese Fried Rice" by the time it came out of the oven, so decided against microwaving it.
Over the lunch, my colleague shared an interesting anecdote. Some guy made a call to his insurance agent, and a Chinese operator picked up. Difficult to understand what she was speaking, he asked her name.
I am 'Saw Lee'.
Why are you 'Sorry' ? I just asked your name..what is it?
Ya I am 'Saw Lee'.
Hmmm...is 'Anyone' else there ?
'Annie Wan' is on holiday.
God please give phone to 'Someone'
'Sam Wan' is on call.
Lunch over, was walking towards my office from the plaza, and suddenly realized we are outnumbered. Everywhere I can see Chinese colleagues only, and though Taiwaneese, Japanese all seem similar to me, still I could say Tabu and Big B were not right when they patronized that song - 'Cheeni Kum hai'!
Anyways today was one of the rare days I had some delicious Hyderabadi Biryani from yesterday, so decided to take it to office. Lunch time , went to the common room to get it heated in Microwave. And alas, a long queue of my Chinese coworkers was there. I can imagine there names being like - "Sum Ting Wong , Kum Hia Nao , Dum Gai, Kent Go". To keep me engaged , while we were standing in queue, my colleague gave me an English translation of their popular names -
Sum Ting Wong - That's not right
Kum Hia Nao - Come here ASAP
Dum Gai - Stupid guy
Kent Go - Cant Walk
Amused, I noticed that something was not right today though. They were all huddled together and discussing something, as if Corolla has just released a new model, or hakka noodles have become shorter. All I could hear is - chee chaa chaaaaa...chinglish (chinese english). Anyways my enterprising colleague told me they are discussing the AIG fiasco and in general Chinese form a huge customer base. That explains, else I would have held Toyota responsible! Notice the irony of AIG in the pic below though. Click to enlarge.
Nevertheless, our queue ended, and we reached the Microwave. And as soon as I opened it, it felt I have reached an open air Chinese restaurant. What an 'enticing' smell. Now don't get me wrong, though I am a fan of Chinese food, I didn't want my authentic "Hyderabadi Biryani" to smell like "Chinese Fried Rice" by the time it came out of the oven, so decided against microwaving it.
Over the lunch, my colleague shared an interesting anecdote. Some guy made a call to his insurance agent, and a Chinese operator picked up. Difficult to understand what she was speaking, he asked her name.
I am 'Saw Lee'.
Why are you 'Sorry' ? I just asked your name..what is it?
Ya I am 'Saw Lee'.
Hmmm...is 'Anyone' else there ?
'Annie Wan' is on holiday.
God please give phone to 'Someone'
'Sam Wan' is on call.
Lunch over, was walking towards my office from the plaza, and suddenly realized we are outnumbered. Everywhere I can see Chinese colleagues only, and though Taiwaneese, Japanese all seem similar to me, still I could say Tabu and Big B were not right when they patronized that song - 'Cheeni Kum hai'!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Mumbai ka King kaun ?
Tring tring....I am deep in sleep. Who is calling at this time ? 4o clock in morning ...damn. Whosoever is it, I am not getting up. Tried reaching for phone from my bed, and spilled the water glass over my new iPhone. I am already miffed with $150 first month bill from ATnT, and whosoever is calling, will have to pay for if the phone is gone...well no damage it seems. The number is from India. Picked up the phone, and its an old friend from Pune.
'Sup dude...do you know some consultant there for US Visa ?'
'Abe you dont have any other decent time to call for such an 'important' information? Google it... abhi letme sleep...why all of a sudden ?'
'Yaar things don't seem to be fine here...some other day there were pamphlets in our locality saying that change the name on your nameplates to Marathi..If we have to live like immigrants in our own country, why not live abroad ?
Call over, slept and then left for office in morning. Day passed on smoothly, and back home tuned in to CNN IBN for news. They are showing these clippings of Drona music launch repeatedly, and then Jaya Bachchan`s controversial remarks.
Suddenly after these flash of clippings , some loud background music is played to create tension, a reporter with a grim, stern face and a beard (as if someone has just died in his family) starts highlighting this 'national crisis', and then the images are superimposed with Raj Thackeray`s response to the speech, where he mentions he wont allow any movie from Bacchan family to release in Maharashtra. Amitabh`s apology is shown, and 'Jaya ko lagi Amitabh ki fatkar...' comes the headlines, and in the end comes the poll...'Kya Amitabh ne Jaya ko fatkar lage ke sahi kiya...? Hame SMS kijiye'.......Sad state of national media !
Coming back to the controversy, I don't see any reason why Jaya Bachchan or Big B should apologize. Hindi is our national language, and agree or not, more known and widely spoken. Second thing, speaking in Hindi in Maharashtra is not akin to disrespecting Marathi. Thirdly, Maharashtra is not owned by Raj Thackeray and family, and nowhere the constitution of India or law of the State mentions that people living in Maharashtra will have to speak in Marathi. Indians don't need a Visa to enter Maharashtra, and certainly Mr Raj Thackeray and family are not providing these Visas.
Thinking about Mr. Raj Thackeray, I wonder how his mind works? Is it just the political ambition of a failed politician, or does he really believe he is doing it for the benefit of Maharashtrians ? If latter is the case, it is really worrying. For people often if guided by fanatical obsessions for some group, be it their friends, family, state or religion, go to the extremes of hurting others by threats, violence, force and abuse, they end up bringing shame to the whole community itself, leave alone themselves. And since they believe they are doing it for the good of their community, they don't see any harm in their actions. I am concerned about the political implications in the context of the regional chauvinism that Thackeray is trying to whip up against the non-Marathi speaking population.
What happened to Saddam Hussein and his ambitions ? Whole Islam is bearing the negative connotations of what a handful of Islamic extremists propagated . Musharraf, Osama, all dictators who used threat, fear and violence to rule over others, are now living a shameful life hiding. If their objective was the benefit of Islam, it has backfired in the exact opposite way. Ironically I am writing this on 9/11, a day that reminds me of one of the worst manifestations of terrorism, which shook the whole of United States.
Mr. Thackeray please realize that you are nothing, and if you think you can dominate over others using your threats and force, forget it. If you need to feel important and noticed, grow a beard and go anchor one of these news shows on Indian television, and choose your background music.
PS: Read Big B`s Blog on the controversy, and the video below for his response
'Sup dude...do you know some consultant there for US Visa ?'
'Abe you dont have any other decent time to call for such an 'important' information? Google it... abhi letme sleep...why all of a sudden ?'
'Yaar things don't seem to be fine here...some other day there were pamphlets in our locality saying that change the name on your nameplates to Marathi..If we have to live like immigrants in our own country, why not live abroad ?
Call over, slept and then left for office in morning. Day passed on smoothly, and back home tuned in to CNN IBN for news. They are showing these clippings of Drona music launch repeatedly, and then Jaya Bachchan`s controversial remarks.
Suddenly after these flash of clippings , some loud background music is played to create tension, a reporter with a grim, stern face and a beard (as if someone has just died in his family) starts highlighting this 'national crisis', and then the images are superimposed with Raj Thackeray`s response to the speech, where he mentions he wont allow any movie from Bacchan family to release in Maharashtra. Amitabh`s apology is shown, and 'Jaya ko lagi Amitabh ki fatkar...' comes the headlines, and in the end comes the poll...'Kya Amitabh ne Jaya ko fatkar lage ke sahi kiya...? Hame SMS kijiye'.......Sad state of national media !
Coming back to the controversy, I don't see any reason why Jaya Bachchan or Big B should apologize. Hindi is our national language, and agree or not, more known and widely spoken. Second thing, speaking in Hindi in Maharashtra is not akin to disrespecting Marathi. Thirdly, Maharashtra is not owned by Raj Thackeray and family, and nowhere the constitution of India or law of the State mentions that people living in Maharashtra will have to speak in Marathi. Indians don't need a Visa to enter Maharashtra, and certainly Mr Raj Thackeray and family are not providing these Visas.
Thinking about Mr. Raj Thackeray, I wonder how his mind works? Is it just the political ambition of a failed politician, or does he really believe he is doing it for the benefit of Maharashtrians ? If latter is the case, it is really worrying. For people often if guided by fanatical obsessions for some group, be it their friends, family, state or religion, go to the extremes of hurting others by threats, violence, force and abuse, they end up bringing shame to the whole community itself, leave alone themselves. And since they believe they are doing it for the good of their community, they don't see any harm in their actions. I am concerned about the political implications in the context of the regional chauvinism that Thackeray is trying to whip up against the non-Marathi speaking population.
What happened to Saddam Hussein and his ambitions ? Whole Islam is bearing the negative connotations of what a handful of Islamic extremists propagated . Musharraf, Osama, all dictators who used threat, fear and violence to rule over others, are now living a shameful life hiding. If their objective was the benefit of Islam, it has backfired in the exact opposite way. Ironically I am writing this on 9/11, a day that reminds me of one of the worst manifestations of terrorism, which shook the whole of United States.
Mr. Thackeray please realize that you are nothing, and if you think you can dominate over others using your threats and force, forget it. If you need to feel important and noticed, grow a beard and go anchor one of these news shows on Indian television, and choose your background music.
PS: Read Big B`s Blog on the controversy, and the video below for his response
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