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By Murali

G-Strings

Have been increasing the noise around my neighbourhood. Reason - have been learning the guitar for the past couple of months.

Still a beginner and trying hard :). This has long been on my 'to-do' list and finally, the unchecked check-box was checked. Also, the guitar lessons are good enough reasons to sneak out of office a lil' early on a couple of week days :-)

As of now, I am adoring playing the "G-strings" - occasionally, I do produce 'music', mind you :-) But it'll be hard identifying the 'music' in-between the cacaphony!

Just to remind myself of the fact that I am learning the guitar, I've started blogging (www.chordsandleads.blogspot.com) exclusively about the same with the notes I've gathered so far.

My mridangam learning lasted for 2 years, let me hope this stays atleast that long !

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By Murali

Little Angels Day Out

Yet another outing(22nd Sep 07) with the specially challenged(hearing impaired / underprivileged ) kids from Ashray Akruti. This time, the venue was Mount Opera. Was a very very memorable day.

Should you wish to volunteer, please visit Ashray Akruti (http://www.ashrayakruti.org/) for more details.

Leaving you with a few images ...

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By Murali

Cricket and telugu movies

Yet another delayed post. For people who are shocked to hear that I am 'busy', please do try to digest the fact that indeed I am !

Well, now that we are on a high after the T20 win, I just couldn't stop myself from comparing our DEAREST Agarkar(specifically) with Telugu movies. Funny as it may seem, lets see what the comparisons are :

Similarities
1. Both are disgustingly useless - Even before a telugu movie is shot or even before Agarkar comes to bowl, we know that we are heading towards disaster. 1 in a 1000 telugu movies is 'good'. 1 in every 1000 Agarkar overs, he does not concede a four.

2. Both still make money - As ironical as it may seem, both still are money making machines. The icing on the cake was Agarkar being awarded 15 lacs after the T20 win.

3. Both are heavily supported by lobbyists - I don't even have to explain this. Most of the protagonists(I wouldn't be even remotely tempted to call them 'heroes') in telugu cinema are offsprings of yesteryear 'protagonists. While telugu movie fans give their life to watch the ugliest movie on the day of the release, many of the ex-maharashtrian cricketers still consider Agarkar to be one of the best in business.

4. Both don't use their brains : Anyone who has watched a 'single' telugu movie will understand what I mean. Same with anyone who has watched Agarkar bowl a single over :-)

5. Both are appreciated for other factors : Agarkar was the fastest to reach 50 ODI wickets ( some gazillion years back). He has a good arm. Telugu movies have good songs, good comedy, argue fanatics - what about 'story' but?. Core 'required' competency in both - ZERO !

Dissimilarities

Agarkar is 'hopefully' history, but sadly, telugu movies can never be :-(((((((

Ramesh Powar was another classic case. We all know how 'terrific' his feilding is. He was bought in as an all"round"er. Note that the emphasis is on the word 'round'. So, if the selectors cannot find a bowler, who can 'field' as well - it merely brings out the inefficieny of the BCCI in selecting a person (lets not even go close in saying 'selecting a cricketer') to represent India. Oh hang on a minute - lets not forget that Powar is also from Maharashtra. I guess the Union Agriculture Minister should spend more them on the farming field than on the cricket field.

Amen!

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By Murali

Junket to Phuket

Here I am, after a long 'summer hibernation' !

Had been to Phuket for a week, Thailand due to a 'small' status change in my life ! The place was much more than what I had expected it to be. The lovely mountains on the coastline, the 'all active' city, the adorable hospitality and to top it all, the cheap prices :-)

Visited Phi Phi island. This was the island where the movie 'Beach' was shot. Was a long 48 kms journey by a speed boat. Honestly, the boat ride is much better than the place. Phi-phi is just a hyped-up place like many other ones.

Ofcourse, Patong beach(where I stayed) deserves all the hype. The place reverberates with the tides as well as with the array of activities along the coast. It's busy all the time and bubbles with songs, thai massages, pedicures, parasailing, night clubs, etc. U name it and you have it !

Our last expedition was to the James Bond island. Apparently, 'The Man with the Golden Gun' was shot here. We canoed on the sea and that was fun. Had to go below mountains on a canoe with a torch. Couldn't have been better :-)

Well, coming to food - being a vegetarian didn't help the cause at all. All food comes directly from the ocean. So, had to be content with Pizza huts and Subways. The Indian restaurants that I tried atleast were not as good !

In short, a fun place to be at a reasonably cheap price (you can shop, rather than 'window' shop due to comparable-with-india prices)

Leaving you with a few images ....

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By Murali

Was it cocky..... ?

No, it wasn't. It was Coccydynia!

It rained just one day in this blistering summer at Hyd. And that was enough. I somehow managed to loose my footing on a wet floor and fall on my back. As usual, ignored the pain for 3 weeks – only got worse. Panic button pressed!

Cause and what was the effect?

Went to a local medico. Diagnosis: ‘Just’ 3 weeks complete bed-rest. Excuse-me? Not approving the decree, I went to Apollo.

Verdict: Coccydynia!

Alleviation strategy: Resurrect the tailbone thru’ physiotherapy. No bed-rest required. Thank heavens!

So, there I was having an ultrasound device running thru’ ‘no entry’ zones on my back, for a few days.

Fall, for you scale great heights after that; but never fall ‘back’, for you can never lift even the smallest of weights after that !

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By Murali

Good FrYday(s)

Good friday and so, a long weekend. So, yet another break from work, albeit in the hot and scorching weather. Was supposed to leave on vacation on Wednesday nite - however - wednesday was a 'bandh' at Hyderadad for no reason. It was a bandh - but then, all life was normal except the plying of the APSRTC buses ( which anyday, I wouldn't dare to get into ) :p :p So, essentially had a two day workweek !!!

Got a mail from one of my friends with the subject as 'status change'! Well, I had assumed on seeing the subject that he had mistakenly sent one of his official mails to me. Was wrong. A 'small RIGHT' shift in his life from being a confused bachelor to a sincerely committed bloke. Good news indeed!

Have to vacate my flat as my flatmate is heading to the US. So, the painful househunt begins (all at 40 deg :((). How much do I hate this ! Have to wear a talisman, I suppose, to get one in a single day. The chances are you getting hit by a meteor are higher than the probability of you finding a good house with low rents at Hyd.

A fifteen hour train journey beckons as I head back to Hyd. I normally do enjoy train journeys but with the very thought of a 3-day backlog at work, I guess this time arnd, my journey wont be as sweet :p :p

The train journey was not all well. Had to board my first train at 5pm, presuming it would reach well in time for the next one. Not to be so - the first one came in an hour late and reached an hour late. I was assuming I had the missed the connecting train. Long live Indian Railways - the second train was 30 mins late(I don't call this luck by any stretch of imagination :p :p) - so, just managed to board it in time !

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By Murali

"Spring"ing back !

Had a longer winter hibernation than I had thought, so no wonder my blogspace has been untouched for a while !We are hitting 'spring' now (well, no spring in Hyderbad, for sure), so, I am just about jumping back to write a bit. Too many changes in life in the past few months - just another lazy excuse to say that I had no time to blog.

Major 'achievements' in the past four months :

I managed to finish a book that I started, I guess, a couple of years back (couple <> 2)
I've finally started 'working' (reason - I've been shifted to a new team :) )
Played for an intra-company cricket tournament and lost miserably!
Completely stopped cooking, gymming and squashing ! corollary : getting rounder by the day !
Have been thinking about an Himalayan trek and the train of thoughts halted at the station of : 'Cut the crap - u'll never execute it'

Also, after a long time, met my ex-colocataire (ex-flatmate).. Well, the last I saw of him was a geekish software bloke. Now, that he has funnelled himself out thru' an MBA, I see a whole new guy. Oh man.. he was never so refined :-))

As cricket fanatics, we are always optimistic, aren't we ?

Heights of optimism:A friend of mine sitting all nite long watching the Bang-Bermuda match hoping that Bermuda would win.

Another good one : Sehwag applying sunscreen before going out to bat :-)

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By Murali

Hyd 10k run

First time ever, I participated in the Hyd 10k run. Was quiet good. Ran 7. Walked 3. May be next time, I can run all 10 at a stretch.

Apparently, there were a lot of people (arnd 10k, I guess) who had registered; but Sunday morning at 7, their beds attracted them more than the run. So, the papers estimated the 'runners' to be arnd 2-3k. Not a huge number - most of the crowd being corporates with their huge banners.

Well, we had the star glitz cheering us and kick starting the event. The run was arnd the lake - never realised that the lake was so big. I am never used to running for 10k at stretch, so obviously had to take breaks after 3 kms or so. I play squash for hours together - there never is a problem, but running is definitely not my cup of tea. Two of my colleagues had to slow down because of me; finally asked them not to wait for me !I think that even most of the half marathon runners(21k run) finished much ahead of me :-)

Of course, threw up my usual tantrums of pains in the joints (visible signs of 'aging' out). That would last for a while !

Watched the much hyped D:2 later in the evening. Digusting is my verdict and fictional farce is the buzzword.

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By Murali

Size does matter!

For people who are letting their thoughts run wild, I am talking about the size of books here ! I am not really the 'novel' guy - don't read too many novels. Probably reading novels was never really my cup of tea. Used to read Enid Blyton as a child - but thats about it.

So, just a couple of years back - my ex-roomate promised me that I would start loving reading if I read a few books that he suggested. Will - start I did with a few 'tiny' (or should I say minute) ones - Love Story, Animal Farm, Chronicles of a Death Foretold to mention a few. All these were good.

I guess am scared by the sight of a 'big' novel. The sheer volume repels me. Of course, like any one else - read Da Vinci Code - though it was big. Didn't like this book so much but for the pace and the data. Moved on to 'Angels and Demons' - this was easily my favourite. So, that kindled me to read the remaining two Dan Brown thrillers - both of them were really bad!

So, I thought I was getting over this phobia for big novels - not to be so. I am stuck up with a copy of Kate Mosse's Labyrinth. Apparently - this book is also a nerve gripping Grail thriller set in ancient locations betn France, Andorra and Spain. I read the first 50 pages just to re-read the same 50 pages after 2 months. Now, I guess I have to search for the book in my attic.

I guess I prefer watching 'movies'(of novels/epics) to reading them. Book fanatics would scourge me for that blasphemous statement, but I guess, I could put in two hours and watch it 'thru' rather than read thru' the same pages time and again. One of my friends told me that I should read 'Lord of the Rings' rather than watch it. The movie, inclusive of all parts, was 9 hours. I guess I would have to read the book my entire life to finish it :-)

Talk about 'To Kill a mocking bird' (considered the best book of the century by many) - One of my good friends gifted it to me on my last b'day - Last I remember was reading the the 100th page 200 days back :-). So, if someone has a DVD copy of the movie - please let me know!

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By Murali

Ashray Akruti

I've always wanted to associate with an NGO and do some kinda service. Well, my workplace opened the doors to such an opportunity. Last year, I was a part of a group that arranged a sports day in a school for special children rescued from child labour. This year, it was a different experience.

Ashray Akruti(http://ashrayakruti.org/) is a school for the specially challenged. Here, hearing impaired children are taught by experienced teachers and they get into mainstream after spending a few years in this school.

So, we (about 25 of us volunteers from work) had a day out with these wonderful kids. 80 of them. We took them to the science museum, the planetarium and finally to the botanical garden where we arranged some fun games for them and gave prizes away. Thanks to the weather gods, it rained the day-before and the day-after but not on the D-DAY.Arranging an event of such a magnitude(125 of us in all) was no easy thing. But none of the volunteers sulked and we all pitched in with high enthusiasm.

End of the day - what did we get? - well, the priceless smiles on the children's faces. Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear - I guess we succeeded in that!

Ofcourse, such activities don't stop after a day. Continued association with NGOs would serve the actual cause and really help us transforming ideas into action.

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By Murali

House-warming or was it ?

My sis found a 'new-place' in b'lore, so the consequence was me being invited to the 'house-warming'. Well, lil' did I realise that she had planned things before-hand for me even before I was there. I reach b'lore on a Saturday morning after a tiring 8 hour bus journey. As soon as reach my sisters', 'Ah! we've been waiting for u! we've got work to do'

She did add b'lore traffic to her planning, but still forgot the 'rains'. So, that compounded the equation pretty badly. A 6 km travel from the old house to the new-house always took an hour, one way :-) Even worse, there were diversions here and there.

We had to purchase a lot of things for the ceremony. We then go back home only for my BIL to say that their new car was getting delivered in 30 mins time. Well well! 18h30 evening traffic. We go there only for the guy to tell us that certain docs are missing. Thank you, Mr.Murphy!

Its 21h00 in the evening. We are all dead hungry. The purohit calls to say that he has to arrange a few things in the house for the early morning pooja. So, two of us to pick him up (15 kms from there) while my BIL stays back to get the vehicle delivered. By the time, we reach the new place, its 21h00!. Dead hungry!

The purohit then says that we cannot eat until the pooja is over. What pooja? He never told us about one the day before the actual pooja. Well, we then learnt that this is the way it happens in Kannadiga customs. As we had to wait for the head of the family (my BIL) to start the pooja, our hunger got the better of us.

Well.. the pooja started at 23h00 and ended at 24h00. As my sis and BIL were made to repeat the slokas by the purohit, I just couldn't stop laughing - honestly, we were absolutely not in any position to do anything at all - tired, sleepy and hungry!

At 24h00 they leave only to ask us to be back at 02h30 for the actual pooja!!!!! Well well.. the rest is history! House warming is normally a 'warm' ceremony to drive out the evil-spirts out of the house, but lil' did we know that we had to have such a 'fighting' spirit to overcome this event :-)

So, the next time someone calls me for 'house-warming' in b'lore - I'll have to think twice, I suppose :p :p

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By Murali

Age ++

Yet another passes by. More strands of grey hair, more wrinkles on the face, more frequent questions in the mind such as 'Why me?' should all point to just one thing - age++. When we were young, we were 'growing up'. Now, we are 'growing old' (yes, the not-to-be-use three letter word).

As is always turns out, you do not receive the expected calls from dear ones (plainly becoz' they've forgotten it) and the bulk of the others do call/mail rejoicing the fact that I am getting old :p :p (what saddists :p :p ?). Well, thanks to all of them for remembering the 'aging' man! :-)

Was in a train on my b'day eve. So, luckily no b'day cake and bumps ! :-) Missed all the calls too - thanks to the 'hutch'(we'll-go-wherever-u-go) network!

For the 'unforgivable' few who forgot my b'day, you still have a day or two for penitence! After that, you fall into the 'completely-forgotten' category :-)

Spent my b'day and Diwali at my sisters. Was a lot of fun. Was pampered as usual and came back 'all-round' in shape.

Tried playing baddy after a long time. Bad idea. Result was a bad pull on my thigh that troubled me for almost 5 full days!

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By Murali

After a long hiatus

May be it was pure lethargy that has stood between me and blogging or may be it was just that I was disconcerted by a hiatus in my thinking process. I am still 'thinking' about which one to pick ! In either case, my contribution to the ozone depletion- equivalent in blogosphere has been zero for the past two months.

After I imposed self-imprisonment on myself after an overdose of travel, I finally managed to get out of the cage and went home after almost 4 months. Was a good break. Went with my sis to all the crowded streets in Chennai. Well, she was looking more for knicknacks and baubles; so no wonder, we had to do a lot of searching in all the narrow lanes. Diwali is in the air and it always feels good to smell it. First time ever that we shopped for almost 6 hours and I didn't get anything for myself. Guess something is 'really' abnormal with myself :-)

Lotsa travelling to be done this month and this was good 'kick-start'. People have already started commenting about the 'changed-me' in terms of size. So, have made strong resolutions to start 'squashing' again. Hopefully, this time, I transform my ideas into action.

Due to very-much avoidable circumstances, I've not been cooking as well for the past two months. Its time to turn the tide now. Accidents do happen in the kitchen; but still, we have no choice but to eat them. Eventuality has to be accepted, ain't it :-)

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By Murali

Weather and wither

The whole of AP has been experiencing intense rain in the past few weeks. Not so good news. Consequences - one too many. First sickness and then bad roads.

Roads in Hyderabad are back to 'normalcy' (read as concave craters in the middle of the roads). This is how I saw Hyd when I first visited the city. A few roads have disappeared and guess even a google search would not help us find them. I guess we all know the answer - Conduct a Congress Plenary and invite Sonia again. Should this be done, the 'matter' would be 'laid' to rest in a coupla days !!

My roomate and I were the first victims to the vagaries on the monsoon. Both of us fell sick the same day and were ill for about 4-5 days. House arrest for so many days was not an easy thing. Frequent medications made drowsiness our third roomate. Now that we are outta sickness, the-then-gloomy weather seems very 'pleasant' now :))

Weekend - watched the most spectacular F1 races in recent times. All new podium finishers - can it get any better? Schumi going out with three laps to go was a sad sight to watch; nonetheless, I would always vouch for such eventful races where you have a new leader every five mins !!

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By Murali

'Weak'-end

Started off on a bad note. Was in a meeting Friday afternoon; came out of the slumber (what else do you do in meetings, huh?), back to my desk and my colleague says "We've got bad news for u". Was wondering if someone had captured me 'napping' in the meeting.

"We are going for a telugu movie today evening and we've booked for you as well". You expect something bad and get something even worse.

If a theorem states that "u are going to a telugu movie", the corollary has to be "u went to a telugu movie? how could u????". May be I have this compulsive need to please people ?? :p :p So was a mournful Friday evening.

Sat and Sun, had planned to do a lot of things; one of the most trivial tasks being 'putting my clothes for wash'. Thanks to Mr. Parkinson for his wonderful law 'Works expands to fill the time available', I am always used to procastinating tasks. After all, its a law and we HAVE to abide by it, ain't it ??? So, that should sum up how many things I actually did this weekend !!!

Have not been playing squash for a while now; was determined to go for it this weekend. Lethargy and I are opposite poles, so its strongly attracts me :p :p. No wonder my paunch is getting the better of me.

One 'accomplishment' was a long due rendez-vous with a fellow BITSian. We hogged heavily and walked down to his house only to be greeted with few more rounds of sweets as it was his sibling's b'day. So, couldn't say NO. After sometime, the very thought of food caused nausea.

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By Murali

At 'bay'

Well, guess when people realised the what the first four letters in 'Bombay' was , they soon wanted to change the name to 'Mumbai' after the '93 blasts. That really doesn't seem to have had an impact at all! From being 'one' of the dangerous cities, Mumbai is probably becoming 'the' most dangerous city for dwelling. Apparently, some statisticians have said that Mumbai has had more blasts than any major city (in the world) in the last decade. From the rains to the shivsena bandh (one of their yet another dastardly acts) to the blasts, dear ol' Mumbai has had it all - Good lord!

I guess soon this ever-active metropolis will have to change its epithet from 'the financial hub of India' to 'the most scary place in India'. Sad but may well be true :((

Oh yeah! And how well do most of the news channels dramatize any 'catastrophe'. One too many hyperboles used these days. Talks about 'figthing spirit', etc etc are always endless. Well, CNN-IBN had a diff view. Went arnd talking to the denizens the next day where all of them had to say that they had NO choice but to get back to the trains or else they would be thrown out of their jobs. People probably are getting stoic to such things, no doubt! Nonetheless, the newsworthiness of these rather romanticized content provided by these new channels is open to moot.

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By Murali

Au Revoir, Les Bleus

So was indeed 'Bye, Bye' to a French victory. Think the Italians deserved it for all their consistent work. After all, the two goals they conceded (one a self goal, the other one a zizou penalty) never really 'broke' the 'China wall' of Italian defense.

Was reading a few french newspapers after the defeat. None of the newspapers actally sullied the French teams image. Rather they were made heroes, nevermind the Zidane ghastly incident. Same was with Germany who came in third. And look at us, we curse the Indians after they loose a match. Something for us to learn, I suppose. How much have we bad-mouthed Zaheer Khan after his first over in the finals ? :p :p

World cup is over; so means I can sleep early. Met up with a friend and her hubby yesterday. Meeting her just for the second time in the last five years, I suppose and meeting her hubby for the second time (after the two mins I spoke to him at the wedding ). No wonder we spent a LOT of time reminiscing the past.

Was 'trying' to cook this weekend. Bad experience. Had a 'fight' with a knife; end result was inevitable - a deep cut in my finger.

Moral of the story : Never fight with a 'SHARP' knife; the knife always wins !!!

May be after marriage, I can probably replace 'knife' with 'wife' :p :P !!

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By Murali

Allez, Les Bleus!

Oh well! For once, my 'oracl(e)ular' predictions turned out to be true. Thierry did disprove 'theory' and how well did Zizou complement him !!!!

We were a bunch of 5-6 watching, all but me backing Brazil. No wonder the 'result' had a bad impact on them. So, I had to cut down on the ephiphany as celebrating the victory 'loud' would have only elicited a 'brawl' in my 'hall':)))

All said and done, for me, it was like watching India defeat Australia in a cricket world cup quarter-finals. So, even if India were to lose the next match, it still wouldn't matter. David slaying Goliath is always a treat to watch :)) Heard from a friend in Fonty that there was a wild revelry on the streets after the victory. Hmm.. I missed it !!!

Now they move on to meet Portugal, one of the four semi-finalists who least deserve to be in the last four; thanks to a listless England always 'paying (and not playing) the penalty':)). Germany now play the Rahul Dravid of football (the Italian WALL of defense). Nice set-up this time compared to last time where the two minnows (South Korea and Turkey) made the semis very boring and one-sided.

So, I bet on France/Germany showdown - anybody with me ?? :)
And my slogan for the next few days - 'Allez, Les Bleus'

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By Murali

Being Ch(B)eerful!!!

After the >> shift, ofcourse, comes the 'house warming' and in the 'literal' sense.So, my roomate and I invited our team to our place so that the 'house' could be blessed with 'warm and hot' wishes. Had to leave out the two women in the teamdue to obvious reasons. No discrimination this; we'll soon have a 'softer' get-together as well. Food was never a problem; in India atleast, it so much easier, cheaper and faster to have food ordered and delievered. My roomate took care of the 'spirits'; and everyone, no wonder, appreciated his spirit.

As always, the tee-totaller me had to take a coke as the others, being 'beer-ful' and 'cheer-ful' reached the next dimension ( after all, according to one of my friends: 'Reality is an illusion created by the lack of alcohol'). Unfortunately, I've never liked the taste of any of the CnH2n+1OH (Note to the dude at c'cut - please forgive me if this formula is wrong :p :p). An un-invited guest was a 6 foot long snake. Somehow, the care takers of the house managed to kill it. May be snakes smell alcohol pretty well :p :p

THe next day morning, my aunt was supposed to visit me. God bless her, she didn't.. would have only been shocked with all the beer bottles strewn arnd :))

Lying dormant for less than 4 hours these days - thanks to football. Was so thrilled to watch dear old France destroy the Spanish. Atlast, they have come to life. In 'THEORY', they should be bulldozed by the Brazilians in the quarterfinals; but lets see if "THIERRY" proves it wrong :)

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By Murali

>> Shift

Moved into a new place with a colleague a few days back. So, was the 'RIGHT' shift, I should say. THe new place, though expensive, is very very good and also has pushed me back to the cook-at-home mode as the kitchen is very 'appealing'. Moreover, I've already had an overdose of outside junk.

Since its a 'BIG' place, my roomate and I have started furnishing the appartment to remove the 'voidness'. Took a while to get the cable connections; but well in time before the world cup - clear indication of the 'exponential' rise of the 'laziness' co-efficient in me :))

Too bad this - we have all the 'action' happening at the same time. French Open, Wimbledon, Cricket at Caribbean, Soccer, F1. Mon dieu!! too much to discuss during coffee breaks these days. We are just 'loaded' with information. Too much into soccer and was talking to an Australian customer today more about their 'late resurgence' against Japan yesterday than about work. Was a great match, nonetheless. Well, c'est les bleus aujourd'hui'. Lets see how the French perform !

Had another friend visiting me this weekend. Since I had to show him something arnd, we took a very wrong step and headed to 'Ramoji' film city. Well, catastrophically disastrous is a categorical understatement. This place truly sucks. Add 'afternoon heat' to this and you can imagine the 'experience'. Hunting for the marketing experts who have made this 'sound' all too good.

Taking this Friday off yet again. Would be on a pilgrimage down south. Have long been trying to convince my team-mates that I am a 'full-time' employee, but then, they are always under the assumption that I work only four days a week :))

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