I’ll never take my laptop to bed again!

48 Hours With Apple's iPad. An interesting article by Gary Hamel.

And if anyone I know wants to gift me anything, take a hint. ;-)

The Weekend

There were many contentious issues this weekend. The BBMP elections, the dryness of the weekend, IPL vs Earth hour, and throw in all the issues on E! news. Kim Kardashian is single again – watch out football players – and Miley Cyrus wants to exit the music industry – thank god for small mercies… Jokes apart, I voted for a deserving candidate from a private party yesterday and I’m proud of my participation. Now I have to wait for my nail to grow out for this ink spot to disappear.

BBMP – I didn’t know that the first B stood for Bruhat. But anyway, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike had its 5 yearly elections yesterday. Out of Bangalore’s 6 million popuation I’m hoping at least half a million of us voted. That accounts for about 6000 odd constituencies, so that many bottles of ink used.

Now the other pressing issue this weekend was that it was a dry one. Starting Friday. I realized many of my friends (not me) found it very hard to stay sober and get through the weekend. Of course they made alternate arrangements to bring liquor into the city from Hassan (good job guys!). But I made an interesting observation that the IPL tamasha was low-key cause of lost companionship of Kingfisher.

The IPL viewership took another hit cause of the occurrence of Earth hour. Many people were making en effort to switch off their lights/tv for the earth hour between 8.30 and 9:30 pm, but the Kings XI Punjab & Kolkata Knight Riders continued to entertain – what a dilemma?

Then I remembered reading this article that stated that the IPL was going green. Something about a partnership with UNEP? Then why the fireworks? And why not play without flood lights? It’ll be like the new Vodaphone ad that reminds the white bubble people to pay their electricity bill.

And then I watched the final episode of FRIENDS on Zee Café. Such a charmer it was. It makes me laugh and cry every time I see it, no matter how many times around. That’s one good series I tell ya!

Ah well… the weekend is over. Nothing much accomplished but nothing to complain about either. Have a good week ahead everyone!

The IPL Frenzy

The Indian Premier League is all about the glitz and glamour. It’s not cut out for the die-hard cricket fan that appreciates test cricket… or is it? Personally, I think its for the in between folks who are looking for the entertainment parallel of an NFL or NBA game.

(I was talking about this to my boss and he had a Kannada dialog to add, “Oottake uppinakayi idhange!” Translating: Cricket is to IPL what pickle is to full meals… hmmm…

As you can see, I find Kannada one-liners very amusing, and I’m not being sarcastic!)

I have nothing against all this glitz and glamour; it achieves its objective (which I’m assuming is to attract a wider audience and make the sport more entertaining even for the cricket novice) and has created a different environment in cricket stadiums. And without the allure of it all, you have to wonder if so many viewers would show up for these matches again and again.

The organizers want to create the illusion that they have given you your money’s worth so you’re lured back for the next game and season. They empty your pockets – so they’re happy. You have a good time – so you’re happy! What’s the problem, no problem, just confusion…

So what’s it gonna be -

Serious cricket fans or for those with a handbook on cricket?

Cheerleaders or sixers?

Fireworks or wickets?

Just say, “all of the above” and don’t debate about it. If you can’t stand the extra fittings, and only want the sport, watch it at home.

One last thing, go RCB!

Picture Comments:

Pic ondu (1) Random picture of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, the best I could do with my poor iPhone camera

Pic eradu (2) The wannabe cricket fans with ‘The Handbook on Cricket’ (detailed with illustrations and pictures) in one hand and ‘Cricket Field Layout’ in the other

Working in NON-CORPORATE India

I mean to say non-cooperate India. In this part of the world, anything goes; deadlines don’t mean anything; and yes could mean yes, or maybe or even no (but everyone will nod as if in agreement).

Not like I’m used to a very sophisticated level of corporate communication or workflow, but boy-oh-boy, some of the private companies in India belong to a different genre. If I had to compare it to something I’ve experienced before, it’s like dealing with a stubborn child in a candy store - who won’t shut-up until you buy him/her the biggest candy available.

The problem is that the CEO and MD want to develop a corporate environment, but my dear colleagues resist change. Who gets hired to do the job – yours truly!

So there are a couple of senior (aka 40 plus gray boring lazy aunties and uncles) employees working here. They cringe that a 20-something with a fancy MBA is trying guide them – and trust me, I’m not an unreasonable person. In fact, my boss thinks I’m way too easy on my team; and that I’m confusing authority with respect and not delegating enough work! Their complacency is something to admire… I admit that I have my days when I procrastinate and accomplish 20% of my target. But I have this one uncle who goes weeks without generating a report. No guilt whatsoever! When I ask him for something, he replies, “koddona koddona” (meaning, I’ll do it sometime in the indefinite future, just chill you crazy boss lady!)

Meetings? What and why? It’s the opposite of the corporate world where all we did was meet. I’m used to attending meetings where we discussed the agenda of the next meeting! Here, people are so averse to sitting in a closed room with you – they associate it to something awful – like getting fired or something. So many times, I’ll just be bored of making sense of numbers, so I’ll call people to the conference room for random chit-chat. But they get so jittery about the whole thing that it is no fun for me.

And they giggle at me when I say “thank you”, “sorry”, and “pardon me” so much. Its not that they think it’s not needed, they are just not used to hearing it as much. So now I’m torn between being a localite and losing my charming polite side!

The cribbing and challenges aside, I don’t mean to make a big deal of all of this. After all most some people are genuine, hard-working and sincere. I’m learning the tricks of the trade. I also nod in acceptance though I know I won’t approve the same later. The up side to this is that I get to delegate all the work and call the shots. It’s a good lesson learnt in the long run… I guess!

The Real Desperate Housewives

No, not Bravo's show. I'm talking about the famous Indian Housewife. Once stereotyped as spending her day in the kitchen cooking meals for her family is now tech savvy, doing brunch with girlfriends, and dressing in make-believe designer clothes... The Indian Housewife has come a long way, eh?

How do I know these housewives? I see them in their different avatars as I go about my day - at work, at the gym, at the stores, at cafes, and every where else. They tell themselves that they are all that - hip, sexy, and smart - they facebook, workout, eat out, plan holidays, and all of those things...

Listening to this conversation made me chuckle. I was on the treadmill in the gym and the pretty lady next to me started talking to her buddy on the next treadmill. "New restaurant try maaddha? My hubby and I went for valentine's day [big smile], nice but pricy ya. All these other younger college kids were there, my husband was starring at those girls[smile disappears]. My gymming wastu [frown appears]. BTW, my MIL is going through menopause I think. Bloody moody she is. Yesterday's bill she wanted to know. WHY? Berre kelsa ilva?" To this her girlfriend replies, "Adhella biddu, you saw Ashwini's baby's pictures on facebook? So cute no! The baby is so much fairer than her, good for her." And the conversation spun in different directions. I switched off my iPod. I can listen to the black eyed peas anytime, but such interesting conversations are hard to come by.

Times have changed and we tell ourselves that our generation has evolved, but have we really? The reason I call these upbeat-sexy-saavy woman desperate is cause they talk of no goals, no responsibility, no personal expectations. They think its about them, but really, its not about them at all. Soon enough, I'll also be a married woman, but someone slap me if I become as desperate.

And in no relation to this topic, I have this other lingering thought which I want to post before I forget. It's about how comfortable parents have become about posting pictures of their adorable babies on facebook. Yes, they are darlings, and all of your friends have the nicest of things to say... but put yourself in your little daughter/son's shoes. Imagine growing up, learning to type aka becoming facebook eligible, and finding all your diaper pictures strewn on facebook. I for one would be pissed if I found my childhood pictures all over the net. Post your own pictures guys, not your children's!

Choco-Là!

I was fortunate to take a mid-week break and travel to Pondicherry for 2 days. It was just what my friends and I needed – aimless, relaxed, and uber fun! And while I want to dedicate this post to the time pass we did in Puducherry, I think this one place needs special mention. It was one of those “gotta do it again” places… Choco-Là… a corner chocolate shop on Mission Street.

Where do I start? Miniature mousses that melt in your mouth? Or better still, cake chocolates that are little bites with moist cake as your choice of filling. Rum-&-raisin, dried fruits, marzipan... the options are endless! One of the unique offerings is a chocolate drink (NO, not hot chocolate), a warm rich chocolate concoction that isn’t sweetened by sugar but cocoa drops. Take my word for it, “it is to die for!”

I ate more than is good for me. I tried 4-5 different creations and they were all very satisfying. I give it a 10 on 10. Try it next time your in Puducherry, it’ll be the best money you ever spent on chocolate!

P.S: I may have a little something to do with one of the miniature mousses, its named after me! :D Not really, but let me enjoy my moment of pride!

How about some Indian Mexican?

Thinking outside the bun, Yum Brands will open India's first Taco Bell in Bangalore soon. I'm curious to find out whether this fast food will be Indian-Mexican or American-Mexican? In any case, Taco Bell is not Mexican-Mexican, so what culture combination are we gonna get this time?

Most of us might take to the taste, cause Mexican food has a decent amount of spice and flavor (the Fire Border sauce is yumm!). And I believe they're gonna price the tacos and burritos quite cheap (around 40 cents a piece - about 20 bucks which is affordable). Will this give Shiv Sagar's Mexican menu a run for its money? Hmmm... price vs value...

Source: Yum Brands Bets on India's Young for Growth

Chocolate makes you Smarter!

I ate chocolate cause it made me happier… but now I found out that all along it was making me smarter as well! Supposedly it triggers the creation of new brain cells. You can read about the facts here, I don’t particularly care to elaborate. Its just one more benefit added to the list!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE chocolate. Dark Chocolate is like a piece of heaven. I have to have a piece of chocolate everyday, if I don’t, I admit it – I become cranky (my friends will testify to this). I always say, I could give up chocolate but I’m not a quitter. What all this rambling boils down to is that I’m one chika whose happy to continue eating this sweet treat. Join the bandwagon; after all its the holiday season!

Sak Town

Sak Town, known to most people as Sakleshpur, is a few miles from Hassan in Karnataka. It is a coffee and pepper growing hub. The chief occupation of the residents here is agriculture, and when they are not attending to their money minting crops, they spend their leisure time in the Planter's Club (a very apt name for its location). I had the pleasure of traveling there this past weekend with a couple of majaa (=fun in Kannada) friends. Our excuse was to visit another majaa (for the lack of a more interesting adjective) friend who has now become a planter himself, and more over, a very active member of the Planter's Club.

The highlights of the weekend included the

5 hour bus ride on the Karnataka Sarige Bus (on which I had planned on sleeping but my friends had challenged themselves to annoy me), fresh filter coffee, chicken ghee roast (2 whole kgs of it!), akki roti, the local bar tender cum waiter who kept us liquored up for the 30+ hours that we spent there, and the visit that never happened to Gautham's estate.

It was a relaxed comfortable weekend. I wanted to mention Planter's Club cause its a place with a unique character. Its definitely not comparable to the lush resorts that are coming up in the Malnad region, but its got its charm and at a very reasonable price. Its a clean friendly place with the facilities (not read spa) you'll need for a weekend getaway. For all the food and liqour that they shower you with, you'll probably end up spending only half of what you would on a night out in town.

As to why I've titled this post "Sak Town", I'll save that story for another day. I wish I could go back this weekend too, but life must go on in namma Bangaluru. I'll just have to stare at the half empty plate of chicken ghee roast and console my belly god. *sigh*

Since I've been back

I’m trying not to make a big deal about the transition back to Bangalore but so much has changed in the past 3 years. And everyone I’ve met has asked me the same question, “So what’s changed in the city?” For starters, my city’s name has been changed to Bengaluru. I don’t like the name change; Bangalore was so much cooler and metropolitan sounding.

The first thing I noticed was the new international airport. Though I imagined it to be bigger, I like the order and neatness, and of course the access to the duty free stores before you walk out. The next thing is definitely the increase in traffic on the city’s roads. Our roads have been widened with fewer signals, but crowded with more vehicles than ever before; and I have to comment about the accompanying increase in road rage and honking. The Namma Metro work is chaotic, hopefully when it is finally functional it’ll make up for the damage it’s done. Volvo buses have supposedly become a handy form of public transport, though I’m yet to vouch for that myself. Autos are becoming eco friendly and hence being painted green. Their drivers however, I feel, have become more audacious and arrogant in refusing customers and reckless driving. And yeah, Bangalore’s cops have become more vigilant and tech-savvy. They carry BlackBerrys and enter a faulty driver’s information right away to a central server. And apparently, they’ve become pretty strict about DUIs and seizing licenses for repeat offenses.

From an economic aspect, I’ve realized that my small wallet doesn’t fetch me much. Cost of living has shot up beyond many Bangaloreans’ affordability. A 3 month gym membership is over 12K, a movie ticket costs twice as much, and Rs. 100 won’t buy you a decent dinner any more. Yet the nouveau riche don’t seem to stop splurging and crowding the city’s stores. Malls are filled with so many window shoppers that’s its actually quite impossible for a genuine shopper to find what he/she is looking for. UB City is finally open and is filled with expensive designer stores with arrogant shop keepers (but I really like its architecture and food court). Everyone and I mean everyone has gotten a cell phone. And the rich have gotten richer and I don’t think the disparity between the rich and poor has really reduced.

Many old school places unique to Bangalore have closed, and the HAL airplane has been removed from historic junction. We have a new Vikasa Soudha identical to Vidhana Soudha. Bars close at 11.30 pm (my dad is very happy to have me back home so early) and Empire is no longer a late-night food paradise. We now have more coffee days with more expensive coffee offerings. Moviegoers are many and multiplexes are minting money. A new trend in the theatres is to play the National Anthem before the movie and everyone stands for it (impressive)!

Thanks to all the immigrants/job seekers from other parts of the country, Kannada is being spoken far less than before. Bangalore has expanded beyond Yelahanka and Bannerghatta. Every corner of the city is becoming self-dependent; people no longer have to travel a long distance just for a nice restaurant or shopping mall.

So many fewer trees along the roads (earlier Golf Road was one of my favorite roads to drive on because of the way the sunlight made its way through the leaves of the trees that lined that road; now that’s history). In an attempt to upkeep the green image of the city, the corporation is painting fairytale waterfalls and forests along the walls of the flyover. I guess I should give them credit for trying to cover the concrete jungle mess.

All said and done, some things may never change like the lack of customer service, men constantly letching at passerby women, or the respect for a waiter’s or janitor’s job. But the good that’s come out of all the corporate mayhem is that people are more aware of their jobs and responsibilities, not taking it as much for granted as they used to before.

Of course, I’m glad that some things haven’t changed like the love and care you get from family, hot home cooked meals, my dog’s slurry kiss, petty witty jokes by my friends, and the abundance of company. All-in-all, it’s good to be back home in Bangalore!