Friday, April 28, 2006
End of Sems
Sometimes, it really does come abruptly. One moment you are in the middle of the semester, and the next its goodbye to the semester and along with that to semesters themselves. That's what happens when you go out and write your final examination at IIT Kharagpur. The place somehow starts to seem unfriendly. It does not feel like your own turf anymore. Agreed there still are a few more things to do before going away, but the end of the examinations and the fact that there will not be anymore of these is a heavy thing to take. It might be the thing you have been waiting for four (or five) years, but when it comes a little part of you wishes that it didn't. That perhaps is the magic of this place.
Saturday, April 08, 2006
The sky oh so blue
Sometimes I remember
the good old days.
When the times were simpler
and there was no craze.
When I used to live in a small town
under the sky oh so blue.
When the world was a smaller place
and really colourful in its hue.
When I used to go to a school
but never worried about anything.
When I used to play for hours on end
but still completed everything.
Sometimes I wonder
what it would be like to go back to that time.
It makes me realise
that living in today's world is almost like a crime.
Sometimes I still remember
the good old days.
When the times were simpler
and there was no craze.
To return to that place and time
anything I will do.
Where the life was simpler
and the sky was oh so blue.
the good old days.
When the times were simpler
and there was no craze.
When I used to live in a small town
under the sky oh so blue.
When the world was a smaller place
and really colourful in its hue.
When I used to go to a school
but never worried about anything.
When I used to play for hours on end
but still completed everything.
Sometimes I wonder
what it would be like to go back to that time.
It makes me realise
that living in today's world is almost like a crime.
Sometimes I still remember
the good old days.
When the times were simpler
and there was no craze.
To return to that place and time
anything I will do.
Where the life was simpler
and the sky was oh so blue.
This piece is dedicated to a small hill-station called Lansdowne, where I lived for six wonderful years.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Custom Message
This post is (mostly) about the status messages of friends that caught my eye on the instant messengers. Quirky, funny and sometimes serious, status messages are a really great way of expressing oneself. So without further ado, lets get into the thick of things.
"I am so pissed that I want to dump my gf... unfortunately I don't have any...!!"
This was Nitzee's status message till a few days back. Awesome message, funny at first glance but it encompasses the life story of a lot of geeks.
"Ab Bas 56"
Sudu's take on the movie Ab Tak 56. This was his status message when we had an estimated 56 days left in KGP.
"Only a biker knows why a dog sticks its head out the car window."
These words of wisdom graced my messenger window a few days back when Arvind was about to get himself a bike. Too bad my full face helmet prevents me from experiencing the bliss hands/face on!
UPDATE:
"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect."
Another one from Arvind.
"These are the times precisely due to which I tend to believe in GOD (help !!)"
Thesis submissions can make people do anything, and Saurabh Kumar decided to reaffirm his faith.
"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."
And you end up with a sun burnt face :P.
"The BEST thing abt the future is that it comes only one DAY at a TIME"
Hell yeah we'd be in a big jam if it came all at once.
These two were SAm..'s messages.
"Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away."
Don't remember whose status message it was, saw it a long time ago. Was reminded of it when heard the quote in a movie.
The following two were contributed by a friend with whom I was discussing putting up this post.
"Why do men chase women they don't intend to marry?....... the same reason dogs chase cars they don't intend to drive."
"Another wicket down....... unfortunately I am playing footer."
The first one is a bit philosophical, the second one is plain ironic - representing life as it is.
And while this last one is not a status message, it still struck me as a real quirky piece.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
Taken from the "About Me" section of Siva's Orkut Profile.
"I am so pissed that I want to dump my gf... unfortunately I don't have any...!!"
This was Nitzee's status message till a few days back. Awesome message, funny at first glance but it encompasses the life story of a lot of geeks.
"Ab Bas 56"
Sudu's take on the movie Ab Tak 56. This was his status message when we had an estimated 56 days left in KGP.
"Only a biker knows why a dog sticks its head out the car window."
These words of wisdom graced my messenger window a few days back when Arvind was about to get himself a bike. Too bad my full face helmet prevents me from experiencing the bliss hands/face on!
UPDATE:
"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect."
Another one from Arvind.
"These are the times precisely due to which I tend to believe in GOD (help !!)"
Thesis submissions can make people do anything, and Saurabh Kumar decided to reaffirm his faith.
"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you."
And you end up with a sun burnt face :P.
"The BEST thing abt the future is that it comes only one DAY at a TIME"
Hell yeah we'd be in a big jam if it came all at once.
These two were SAm..'s messages.
"Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away."
Don't remember whose status message it was, saw it a long time ago. Was reminded of it when heard the quote in a movie.
The following two were contributed by a friend with whom I was discussing putting up this post.
"Why do men chase women they don't intend to marry?....... the same reason dogs chase cars they don't intend to drive."
"Another wicket down....... unfortunately I am playing footer."
The first one is a bit philosophical, the second one is plain ironic - representing life as it is.
And while this last one is not a status message, it still struck me as a real quirky piece.
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
Taken from the "About Me" section of Siva's Orkut Profile.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
For Friends
This post is something like a compilation of short testimonials. I got the idea when I saw Sonik'’s blog post about her friend. I simply could not pick out any single friend, so this is for the awesome people who have made my five years in KGP a wonderful time.
The Wingoo Junta
AG Sudarshan: This fellow has been my closest friend in the last five years, and a next door neighbour for the last three years. This oversized and lazy chap is an awesome friend to have. Know him since the first week of the first year and in the last five years we have had some wonderful times, flamethrowers and snake watching included. And once more I repeat, "Live Life Sudu Size".
The other wingoos, Apratim, Kanishka, Indrava, Vihang, Sumit, and the four wingoos emeritus, Arvind, Nikhil, Guddu and Mahananda are wonderful people to be with in groups. Have spent some really enjoyable times with them, and am looking forward to enjoying the last month at KGP with them to the max.
The Department Junta
Ajay Tomer: Ajay was my best friend throughout the first year, and he got me through it. The best part is that we'll again be at the same place once I'm outta here. Lookin forward to it. :)
Jai Vohra: Also known as Sardar Jai Singh Vohra Singh, I knew him since first year. In the beginning of second year he got a department change to my dep. and also was allotted LLR hall with me. Nice fellow to be with, always full of jokes and laughter.
Nitin Mohta a.k.a Tintin. I've know him since the beginning of my first year. Always being full of tempo, and giving more than 100% are two of his qualities. My gracious host at Calcutta for the times when I want to escape KGP holi :D. 1st day ITC job crack means he is in for an awesome future.
Now cometh the time for the Mech. Dual Thermal Triad. Saurabh Kumar a.k.a Kone Wala, Sandeep Saha a.k.a Sandy and Vivek Malewar a.k.a Mallu Uncle. Three awesome people to do all your classes with, more so because they pay more attention in them than you. Wonderful study buddies, and great friends. All those nightouts while preparing for various exams were really enjoyable because these guys were around to help and have fun along with.
The muTTer Junta
Being a geek has certain advantages. You get to know some people through forums and stuff that you might never have ever met. So here are the friends that being a geek helped me make.
Karan Rawat a.k.a Nukem. Lord Nuke, our benevolent dictator, the sehenshah of the kingdom of muTTer. Kudos to this guy for providing an awesome platform to meet more like minded people. A total game and anime freak, he got me hooked to Japanime. Thanx Nuke :D
Nitin Dhawan a.k.a Nitzee. Geek and coder par excellence. And a fan of survival horror games, got me hooked. But I can't seem to play alone as effectively as we did in a team.
Abhishek Agarwal a.k.a Recca, the basketballer + gamer. Real cool chap to have as a friend.
Vaninder Singh, the "Vanishing Nerd". Another real cool fella to have as a friend and discuss computer stuff all day long. And he can really match his nickname, vanishes for some long time streches, no reply on phone. gtalk or anything :P.
There are a lot more people whose names I have not been able to include here. They too have been an indispensable part of these years.
All I can say is, THANK YOU for being my friends.
The Wingoo Junta
AG Sudarshan: This fellow has been my closest friend in the last five years, and a next door neighbour for the last three years. This oversized and lazy chap is an awesome friend to have. Know him since the first week of the first year and in the last five years we have had some wonderful times, flamethrowers and snake watching included. And once more I repeat, "Live Life Sudu Size".
The other wingoos, Apratim, Kanishka, Indrava, Vihang, Sumit, and the four wingoos emeritus, Arvind, Nikhil, Guddu and Mahananda are wonderful people to be with in groups. Have spent some really enjoyable times with them, and am looking forward to enjoying the last month at KGP with them to the max.
The Department Junta
Ajay Tomer: Ajay was my best friend throughout the first year, and he got me through it. The best part is that we'll again be at the same place once I'm outta here. Lookin forward to it. :)
Jai Vohra: Also known as Sardar Jai Singh Vohra Singh, I knew him since first year. In the beginning of second year he got a department change to my dep. and also was allotted LLR hall with me. Nice fellow to be with, always full of jokes and laughter.
Nitin Mohta a.k.a Tintin. I've know him since the beginning of my first year. Always being full of tempo, and giving more than 100% are two of his qualities. My gracious host at Calcutta for the times when I want to escape KGP holi :D. 1st day ITC job crack means he is in for an awesome future.
Now cometh the time for the Mech. Dual Thermal Triad. Saurabh Kumar a.k.a Kone Wala, Sandeep Saha a.k.a Sandy and Vivek Malewar a.k.a Mallu Uncle. Three awesome people to do all your classes with, more so because they pay more attention in them than you. Wonderful study buddies, and great friends. All those nightouts while preparing for various exams were really enjoyable because these guys were around to help and have fun along with.
The muTTer Junta
Being a geek has certain advantages. You get to know some people through forums and stuff that you might never have ever met. So here are the friends that being a geek helped me make.
Karan Rawat a.k.a Nukem. Lord Nuke, our benevolent dictator, the sehenshah of the kingdom of muTTer. Kudos to this guy for providing an awesome platform to meet more like minded people. A total game and anime freak, he got me hooked to Japanime. Thanx Nuke :D
Nitin Dhawan a.k.a Nitzee. Geek and coder par excellence. And a fan of survival horror games, got me hooked. But I can't seem to play alone as effectively as we did in a team.
Abhishek Agarwal a.k.a Recca, the basketballer + gamer. Real cool chap to have as a friend.
Vaninder Singh, the "Vanishing Nerd". Another real cool fella to have as a friend and discuss computer stuff all day long. And he can really match his nickname, vanishes for some long time streches, no reply on phone. gtalk or anything :P.
There are a lot more people whose names I have not been able to include here. They too have been an indispensable part of these years.
All I can say is, THANK YOU for being my friends.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Psycho's Day Out!! Version 3.0
Why Version 3.0 you may ask, when after the original Day Out, there was no version 2.0. Lets just say that we don't talk about the version 2.0 day.
The Version 1.0 stock of DVD's had been spent, and the HDD was stuffed full to its gills. So it was time to go back. Favourable was the fact that two friends also had business to deal with, and hence we set off for a good day's work. Travel to Howrah is always very similar, a suitably timed express train that is fast enough not to bore you to death before it reaches its destination. Another ferry ride, then the walk to the metro station, a quick metro ride and we are back in business.
First job is to deal with one friend's graphics card. First shop, no luck. Second shop, no luck again. We curse the superfast progress of the computers that has left those with a bit old piece of hardware to have no upgrade options. Even more so if you try to obtain a high end video card in India. Anyway, placing an order for a bulk purchase of DVD's, we move on.
For the second part, we travel a pretty long distance to another part of the city, walk some more, and finally give the goner HDD for replacement (All hail the five year warranty). Then we meet another friend, go to his place and relax for sometime. Then its back to the second shop to pick up the blanks.
A visit to the ATM later, we have with us 400 Blank DVD's and a keyboard. Then the Calcutta-wasi friend takes us for a small treat (wonderful ice creams). After that we take another walk (can't never have enough of these, can we) and then a bus ride back to Howrah station.
Call it the will of the gods or the stupid timing of our actions, we end up in a local train that is stuffed full of daily travelers. While they are used to it, this makes for THE WORST journey back to KGP. At least till halfway where the train finally got empty. Finally got back at about 11PM, took another walk with friends and then crashed on my bed.
Just saying "400 DVD's and a keyboard" might suffice as the explanation of a day well spent, but then the magic is in the details, isn't it.
The Version 1.0 stock of DVD's had been spent, and the HDD was stuffed full to its gills. So it was time to go back. Favourable was the fact that two friends also had business to deal with, and hence we set off for a good day's work. Travel to Howrah is always very similar, a suitably timed express train that is fast enough not to bore you to death before it reaches its destination. Another ferry ride, then the walk to the metro station, a quick metro ride and we are back in business.
First job is to deal with one friend's graphics card. First shop, no luck. Second shop, no luck again. We curse the superfast progress of the computers that has left those with a bit old piece of hardware to have no upgrade options. Even more so if you try to obtain a high end video card in India. Anyway, placing an order for a bulk purchase of DVD's, we move on.
For the second part, we travel a pretty long distance to another part of the city, walk some more, and finally give the goner HDD for replacement (All hail the five year warranty). Then we meet another friend, go to his place and relax for sometime. Then its back to the second shop to pick up the blanks.
A visit to the ATM later, we have with us 400 Blank DVD's and a keyboard. Then the Calcutta-wasi friend takes us for a small treat (wonderful ice creams). After that we take another walk (can't never have enough of these, can we) and then a bus ride back to Howrah station.
Call it the will of the gods or the stupid timing of our actions, we end up in a local train that is stuffed full of daily travelers. While they are used to it, this makes for THE WORST journey back to KGP. At least till halfway where the train finally got empty. Finally got back at about 11PM, took another walk with friends and then crashed on my bed.
Just saying "400 DVD's and a keyboard" might suffice as the explanation of a day well spent, but then the magic is in the details, isn't it.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Quote UnQuote
"You know the deal with friends, if they love 'em you have to love 'em, wether you like it or not" - Dr Bob Kelso, Scrubs 514, March 14, 2006.
Now this one got me thinking hard. You gotta like the people your friends like, no exceptions. While I have never been in such a situation before, I just hope I have the strength to do this if ever I have to.
"About how pride defines who we are. As far as Bob Kelso goes, I know that sometimes even the good things he does are for the wrong reasons. Still I also know I wouldn't want to have to make any of the decisions that he makes. But when all is said and done, I'd like to think he does care a little. ..Even if he's too proud to show it." - JD, Scrubs 504, January 10, 2006.
Pride is an all too significant part of our lives, and I am sometimes too proud to admit that I might be wrong. Has gotten me into a fair bit of trouble this pride. Guess I will have to learn to swallow it.
One more thing that these quotes taught me is that I have been watching too much of Scrubs. Time to watch something else, or to get some work done for a change.
Now this one got me thinking hard. You gotta like the people your friends like, no exceptions. While I have never been in such a situation before, I just hope I have the strength to do this if ever I have to.
"About how pride defines who we are. As far as Bob Kelso goes, I know that sometimes even the good things he does are for the wrong reasons. Still I also know I wouldn't want to have to make any of the decisions that he makes. But when all is said and done, I'd like to think he does care a little. ..Even if he's too proud to show it." - JD, Scrubs 504, January 10, 2006.
Pride is an all too significant part of our lives, and I am sometimes too proud to admit that I might be wrong. Has gotten me into a fair bit of trouble this pride. Guess I will have to learn to swallow it.
One more thing that these quotes taught me is that I have been watching too much of Scrubs. Time to watch something else, or to get some work done for a change.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Tag: Ei8ht
Tagged! Again! This time by Dipanjan.
The last tag itself was a pretty draining experience, and this one is tougher still. Last time around I was happy that we are playing tag online. Now I think this game is better restricted to the playgrounds. Anyway, here goes nothing.
Da Rules: (Ofcourse copy-pasted from DD's page)
Da Easy Part
I have never seriously thought about my perfect lover, and hence the following eight points are mere guidelines that pulled out from the depths of my (mostly dormant) grey cells. These points are what I think would help a relationship(if I ever get into one that is) go along smoothly. So my perfect girl(or bandi for those more comfortable with KGP lingo) should.....
Da Tough Part
Da Ending Part
Now cometh the time to tag eight more people.
Vivek Malewar(start ur blog yaar), Saurabh Kumar, Abhishek Agarwal, Nitin Dhawan(restart blog posting man), Sonali, Nimesh, Nipun Narang and Amit Joshi.
The last tag itself was a pretty draining experience, and this one is tougher still. Last time around I was happy that we are playing tag online. Now I think this game is better restricted to the playgrounds. Anyway, here goes nothing.
Da Rules: (Ofcourse copy-pasted from DD's page)
- The tagged victim has to come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
- You have to mention the sex of the target.
- Tag 8 victims to join this game and leave a comment on their comments saying they've been tagged.
- If tagged the 2nd time, there's no need to post again.
Da Easy Part
I have never seriously thought about my perfect lover, and hence the following eight points are mere guidelines that pulled out from the depths of my (mostly dormant) grey cells. These points are what I think would help a relationship(if I ever get into one that is) go along smoothly. So my perfect girl(or bandi for those more comfortable with KGP lingo) should.....
Da Tough Part
- be a treat to talk to. I should be able to talk to her endlessly about anything and everything.
- be interested in Computers, gadgets and modern technology.(now this point filters out perhaps 99.999% of the girls out there I guess)
- be strong willed and independent.
- be cool minded to counter my (sometimes)random mood swings.
- have a nice, sweet personality and a positive outlook towards life.
- understand my weird passions and liking in life, which we may/may not share.
- be attractive as a person.
- love me more than anything in this world.
Da Ending Part
Now cometh the time to tag eight more people.
Vivek Malewar(start ur blog yaar), Saurabh Kumar, Abhishek Agarwal, Nitin Dhawan(restart blog posting man), Sonali, Nimesh, Nipun Narang and Amit Joshi.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Template Change
Switched to a Floating Text on Image template.
Inspired by The Bourgeois Buffoon, original floating text on image template by Blogger templates.
Inspired by The Bourgeois Buffoon, original floating text on image template by Blogger templates.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Midsems and Midnight Strolls.
While in the last few days lots of things have been happening, and some more are to happen in the coming few, I am taking some time to describe the two that I feel are the best to talk about.
So lets take up the midsems first. The last ever midsems... Two of 'em in total. One on a Monday afternoon, the other on the next morning. Pretty easy ones also, so was able to attempt 90% of the first and 100% of the second. Lets see what the endsems hold for me and then I can think about the grades.
Now that we are done talking about midsems and acads and all related boring topics, we can move on to midnight strolls. As summer has decided to descend upon us pretty early this year, the only time when one can go out and wander about is around midnight. And hence, our wing decided to take midnight strolls.
The first of these was a night-time visit to the SBI ATM, and because the one at the bank was shuttered, we went to the tech-market one and found a long queue there. At bloody 11PM. After about half an hour, after dealing with the ATM business, we decided the weather was fine enough to wander around, because all we had to do after coming back to our rooms was sit in front of the monitor. We had a good time and decided to make these a regular feature of our otherwise dull days.
The next day, we took off around midnight, and wandered along a curved road. The road followed such a path that one of us got totally disoriented when we ended up at a main road seemingly in a direction opposite to where we were heading.
The third trip was undoubtedly the best. While going towards the RDC, someone mentioned Vikramshila Top and it was immediately decided that we had to scale it. After about an hour of searching for the stairway to the top, we finally stumbled upon it left of the stage in the under-construction Kaildasa Auditorium. Then it was off to the top, but my slight phobia of heights prevented me from scaling the last ladder. Maybe next time...
Exams and stuff have brought a break into this ritual, but I am looking forward to starting again when the wing gets back to strength. Till then, I am as usual sitting in front of my monitor.
So lets take up the midsems first. The last ever midsems... Two of 'em in total. One on a Monday afternoon, the other on the next morning. Pretty easy ones also, so was able to attempt 90% of the first and 100% of the second. Lets see what the endsems hold for me and then I can think about the grades.
Now that we are done talking about midsems and acads and all related boring topics, we can move on to midnight strolls. As summer has decided to descend upon us pretty early this year, the only time when one can go out and wander about is around midnight. And hence, our wing decided to take midnight strolls.
The first of these was a night-time visit to the SBI ATM, and because the one at the bank was shuttered, we went to the tech-market one and found a long queue there. At bloody 11PM. After about half an hour, after dealing with the ATM business, we decided the weather was fine enough to wander around, because all we had to do after coming back to our rooms was sit in front of the monitor. We had a good time and decided to make these a regular feature of our otherwise dull days.
The next day, we took off around midnight, and wandered along a curved road. The road followed such a path that one of us got totally disoriented when we ended up at a main road seemingly in a direction opposite to where we were heading.
The third trip was undoubtedly the best. While going towards the RDC, someone mentioned Vikramshila Top and it was immediately decided that we had to scale it. After about an hour of searching for the stairway to the top, we finally stumbled upon it left of the stage in the under-construction Kaildasa Auditorium. Then it was off to the top, but my slight phobia of heights prevented me from scaling the last ladder. Maybe next time...
Exams and stuff have brought a break into this ritual, but I am looking forward to starting again when the wing gets back to strength. Till then, I am as usual sitting in front of my monitor.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Lousy Day :(
I don't know why, but today has been a really lousy day. And on top of that, I can't figure out why.
Woke up at 8:30AM on my day off(well, was woken by a phone call). Anyhoo (Dr. Bob Kelso/Scrubs style), I started the rest of the day in my usual fashion, check the websites and forums that I frequent, listen to some music, watch an episode or two of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, have lunch, recheck the forums and websites. The usual. But I started slipping into a lousy mood by mid afternoon.
I don't remember when I nodded off to sleep, but when I was woken up for dinner by wingooz, I was at the rock bottom of the mood chart. Dinner was a decent affair at Billoz, where we made and unmade plans for watching a movie tomorrow(doh!). While we were there, I was supposedly so bummed out that my friends even didn't make a joke about it.
It's been three hours since then, and while my mood has lightened up a bit, it still seems as if something is amiss. Maybe I am trying to get this feeling out by writing this blog. Maybe the movie I am gonna watch next will help. Maybe, and I wish with all I have, that I will be able to sleep this feeling off. But why do we have such days anyway. Wish I knew....
Woke up at 8:30AM on my day off(well, was woken by a phone call). Anyhoo (Dr. Bob Kelso/Scrubs style), I started the rest of the day in my usual fashion, check the websites and forums that I frequent, listen to some music, watch an episode or two of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, have lunch, recheck the forums and websites. The usual. But I started slipping into a lousy mood by mid afternoon.
I don't remember when I nodded off to sleep, but when I was woken up for dinner by wingooz, I was at the rock bottom of the mood chart. Dinner was a decent affair at Billoz, where we made and unmade plans for watching a movie tomorrow(doh!). While we were there, I was supposedly so bummed out that my friends even didn't make a joke about it.
It's been three hours since then, and while my mood has lightened up a bit, it still seems as if something is amiss. Maybe I am trying to get this feeling out by writing this blog. Maybe the movie I am gonna watch next will help. Maybe, and I wish with all I have, that I will be able to sleep this feeling off. But why do we have such days anyway. Wish I knew....
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