Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Goodbye KGP!

May 17th, 2006, 1535Hrs.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Goodbye, Graduation and more Goodbyes....

So it finally began, the process of friends leaving Kharagpur. The first one to leave was a wingoo, who said his goodbyes to this place in the morning of May 11th, 2006.

The next big event wasn't a farewell, but my Masters' Degree Project Evaluation, the final academic engagement I had left in Kharagpur. It went pretty smoothly, and yours truly became a "Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Thermal, Energy and Environmental Engineering" (provisionally atleast), and now all work that I have left here is the paperwork of clearance and stuff.

The next person to leave was a fellow mutterite, Nitzee. Goodbye to him was something like three hours before he actually left, because I had to sleep and get up early next day to arrange for myself saying goodbye (read booking my train ticket).

The final goodbye (as of now) was another wingoo, who left at the break of dawn of May 12th, 2006. The next wingoo is scheduled to depart tomorrow (13th May) sometime, and after that is my number, on May 17th, 2006, 1535 Hrs. How I end up dealing with it remains to be seen.....

Sunday, April 30, 2006

Psycho's Last Day Out

While I had not expected this, I should have known that one of these "days out" will also become a part of the lasts that I had been vehemently counting in my last semester at KGP. For those keeping count, this was v4.0 and my last because I am gone in twenty odd days.

It seems that somehow, all of KGP knew that I was making one of these Cal trips. For the orders kept pouring in, and I was desperately trying to get more people to accompany me so that the workload would get reduced. These efforts turned out to be futile, because just as one person got added to the list, another dropped out. Finally, it was just a party of four that left for the computer market of Kolkata. The order list, it was HUGE. And there were additions to the list even after we had reached the shop, phonecalls requesting more stuff.

This time around, we had a Cal-Wasi amongst us, so we took a different route to reach Chandni Market, and not the regular "KGP - Howrah - Ferry - Walk - Metro" one. As usual, we were running a bit late, and got on the Steel Express after it had started moving off the platform at KGP station. And instead of making the full journey to Howrah, we got off at Santragachi and took a bus ride to the nearest metro station, Rabindra Sadan. The metro ride to Chandni Chowk was a bit longer than usual but once we reached there, I was back on my turf.

We go straight to the favourite shop and then try to recall all the orders. It turns out that we have to buy eight Hard Disk Drives, a DVD Burner, a hundred and eighty DVD Blanks, five or six trifling computer things, and on top of that half a computer itself. It takes us some time to sort out the order and place it with the shopkeeper, and even at this stage, one item was not what we actually wanted. It wasn't until after we returned from a good lunch (pizzas and uttapams - and a strong coffee to keep me awake) that the shopkeeper pleasantly surprised us by telling that he had somehow arranged the graphics card that we were looking for.

And like this, it was once more off to the ATM machine to get the dough. Multiple cards swiped, a huge amount of cash withdrawn and the line outside quadrupled. I was worried that the ATM might just refuse to give us anything with a "Out of Cash" warning, but luckily that didn't happen. Back to the shop, get the computer assembled, get the invoices made separately for all the orders, pay up and get ready to come back to KGP.

And as usual, this was the part of the day I dread the most. We had missed the express train because it took us an hour to settle the nine separate invoices, and it was again a local train ride back. Luckily, it wasn't nowhere near as bad as the return journey from last time. We actually managed to get seats right in the beginning and also the train wasn't as crowded as last time. Phew. Back home at 9PM.

But the day wasn't over yet! We still had to play some new games on that newly assembled gaming rig, and as soon as we were able to do that, the day was totally worth it.

You've crossed the finish line
Won the race but lost your mind
Was it worth it after all


Hell Yeah!!!

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.


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.

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.

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.

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.

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)
  1. The tagged victim has to come up with 8 different points of their perfect lover.
  2. You have to mention the sex of the target.
  3. Tag 8 victims to join this game and leave a comment on their comments saying they've been tagged.
  4. 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
  1. be a treat to talk to. I should be able to talk to her endlessly about anything and everything.
  2. be interested in Computers, gadgets and modern technology.(now this point filters out perhaps 99.999% of the girls out there I guess)
  3. be strong willed and independent.
  4. be cool minded to counter my (sometimes)random mood swings.
  5. have a nice, sweet personality and a positive outlook towards life.
  6. understand my weird passions and liking in life, which we may/may not share.
  7. be attractive as a person.
  8. 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.