Tick Tock

Yes, I am rather aware that this particular title is somewhat odd, yet I think you all get the picture…

Why is it, that it always seems that time is running out?

I personally, am frustrated beyond belief because of a particular situation dealing with me running out of time. Folks, I have just been handed the opportunity of a life time. One of my deepest passions in life is computers. I am a dedicated computer engineering student, practicing my skills on the internet rather study for my upcoming examinations. I love nothing more than to immerse myself into a piece of code…and I have been given the chance of a lifetime to pursue my passion.

That’s right; I have been studying at a prestigious college of the country in a picturesque town Now, I say town for a reason. I live in a city, yet it’s not exactly one of the most well-known spots on the map, and preserves a small town feel. So, as I can assume you know, this is a huge chance for me to get my name out there…yet I am still being held back.

I am currently experiencing some scheduling difficulties at my studies. It’s not like I don’t know whats written in black and white, I just tend to ignore the fact it’s quite essential to read in order to acquire knowledge. I just don’t know where it’s all headed.

Now I know that most of you who are reading this right now may be pondering as to why I am not just running with this chance. Yet, I am a responsible man and I do not want to seem ungrateful towards my awesome family and friends who has been so supportive of me. I just wish to look them in the eye and say ‘Yes, I know what I’m doing’.

*Sigh* Simply, I am overwhelmed. I am grasping at receiving an answer! My time is running thin! Yet, I am trapped where I am watching the time go by…

So tell me readers. Have any of you ever felt that your chances are hanging in the monotonous balance of schedules and others in your life?

Please share your thoughts with me. Maybe you’ll ignite some inspiration for me and my own situation, or who knows. Another post perhaps?

Please let me know what you’re thinking!

Put your mouth, where the money is!

Not that we needed any proof, but if ever did then let me introduce myself.  My name is all-you-can-eat-buffet-holic.

It’s sort of customary these days for west bound contemporaries to throw in a sea-off party. Well, not much of a bash just a laid-back visit to any eatery and the host voluntarily paying off the bill. Hallelujah!

Being an epicurean it was no surprise that I am of gargantuan proportion.  I can down enough food to justify the price tag. It’s not much of a surprise why my peeps are eager to treat me at an all-you-eat-buffet.  Ahem-ahem.

Today was no different. My heart was warming up as I reached the last hurdle. A wooden door stood in between me and my destiny. On the other side I knew true to my heart awaits my glory. Raging within me a hunger for success I marched like a valiant soldier into the battlefield.

I knew I had to put my mouth where the money is and not wasting any further time I geared up for the ordeal, equipped with effective crockery I recalled the very sacred teachings of our clan which has struck fear in the hearts of buffet restaurateurs everywhere.  And I shall let you in on the secret.

Pre-Meal Planning

• Starvation is bad. One classic buffet strategy is to skip breakfast/lunch so that you’re starving. If you try this method, you’ll usually find that your stomach can’t handle the shock of going from “help, need food” to “putting a lion to shame” just like that. Eat a normal breakfast and a light lunch earlier in the day and you’ll keep your metabolism in top form well into the night.
• Clear the runway. Make sure you pay a nice long visit to the bathroom not long before your visit to the buffet. You’re going to need every last square inch of those intestines.
• Dress for the occasion. Don’t even think of showing up to the buffet in pants that actually fit you. You want two sizes above normal at a minimum.
• Ride like a king. Take a cab. You don’t want the thought of any physical activity creeping into your head during your meal-a-thon.
• Be punctual. The food will be fresher if you show up ahead of the crowd. Fresher food is tastier, so you’ll enjoy eating it more.
• Take your time. What, you had other plans for the evening? No way. Get there ahead of the crowd and plan to stay until closing. You’ll want to take a long break or two, so bring something to keep yourself occupied while your fork is empty.

Attack That Buffet!

• Sit close, but not too close. If you can seat yourself, don’t pick a table too far from the action. Even a little bit of walking will contribute to your fatigue levels. At the same time, don’t sit two feet from the food stations because all those smells will hit you at once and wreak havoc on your olfaction.
• First stop: meat. The chicken, lamb, ghost will likely be tucked away in the far corner from where you’re seated, but that should be your first target. Soups, salads, biriyanis and rice are simply road blocks intended to fill you up quickly and save the restaurant money. Don’t fall prey to their gimmick.
• Your beverage of choice: Nothing. Drink as little as possible. You want as much of stomach space for food.
• Second stop: meat. Seriously, load up on meat if you want your money’s worth. Fill that plate up!
• Third stop: meat. Or maybe seafood.  Go for the costliest, prawns, shrimps, but try not to go for the cheap fillet ones. You want to utilize every bit of space left now.
• Fourth stop: By this time, you surely have had your money worth. But try out the different dishes, what the heck try out the vegetables** too!
• Take a break. Now you must take some much-needed rest. Laugh,share a joke. Talk on the phone. If no one calls, try calling your cellular operator and go for a mild stroll. Remember: Exercise kick starts your metabolism.  The only digestive aid you should use right now is time.
• Fifth stop: victory! Desserts. When you have had enough of your money’s worth, its time to celebrate. Storm the desert section, treat yourself with some sweetness. Nothing is more sweet than the sweet taste of victory!

Remember with great power, comes great responsibility, do it justice.

Oh, one last tip: Buffet is bad for your health if you consider having  healthy dining experience.

Bon Appétit!!

**For vegetarians:  Better you visit your friendly grocery store and then plan out the attack. Or better, as my friend did, go commando on cottage cheese aka paneer.

Do drop in your strategies too.

God – An auto suggestive voluntary hallucination

“Some people think God is an outsize, light-skinned male with a long white beard, sitting on a throne somewhere up there in the sky, busily tallying the fall of every sparrow. Others—for example Baruch Spinoza and Albert Einstein—considered God to be essentially the sum total of the physical laws which describe the universe. I do not know of any compelling evidence for anthropomorphic patriarchs controlling human destiny from some hidden celestial vantage point, but it would be madness to deny the existence of physical laws.”   ~ Carl Sagan

I do not believe in god,  especially as the idea/concept is presented in traditional religions.

That there is a person sitting on top of a hill with a ring on top of it’s head;  it  can do anything it wishes;  and it sits on judgment over every act of mankind on earth.

Not only is there no proof of such a being, the idea actually seems illogical – our whole history proves that we are on our own,  no one actively punishes the sinner and rewards the do-gooder,  and no one has ever come back from heaven/hell to give an authentic account of what the hell/heaven happen there.

The concept of “God” – is an idealist approach to conceptualize God – to give it a shape and a form in the human mind… the God can not be conceptualized – and as soon as it’s made so, the God will move further away… like an infinity.

Could this life – as we know it – be a recursive phenomenon happening across recursive universes?

The question may be a bit difficult to understand without an example. The example is a bit specific – but this  thought hit my mind while I furtively tried to study for my practical(procrastinating)..

For example,  today we are trying out LHC projects in order to understand the creation of the universe and we are dealing with quantum particles and nano-black-holes etc.  So we will conduct mini-big-bang and will give birth to micro-universe in our laboratory (say).
Suppose one day we think of inserting life onto one of those tiny particles(when we reach zenith of our scientific/technical expertise).  Then there will be life prevailing on the quantum particles in the micro universe in our laboratory..

Then they (the mini life ) too will evolve – and give birth to humans – who may start,  one-day,  a LHC experiment and will again deep dive down further into another recursion to explore another universe.. just the way we too might have been created by the macro universe outside of the universe where we live..

However, there are some possibilities:

1. It is exceedingly probable that ‘life’, or ‘consciousness’ has arisen in our universe billions of years before it arose on earth.  It is also exceedingly probable that many of these ‘conscious’ beings evolved into entities vastly superior than us, and now they can influence events across entire galaxies.  To them, we are as insignificant as ants are to us.  But still, perhaps once in a million year, they spend a nano-second contemplating the affairs of all the inhabitants of earth.  Perhaps they do nothing, but once in a few million years, perhaps they tinker a little here and there…………
2. It is even more probable that ‘life’, or ‘consciousness’ has arisen in some universe somewhere trillions of years before our universe began. and those entities have,  eventually,  learnt how to control entire universes and define their laws,  thus guiding their evolutions.  It might just be possible that they created a universe in which the knowledge and causality would be arranged in onion layers.  This universe is comprehensible to its inhabitants in a progressive manner – the more they think about it,  the more they can unravel its mysteries.

For, remember what Einstein said – the most incomprehensible part of our universe is that it is comprehensible.

Or, I can define God as an auto suggestive voluntary hallucination.

Posting hiatus

I’m rather somewhat very extremely completely busy lately, so if you see me posting here it’s because I’m procrastinating something else taking a little break (Which will be awesome if it happens) . I expect to be back to a normal posting frequency (whatever that means) in about couple of weeks. Don’t worry I’m sure the world will not end, the sun will still rise, friends won’t do or say anything funny or noteworthy during that time. Or nor shall I forget how to blog  - well it just took me 4 days and 2 hours once, but..umm…

Did you feel that?

It was time I took to a positive approach to my life, needless to say my previous posts hasn’t been all so honky-dory. So after procrastinating for the past couple of days, the decision to resume the act of getting into shape is now official.

Why? I mean are you asking as to why working out is the only ‘positive’ thing? Aren’t there any other versions to being optimistic? I mean sure, there is, many a people like to go out, party, read inspirational texts, turn to the almighty (just so you know, presently I’m an atheist), etc.

Now, before I drift to a world entirely inhabited by my imagination wouldn’t it be lovely if we ought to resume the story here? So, as the day had just begun for me (mid-afternoon)  I had a very pleasant conversation with myself.

Sub-conscious mind: Dude, get your lazy bum up man!!

Conscious mind: Yeah, right..hold onto your horses..I need to snuggle a bit here.

Sub-conscious mind: I’m going to give you a very lame migraine if you choose not to!

Conscious mind: Ok, Ok I’m up….

Talk about calling truce!

Now wide awake I tried looking through some of my books, guarded with crumbled layer of dusty particles joyfully  resisting gusts of wind.  Thus, I resorted to brute force.  With no evil deed going unpunished I  dusted and coughed (they are like Siamese twins) and uncovered something that I’d long forgotten. It was my ‘diet diary’. Freaky right? So I thought until I started reading to realize the degree of passion, motivation and hard-work that went into dropping those extra unwanted pounds of flesh – for a moment reminded me of  Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

It sometimes help to be taken back in time, when once again you can picture yourself taking those hard decisions, and living by them not knowing what awaits you in the future, but still holding strong. Then I realized I’ll have to hit my gym once again.

It’s not like the only and sole reason for hitting gym is to get into shape, it’s just a very pleasant side-effect. Truth be told, here I can push myself against myself! Sounds strange right? Yes it sure does until you know what I mean. Getting those last reps going when your body seems to give way –it’s your spirit, your willingness not to quit, to go that extra mile, to be optimistic and reminding yourself time and again deep within your thoughts –‘yes you can do it’.

Wow! seems like I’m a bit emotional now.But you know, it does feel good to see yourself in the mirror and hoping if you can keep to the regime (which I seem to find very hard) someday you shall witness, how good it feels to stand again after you take that great fall (didn’t you feel that today?).

A celebration of birth – Your’s truly

As the clock struck 12 last night,  I watched how swiftly the date had changed to 18th, the midnight celebrations of diwali had subsided, but it wasn’t the only  reason I was getting late night calls.

It was hard to believe how fast this year has gone, and pretty soon, I’m not going to keep up with my own birthdays.  It’s interesting to me how much meaning we seem to put into birthdays. We celebrate, we throw parties, we buy gifts (sometimes, very expensive gifts), and even we go out of our way to make other people’s birthday’s once-in-a-lifetime special.

Of course, as we get older, we like to tell people that they aren’t important to us, that we don’t want to be reminded of another year going by, but, I think the truth is that we really enjoy having a day – a holiday – that’s all our own…to a point.

Even if we only take the day to pamper ourselves, to stay in, do something we love, it’s still special.  It’s a day to reminisce, a day to remember what we’ve done with our lives, how far we’ve come, where we’re headed.  Of course, there are those milestone birthdays, those that hold special meaning in different societies.  As far as I know, this  isn’t one of those.  And, really, 21* is the last big birthday we have before 30, and then it’s 40, 50, and so on…I only hope that we accept them with grace, dignity, and the realization that age is merely a number.  What really matters is that we keep ourselves young.  After all, you’re only as young (or old) as you feel, and, me…I feel like I’m turning 11 again enchanted with tales of angels and demons.

So, starts a new chapter, an episode written by an angel wishing the devil – the very best for the day.

–

*Note: This wasn’t my 21st, already had it

From up here, the city lights burn like a thousand miles of fire

I stand on the fork of the road overlooking a busy intersection, trying furtively to make the other side. The one with trails of incandescent light-bulbs lighting up the streets similar to every home illuminated with the orange glow of twinkling diyas, lanterns, and candles as ‘light’ today,  metaphorically signifies knowledge. It illuminates your soul to drive away your demons, to bring you closer to your beloved ones,  it makes you share the special moment – happiness.

I also needed to be  somewhere, a store, a cell phone store, where I handled various models but happily survived by procuring a sub-entry device. As this is my diya to drive away the silent darkness that had prevailed over the past few days, as I’d handsomely managed to lose mine over dinner. But this was not the day to sink into the past repenting on could have been done to be more careful, to not to have made a mistake. Today is a day of festivity, an atmosphere resonating distant thunders, a child’s giggle, as well a sudden rush to avoid the firecrackers. The hiss, the siren, the crowd, the very city breathing the intoxicating air filled with sweet smell of treats engulfed by the smoke. Today is ‘Diwali’.

I see people fighting the eternal battle between abstaining and indulging from the array of sweets. I happen to hail from a part of the country renowned for its share of sweet delicacies, but this is not day for regions, religions, today its all about us. I’ve been fortunate enough to have shared this festivity with friends and their families in a home far away from mine. This is an experience I cherish and wish you’ll a prosperous diwali – this wish goes out to  all whomsoever and wherever you might be. Happy Diwali.

With a note to end this post, I must say -

Something is happening and now everything is different, now everything is fine and this is the good stuff. Yesterday is what you left behind and it’s just in your mind. You got to talk, talk to the one understands you, talk to the one who gave you the light in your eye.

The curse of knowledge…

So I was doing some light reading on how to get ideas across, and ran across an interesting read.  It stuck a nerve in my mind, and I hoped it might mean something to my reader as well.

“In 1990, Elizabeth Newton earned a Ph.D. in psychology at Stanford by studying a simple game in which she assigned people to one of two roles: “tappers” or “listeners.” Tappers received a list of twenty-five well-known songs, such as “Happy Birthday to You” and “The StarSpangled Banner.” Each tapper was asked to pick a song and tap out the rhythm to a listener (by knocking on a table). The listener’s job was to guess the song, based on the rhythm being tapped. (By the way, this experiment is fun to try at home if there’s a good “listener” candidate nearby.)

The listener’s job in this game is quite difficult. Over the course of Newton’s experiment, 120 songs were tapped out. Listeners guessed only 2.5 percent of the songs: 3 out of 120.
But here’s what made the result worthy of a dissertation in psychology. Before the listeners guessed the name of the song, Newton asked the tappers to predict the odds that the listeners would guess correctly. They predicted that the odds were 50 percent. The tappers got their message across 1 time in 40, but they thought they were getting their message across 1 time in 2. Why?

When a tapper taps, she is hearing the song in her head. Go ahead and try it for yourself — tap out “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It’s impossible to avoid hearing the tune in your head. Meanwhile, the listeners can’t hear that tune — all they can hear is a bunch of disconnected taps, like a kind of bizarre Morse Code.

In the experiment, tappers are flabbergasted at how hard the listeners seem to be working to pick up the tune. Isn’t the song obvious? The tappers’ expressions, when a listener guesses “Happy Birthday to You” for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” are priceless: How could you be so stupid?

It’s hard to be a tapper. The problem is that tappers have been given knowledge (the song title) that makes it impossible for them to imagine what it’s like to lack that knowledge. When they’re tapping, they can’t imagine what it’s like for the listeners to hear isolated taps rather than a song. This is the Curse of Knowledge. Once we know something, we find it hard to imagine what it was like not to know it. Our knowledge has “cursed” us. And it becomes difficult for us to share our knowledge with others, because we can’t readily re-create our listeners’ state of mind.”

Ahh, yes, the Curse of Knowledge…

A trip down memory lane…..

If it weren’t for stories and snaps carried back home to show-off, travel wouldn’t have been much fun. Missing those days I  reminisce and slowly slip down the memory lane. Destination  Lonavala.

It was one of the short weekend getaway. Rainy season and any place looks good right? If you ask me, its even better when its a lovely strip of mountainous land. All you need is the right route and right company and that special ingredient – fun.

Do you know how to extend the fun factor? We did. A drive on the Bombay – Pune expressway is like driving on a road to heaven ( I took heaven because..I haven’t seen greenery down under, well media has clouded my judgement) with lush green blooming picturesque surroundings, mesmerizing breathtaking views, wonderful tunnels and supported by unfaltering drizzles.

Though we cheated on the speed limit, but don’t condemn me, I wasn’t behind the wheel. Try sticking your head out when your seat mate is busy clicking away.

Since the early days of my earthly existence I’ve been fascinated by the way road swirls round the slopes. Today was no different.  And as we break free from the speedway to ox-cart way we found ourselves stuck amidst masses of geometrically progressing souls.  Welcome to Lonavala.

We slipped into our jackets and started on foot and we were hungry. Soon we zeroed in on our nourishment. The maize was available at every nook and corner of Lonavala. Roasted ripe maize served with salt and chilli powder spread with lemon over was just too good. I was having roasted ripe maize after a long time and the soft juicy corn was just the thing to be had with the drizzling rain.

Yummy.

We saw a couple of points, its hard to recollect the names now. The memories are as foggy as was that day. With zero visibility we were lead by our ‘Airtel’ umbrella guy. Dude what was the comment again? (chuckles) .

Click-Click. Another couple of photographs. Wonder how many time I need to look at myself.

The weather was getting chilly by the second as sunlight gave way to darkness with distant head lights acting as beacon for us to walk up towards our vehicle. With the swift turn of the key, we started cruising the streets. Objective – A place to crash. Status – Found. Being a technical student helps in writing.

After I’d helped myself to a very appetizing dinner which comprised of several servings of Indian delicacies I ached for a warm bed. But wishes rarely come true. Drenched to our bones, we gallantly turned on the AC, why you ask? For the fun of it! Nah…..it helps in drying clothes.

With a high degree of noise filling up the room, silence prevailed as one after the other slipped into the warm blanket and with it into subconsciousness.

Love the chirping of birds. Good morning. So a new day, a new start. We started with a couple of points. Bushi Dam if I recall.  Since there was no heavy rainfalls, the lake  weren’t as expected but the weather more than compensated for it. So we went a bit further. Some stayed behind as I was accompanied by my friend. At a certain time I simply stood like a spectator admiring the heights scaled by him.

By this time, we had seen a bit of this lovely place. And it was time to head back. And as with any visits demands shopping, we shopped the prized commodity of Lonavala – Chikki & Fudge – go crazy.

We decided on having a lavish late lunch as we hit Pune. Tareef @ Aundh. I won’t go into the details of what we ordered but I shall not fail to mention by the time we were done eating, the adjacent tables were served thrice – for three different set of people

Burp! Yeah I did it..

Wallets, calculation, and realization what we spent. A bit of repentance on the amount we just shelled, a whole lot of witticism  and yet planning for the next weekend.  But one has flown away like the birds we left behind. Time has rolled and as I sit on my desk planning to survive the next few days at college  I snap out of my past into the present.

The end of the road has arrived. Time to plan something new. A new destination awaiting new adventures, avenues yet to be seen. The sheer excitement will drive me tonight.

A cocktail conference held @ Hard Rock Café

We are all sensible people, we have grown up to realize the fact that parties works great on weekends and if we get  wasted come Sunday we can use the lemon shots to our advantage.

But then again we are not ordinary. Are we fellas? We like to rock the week as it begins.  And what better place than Hard Rock Café (HRC)!

It will go down as the last party @ HRC for one of our comrade who sails the seven seas to the land of opportunity. The same old deal, fly away to live a life high on it scales. Good luck!

So we waited for other to join in, and we laughed, giggled, shared a joke at one’s expense and we proceeded.  And as you enter you notice a store selling branded merchandise.  But we didn’t spend time there; we wanted something to quench our thirst.

We went to the big Hall with a bar in the center and bar stool all round it. A stool a person we sat next to the bar admiring the liquor rack and not to mention the cashier – oooooohhhhoooo ,,, oooooo —  started the pulsating music. We ordered and as usual with some reluctance and finally giving in came the shots! – This time we stuck to a decent number …shhhh let’s just keep it a secret.

Look into the menu BUT please for crying out loud go only for the one’s its famous for and not indigenous menu. It was big, a big.. no huge plate.. with hmm..like hmm.. uff! I was too busy stuffing my big fat mouth than count the items.. maybe next time!

As it’s a rock foundation, we were treated to the best of music and a bit of ‘Coyote Ugly’ show – well sort of. Hmm..

You just got to go there.. you just got to!!!!!!

Ok! Calm down.. Take a deep breath.. Hu..HU..Hu….

Ahem-Ahem, so where was I? Ah! Our boys night out.. So we had our drinks, we talked all crap that makes no sense, we paid the bill and thanks dude!(not the one whose going, the other one) for the shots. – Happy B’day!

So what does one do after getting high? Eat, silly. No I’m not calling you silly.. I meant eat like a silly.

How about double chicken burgers with cheese, coke all round, chicken nuggets, fries. Did I miss something?? Hope not!

Fast food it sure way, in no time the table was wiped clean. Had it not been for the day after I think we would gone another mile.

But it was not the food nor drinks that brought us together, it was to simply tell each one of us.. as long we are here..in this city far away from home with people who call it their home, we feel great when we are together. And in time with the next tide, all of us will float away to the farthest of corners; we might never keep in touch. There’s one thing that will never change.

Good night.