Monday, August 29, 2005

Cynicism .... Reloaded.

The drizzle in the evening was a welcome break from the intense heat that was just boring through me the whole afternoon. Madurai, the place where the Meenakshi temple is situated. The temple is an architectural wonder , with the art standing tall even after 382 years of when it was constructed.

Time had come to bid adieu and to head back . Train journeys always provide you with some food for thought, this time no less ofcourse. There was a mixed bag of personalities this time around. A middle aged person was too engrossed in discussing her 'take home' with another. As her friend parted away she began religiously reading 'Men are From Mars , Women are from Venus'. The ticket checker who came in to verify took the additional pain of introducing all of us to each other bu reading out all our names and seat numbers loudly.


Thats when I met this guy. A T shirt, Jeans and an attitude to match that. He bid adieu from his dad ( I guess ) and promised to call once he gets some accomodation. After a while of silenence he starts a conversation ... an excerpt ... R.

R : Is it raining outside ?
Me : Hmm ... I guess ( Well its pouring out what did U expect me to say??!)
R : The TT gave a introduction of all of us isnt it?
Me : Yeah .... ( I smile ... That was the best I could do that question)
R : U From Bangalore?
Me : Yeah I am.
R : Is it really cold there?
Me : Well the weathere is good most times of the year. We do touch 35 sometimes, but we touch 14 sometimes too. Overallk its pretty nice.
R : Oh ....we see temperatures till 48 - 50 here. (:O)
Me : Oh really??!
R : So where do U work ?
Me : Me .... well I work in the Service Industry. (:-))
R : Oh ..... ( A look of disappointment in his face)
Me : What about U?!
R : Well I am a Software Engineer, I am going to Mysore to join Infosys.
Me : Oh ......... Thats nice.
R : Well IT was always my choice and this company is great U know.
Me : Hmm heard of it .... Pretty neat campuses U all have eh?
R : Yeah, U name it from Multiplexes, Swimming Pools, Shopping Malls, Guest Houses and yeah the reputation of the company .. is just too good.
Me : Oh really?!
R : So how is this place Koramanagala?
Me : The real estate bit is a bit expensive. But yeah this place is close to ECity.
R : Oh ... If I get a choice between Bangalore and Chennai, I guess I ll go 4 Bangalore
Me : But the Cost of living is more in Blore.
R : Considering I work for Two years in Bangalore , I should be able to buy something in Bangalore .
Me : Really?!
R : I think so .....

Optimism of buying a place in 2 years ........... and his cynicism about the service industry. SIGH!!! He has lots of things to learn and experience!! ;-)

Friday, August 19, 2005

Incoherence .....

An acquaintance (Y) that occurred offlate is the subject of this blog. Came in contact through a buddy of mine.

Y had some issues with the curriculum they followed and those issues pertained to the profession I undertake . The buddy of mine felt that just coz i work in a field I would n 't blink my eyelid to help people out with their issues after the ordeal I go through everyday. Sigh!!!

Anyway the issue with Y began after I apparently did help out with the issue . Y seemed to be really thankful for me having done this favour and wanted to extend the boundaries beyond the realms of aquiantances!! I mean getting all carried away by a simple gesture was all too much anyway. Well it apparently appeared so strange that merely by helping out with a small issue somone wanted to extend their association.

Well what may have triggered this .......... Incoherence at its best.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Weekend Getaway .......

Embarking on a journey that was just about bound by time gave me a sense of surreality. Time is supposed to be boundless and here it bound my trip …………………………………… Screeeeeeeeecccccchhhhh!!!!!!! Sorry for the interruption … Now coming back to reality…… J

We started around 7 30 am on Saturday and proceeded, from my place towards Old Madras road. Surya aboard now the focus shifted towards Silk Board Junction. The ‘aam citizen’s’ mode of transport bought Jyo into the world of fun …. Ahem ahem and that would be the Qualis we all were traveling of course. Circa 8 30 , we were at Joyee’s place. After some hassles we managed to get her and Hiresh on to the Qualis.

Bangalore seemed to faintly disappear in the background as our vehicle sped from 0 to fun in just no time. To set the mood up we had to play some music. Randomness has its own disadvantages and on randomly choosing a CD, it turned out to be a Soft Instrumental. Well not something U would associate to start a trip actually. Anyways …. The vehicle veered in control and we were treated to delicious sandwiches by Chef: Jayeeta Roy. Nice ones indeed. Guess some amount of ‘man’ hours would have gone into making it. No pun intended ;-).

After 4 hrs of driving and sometime of navigating through mysore (not out of interest but by taking the wrong route) we did reach the Infy Guest House. Refreshments hardly were something to raise a toast too but the campus by itself had a splendid view. The English style cottages, lush lawns, Greek constructions, beautiful gardens, multiplexes, snooker parlors , cricket ground and yeah I just forgot a few Development centers too. The next stop was the GRS fantasy park. Water is fun ……. From waves, to oscillatory rides and some more water rides …………… it were fun. J. Surya was at her shreiky best and that according to her was just for fun. Anyway we shall take that at face value, it was fun J. The next stop was at KRS. The musical fountain was the major attraction ……. The music, water, lighting the co ordination was just awesome. Just awesome. I guess if all the movie stars could actually gyrate to that precise accuracy many movies would have been Super Hits ;-). Heading back we went to a restaurant called Heritage which I guess didn’t seem to have any of it in the first place, so the hunt for dinner began and that ended close to 12 midnight.

The next day was of course was reserved for a date with Ooty aka ‘Queen of Hill stations ‘or that’s how people call it. The journey up there was filled with fun and frolic. The Bandipur sanctuary ... on the way up was a treat to the eye. The Silence of that park affected slightly due to the voices within our vehicle. Ooty …. Was at sight by 3 pm. The Queen of course seemed particularly busy and dint seem to receive her guests in the way she royally would have I guess. Chocolates for lunch and snacks at 4 30 pm as a substitute for lunch are indeed experiences one can cherish sometimes. Our date ended with our inability to even enter her famed Botanical gardens. Our tryst with royalty was turning sour ……. thereby we deserted a lesser royalty and walked away towards the ‘Empress of Cities’ …… of course Bangalore. ;-)

The drive back was high pitched ….. men don’t have a high pitched voice …. Or do they (?) ;-). The music collection that we had would make other play lists bow down with shame. ;-) .Songs are best when heard with the lyrics understood ……….. Jumboo did the thankless job of explaining the same with a smile on his face. Humming along and gyrating as much as possible we moved along. Dinner …ah what is that. Was it the timing or coincidence ……. Too hard to say. With music playing along and Jyo and Surya (bits of Joyee/Hiresh) adding flavors to the same… and dancing away too … the journey was all fun. Thus came to end one of the trips that happened and yeah the trip was fun. J