I was watching American Beauty last night. Yeah, the same movie in which Kevin Spacey jerks off thinking about his daughter's friend!
On screen was Tobey Maguire showing a video to his girlfriend. He was explaining that it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. There was a little white polythene bag flying in the breeze.Tossing and turning. Making crisp sounds every time it hit the sidewalk. The wind bobbing it up and down and in spirals and in waves. It was a sight to watch! Such a free spirit flying with absolutely no care about the world! With the fallen autumn leaves around it rustling ever so gently with the breeze. The mellow grass on the pavement lovingly spread around like satin bed covers. There was a little puddle of water by the side, twinkling in the twilight. The evening light dancing in all directions as it reflected off its surface, making incoherent patterns, shimmering with a golden-yellow haze like a distant dream. The clip was in black and white, which enhanced the beauty of the scene.
What struck me most was the fact that it was these same forces of nature - wind and water - which, in a bizarre incident yesterday, took millions of people by surprise and killed over ten thousand along the southern and south-east Asian coasts. People taking morning walks on a crisp winter morning, people sleeping in slums abutting the Bay ofBengal, people relaxing on the shore in beachside resorts, fishermen out on a low-tide to earn their bread - it spared none. Within an hour,there was a deadly streak of devastation left behind at all these places. Everybody was caught unawares. They were reduced to helpless victims of a savage mood of nature. I mean, what is one expected to do if one fine morning, Mr.Ocean decides to wish you good morning at yourdoorstep!
Whatever the governments do, how-much-ever aid the international community provides, whatever news our BBC/CNN/NDTV teams telecast, will the gone come back? Will the people who were rudely hit by the tsunami ever regain a firm footing on life? Will man's quest to conquer the forces of nature ever be fulfilled? Will he ever be able to dictate terms to this omnipotent factor pervading everything? These are questions that leave an all-powerful human being dumbfounded.
Yet, despite thousands of such catastrophes and millions of casualties every year, life just goes on. Rescue operations continue on the one hand while the Sensex breaks new records on the other. These things are here today, gone tomorrow. It goes to show the basic essence of life -continuation, endlessness. Call it reproduction, reformation, renaissance. It symbolizes the eternal reincarnation of the spirit that pervades all that is referred to as having Life.
Amen!
Monday, December 27, 2004
Monday, December 06, 2004
Yo! I'm back in the land of green hills and soft, servile women. Yes, you got it right. Korea! Well, this time I'm not glad I got away from the din of Bangalore. This place is going through its yearly drama of autumn-winter transition and it's taking its toll on me. I've already got my butt pricked by the doctor and have lost count of the number of pills I've swallowed.
But, as usual, it brings back a gloom in me. Didn't we get our independence alongside Korea in the mid-late '40s? I wish the Nehrus and Gandhis had borrowed something from these people. No wonder I don't feel like going back home. I wish I could fly away somewhere. Well, I will. In about a month. I have to go back to see my parents and bid adieu to the land that has nurtured me for these past 25 years. I have no feelings for it. Absolutely.
On second thoughts, it's not the country I don't have feelings for. It's the people. But, a country is made by its people, ain't so?
But, as usual, it brings back a gloom in me. Didn't we get our independence alongside Korea in the mid-late '40s? I wish the Nehrus and Gandhis had borrowed something from these people. No wonder I don't feel like going back home. I wish I could fly away somewhere. Well, I will. In about a month. I have to go back to see my parents and bid adieu to the land that has nurtured me for these past 25 years. I have no feelings for it. Absolutely.
On second thoughts, it's not the country I don't have feelings for. It's the people. But, a country is made by its people, ain't so?
Understanding
The years of my youth, my sensual life --
how clearly I see their meaning now.
What needless repentances, how futile....
But I did not understand the meaning then.
In the dissolute life of my youth
the desires of my poetry were being formed,
the scope of my art was being plotted.
This is why my repentances were never stable.
And my resolutions to control myself, to change
lasted for two weeks at the very most.
~Constantine P. Cavafy (1918)
-------------
To the pretty dame who posted this note in my Inbox this morning!
Thursday, November 11, 2004
...And site-seeing we did. The difference was that what we saw was not what we intended to.
My in-laws, minus the bride-to-be, were visiting us and we got out with full enthu to go to Chamundi Hill. Only to be greeted by a deluge of vehicles diverted onto this otherwise deserted road. All because of the Dasara festivities - the Jamboo Savari (elephant procession), which was happening after a gap of three years. Conservative estimates put the number of visitors during this season at over a million. Ain't that good for a normally sleeping town of a few lakh residents?! Chamundi Hill didn't happen finally ...
The sad part though is that the visitors, as usual and just like the rain Gods, are least bothered about maintaining the beauty of the city. A week later, when I visited Mysore, the city had gone back to its state of peaceful slumber, but this time it was in the midst of a pile of dirt - remnants of the festivities. The concerned are still cleaning up the city (cleaning up their act??).
Nevertheless, I'm still in love with this city. It is far behind it's elder sister Bangalore in terms of population, pollution, garbage, sewage, industrialization. And far ahead in terms of culture, values, people (and not population!). I sincerely hope that the Infys and Wipros do not come here (ain't I late?). I have nothing against them. But they invariably bring with them pseudo-development, urbanization, higher prices of everything from house rent to vegetables, and potholes on the roads. We'd rather live in our peaceful state of slumber than be woken up to a rude shock. The Nilekanis and Premjis, do you hear?
My in-laws, minus the bride-to-be, were visiting us and we got out with full enthu to go to Chamundi Hill. Only to be greeted by a deluge of vehicles diverted onto this otherwise deserted road. All because of the Dasara festivities - the Jamboo Savari (elephant procession), which was happening after a gap of three years. Conservative estimates put the number of visitors during this season at over a million. Ain't that good for a normally sleeping town of a few lakh residents?! Chamundi Hill didn't happen finally ...
The sad part though is that the visitors, as usual and just like the rain Gods, are least bothered about maintaining the beauty of the city. A week later, when I visited Mysore, the city had gone back to its state of peaceful slumber, but this time it was in the midst of a pile of dirt - remnants of the festivities. The concerned are still cleaning up the city (cleaning up their act??).
Nevertheless, I'm still in love with this city. It is far behind it's elder sister Bangalore in terms of population, pollution, garbage, sewage, industrialization. And far ahead in terms of culture, values, people (and not population!). I sincerely hope that the Infys and Wipros do not come here (ain't I late?). I have nothing against them. But they invariably bring with them pseudo-development, urbanization, higher prices of everything from house rent to vegetables, and potholes on the roads. We'd rather live in our peaceful state of slumber than be woken up to a rude shock. The Nilekanis and Premjis, do you hear?
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Alright, that was a long break I took. Maafi ho ..
But am I back with a bang! Still typing with one hand, but going strong. Ya, I broke my hand a few weeks ago, thanks to Namma Bengalooru and it's roads. One rainy day, one pothole, one puddle of water, and one thud! I'm at Mallya in the wink of an eye and am packaged off to Mysore for a bout of recovery and rejuvenation. Am grateful to mama for her bedside meals!
It's interesting that I did absolutely-absolute nothing these past 15 days at home. I guess that's what most people do when at home. Laze around and get pampered :-)
Mysore has become so beautiful all of a sudden. Well, it is beautiful always. But, with the onset of Navarathri, the place has started to show it's colourful side. The palace, the hill, the lakes and the streets have a festive mood about themselves and have a mesmerizing effect on the visitor! It is the perfect season for touring the place.
But am I back with a bang! Still typing with one hand, but going strong. Ya, I broke my hand a few weeks ago, thanks to Namma Bengalooru and it's roads. One rainy day, one pothole, one puddle of water, and one thud! I'm at Mallya in the wink of an eye and am packaged off to Mysore for a bout of recovery and rejuvenation. Am grateful to mama for her bedside meals!
It's interesting that I did absolutely-absolute nothing these past 15 days at home. I guess that's what most people do when at home. Laze around and get pampered :-)
Mysore has become so beautiful all of a sudden. Well, it is beautiful always. But, with the onset of Navarathri, the place has started to show it's colourful side. The palace, the hill, the lakes and the streets have a festive mood about themselves and have a mesmerizing effect on the visitor! It is the perfect season for touring the place.
Memories
Till a few years ago I was a young lad unknowing of the ways of the world and the way they change a person's outlook. I ain't too old now, but I've seen some of it at least and I understand quite a bit.
I was reading some old mails this morning. Some 3-4 years old ones. From college/insead/sape. All from friends. Purrfect nostalgia! It's amazing how old memories and feelings linger on. But the strange thing is how the sweet ones, though they linger, can slide off with the slightest shake. They are like dewdrops on a blade of grass! But the ones that you really like to forget stay on for years to come. Pull 'em, prod 'em, shake 'em. They will not budge! Like cobwebs. Like leeches. Eeks! Ain't that strange?
I was reading some old mails this morning. Some 3-4 years old ones. From college/insead/sape. All from friends. Purrfect nostalgia! It's amazing how old memories and feelings linger on. But the strange thing is how the sweet ones, though they linger, can slide off with the slightest shake. They are like dewdrops on a blade of grass! But the ones that you really like to forget stay on for years to come. Pull 'em, prod 'em, shake 'em. They will not budge! Like cobwebs. Like leeches. Eeks! Ain't that strange?
Monday, August 23, 2004
Seoul - Take 2
Someone told me the other day that the younger generation of Koreans do not like the big-bro attitude of Uncle Sam (join the band!). The joke on the street is that the Korean President calls up the White House from his Blue House the moment he is elected, even before addressing his nation!
Well, so much for US presence in this country. The influence can be sensed if you visit the Northern parts of Seoul, particularly the areas aroung Itaewon across the Hangnam river, where there is a US army base, and where the prime red light district of Seoul is located. You can spot bands of soldiers (of course in casuals and off duty) drunk and partying in the streets into the wee hours of the morning. Also, you can sense the influence in every aspect of Seoul's life - roads, malls, bridges, amusement parks, gas stations, offices, cars .. you name it! Everything's like it is in the US. One is forced to wonder where are the shy, demure girls and self-respecting men proud of their culture gone?!
There's an OK-Mart for every K-Mart. There's McD's, KFCs and Pizza Huts all over the place. Why, there's even Bennigan's and Outback Steakhouse around the corner from my hotel! Now, that's something!! :) Yet, it is surprising how adamantly these people have refused to learn the English language. I haven't come across one Korean who has not been educated in the US but speaks fluent English. I wonder how they do commerce with the rest of the world without knowing their language! Maybe the way the Japanese do (I haven't understood them either). It's a mighty exercise, albeit funny, hailing a cab and showing the driver a printout of Korean script instructing him to take me to my hotel or to my office or to the nearby bus station! From Anyon-Haseyo to Komap-Sumnida (Hello and Thank you, apparently), it is interesting at times and highly irritating at times to hear the droning of a tongue you're not accustomed to. In the taxi for example, the FM incessantly keeps chattering off in the background, and I'm unable to communicate to the cabbie that he should switch it off! Pity!
Well, so much for US presence in this country. The influence can be sensed if you visit the Northern parts of Seoul, particularly the areas aroung Itaewon across the Hangnam river, where there is a US army base, and where the prime red light district of Seoul is located. You can spot bands of soldiers (of course in casuals and off duty) drunk and partying in the streets into the wee hours of the morning. Also, you can sense the influence in every aspect of Seoul's life - roads, malls, bridges, amusement parks, gas stations, offices, cars .. you name it! Everything's like it is in the US. One is forced to wonder where are the shy, demure girls and self-respecting men proud of their culture gone?!
There's an OK-Mart for every K-Mart. There's McD's, KFCs and Pizza Huts all over the place. Why, there's even Bennigan's and Outback Steakhouse around the corner from my hotel! Now, that's something!! :) Yet, it is surprising how adamantly these people have refused to learn the English language. I haven't come across one Korean who has not been educated in the US but speaks fluent English. I wonder how they do commerce with the rest of the world without knowing their language! Maybe the way the Japanese do (I haven't understood them either). It's a mighty exercise, albeit funny, hailing a cab and showing the driver a printout of Korean script instructing him to take me to my hotel or to my office or to the nearby bus station! From Anyon-Haseyo to Komap-Sumnida (Hello and Thank you, apparently), it is interesting at times and highly irritating at times to hear the droning of a tongue you're not accustomed to. In the taxi for example, the FM incessantly keeps chattering off in the background, and I'm unable to communicate to the cabbie that he should switch it off! Pity!
Seoul
If there's one thing I've been most amused by Koreans is their habit of brushing their teeth day in and day out. An average Korean in Seoul brushes his teeth about 4 times a day - after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner and just before sleeping. No wonder most of them have eroded enamel much before their thirties.
It has been a fortnight since I landed in Seoul, and I'm yet to recover from the alienation. Though friendly, Koreans are inherently shy and will not talk to you unless you approach them. Demure, shy girls, lost in themselves. Confident looking men. And a humongous population of teenagers form the majority of Seoul's populace. Almost as advanced as any big American city, Seoul is the hub of South Korea's business and industrial activities. There aren't many natural resources in the country. But they seem to have made the most of what they have and today, after 56 years of being a Republic, they are among the leaders in the consumer electronics, semiconductor and automobile industry. Pretty impressive for a country which was under Japanese occupation for 35 years, partitioned from its northern brethren soon after WW2, invaded from the North 5 years later, and having endured the brunt of the US-USSR Cold War throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Much of the development is attributed to US support during this time, when mighty highways were built, infrastructure was overhauled and commerce and innovation were given high priority. But there's no denying the fact that the Koreans as as smart and hard-working when it comes to contributing to their motherland.
It has been a fortnight since I landed in Seoul, and I'm yet to recover from the alienation. Though friendly, Koreans are inherently shy and will not talk to you unless you approach them. Demure, shy girls, lost in themselves. Confident looking men. And a humongous population of teenagers form the majority of Seoul's populace. Almost as advanced as any big American city, Seoul is the hub of South Korea's business and industrial activities. There aren't many natural resources in the country. But they seem to have made the most of what they have and today, after 56 years of being a Republic, they are among the leaders in the consumer electronics, semiconductor and automobile industry. Pretty impressive for a country which was under Japanese occupation for 35 years, partitioned from its northern brethren soon after WW2, invaded from the North 5 years later, and having endured the brunt of the US-USSR Cold War throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. Much of the development is attributed to US support during this time, when mighty highways were built, infrastructure was overhauled and commerce and innovation were given high priority. But there's no denying the fact that the Koreans as as smart and hard-working when it comes to contributing to their motherland.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
The Cable Guys!
A 7 year old boy died in my city last week. Got electrocuted by a cable tv wire. A million visits by so-called VIPs to the dead boy's house later, nothing seems to have happened. The cables still hang, the rains still wash away wires, and to top it the city is being held at ransom by a bunch of luncatics called cable-tv operators, and officials of the BCC-BMP-Bescom and MLAs.
One look at the following list and you'll understand what's happening:
1. The CM visits the boy's family and announces a cash compensation (Rs.1 lakh??), which they promptly refuse. Fires a couple of officers of Bescom and orders and enquiry from the Secretariat.
2. The Power Minister visits the spot. Fires a couple of more Bescom officers and orders another enquiry from his ministry.
3. The Bescom chief visits. Doesn't fire any of his officials, but announces yet another enquiry!
(What will be the outcome of these politically backed enquiries is anybody's guess.)
4. Bescom annouces that it will cut down all illegal cable wires that are using their electric poles. Incidentally, there are about 400 km of legal cables and 12000 km of illegal ones in this city! Were the Bescom engineers napping when these guys were laying the cables? Or were they feeding their pockets with kickbacks from the operators?
5. Bescom cuts down illegal cable wires arbitrarily overnight. In the process, it cuts down some legal ones also ;-) .. This enrages the cable guys who cut off all cable transmissions in the middle of the Asia Cup cricket tournament .. The people are held at ransom for no fault of theirs!
The enquiries are still happening .. The cable guys are still striking .. The power guys are still blaming them .. The politicians are still milking the issue for political mileage .. The citizens are still gaping in utter confusion .. And everyone is passing the buck!
Indeed I feel sorry for the boy .. But not as much as I feel for the plight the city has come to .. Think about the glory that Bangalore was to become - The next Singapore, huh?! Forget Singapore, we will be the next Bermuda Triangle at this rate .. With so many suckers around!
One look at the following list and you'll understand what's happening:
1. The CM visits the boy's family and announces a cash compensation (Rs.1 lakh??), which they promptly refuse. Fires a couple of officers of Bescom and orders and enquiry from the Secretariat.
2. The Power Minister visits the spot. Fires a couple of more Bescom officers and orders another enquiry from his ministry.
3. The Bescom chief visits. Doesn't fire any of his officials, but announces yet another enquiry!
(What will be the outcome of these politically backed enquiries is anybody's guess.)
4. Bescom annouces that it will cut down all illegal cable wires that are using their electric poles. Incidentally, there are about 400 km of legal cables and 12000 km of illegal ones in this city! Were the Bescom engineers napping when these guys were laying the cables? Or were they feeding their pockets with kickbacks from the operators?
5. Bescom cuts down illegal cable wires arbitrarily overnight. In the process, it cuts down some legal ones also ;-) .. This enrages the cable guys who cut off all cable transmissions in the middle of the Asia Cup cricket tournament .. The people are held at ransom for no fault of theirs!
The enquiries are still happening .. The cable guys are still striking .. The power guys are still blaming them .. The politicians are still milking the issue for political mileage .. The citizens are still gaping in utter confusion .. And everyone is passing the buck!
Indeed I feel sorry for the boy .. But not as much as I feel for the plight the city has come to .. Think about the glory that Bangalore was to become - The next Singapore, huh?! Forget Singapore, we will be the next Bermuda Triangle at this rate .. With so many suckers around!
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Ithaca
When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
~Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.
Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.
Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.
Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithacas mean.
~Constantine P. Cavafy (1911)
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Phantom Phone Vibrations
The phenomenon of experiencing a sensation of vibration in the pocket-region, leading one to believe their cell phone is vibrating. The sensation can be triggered by other vibrations, such as the engine in a car, but can also appear when no external stimuli is present.
Ever happened to you? I swear it has happened to me .. Wonder when we'll start having illusions of phone calls themselves!
Ever happened to you? I swear it has happened to me .. Wonder when we'll start having illusions of phone calls themselves!
Sankey
So, here I was, fresh like a cuppof coffee and cruising the few miles to Sankey from my home. Everything seemed normal except the time - it was 5 in the morning. Not once in the last i-wonder-how-many years have I seen this unearthly time of the day, except, of course, returning from The Club or elsewhere after a night-out.
I hadn't been sleeping well, in spite of having taken multiple ceterizines to put me into slumber. Traveling across the globe does this to you. So, I was cruising I said. Yeah. Reaching Sankey at that odd hour, I was surprised to see I had company. A handful of people had already started on their morning strolls around the now beautifully made lake and the joggers' track that runs round it. It's a sight to behold on misty mornings. Specks of humans walking along the periphery of the glistening water! The sun's rays through Sadashivnagar's trees crisply touching the surface .. I suppose it's the closest you can get to nature in the midst of the fastest growing city in Asia.
I took a quick jog to the far end of the lake and stopped for breath. By now, a few hundred people had appeared from nowhere and were going about their routine morning walk. No pets allowed here, thankfully. Just stray dogs here and there, marking territory or chasing others of their kin. Jogging back at a lazy pace to the entrance of the park, I did a few fake exercises, all the while eyeing the cheese(!) and admiring the beauty around.
A stone's throw away is the Sadashivnagar Park, a one of its kind park in the city. Aesthetically made up, this park is managed by a body of the locality's residents. It's a pay-and-use facitlity. A pretty nice example of how a little bit of involvement and interest from civilians can make a difference to the city's landscape.
I've been going there regularly now. It's something I look forward to in the mornings. Wonder how long it'll last, the novelty-seeking type that I am. But when it is around, it's almost as good as it can get!
I hadn't been sleeping well, in spite of having taken multiple ceterizines to put me into slumber. Traveling across the globe does this to you. So, I was cruising I said. Yeah. Reaching Sankey at that odd hour, I was surprised to see I had company. A handful of people had already started on their morning strolls around the now beautifully made lake and the joggers' track that runs round it. It's a sight to behold on misty mornings. Specks of humans walking along the periphery of the glistening water! The sun's rays through Sadashivnagar's trees crisply touching the surface .. I suppose it's the closest you can get to nature in the midst of the fastest growing city in Asia.
I took a quick jog to the far end of the lake and stopped for breath. By now, a few hundred people had appeared from nowhere and were going about their routine morning walk. No pets allowed here, thankfully. Just stray dogs here and there, marking territory or chasing others of their kin. Jogging back at a lazy pace to the entrance of the park, I did a few fake exercises, all the while eyeing the cheese(!) and admiring the beauty around.
A stone's throw away is the Sadashivnagar Park, a one of its kind park in the city. Aesthetically made up, this park is managed by a body of the locality's residents. It's a pay-and-use facitlity. A pretty nice example of how a little bit of involvement and interest from civilians can make a difference to the city's landscape.
I've been going there regularly now. It's something I look forward to in the mornings. Wonder how long it'll last, the novelty-seeking type that I am. But when it is around, it's almost as good as it can get!
Inimitable La Loo
Laloo, in his inimatable style yesterday, fended off a reporter's question after having made his maiden Railway Budget speech.
Reporter: Where do you expect to bring in the funds for the sops?
Laloo: Why should I tell you? If I tell you, everybody will be alerted. But, chinta ki koi baat nahin, sab intezaam ho chuka hai. Manmohanji has assured me ...
Reporter: Where do you expect to bring in the funds for the sops?
Laloo: Why should I tell you? If I tell you, everybody will be alerted. But, chinta ki koi baat nahin, sab intezaam ho chuka hai. Manmohanji has assured me ...
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Heard in the operation theatre ...
"Could you stop that thing from beating; it's throwing
my concentration off..." !!!
my concentration off..." !!!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Americans and Gas
What is it with Americans and Gas? Even at $2 a gallon and covering 100 miles a day, an average American driving one of those gas-guzzling pieces of shit spends about $300 a month. This is a penny of the paycheck he carries back home, compared to a desi who earns about $2500 a year as against a pardesi who earns about $36000 a year in PPP terms.
Give them these statistics, and they will stare at you in disbelief about how such a difference can exist, and drive an extra hundred miles that day due to depression. Remind them that they are so much better off that the rest of the world coz gas is so cheap here, and they'll dance with joy and drive a hundred miles extra - maybe visit imax or walmart for shopping. Tell them that Iraq will no longer be a problem, and they will jump with exhilaration and drive to the gas station because it is a sign of falling gas prices! Do whatever, DRIVE they will. I mean, what is it with these guys and their vehicles? Is it that they are born with a car attached to their umbilical?!
The economy seems to be built around gas and energy. The towns and cities seem to have been planned around a how-to-spend-more-gas strategy! Here in Dallas, places are so far apart that you can't imagine not owning a car. From my residence, my office is 5 miles away, Wal-Mart is 10 miles away, the airport is 20 miles away, and my only friend's house in Dallas is 10 miles away. That's fine, such distances are acceptable. But what is unnatural is the amount of space that is left unused in between these spots. You should visit Dallas to appreciate what I'm saying. Standing at one point, you have to squint your eyes and crane your neck to see the next bunch of buildings. I mean, what is the sheer necessity of building such large and spread-out cities? Stay close. Stay cozy. No, we have to drive. No one can take away that right-o-birth from us. And for that, the places have to be far apart! This seems to be the mindset.
Adding to the problem is a total absence of mass transportation. That's natural dammit! You build a city (they call it a Metroplex here since it is a bunch of 9 cities) 100 miles long and 100 miles wide, and nothing but plain land between any two points A and B in between, how can you expect to provide mass transport?!
No wonder half the cities in the US suffer from smog. No wonder the ozone is punctured like a bullet-ridden sheet. No wonder there are 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer every year. No wonder Iraq is under attack. No wonder ...
Give them these statistics, and they will stare at you in disbelief about how such a difference can exist, and drive an extra hundred miles that day due to depression. Remind them that they are so much better off that the rest of the world coz gas is so cheap here, and they'll dance with joy and drive a hundred miles extra - maybe visit imax or walmart for shopping. Tell them that Iraq will no longer be a problem, and they will jump with exhilaration and drive to the gas station because it is a sign of falling gas prices! Do whatever, DRIVE they will. I mean, what is it with these guys and their vehicles? Is it that they are born with a car attached to their umbilical?!
The economy seems to be built around gas and energy. The towns and cities seem to have been planned around a how-to-spend-more-gas strategy! Here in Dallas, places are so far apart that you can't imagine not owning a car. From my residence, my office is 5 miles away, Wal-Mart is 10 miles away, the airport is 20 miles away, and my only friend's house in Dallas is 10 miles away. That's fine, such distances are acceptable. But what is unnatural is the amount of space that is left unused in between these spots. You should visit Dallas to appreciate what I'm saying. Standing at one point, you have to squint your eyes and crane your neck to see the next bunch of buildings. I mean, what is the sheer necessity of building such large and spread-out cities? Stay close. Stay cozy. No, we have to drive. No one can take away that right-o-birth from us. And for that, the places have to be far apart! This seems to be the mindset.
Adding to the problem is a total absence of mass transportation. That's natural dammit! You build a city (they call it a Metroplex here since it is a bunch of 9 cities) 100 miles long and 100 miles wide, and nothing but plain land between any two points A and B in between, how can you expect to provide mass transport?!
No wonder half the cities in the US suffer from smog. No wonder the ozone is punctured like a bullet-ridden sheet. No wonder there are 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer every year. No wonder Iraq is under attack. No wonder ...
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Message
Welcome message on a friend's voicemail:
"Hi this is so-n-so. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you. If you want to leave a fax, buy me a fax machine first"
!!!
"Hi this is so-n-so. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you. If you want to leave a fax, buy me a fax machine first"
!!!
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
.. And Then ..
Then, around November, she just packed up everything, left her job and pushed off to Mumbai for good. At that time, neither of us was serious about it, so we weren't heartbroken or anything about the parting. But then, I told myself that it was another chapter that just got closed and decided to forget all about her. But she wouldn't let go .. thankfully. And we started competing on who'll pay the higher phone bill every month!
Come February, and she was already in the US, having got her H1-B and landed a few jobs almost as soon as she landed in NJ. This was when I started feeling the distance a little bit. But, fate would not have it. We hiked our phone bills but kept in touch. In fact, it looked like the more fate took us apart, the more we were bent upon being together!
During this time, I had applied for my higher studies at some universities and was hopeful of making it into some of them. But when the results started trickling in, both of us started losing hope. The few that I got admitted into, were short of funds, so I declined them. But then, our optimism bore fruit and I happened to visit the US during this time. Topmost on my priority list was meeting her and making up for lost time. So, I took a week's vacation and visitied her in NJ.
A blast of emotions, the longing, the missing-for-so-much-time feelings all came together when we finally stood there hugging each other in the airport lobby. The next 5 days were a full-fledged holiday with visits to NY, Atlantic City, Cape May and Bear Mountain Park. We had longed for each other so much that we just didn't want to let go of each other. No wonder the week flew by so fast. I had known it all this time, but it was during this week that I realized that I was truly in love. At last ...
Come February, and she was already in the US, having got her H1-B and landed a few jobs almost as soon as she landed in NJ. This was when I started feeling the distance a little bit. But, fate would not have it. We hiked our phone bills but kept in touch. In fact, it looked like the more fate took us apart, the more we were bent upon being together!
During this time, I had applied for my higher studies at some universities and was hopeful of making it into some of them. But when the results started trickling in, both of us started losing hope. The few that I got admitted into, were short of funds, so I declined them. But then, our optimism bore fruit and I happened to visit the US during this time. Topmost on my priority list was meeting her and making up for lost time. So, I took a week's vacation and visitied her in NJ.
A blast of emotions, the longing, the missing-for-so-much-time feelings all came together when we finally stood there hugging each other in the airport lobby. The next 5 days were a full-fledged holiday with visits to NY, Atlantic City, Cape May and Bear Mountain Park. We had longed for each other so much that we just didn't want to let go of each other. No wonder the week flew by so fast. I had known it all this time, but it was during this week that I realized that I was truly in love. At last ...
How I met her ..
I met her on a rainy evening in Bangalore. I had gone to meet a friend in her office and got introduced to her. No initial sparks or love-at-first-sight .. In fact, nothing happened for over a month. It was then that my friend started tripping me with her for I wonder what reason. Probably she sensed that this girl liked me or something. Women have this sense of smelling out stuff what even cats can't. Sometimes I wonder if women evolved from felines rather than from the rib .. Well, that's a different story altogether.
So, my friend, I'll call her Appu, started tripping me with this girl. Initially, I sort of enjoyed and sort of felt embarrassed. Obviously! Then I asked Appu to shut her mouth since both me and the girl were feeling odd whenever the 3 of us met. She did. One day we ditched Appu and I took her to a movie - Koi Mil Gaya. Well, I should say that it was a sort of "Koi Mil Gaya" for me. Something inside me told me that this would go far.
We started meeting each more often since then. She's this Punjabi girl from Mumbai. Smart, tall and with a nice sense of humour, she is the epitome of optimism! Amusingly, she calls me "Sonu". You should hear it from her pouting mouth, you'll know why I fell for her. Well, I did fall for her, but then it was after 6 months, and knowing me, that's a long time!
The next two months were a roller-coaster ride of enjoyment for both of us. With the dawn of each day, we discovered more of each other, feeling we were getting more and more attracted, wanting to spend more and more time with each other and such other stuff that happens to people when they are on the verge of falling in love. Neither was sure (she claims she was, i doubt ;) whether we really wanted to take this seriously.
I remeber a few incidents that simply dragged me to her. One was when we went to Nandi Hills on my bike. We started late in the afternoon and reached there about 5 pm. You should see the surroundings from atop there to really appreciate what I'm saying. It's an amazing vista of serenity all round you! So, we reached there and made our way up to a rock high above the noisy tourists. There we stood staring in disbelief at the breathtaking view around, she clinging to me, with just one tear of joy trickling from the corner of her eye. I had a tough time deciding what to look at - her peaceful face or the view around! Well, maybe if it had been now, I would've definitely seen her face :)
Another time I felt very close to her was when we were lying on the sands in Goa gazing up into the night sky. It was Christmas. You should be there at that time of the year to experience the mood! It's purely r.o.m.a.n.t.i.c! All hundred percent. Lying there on the beach hand in hand staring up into the sky colourfully lit by fireworks and listening to the rushing waves at our feet, we felt a feeling of peace like we had never felt before. I can vouch for her feelings because I know her so well!
Will continue in my next post ..... Gotto rush!
So, my friend, I'll call her Appu, started tripping me with this girl. Initially, I sort of enjoyed and sort of felt embarrassed. Obviously! Then I asked Appu to shut her mouth since both me and the girl were feeling odd whenever the 3 of us met. She did. One day we ditched Appu and I took her to a movie - Koi Mil Gaya. Well, I should say that it was a sort of "Koi Mil Gaya" for me. Something inside me told me that this would go far.
We started meeting each more often since then. She's this Punjabi girl from Mumbai. Smart, tall and with a nice sense of humour, she is the epitome of optimism! Amusingly, she calls me "Sonu". You should hear it from her pouting mouth, you'll know why I fell for her. Well, I did fall for her, but then it was after 6 months, and knowing me, that's a long time!
The next two months were a roller-coaster ride of enjoyment for both of us. With the dawn of each day, we discovered more of each other, feeling we were getting more and more attracted, wanting to spend more and more time with each other and such other stuff that happens to people when they are on the verge of falling in love. Neither was sure (she claims she was, i doubt ;) whether we really wanted to take this seriously.
I remeber a few incidents that simply dragged me to her. One was when we went to Nandi Hills on my bike. We started late in the afternoon and reached there about 5 pm. You should see the surroundings from atop there to really appreciate what I'm saying. It's an amazing vista of serenity all round you! So, we reached there and made our way up to a rock high above the noisy tourists. There we stood staring in disbelief at the breathtaking view around, she clinging to me, with just one tear of joy trickling from the corner of her eye. I had a tough time deciding what to look at - her peaceful face or the view around! Well, maybe if it had been now, I would've definitely seen her face :)
Another time I felt very close to her was when we were lying on the sands in Goa gazing up into the night sky. It was Christmas. You should be there at that time of the year to experience the mood! It's purely r.o.m.a.n.t.i.c! All hundred percent. Lying there on the beach hand in hand staring up into the sky colourfully lit by fireworks and listening to the rushing waves at our feet, we felt a feeling of peace like we had never felt before. I can vouch for her feelings because I know her so well!
Will continue in my next post ..... Gotto rush!
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Yahoo! Vs GMail
I got this mail from Yahoo! this morning saying they will start providing a massive 100MB mailbox from Jun 15th. This, clearly, is in response to Google's GMail beta going alpha shortly. I am thrilled to bits! Not because, GMail is here, but there won't be any more headaches of cleaning up every fortnight and wondering which mail got in and which bounced off my ever overflowing Yahoo mailbox :)
Talk of competition!
A couple of reviews on GMail:
"Even in its current, early state, available only to a few thousand testers, Gmail appears destined to become one of the most useful Internet services since Google itself. ... Gmail is infinitely cleaner, faster, more useful, more efficient, less commercial and less limiting than other Web-based e-mail services. Once Gmail goes live, Hotmail and Yahoo won't know what hit them."
~ NY Times - May 13 2004
"I finally got to play around and discover the various features of Gmail. Here's a small list of my findings ...
1.Javascript hacks makes it very fast and easy to use.
2.Trying to navigate out of an unsent message triggers an 'Are you sure you want to discard the message?' alert.
3.E-mail snippet makes it very easy to browse through messages.
4.Keyboard shortcuts are absolutely the best thing Gmail has offered. They ROCK if you are a hardcore unix user.
5.Personal level indicators' feature is a great one, indicating if a message is sent only to you or to a bunch of people.
6.Starring (tagging) messages is fast. Something like what Orkut uses to rank your friends.
7.Wow! The fastest and the most sophisticated email spell checker in the world. It's like running your spell checking application on your machine!"
8.Address completion.
~http://www.anvari.org/log/20040412.2359.html
Talk of competition!
A couple of reviews on GMail:
"Even in its current, early state, available only to a few thousand testers, Gmail appears destined to become one of the most useful Internet services since Google itself. ... Gmail is infinitely cleaner, faster, more useful, more efficient, less commercial and less limiting than other Web-based e-mail services. Once Gmail goes live, Hotmail and Yahoo won't know what hit them."
~ NY Times - May 13 2004
"I finally got to play around and discover the various features of Gmail. Here's a small list of my findings ...
1.Javascript hacks makes it very fast and easy to use.
2.Trying to navigate out of an unsent message triggers an 'Are you sure you want to discard the message?' alert.
3.E-mail snippet makes it very easy to browse through messages.
4.Keyboard shortcuts are absolutely the best thing Gmail has offered. They ROCK if you are a hardcore unix user.
5.Personal level indicators' feature is a great one, indicating if a message is sent only to you or to a bunch of people.
6.Starring (tagging) messages is fast. Something like what Orkut uses to rank your friends.
7.Wow! The fastest and the most sophisticated email spell checker in the world. It's like running your spell checking application on your machine!"
8.Address completion.
~http://www.anvari.org/log/20040412.2359.html
Monday, June 14, 2004
Top 20 American Obsessions
1 Iraq
2 Iraq
3 Iraq
4 .
5 .
6 Weather
7 Cars
8 Baseball
9 Sex
10 Basketball
11 Diet-n-exercise
12 Hollywood
13 Hot-Bods
14 The Ozone layer
15 Vampires
16 Cheese-n-Meat (and then burning it)
17 Outsourcing
18 WMDs
19 Credit
20 Wotssup-Howdy-HaveAGoodDay!
2 Iraq
3 Iraq
4 .
5 .
6 Weather
7 Cars
8 Baseball
9 Sex
10 Basketball
11 Diet-n-exercise
12 Hollywood
13 Hot-Bods
14 The Ozone layer
15 Vampires
16 Cheese-n-Meat (and then burning it)
17 Outsourcing
18 WMDs
19 Credit
20 Wotssup-Howdy-HaveAGoodDay!
The First Smiley :-)
The smiley :-) and its many variants are an important (and fun!) part of the worldwide online social culture -- allowing emotions to be conveyed in plain text. It has been in widespread use since the early '80s, when it was first proposed. Yet the original message in which the smiley was invented had been lost -- until now. :-) After a significant effort to locate it, on September 10, 2002 the original post made by Scott Fahlman on CMU CS general bboard was retrieved by Jeff Baird from an October 1982 backup tape of the spice vax (cmu-750x). Here is Scott's original post:
19-Sep-82 11:44 Scott E Fahlman :-)
From: Scott E Fahlman
I propose that the following character sequence for joke markers:
:-)
Read it sideways. Actually, it is probably more economical to mark
things that are NOT jokes, given current trends. For this, use
:-(
~ Courtesy: Microsoft Research
http://research.microsoft.com/~mbj/Smiley/Smiley.html
Reagan - take 2
I was watching this talk show hosted on NBC on Friday. The chap is sort of funny - nowhere close to Jay Leno of course, but he can make some people in the background laugh, if you know what I mean!
So, I was watching this show. He was blabbering off - well, that's what these guys get paid for - about Reagan and his Reign, commenting about how much media exposure the whole issue of Reagan's death was getting. It was a lot of hype that CNN and CBS and a bunch of other news-hungry studios were broadcasting all through the week. About 8 hours of the day were being dedicated to the issue. I wonder if the so-called War on Terror got so much exposure.
He showed a clip of about a hundred people mourning. Funny thing was they were nowhere near the coffin that was on public display. In fact they were nowhere near the city where it was kept. All they were doing was passing solemnly in a line in front of a huge TV in which some channel was covering the mourning ceremony and placing wreaths in front of the TV! Ridiculous! I mean, is there a limit to which these people will not go?!
So, I was watching this show. He was blabbering off - well, that's what these guys get paid for - about Reagan and his Reign, commenting about how much media exposure the whole issue of Reagan's death was getting. It was a lot of hype that CNN and CBS and a bunch of other news-hungry studios were broadcasting all through the week. About 8 hours of the day were being dedicated to the issue. I wonder if the so-called War on Terror got so much exposure.
He showed a clip of about a hundred people mourning. Funny thing was they were nowhere near the coffin that was on public display. In fact they were nowhere near the city where it was kept. All they were doing was passing solemnly in a line in front of a huge TV in which some channel was covering the mourning ceremony and placing wreaths in front of the TV! Ridiculous! I mean, is there a limit to which these people will not go?!
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
Reagan
Former President of the US Ronald Reagan expired last week.
I don't know much about him, except that he was hailed as one of the most able people who headed the US. Actually, I hadn't known that the tragedy had happened. I happened to come to office the next day and noticed that the Stars and Stripes were flying at half mast. Primary school had taught me the reason for such an expression. www.cnn.com. And I knew.
Over the next two days, I realized how much the middle-aged and elderly people of this country loved and respected this man. The grief that they experienced, the bonding which they felt had been torn, the emptiness .. Far more than explains what the man did for his country. Doing things to fulfil an ambition is one thing. But gaining the admiration of hundreds of millions of people in the process and taking them with you in your journey of passion is something very different!
I don't know much about him, except that he was hailed as one of the most able people who headed the US. Actually, I hadn't known that the tragedy had happened. I happened to come to office the next day and noticed that the Stars and Stripes were flying at half mast. Primary school had taught me the reason for such an expression. www.cnn.com. And I knew.
Over the next two days, I realized how much the middle-aged and elderly people of this country loved and respected this man. The grief that they experienced, the bonding which they felt had been torn, the emptiness .. Far more than explains what the man did for his country. Doing things to fulfil an ambition is one thing. But gaining the admiration of hundreds of millions of people in the process and taking them with you in your journey of passion is something very different!
NYC
Yukk!
That was the one-word reaction from all four of us in the car when we entered Brooklyn. We were headed to explore the Big Apple, after having picked up her cousin at the Hilton somewhere in uptown New York. I mean, all of us have seen far worse places back home, but here, in the middle of the most swanky place on earth .. No, please!
The streets were worse than those in Karol Bagh or Chandni Chowk. She almost freaked out every time she ran her Celica into another bump or hole in the road. After much steering and obscenities, we exited Brooklyn and entered north Manhattan across some river (the Hudson?).
This was a much better place. Cleaner, well-maintained, but nowhere close to New Delhi. We taxied down along 5th Avenue and stopped at Central Park (Perk?!) to take a look at now legendary lawns. I took in a bit of history about the place and we headed further south towards the Empire State. Our destination was Times Square, where I had dreamt of posing before Nasdaq ever since I saw it first in a desi newspaper, flashing an ad of Infosys! That was 4 years ago ..
The place was lit like Diwali night! And we just stood there and admired the power the structures around wielded - Reuters, Nasdaq, NY Times .. the list goes on. I couldn't fulfil my other dream that evening - that of sitting in a cafe on Wall Street and watch people buzz past going about their business. Ah, those Hollywood movies!
That was the one-word reaction from all four of us in the car when we entered Brooklyn. We were headed to explore the Big Apple, after having picked up her cousin at the Hilton somewhere in uptown New York. I mean, all of us have seen far worse places back home, but here, in the middle of the most swanky place on earth .. No, please!
The streets were worse than those in Karol Bagh or Chandni Chowk. She almost freaked out every time she ran her Celica into another bump or hole in the road. After much steering and obscenities, we exited Brooklyn and entered north Manhattan across some river (the Hudson?).
This was a much better place. Cleaner, well-maintained, but nowhere close to New Delhi. We taxied down along 5th Avenue and stopped at Central Park (Perk?!) to take a look at now legendary lawns. I took in a bit of history about the place and we headed further south towards the Empire State. Our destination was Times Square, where I had dreamt of posing before Nasdaq ever since I saw it first in a desi newspaper, flashing an ad of Infosys! That was 4 years ago ..
The place was lit like Diwali night! And we just stood there and admired the power the structures around wielded - Reuters, Nasdaq, NY Times .. the list goes on. I couldn't fulfil my other dream that evening - that of sitting in a cafe on Wall Street and watch people buzz past going about their business. Ah, those Hollywood movies!
Bonding
Having arrived just the previous day, the adventurous me thought of exploring a bit of the landscape. So I set out in the sunny afternoon. Took a cab to Las Colinas, and went and ate in this swanky Italian restaurant. Good food!
Once I was out, I realized to my horror that I was actually 15 miles from my office and my hotel, I didn't have a phone in my pocket, I didn't have a taxi service number or my teammates' numbers, and I didn't know a goddamned soul around! I felt a chill and some sort of boldness at the same time. I mean, it's the middle of nowhere I told you! So, I loitered around a bit, burnt whatever I had eaten and then not knowing what to do and not finding a pay phone, decided to head back to the restaurant where I had eaten and call up from there. I told the guy at the counter about my situation, and he very friendly offered my a glass of lemonade, allowed me to make a phone call, and in the process even offered to drop me off at my office. I thanked him for his kindness and called up my teammate who picked me up half an hour later ..
A strange feeling of bonding about these people had already sprung up in me. The guy had absolutely no reason to help me, but he had gone out of his way and had done what was possible in his capacity. Very good .. !
Once I was out, I realized to my horror that I was actually 15 miles from my office and my hotel, I didn't have a phone in my pocket, I didn't have a taxi service number or my teammates' numbers, and I didn't know a goddamned soul around! I felt a chill and some sort of boldness at the same time. I mean, it's the middle of nowhere I told you! So, I loitered around a bit, burnt whatever I had eaten and then not knowing what to do and not finding a pay phone, decided to head back to the restaurant where I had eaten and call up from there. I told the guy at the counter about my situation, and he very friendly offered my a glass of lemonade, allowed me to make a phone call, and in the process even offered to drop me off at my office. I thanked him for his kindness and called up my teammate who picked me up half an hour later ..
A strange feeling of bonding about these people had already sprung up in me. The guy had absolutely no reason to help me, but he had gone out of his way and had done what was possible in his capacity. Very good .. !
Big and bigger!
To be honest, I had dreamt of coming to this country all my life. I was swept with awe when I first set foot at Atlanta. One thought immediately came to my mind - anything you find in this land will be on a grand scale. The people of the US do not know the beauty of miniaturization, unlike the Japanese. Big roads criss-crossed by bigger flyovers, huge cars flanked by giant trucks, tall buildings with glass facades .. my my! Even the people seem to be of a bigger build. I remember buying a shirt of the smallest size available at Haggar's over the weekend, and unsurprisingly, it was oversized :)
So here I was, in the middle of nowhere - "vast, flat and ugly" - according to my friend who picked me up at the airport in Dallas. I had to agree. All around I could see well-maintained stretches of grass and no trees. It looked so green, yet barren .. A few tall buildings dotting the horizon here and there. Real estate goes a-begging in this part of the country I suppose!
People are good. I mean, friendly, at least. Anybody you run into - on the street, in the park, up the lift (oops, elevator!) - they never fail to give a courteous, and sometimes self-conscious, smile. It is the 'desi' junta that I feel are confused. Most of them fumble around with words or actions or both when they run into others. I haven't been able to fathom what it is which stops them from saying a friendly 'hi' or at least acknowledge one another .. Expecting too much from our people??
So here I was, in the middle of nowhere - "vast, flat and ugly" - according to my friend who picked me up at the airport in Dallas. I had to agree. All around I could see well-maintained stretches of grass and no trees. It looked so green, yet barren .. A few tall buildings dotting the horizon here and there. Real estate goes a-begging in this part of the country I suppose!
People are good. I mean, friendly, at least. Anybody you run into - on the street, in the park, up the lift (oops, elevator!) - they never fail to give a courteous, and sometimes self-conscious, smile. It is the 'desi' junta that I feel are confused. Most of them fumble around with words or actions or both when they run into others. I haven't been able to fathom what it is which stops them from saying a friendly 'hi' or at least acknowledge one another .. Expecting too much from our people??
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Welcummm!
so there .. a warm toast to the 3 years we've been using wingies97! i just happened to stumble upon this stuff last weekend and found it pretty interesting due to multiple reasons - it's simplicity, it's robustness which is proven by the number of blogs lying around the web, and the very idea of having an open publishing space available on the net so that people can collaborate in teams ..
but what beats me is this --> this blogger stuff was acquired by google recently for a very high undisclosed amount .. that's fine .. but how different is this from egroups? okay, it allows a push-button publishing interface and a few other cool stuff like skins and presentation .. but i don't see the difference! is it adding any other value to web-based publishing or activities? well, not really .. so i ask myself if this is just another egroups? are people still making money by repeating/rewriting napsters? if yes, what the heck are we doing lying around not doing anything??!
~N
but what beats me is this --> this blogger stuff was acquired by google recently for a very high undisclosed amount .. that's fine .. but how different is this from egroups? okay, it allows a push-button publishing interface and a few other cool stuff like skins and presentation .. but i don't see the difference! is it adding any other value to web-based publishing or activities? well, not really .. so i ask myself if this is just another egroups? are people still making money by repeating/rewriting napsters? if yes, what the heck are we doing lying around not doing anything??!
~N
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