MediumLatte

Sourberry?

2006-02-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

2 of my closest friends were praying yesterday night .. "It might be the last time I talk to you on this cell" said one, during a call last night. "I'm calling all those with whom I talk most and letting them know this tragedy". After listening to her cry her heart out for some time and still not understanding a word, I checked it out, and (I admit) secretly smiled. The Blackberry, a ghastly device which lets you check email and schedule appointments and, I suspect, feeds you when you are hungry -- was in a patent infringement lawsuit and may be shut down!! Ha! Bye bye irritating device which makes my friends check email when we are enjoying some coffee!

Well, she must be rejoicing right now. The Blackberry has not yet been banned or something, though its just sooner or later now. Oh the anticipation is killing me!

New improved .. hyperthreading technology!! Buy buy!!

2006-02-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

The deployment went smoothly and finally the first major project for our team is live. Its a victory of sorts .. with our project manager having pulled off a coup so to speak.

Coming right after the deployement was the news that our department is upgrading our desktops with faster, sleeker, meaner and god knows what morer machines. I was like what?? We probably have the best desktops in the industry. Upgrades are fluid and you can easily request for more RAM or hard disk space or whatever. I mean I currently have a processor powerful enough to design other processors, more than 2 gigs of RAM and hard disk space enough for a family of 4 to sleep in. Ooh ooh .. my new processor runs 200 Mhz faster than my old one!!! Paaartttyyyyy!!!!! I don't need a stupid hyper threading extreme processor to replace my current one. Whats funny is that most people think its an achievement for them if they get super-powerful machines. Give me a bigger bonus instead.

Shitty Supplements?

2006-01-20T15:52:00.000-08:00

Guys and supplements - its like guys and cars or guys and breasts. Well maybe not the last one that one, I can understand; but what is this obsession with taking 'protein powder' or 'whey protein' or 'creatine' to bulk up your body? Don't they get all the nutrition they need from a normal, healthy diet? Aren't the side effects of artificial bulking powders a deterrent? A guy I know took some weird supplement and couldnt shit for a week. The doctors at the hospital told him to lay off the supplements or he has a high risk of colon cancer or something. And who likes artificially bulked up muscles anyways?

No Habla Espanol?

2005-12-28T00:57:00.000-08:00

I just had the most amazing 8 days in ... Spain!!!!
The whole trip was just ... breathtaking and filled with the wonders that I have come to realize that only Europe can provide. Now, the US just seems drab with all the dirty snow and cold weather. This not being the 'propah' season to visit, Spain was coldish and drab too .. but in a different kind of way ;-)
With my local plans being shreded to pieces by ungrateful friends who think they need to spend more time with people they love .. people who were just on the 'like' level were cast aside. My roommate's cousin lives in Barcelona and she persuaded me to tag along (Thanks Nish!!). I knew the visa stamping from Canada was a good thing to do!!

More on this later. For now we both need to wade through the tremendous amount of junkmail and promotional crap letters received in the past fortnight or so!

Appeasing the vodka gods

2005-11-29T16:57:00.000-08:00

Every single time we friends decide to meet up for the long weekend (which is every long weekend) we end up going to some local bar in the city where we are meeting and drinking ourselves silly. Everyone drinks - guys, gals - and everyone drinks themselves silly. I am not really really worried as thats about the only time I drink these days, but still I am concerned that we end up drinking a lot every time. I brought this up the day after - when everyone was rid of their dry mouths and groggy heads.
We are all again meeting for christmas and have promised to go easy this time. The vodka gods will not be pleased.

Why so?

2005-11-14T17:31:00.000-08:00

We went to a Hindi movie this weekend. Sometimes, when my friends persuade me enough, I go and try to enjoy the occasional Bollywood flick. It was horrible. Not the movie itself, but the whole movie watching experience. Why is it that the average Indian male will behave properly when he goes to watch a hollywood movie .. no whistles, no catcalls, no calling out to friends sitting 5 seats across or even no whispering. But send him to a hindi movie and you will surely get any of the above. This was not a one time experience. We have always observed it and this time it was too much to bear.

So whats your colour?

2005-10-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Everyone I see these days wears a bracelet. Its the 'in' thing. Wear a bracelet to support your cause or charity. If you don't don a bracelet you obviously don't give to charities and are a very bad person. Bad MediumLatte!

I hope you get what I am saying. Those plastic/rubber bands that people wear. Yellow for the Lance Armstrong foundation, Blue for the children's hospital, Red to support research in breast cancer, Green for some environmental cause. These days I find it hard to even keep up with the colours and their meanings. And after all there are only so many colours right? My grouse is that you can't go up to the person and ask .. "Hey, what is that band you are wearing?" They will look aghast and frown at you as if you just asked why we need to be considerate of our fellow citizens. Then the rumours in office will start and soon you will be 'the girl who doesnt give to charity'. No Sir. Don't even make that mistake. Oh and theres another rule. If you are a gilr you have to have the badn to support breast cancer (I found this out the hard way). If you are a guy and don't support Lance Armstrong, god help you.

I can understand this to some level - people feel proud to show that they are contributing to society. In a world where its just not enough to play your part, but you need to let other people know that you are playing your part - this can be understood. But whats with the multiple bands? I mean sheesh!! I have seen guys with a yellow band on one hand and a pink one on another. So now are we out doing each other? Is there a competition to see who donates more? Or atleast shows they donate more?

I'm thinking of wearing bangles to work next week and telling them some crap about how these are 'bands' for supporting cottage industires in India. That'll keep them quiet.

I hate McDonalds ads

2005-09-22T23:10:00.000-07:00

I hate McDonalds ads. Detest them Abhor each and every one of them. And I don't have a reason for that. I just can't put my finger on exactly why I hate those ads so much. Can't stand the 'Para papa paaa' nor the '2 pinky salute' or whatever. If I see one more McDonalds ad on TV - I'm gonna, I'm gonna - well I don't know what - but it sure as hell ain't gonna be nice.

Plastic ban to increase milk prices by 100%?

2005-09-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

I already hate the TOI so much - one would think they would make an effort not to aggravate me further. Aparna sent me that way (I do not visit the TOI voluntarily).

How can the price of milk double if some other container is used? Are these people mad? Dont they think before they publish? Even if a Tetra-Pak container is used (like Frooti is served in) it will cost a maximum of Rupee 1. So dear TOI - please please don't publish crap.

Becker!!

2005-09-09T20:47:00.000-07:00

I absolutely totally love John Becker. The man. The serial. Everything. The gruff personality, the talented medical persona, the impatient attitude and the whole emotionally drained- everything. Now, normally I won't be attracted to a man like that .. but in the sitcom .. ohh boy o boy o boy!!!!
And I think Linda is cute.

Who beats whom .. in my life.

2005-08-22T13:54:00.000-07:00

* Nokia beats Motorola. Anyday.
* New Balance beats Nike.
* Garnier beats Pantene.
* Drunk beats Asleep.
* Tired beats Hungry.
* Epillete beats Waxing.
* Glance beats Stare.
* Shorts beat Skirts.
* Coffee beats Tea.
* Pencil beats Pen.
* IM beats Phone.

I feel sad and all but ..

2005-08-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

how can people drown in their cars? Imagine. It is raining heavily. You are returning home from a tiring day at the office - trying to brave the rains - perhaps you might just make it before the water gets deep enough. Suddenly - the car stalls. You overestimated your faithful Santro. Aren't you in a fix now?
But the waters dirty. Muddy. Brown. You dont want to get out. You dont want to get wet. So you stay put. You are hungry. You stay put. The rain will soon stop and the water level will go down. But it doesnt. Now water is coming in through the door cracks. Dirtying the car. You stay put. Perhaps you are afraid someone will steal your car if you go away. Or perhaps you think of yourself as the captain of INS Santro. Water rises .. seats are getting wet now. You are sitting cross legged in the seat .. getting hyper now. Now would be a nice time to get out. But you still stay put. Rising .. now up to chest level. You? Stay put. Can't swim. Sure the water level may be 5 feet high .. but goddamn it .. you are already in neck deep water. Inside a car. What would you rather do? Get out and try and save yourself .. or go down with the ship?

Starting Afresh.

2005-08-01T09:55:00.000-07:00

And this time, its gonna be a bigger stint. I swear.

The stomach, the stomach!

2005-03-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

Now, I can conficently state that the way to man's heart is not through common interests, hanging out together or being there when in need. One can just whip up some fancy shmancy stuff and have him literally rollingon the floor, begging for more. How I wish that 'one' were me. Sigh.

I know, I know

2005-03-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

I know. I am a dunce. I said I am back and didnt post for almost a month. Various things schemed together to keep me away from work, friends and the internet. Well, first a very good friend fell ill and moved in with me. The poor thing was so bed-ridden and weak .. I skipped work for a couple of days just to comfort her. so I had some catching up to do on work and as these things hardly come by themselves .. two of my co-workers went down with apparently the same bug. So here I was, already behind in my schedule, but now completing some of their things as well.
Then another friend payed a surprise visit .. dropped in for a few days .. and I was busy showing her around. By this time I was ready to drop down and give up everything. So it took a week to recover from all that. And now finally .. here I am (again).
So, you all better watch this space .. I'm going to get down to business and write things of substance for a change ;-)

I am Back!

2005-02-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

I am back after a nice break of 2 weeks. 2 weeks spent meeting cousins I hadnt seen since I was 'this' tall, catching up on family gossip and just lazing around enjoying home cooked food. My cousins had come over to the US and we all converged in Austin and had a blast! I was enjoying it all so much, I extended my vacation BY A WEEK .. thus making it 2 weeks.
Now its back to work .. I am sitting in front of a computer after so long .. it just feels odd. The vacation was also a self-imposed break from the calculating machines in general.
Not much has happened in the world while I was gone, and that feels good. I didnt miss it too.

IDE?

2005-01-31T14:40:00.000-08:00

Okay .. time for a techie post. My workplace provides JBuilder to all the developers. I hate JBuilder. It is too bloated and makes my computer run like a 286. Last week was the limit- when it took like 10 mins to load and all I wanted was to look for the latest build. I complain to my boss. [My boss is pretty cool, informal and all]. "If you want me to use JBuilder, you have to provide me with a dual processor m/c with a gig of memory." Boss says.. nothing doing. Do with what you have. Hmm. Brilliant me downloads Netbeans, starts using. Boss gets to know somehow. Boss talks about uniformity within employees and adhering to standards. Lectures like my mom. I nod. More nodding. We are done for the day.
Next morning, boss comes over. I smile. Boss smiles. All awkard. Says he didnt mean to be overbearing, but we have to follow standard practices and I should be aware of it. Proceeds to show me how cool JB is. Clicks on shortcut on (my) desktop. I wait. Boss waits. More waiting follows. I smile. Boss smiles. Boss leaves.
Collegues treat me a medium latte and coffee cake.

me? .. just socially.

2005-01-17T13:07:00.000-08:00

"Oh .. you drink???!!". This was asked to me yesterday by 2 people. 2 guys. desi. They were drinking like fish themselves, yet had a problem to find a girl drinking. "Yeah I drink. I enjoy drinking infact". This led to even more raised eyebrows and murmuring amongst themselves. Some whispers, loud laughs followed. Pissed me off. "You have any problem with that? Feel insecure if girls drink?" .. "No, no .. just that desi ladkiyan peeti nahi hai na itna". Mind your own business ass. I tolerated him, but once he started getting too close for comfort .. "I dont get that drunk". Stopped him right in his tracks.
Why is it worth raising eyebrows if a desi girl drinks? All I have seen is 2 types .. guys who don't like me drinking, or guys who want to get me drunk. Asses all. I will drink the fuck when I want to and not drink when I dont want to. The same guys who frown on me drinking in a party, will encourage me to drink ina smaller circle of friends. I am an adult and a responsible one at that. I have never got drunk and created a scene, unlike many guys. So heres a question for all .. why cant a girl, and a guy be treated as equals in a party. Answer me that.
Also, advice to girls: its better to catch a cab home than let guys try to drop you off.

rat eater and other shit

2005-01-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Its all over the blogs and news. Some radio station from philly aired a show in which a RJ called up an Indian call centre and verbally abused the woman who answered the call. [Listen to the mp3]. I have just a few sentences for these people. Grow up. The US is a champion of free economy. Don't cry now when you are at the other end. Await the time even RJ jobs will be outsourced. What say?

MuVo it!

2005-01-09T11:26:00.000-08:00

Ladies and gentlemen ... I am the proud owner of a spanking brand new teeny tiny Creative Muvo MP3/FM player. 256 Mb. I love it. Makes the treadmill session more enjoyable. The gym has TVs but other people usually put on some stupid games. Basketball is okay with me, but American Football and Baseball are not for me - definitely. No arguments.
While we are still on the player, theres this guy in the gym. Creepy guy. Always stares, always takes the treadmill next to me. He came over just as I was starting my jog and asked if he could borrow my mp3 player!! And I was using it! I don't even know him! So I said I'm using it .. he says .. yeah but I want to buy one too and I wanted to test it. WTH .. gave it to him and (later) he almost walked away with it!! I had to run after the idiot and remind him its 'my' player! People continue to surprise me everyday.

go vodka

2005-01-08T08:49:00.000-08:00

Skyy > Absolut > Smirnoff

De-lighted

2005-01-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

I am de-lighted. Got together with a few close friends over new years. Why is it that places change, times change, people change, friends change, yet I am still comfortable most with those friends .. who have known me all my life. They who know every teeny-tiny detail of my unglamorous life.
De-lighted because after a hell a lot of vodka, turned on the kitchen heater as well as microwave in a depleted state of mind .. 'phut' the goddam fuse blew, taking with it the light from half of my apartment. Anyone else would go to the local store and buy a fuse. I am taking my own sweet time. I like it like that once in a while. No TV - so I sit and read in my bedroom. Feels good.
Have a rocking year fellas!!

a question of conscience?

2004-12-28T21:19:00.000-08:00

Being a girl has its advantages. I would the last one to deny it. Said advantages were more pronounced in India than in the US, but they exist here too, even if to a smaller extent. Right from letting someone help you with the heavy bags you are carrying while travelling, waiting till some guy asks if he can help you start your troublesome kinetic, letting the prof do your workshop assignment in FE, and more along those lines. Note that in all these cases, help was provided unasked, but it was taken when offered. Show me one dainty little thing who hasnt made use of this privilege and i will show you a person who lets opportunities go waste.
Never have I participated in or endorsed 'exploitation' of the opposite sex by going too far. Or maybe so I think ;-) In plenty cases I remember denying unasked help as I thought it crossed a line. I also remember a guy later accusing me of being too proud to accept help!
So where to draw the line? Where does passive acceptance end and dependence start? Or where does the bitch take over? Who is the bigger loser?

stupid me

2004-12-25T23:48:00.000-08:00

stupid, stupid me. stupid for first of all looking at the Tiffany & Co. catlogue, then stupid for drooling over these. nice price na? I could buy myself half a new car with that much.

So whats your homepage?

2004-12-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

I always make it a point to note the homepage of any person. As in not their homepage, but the homepage of their browser. Most of the people I interact with have Google. Nice clean page, loads quickly, useful etc etc. Mine is google too. I have seen yahoo, lycos (people still visit it?), rediff, yahoo.co.in, mail.yahoo.com, ebay(!), google news, msn(!!), sony(!!!), imdb(!!), cricinfo(!!!) .. I better stop now - the list is endless. I don't judge people by their homepages, but surely have a peek ;-) It helps a lot u know. There was this guy I used to think as cute. His homepage was -- filmfare.indiatimes.com!!! Thats why the 'used to think as cute'.

Coffee ..um, Tea?

2004-12-20T08:07:00.000-08:00

This blog's title itself is about coffee and since someone brought it up in the comments, I will talk about tea. I know thats mean, but thats the way I am. And actually it isn't mean either. Tea. It probably has more ardent followers in India than has coffee. Whole families drink tea twice a day. Husbands going to work, housewifes ready to relax after getting up early and packing their kid's luches, grandmoms and grandads while reading the newspaper. You name them, they drink tea. Nope. Wrong number. One group (that to which I belong) brings down the national tea consumption. The girls. Not the lil girls, as they are not supposed to drink tea anyways; and not the women bcos that generation drink tea. It doesnt appeal to us I guess. None of my friends (who are girls) drink tea. That way tea and coffee are pretty similar. Both have a very strong flavour, both have caffeine and whatnot. I have tried a few times. Tried, I have. But nopes. Tea is just not for me. Coffee on the other hand .. ooh la la. Give me that mocha any time.

Blogging et al

2004-12-17T16:25:00.000-08:00

I wonder how many people don't write blogs of their own but still read other blogs. My guess is only so much. All the comments seen on blogs are by other bloggers. I did read blogs for a long time before starting my own (yesterday) and I never commented on other blogs till now. So it can be that non-bloggers do read blogs but don't leave comments. I am making sense here I hope.

In other news, I missed a step on the stairs, sprained my ankle and managed to rip my favourite stockings. Its all in a days work.

woowie and all that

2004-12-16T23:01:00.000-08:00

finally. i had a couple o names in mind for my 'blog' .. after blogspot rejected the rest .. I am left with this. not that i am unhappy .. afterall it was in my shortlist, just that it wasnt my first priority. 'geekgirl' was my favourite but someone has already taken it :-( and worst thing is that person has just one post in her blog .. that too from 2001!

but this is fine too, considering that i literally live on medium lattes. so lets get it started .. shall we?