Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Skewed Priorities?
It says something for my lack of attention that I completely forgot to mention that I have also managed to injure my head, thereby incurring 5 stitches as the Penalty to Pass GO and play again. The circumstances are not going to be elaborated here. Suffice to say, it is not something I would rather do again!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Reading...And Book reviews
Last weekend, I did not really feel inclined to do much socializing or going out anywhere. So of course, the obvious option was to read. Its been a while since I spent time just reading completely for a weekend, so got some opportunity to catch up on fantasy novels!
So far, have finished Terry Brooks series called Word Vs Void, which is a series about a confrontation between order and chaos, and two hapless people caught at the centre of it. If you like Terry Brooks style of writing, I guess it was standard, but since I don't I just have to admit that I found it pretty dreadful
The next series is this set of 7 books called the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher. It shows that Fantasy Fiction is a grown up genre, when you can have sub genres in it. And a Wizard Private Investigator of film noir style is rather niche indeed! The series started well, and although a wee bit like a soap opera, its very very decent. Jim Butcher has ability, and writes with skill. Good enough that I have finished 7 of his books over the last 3 days.
All in all, a total of 14 books for the week. Rather good going, i say...even for my rather extravagant overdoses. The other books were a series by Leo Frankowski about an engineer dumped into 13th Century Poland, and River of Death, an Alistair McLean, which really disappointed me. McLean is way better than that book....and it was the only one of his that I had not read before...and it was lousy!
well, that is it for now....I would suggest that anyone who can get a copy of Jim Butcher do so...he is rather decent!
So far, have finished Terry Brooks series called Word Vs Void, which is a series about a confrontation between order and chaos, and two hapless people caught at the centre of it. If you like Terry Brooks style of writing, I guess it was standard, but since I don't I just have to admit that I found it pretty dreadful
The next series is this set of 7 books called the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher. It shows that Fantasy Fiction is a grown up genre, when you can have sub genres in it. And a Wizard Private Investigator of film noir style is rather niche indeed! The series started well, and although a wee bit like a soap opera, its very very decent. Jim Butcher has ability, and writes with skill. Good enough that I have finished 7 of his books over the last 3 days.
All in all, a total of 14 books for the week. Rather good going, i say...even for my rather extravagant overdoses. The other books were a series by Leo Frankowski about an engineer dumped into 13th Century Poland, and River of Death, an Alistair McLean, which really disappointed me. McLean is way better than that book....and it was the only one of his that I had not read before...and it was lousy!
well, that is it for now....I would suggest that anyone who can get a copy of Jim Butcher do so...he is rather decent!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Harry Potter -- The saga ends
I have to admit it. Along with my sister, I was one of those many people who bought books 5 and 6 on day 1. For the first time since the series came out, my sister and I were in different cities, so could not buy 1 book on 1st day. The solution was therefore obvious....2 books for two people!
Well, I managed to start the book only on early sunday morning, but had managed to finish it off before noon! And I have to say, I felt handily vindicated by the book. It is no longer children's fantasy, now definitely in the young adult category; but that in no way means that it was bad. Sure, it was a VERY standard fantasy ending...but heck, i like standard endings.
While it would have been very poetic for Harry and Voldemort to die together, I much prefer it this way, where the hero gets to live!
All in all, nice book...though there were no Quidditch descriptions. Ah well, you can't have everything.
Well, now that the saga is ended, it looks like Bloomsburry is going to have some serious worrying about future cash flows to do!
Well, I managed to start the book only on early sunday morning, but had managed to finish it off before noon! And I have to say, I felt handily vindicated by the book. It is no longer children's fantasy, now definitely in the young adult category; but that in no way means that it was bad. Sure, it was a VERY standard fantasy ending...but heck, i like standard endings.
While it would have been very poetic for Harry and Voldemort to die together, I much prefer it this way, where the hero gets to live!
All in all, nice book...though there were no Quidditch descriptions. Ah well, you can't have everything.
Well, now that the saga is ended, it looks like Bloomsburry is going to have some serious worrying about future cash flows to do!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Die Hard 5.0 -- Bruce Willis is dead. Long live Rajnikanth
Yesterday, I watched Die Hard 4.0. And while I loved the movie, with all its explosions and stunts, I just realized something.
Hollywood needs Rajnikanth. And Bruce Willis is doing his best to satisfy them. What with using cars as a sort of hyper large bullet with which to blow up helicopters, and various other such physics defying stunts, even Rajni would have his eyebrows as high as they could go.
And another thing....why is it that good looking computer hackers who also moonlight as kung fu master mercenaries are found only in movies? Well, my companion at the movie was more interested in the good looking computer hacker guy who can moonlight as a gun toting mercenary as well as getaway car driver, but in my humble opinion...no way...the girl was waaaaay cooler.
So, all in all, it was an amazing experience. And with Rajni's latest film having him sport the hairless look, its no surprise that by the end of the movie, I was not sure who was playing who.
Bruce...If Hollywood does not let you do Die Hard 5.0, join the Tamil film industry. I guarantee that you will find success, and bullet dodging roles galore.
Hollywood needs Rajnikanth. And Bruce Willis is doing his best to satisfy them. What with using cars as a sort of hyper large bullet with which to blow up helicopters, and various other such physics defying stunts, even Rajni would have his eyebrows as high as they could go.
And another thing....why is it that good looking computer hackers who also moonlight as kung fu master mercenaries are found only in movies? Well, my companion at the movie was more interested in the good looking computer hacker guy who can moonlight as a gun toting mercenary as well as getaway car driver, but in my humble opinion...no way...the girl was waaaaay cooler.
So, all in all, it was an amazing experience. And with Rajni's latest film having him sport the hairless look, its no surprise that by the end of the movie, I was not sure who was playing who.
Bruce...If Hollywood does not let you do Die Hard 5.0, join the Tamil film industry. I guarantee that you will find success, and bullet dodging roles galore.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Mumbhai!
I was in Mumbai on Friday and Saturday for NIMITT 2007, SP Jain's management fest. First off, a compliment...a brilliantly organized event, with some wonderful hospitality displayed by the gentlemen and ladies of SP Jain. They did a spectacular job indeed, and deserve every accolade that they are going to get.
But the city itself! I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the place. But like a skin disease, the city grows on you! Now, I have to say, I really love the city. Sure, it has lots of warts, and the lousy traffic is nothing to write home about, unless you want to write a horror story; but the life in the city, and not last, Marine Drive itself makes for a place that is simply awesome.
It helps that I met friends whom I had not met for some time, and spent a couple of very enjoyable days as well. All in all, a wonderful weekend.
So, anyone who wants to hire me....remember, a job in Mumbai would be good. Of course, I would also appreciate a pay package that lets me live the life I want in Mumbai! :D
But the city itself! I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the place. But like a skin disease, the city grows on you! Now, I have to say, I really love the city. Sure, it has lots of warts, and the lousy traffic is nothing to write home about, unless you want to write a horror story; but the life in the city, and not last, Marine Drive itself makes for a place that is simply awesome.
It helps that I met friends whom I had not met for some time, and spent a couple of very enjoyable days as well. All in all, a wonderful weekend.
So, anyone who wants to hire me....remember, a job in Mumbai would be good. Of course, I would also appreciate a pay package that lets me live the life I want in Mumbai! :D
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Why are Chennai Buses the way they are?
Up to now, I have been (mostly) laudatory about Chennai. But now its time for a crib session. I have been travelling by the buses of Chennai for enough time now to start criticizing them. While the buses routes are extremely well covered, and you can travel from one place to another by bus, the downside is the crowds.
The buses are ALWAYS crowded. This is distinct from any other city, where there is a rush hour, and then the pressure falls. Primarily, this seems to be because there just are not that many buses. I visited the website of the organization, which claims they have 2000 buses. 2000 buses for 7 million people in a city where the distances are huge! That is just ridiculous. Even Bangalore has more buses than that...and the routes don't take two hours to cover. Which also brings me to my next point. Buses wander all over town! The average bus seems to take the LONGEST possible route to get to the destination, taking twice as long as any other method.
And the ridiculous pricing....the prices are cheap...and so are the services. The buses themselves are in terrible condition, barring the odd exception. Truly, when you pay peanuts, you get quality even monkeys will question!
Ah well...enough of this diatribe. The main reason that it was brought on is because my knees have been beaten up sitting in a space that even a midget would have trouble fitting into!
The buses are ALWAYS crowded. This is distinct from any other city, where there is a rush hour, and then the pressure falls. Primarily, this seems to be because there just are not that many buses. I visited the website of the organization, which claims they have 2000 buses. 2000 buses for 7 million people in a city where the distances are huge! That is just ridiculous. Even Bangalore has more buses than that...and the routes don't take two hours to cover. Which also brings me to my next point. Buses wander all over town! The average bus seems to take the LONGEST possible route to get to the destination, taking twice as long as any other method.
And the ridiculous pricing....the prices are cheap...and so are the services. The buses themselves are in terrible condition, barring the odd exception. Truly, when you pay peanuts, you get quality even monkeys will question!
Ah well...enough of this diatribe. The main reason that it was brought on is because my knees have been beaten up sitting in a space that even a midget would have trouble fitting into!
Monday, July 9, 2007
Haircuts!
Those who have seen me over the last few months have noticed that my latest attempt at disguise involved hiding my face behind an unruly mop of uncut hair.
Chennai's heat finally persuaded me to finally go for a haircut. And I was treated to a display of family tradition at the barbershop, with 3 generations, from a patriarch to the grandson, learning his trade.
End result is me, with far less hair, and almost unrecognizable (according to my boss).
Chennai's heat finally persuaded me to finally go for a haircut. And I was treated to a display of family tradition at the barbershop, with 3 generations, from a patriarch to the grandson, learning his trade.
End result is me, with far less hair, and almost unrecognizable (according to my boss).
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