In Hindu religion the life is assumed to be governed by the God. Anything that happens to you is supposed to be written fate by the God. This could be dangerous affair. I mean if there is one God then you are at mercy of his/her whim - on the other hand if you have millions of Gods (like Hindu mythology leads us to believe) then life is like Open Source program with community of geeks committing to the source!
You are never sure if what is happening to you is by design or some bug in the programming.
For example, people you met in your school days or college days, who you never want to see again, meet you at some chance encounter. Is this by design ("it is meant to be") or just a programming mistake ("coincidence")? I am never sure.
In my college days I had crush on several girls. But I never wanted to meet them after the college was over. I did not keep in touch with any of them, I even avoided the college reunions, in the fear that I might meet with some oversize girl that I thought was goddess in the college days - shattering images in my mind. It would be a great disappointment to meet the erstwhile "Miss Chamko" of size zero now with size ninety four, five children and an apologetic husband. I am sure the girls are thinking same thing or maybe not, they do turn up for reunions in hoards - I am told.
But more importantly are we supposed to meet the people from the past that you thought would get lost somewhere in this wide world? I always thought that people you meet in one part of life should not be entering in other part of your life. The remote acquaintances of childhood are not supposed to be coming back and meeting you in the young age or even worse when you are old.
If you meet the classmate you had crush on, later in the life, then the whole fabric gets disturbed. You are thinking of parallel universes and what would have happened kind of things, it all is very overwhelming. The entire model of human mind is programmed to believe in other program called life. If there is a problem in that program rest of the programs do malfunction or go in a repetitive loop.
I thought that was always the programming of the life - if there is one! You pass the people, places and things on time dimension and you are done. Except some obnoxious remotely related uncle or aunt from yesteryear telling you how you were soling your pants in childhood, the people from past should disappear somewhere else. After all the world is wide enough place.
The events that we generally think are disruptive, fateful, agonizing are either programmed or semantic mistakes during programming. As Master Oogway said, "There are no accidents", ....in the programmed life.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Live with Hope
Another day, my friend exhorted me to have hope. People always tell me to have hope, as if it is important for cancer patients to be hopeful. I told my friend that these are merely false hopes, but she was persistent. I wonder how false hopes of your longevity can help you living better life now. We hope for better salary, better life style, better partners, more happiness, etc. It becomes like a 'Mission' statement in consulting-speak (for the uninitiated: Mission is something you strive for!), something that you strive for but never achieve.
Hope is of little help when there is certainty about death or birth for that matter. It is a disillusion.
Humans are funny animals, we like to believe in things, we think we can actually change the arrangement of world and can predict what can happen in future. Unfortunately it is all a big illusion. Illusion that qualifies as a life style, we hope one day things would be better and in that hope we make our present miserable.
I argue in the favor of pessimism and think that hope is a useless feeling that perpetuates illusion. I have several proof points, I hoped to marry with Aishwarya Rai, never materialized. I hoped to have extramarital affair with Kareena Kapoor, she did not even come and meet me. At one point of time, I even hoped to be the richest man in the world. I can go on, all this proves the point that "hoping" is not really good for you. You can hope for good life all your life and not have any!
Ignoring hope, I trust the "be happy in the moment" life style. It is easier to achieve and heck, lot less to think about. Don't hope, be happy, would be my life style statement. It takes away the disillusion of future, it helps you to see life in a perspective. It lets you appreciate what a miracle life is. It makes you realize that your existence is very fragile, temporary and precious and perhaps needs more attention now than hoping for a future state that, as a matter of fact, will not arrive.
My friend argued that you could never live without hope. In some sense I agree. There is always a hope that Aishwarya may not get along well with Abhishek...
Hope is of little help when there is certainty about death or birth for that matter. It is a disillusion.
Humans are funny animals, we like to believe in things, we think we can actually change the arrangement of world and can predict what can happen in future. Unfortunately it is all a big illusion. Illusion that qualifies as a life style, we hope one day things would be better and in that hope we make our present miserable.
I argue in the favor of pessimism and think that hope is a useless feeling that perpetuates illusion. I have several proof points, I hoped to marry with Aishwarya Rai, never materialized. I hoped to have extramarital affair with Kareena Kapoor, she did not even come and meet me. At one point of time, I even hoped to be the richest man in the world. I can go on, all this proves the point that "hoping" is not really good for you. You can hope for good life all your life and not have any!
Ignoring hope, I trust the "be happy in the moment" life style. It is easier to achieve and heck, lot less to think about. Don't hope, be happy, would be my life style statement. It takes away the disillusion of future, it helps you to see life in a perspective. It lets you appreciate what a miracle life is. It makes you realize that your existence is very fragile, temporary and precious and perhaps needs more attention now than hoping for a future state that, as a matter of fact, will not arrive.
My friend argued that you could never live without hope. In some sense I agree. There is always a hope that Aishwarya may not get along well with Abhishek...
Singular Life
I have some friends who are committed monogamous. I always find it interesting, how somebody can live without having routine "bedtime" that comes parceled with marriage.
When you are single, you miss two important things that come with committed partnership, free sex with same partner and frustration that comes with it :-)
But before people start writing me about my rather 'liberal' views of single life, let me concede that there are several advantages(!) of marriage too, notably, the overbearing in-laws, demanding children, regular need to cook breakfast and food for 'family', and joint accounts which your other half regularly empties, taking your partner's car to servicing and so on.
It is always a struggle of have's and have-not's between married and single people. Married people desire what single people have (i.e. better sex life) and single people always want what they think married people have (i.e. free sex). I remember an old joke when my doctor, during the cancer treatment asked me about my sex life, and I said I am married, I don't have one!
Both have pros and cons of course, but I believe Single people have most fun in their lives. They can date whoever they like, they can go around the world and not worry about 'people waiting at home', they can spend their own money and not worry about somebody else overdrawing their accounts, and best of all they can overcook their own food. Married people on the other hand are butt of all jokes and are always at receiving end.
Married people age faster (I recently was called "Uncle"), worry about their future since the children invariably dump them and are constantly reminded of their bad physique.
I have not seen any single people in my acquaintance, ever aging. They are always young and athletic, whereas married people I know (men and women) are always pot belied or oversize. I am sure there is evolutionary reason for single people to remain attractive, but all said, who wouldn't want to remain handsome till the very end? You marry you loose the focus!
Single life has other advantages too (well less significant than the sex part but important for consideration), e.g. freedom of expression, in married life if you are man you get yelled at for not having social skills, if you are women you are looked down for your choice of mushy movies. When you are single you can do both, burp openly while watching a mushy movie.
Some of my single friends rue that they do not have their own family or they are lonely, obviously they don't know how lonely it becomes for a married person every single moment!
At a times it is nice to have somebody around to fuss about, but by and large "having family" is an overrated myth. Having family simply means bigger expense account. People could write books about 'Marriage Rocks', clearly they don't know what it means to be single!
I envy my single friends, they have all the fun in their lives, it is quite a Singular life they lead while we Plurals watch from sideways!
When you are single, you miss two important things that come with committed partnership, free sex with same partner and frustration that comes with it :-)
But before people start writing me about my rather 'liberal' views of single life, let me concede that there are several advantages(!) of marriage too, notably, the overbearing in-laws, demanding children, regular need to cook breakfast and food for 'family', and joint accounts which your other half regularly empties, taking your partner's car to servicing and so on.
It is always a struggle of have's and have-not's between married and single people. Married people desire what single people have (i.e. better sex life) and single people always want what they think married people have (i.e. free sex). I remember an old joke when my doctor, during the cancer treatment asked me about my sex life, and I said I am married, I don't have one!
Both have pros and cons of course, but I believe Single people have most fun in their lives. They can date whoever they like, they can go around the world and not worry about 'people waiting at home', they can spend their own money and not worry about somebody else overdrawing their accounts, and best of all they can overcook their own food. Married people on the other hand are butt of all jokes and are always at receiving end.
Married people age faster (I recently was called "Uncle"), worry about their future since the children invariably dump them and are constantly reminded of their bad physique.
I have not seen any single people in my acquaintance, ever aging. They are always young and athletic, whereas married people I know (men and women) are always pot belied or oversize. I am sure there is evolutionary reason for single people to remain attractive, but all said, who wouldn't want to remain handsome till the very end? You marry you loose the focus!
Single life has other advantages too (well less significant than the sex part but important for consideration), e.g. freedom of expression, in married life if you are man you get yelled at for not having social skills, if you are women you are looked down for your choice of mushy movies. When you are single you can do both, burp openly while watching a mushy movie.
Some of my single friends rue that they do not have their own family or they are lonely, obviously they don't know how lonely it becomes for a married person every single moment!
At a times it is nice to have somebody around to fuss about, but by and large "having family" is an overrated myth. Having family simply means bigger expense account. People could write books about 'Marriage Rocks', clearly they don't know what it means to be single!
I envy my single friends, they have all the fun in their lives, it is quite a Singular life they lead while we Plurals watch from sideways!
No Loyalty
Many times people ask you trivial questions as part of social interaction, i.e. "who is your favorite star?" or "who is your favorite author" and so on. I could never answer it. I simply don't get it. I have NO favorite actor or author that I would die for.
As part of my world cruising duties I stumble upon several so called "deities" of the modern world. My wife really envies me for that (at least one thing that keeps her awake :-)). In the lounges, I get to see Sharmila Tagore, Rahul Bose, Shahid Kapoor and likes up close. Being illiterate about film stars in India, I don't necessarily know them but given the flutter they cause in otherwise boring airport lounges, it is easy to spot that there is something 'special' (in non-sexual manner !) about them. I then generally ask the attendant or the stewardess about these 'people', and they exclaim "Oh don't you know? He is XXXX !" - insulting my general knowledge and pitying me at the same time. In all circumstances, I never felt that I should go and disturb their privacy and ask for a photograph or a signature. I liked the movie, "Pyar Ke Side Effects", I also liked Rahul Bose's work in it, but that does not mean I am a great fan and would die for his autograph.
My wife gets all excited, "You saw Bipasha Basu, and couldn't even take her autograph? What's wrong with you?"
All I could tell her was, in real life she does not appear that sexy, and not my type really!
It is very difficult for me to be a loyal fan of somebody or some concept. Having strong conviction about something is quite different than being loyal fan of something. I read so many books, but haven't found the author that I would love most. Many times I meet the authors, but none give me goose bumps. This happens all around, living in India, I am still not a fan of any special cricketer, not follower of any politician, no actor that I would like to identify with and no buxom babe that I would want to watch again and again.
I wonder why that happens, is it natural for learned men or it is simply a "trust and loyalty" problem that I have? Perhaps it is both.
I sure hope my wife does not read this blog, not being loyal might give her some ideas too !
As part of my world cruising duties I stumble upon several so called "deities" of the modern world. My wife really envies me for that (at least one thing that keeps her awake :-)). In the lounges, I get to see Sharmila Tagore, Rahul Bose, Shahid Kapoor and likes up close. Being illiterate about film stars in India, I don't necessarily know them but given the flutter they cause in otherwise boring airport lounges, it is easy to spot that there is something 'special' (in non-sexual manner !) about them. I then generally ask the attendant or the stewardess about these 'people', and they exclaim "Oh don't you know? He is XXXX !" - insulting my general knowledge and pitying me at the same time. In all circumstances, I never felt that I should go and disturb their privacy and ask for a photograph or a signature. I liked the movie, "Pyar Ke Side Effects", I also liked Rahul Bose's work in it, but that does not mean I am a great fan and would die for his autograph.
My wife gets all excited, "You saw Bipasha Basu, and couldn't even take her autograph? What's wrong with you?"
All I could tell her was, in real life she does not appear that sexy, and not my type really!
It is very difficult for me to be a loyal fan of somebody or some concept. Having strong conviction about something is quite different than being loyal fan of something. I read so many books, but haven't found the author that I would love most. Many times I meet the authors, but none give me goose bumps. This happens all around, living in India, I am still not a fan of any special cricketer, not follower of any politician, no actor that I would like to identify with and no buxom babe that I would want to watch again and again.
I wonder why that happens, is it natural for learned men or it is simply a "trust and loyalty" problem that I have? Perhaps it is both.
I sure hope my wife does not read this blog, not being loyal might give her some ideas too !
Friday, July 11, 2008
Packed Bags
My Stupid little life
Is all I have to show.
Where is the road of reward
That was meant to be?
Yet why should I weep?
The Gifts of eyes and ears-
Are mine, unto me,
To seize Creation with.
In a world full of music,
I really can't say
That God sent me down
With my bag unpacked.
- A pill for soul ache, from The Idiot's Prayers
Is all I have to show.
Where is the road of reward
That was meant to be?
Yet why should I weep?
The Gifts of eyes and ears-
Are mine, unto me,
To seize Creation with.
In a world full of music,
I really can't say
That God sent me down
With my bag unpacked.
- A pill for soul ache, from The Idiot's Prayers
... most appropriate. From a bedside commodity book in Hotel Room, called "The Book of Prayer" which exhorts all occupants of the room to pray to the Almighty in different languages and styles. An entity and a belief which explains everything from why fuel prices are going up to why there are traffic jams in Bangalore.
In Delhi last week, the cab driver gave me book of "Prajapita Brahmakumari", and told me that the world is going to come to end in 2012, so I better be prepared and start saving my soul right now. I also read that according to Mayan Civilization calculations it is indeed end of the world or closer. And of course several religious predictions and other reasons of "world coming to en end" are around. While so many doomsday predictions are going around, all I have to say, is The God (if exists) has sent me in this world with Packed Bags, I had fun and I am ready for next journey :-)
In Delhi last week, the cab driver gave me book of "Prajapita Brahmakumari", and told me that the world is going to come to end in 2012, so I better be prepared and start saving my soul right now. I also read that according to Mayan Civilization calculations it is indeed end of the world or closer. And of course several religious predictions and other reasons of "world coming to en end" are around. While so many doomsday predictions are going around, all I have to say, is The God (if exists) has sent me in this world with Packed Bags, I had fun and I am ready for next journey :-)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Generator Town
Every time I visit Gurgaon I get a feeling that I am leaving in a b-grade sci-fi movie. An isolated town where people generate their own electricity, live in sky scrapers, cruise using space rockets (uncannily looking like Safaris, and Innovas) and where oxygen is sparse and muncipalities charge citizens for breathing it.
Otherwise touted as "The Millenium City" was a small farming town on the periphery of Delhi. During the late 90's real estate boom, Haryana Urban Development bought tracks of agr
icultural lands and developed into what is toda'y 6th largest city in India with population of 22Lacs (2001). I recall the days in 1992 where I was one of the several visiting business folks to Delhi, Gurgaon used to have lush green farms and was popular for farm house investments. Today Gurgaon is city of malls. It is almost like a city inside the malls. There are malls of all types, Indian, "Phoren" and 
malls that offer everything for the "middle class". The construction boom in Gurgaon is still at its height. New sky scrapers are being built for new companies to come in. Most of the glass building (read criminal copying of western architecture in electricity starved country!), shine in the afternoon Sun glare.
It is difficult to see beyond 100 meteres due to smog during any time of the day. Haryana state did make Jat farmers rich by buying their land but failed to provide basic amneties like electricity. Every building runs its own generator. There are power cuts of 12 hours in the town, sky scrapers of 18 floors can't survive without having private generation of electricity. The flat owners pay upto Rs. 10000/- per month for private electricity. The current short fall is 500 Mw per day! The diesel consumption for electricity generation in Gurgaon is more than consumption for vehicles. Every shop worth its salt has a generator out on the street. A continuous hum of generators greets you in the market place or in shops. The smoke generates very high density of smog which obstructs the view even from the tallest building in the town.
The lush green fields have now become construction places, the tractors of Jat farmers have now been replaced by big cars which they drive at the speed of sound, the farm houses have been replaced with sky scrapers and clear sky with diesel smoke.
A small vilalge of Guru Dronacharya in Hindu Mythology has now become a Generator Town, complete with its own 'country made' smog !
Otherwise touted as "The Millenium City" was a small farming town on the periphery of Delhi. During the late 90's real estate boom, Haryana Urban Development bought tracks of agr
icultural lands and developed into what is toda'y 6th largest city in India with population of 22Lacs (2001). I recall the days in 1992 where I was one of the several visiting business folks to Delhi, Gurgaon used to have lush green farms and was popular for farm house investments. Today Gurgaon is city of malls. It is almost like a city inside the malls. There are malls of all types, Indian, "Phoren" and malls that offer everything for the "middle class". The construction boom in Gurgaon is still at its height. New sky scrapers are being built for new companies to come in. Most of the glass building (read criminal copying of western architecture in electricity starved country!), shine in the afternoon Sun glare. It is difficult to see beyond 100 meteres due to smog during any time of the day. Haryana state did make Jat farmers rich by buying their land but failed to provide basic amneties like electricity. Every building runs its own generator. There are power cuts of 12 hours in the town, sky scrapers of 18 floors can't survive without having private generation of electricity. The flat owners pay upto Rs. 10000/- per month for private electricity. The current short fall is 500 Mw per day! The diesel consumption for electricity generation in Gurgaon is more than consumption for vehicles. Every shop worth its salt has a generator out on the street. A continuous hum of generators greets you in the market place or in shops. The smoke generates very high density of smog which obstructs the view even from the tallest building in the town.
The lush green fields have now become construction places, the tractors of Jat farmers have now been replaced by big cars which they drive at the speed of sound, the farm houses have been replaced with sky scrapers and clear sky with diesel smoke.
A small vilalge of Guru Dronacharya in Hindu Mythology has now become a Generator Town, complete with its own 'country made' smog !
Friday, April 25, 2008
Theme Park Horror
Vacation time !! After one year, I had a week long vacation in the classical theme park nightmare of USA. Yes the same one, Disneyland. While my son enjoyed it to the tee and my wife still has lost her brain on one of those upside down roller coasters, it is going to be a vacation to reme
mber.
I never thought first hand interaction with harmless characters like Mickey Mouse could be so devastating. After first two days of Disneyland I started getting dirty dreams about cartoon characters. I almost decided to spend more time with Jenna Jameson in hotel room for adult only entertainment. Trust me, a visit to Disneyland could actually get you addicted to cheesy HBO movies in hotel room.
The capitalism in land of plenitude is blatant and some times terrifying. Every theme park we went to had shows which had exits in the shop. The general idea being as you exist watching Buzz Lightyear show, you would want to buy a plastic image of him. A compelling set of consumers a.k.a Children, and lot of "Made in China" cheap plastic toys ensure that you have to buy one more bag on your return journey. This disease is spread throughout the theme park world as we know it. The Universal was same and so was the Kennedy Space Center. I would imagine some of these theme parks may actually would have their sustenance dependent on this kind of tourist business.
After 5 days of visiting everybody from Mickey Mouse to Shamu the killer whale, I no longer have a desire to be entertained. I have stopped watching TV, I barely read the newspaper, I did not linger on Jenna Jameson's official website. I think I am almost close to becoming a workaholic person again.
In all fairness, I could still live with horror dreams about work place (what's worse that could happen? printer eating people?) than nightmares about theme parks (yes, imagine Mickey Mouse eating tourists sitting on one of those crazy roller coasters... Arghhhhhhhhhh!)
mber.I never thought first hand interaction with harmless characters like Mickey Mouse could be so devastating. After first two days of Disneyland I started getting dirty dreams about cartoon characters. I almost decided to spend more time with Jenna Jameson in hotel room for adult only entertainment. Trust me, a visit to Disneyland could actually get you addicted to cheesy HBO movies in hotel room.
The capitalism in land of plenitude is blatant and some times terrifying. Every theme park we went to had shows which had exits in the shop. The general idea being as you exist watching Buzz Lightyear show, you would want to buy a plastic image of him. A compelling set of consumers a.k.a Children, and lot of "Made in China" cheap plastic toys ensure that you have to buy one more bag on your return journey. This disease is spread throughout the theme park world as we know it. The Universal was same and so was the Kennedy Space Center. I would imagine some of these theme parks may actually would have their sustenance dependent on this kind of tourist business.
After 5 days of visiting everybody from Mickey Mouse to Shamu the killer whale, I no longer have a desire to be entertained. I have stopped watching TV, I barely read the newspaper, I did not linger on Jenna Jameson's official website. I think I am almost close to becoming a workaholic person again.
In all fairness, I could still live with horror dreams about work place (what's worse that could happen? printer eating people?) than nightmares about theme parks (yes, imagine Mickey Mouse eating tourists sitting on one of those crazy roller coasters... Arghhhhhhhhhh!)
Friday, March 21, 2008
Small Luxuries
Recently I got promoted on my frequent flyer program of an airlines. In little ironic but interesting grading system, I am now a Platinum member of this program. An inevitable thing if you travel too much. I have been round this bend before, over period of my short life I have been, 'Gold' and 'Platinum' Member of Airline programs, 'Diamond' member of hotel priority club, carried my 'Golden Passport' (which is really a plastic card of golden color), 'Senator' member or 'Silver Crest' club member of international airlines, 'Gold' member of car renting companies and so on. I think I am kind of gullible person who actually falls for this kind of harmless marketing.
Many of these program do not offer anything tangible; an airline frequent flyer gets more free passages to exotic destinations in adverts but in reality to achieve that status you have to fly to US and back to India every other day of your life. Some time back an European airline offered me free stay and a redemption gift ('flash light that works as a radio' - in case the flight crashes and I get marooned on a remote island - yeah right!). Airline frequent flyer status has some practical advantages, such as easy access to the lounges - which are primarily created to show the gaps in rich and poor in extremely capitalist airports. The prolonged stays at hotels gets you a preferential room and some times a fluffy teddy bear with name of the hotel on it. Couple of times I tried to pass these gifts to others, but the brand labels always get you.
For a long time I did not actually bought into this loyalty programs, but then my yet-to-be-wife at the time, reminded me of intangible benefits of these things - i.e. walking into priority check-in lane, or getting bigger rooms at hotel, and I was kind of hooked. Over next several years, I practically signed for any program of any commercial merchandiser that was on offer. Now I am loyalty club member of couple of grocery shops in US, bookshops in Frankfurt and India, at least 5 airlines, 4 different hotel chains and a Chinese eatery at Singapore airport. Similarly my wife has loyalty cards for several malls in the city and outside.
I particularly like the respect which these companies treat their loyal customers. It does not translate into anything significant but the operators at check-in counters are more friendly than necessary, some times they make an attempt at remembering your choices, provide a tiny bit of preference over other customers. These things are gratifying enough for generally downtrodden people like me. Few days ago I was flying on domestic sector and just before take-off, the air hostess came to me and gave me ear plugs, I thanked her and asked how come I get this favor; she informed me that 'they' knew the preferences of frequent flyers... cool! In Europe, I checked in earlier than the arrival time and front desk was apologetic that they could not get a bigger room for regular customer like me - in ordinary circumstances hotels would not even allow you to check-in before the time. When I achieved my first 'Platinum' status, getting free breakfast at the hotel was an attraction, then the rooms at top floors.
Separate check-in queues, people trying to remember your preferences, easier upgrades, these are indeed insignificant things and only pathetic people like me actually go for it - but then what is life without small luxuries?
Many of these program do not offer anything tangible; an airline frequent flyer gets more free passages to exotic destinations in adverts but in reality to achieve that status you have to fly to US and back to India every other day of your life. Some time back an European airline offered me free stay and a redemption gift ('flash light that works as a radio' - in case the flight crashes and I get marooned on a remote island - yeah right!). Airline frequent flyer status has some practical advantages, such as easy access to the lounges - which are primarily created to show the gaps in rich and poor in extremely capitalist airports. The prolonged stays at hotels gets you a preferential room and some times a fluffy teddy bear with name of the hotel on it. Couple of times I tried to pass these gifts to others, but the brand labels always get you.
For a long time I did not actually bought into this loyalty programs, but then my yet-to-be-wife at the time, reminded me of intangible benefits of these things - i.e. walking into priority check-in lane, or getting bigger rooms at hotel, and I was kind of hooked. Over next several years, I practically signed for any program of any commercial merchandiser that was on offer. Now I am loyalty club member of couple of grocery shops in US, bookshops in Frankfurt and India, at least 5 airlines, 4 different hotel chains and a Chinese eatery at Singapore airport. Similarly my wife has loyalty cards for several malls in the city and outside.
I particularly like the respect which these companies treat their loyal customers. It does not translate into anything significant but the operators at check-in counters are more friendly than necessary, some times they make an attempt at remembering your choices, provide a tiny bit of preference over other customers. These things are gratifying enough for generally downtrodden people like me. Few days ago I was flying on domestic sector and just before take-off, the air hostess came to me and gave me ear plugs, I thanked her and asked how come I get this favor; she informed me that 'they' knew the preferences of frequent flyers... cool! In Europe, I checked in earlier than the arrival time and front desk was apologetic that they could not get a bigger room for regular customer like me - in ordinary circumstances hotels would not even allow you to check-in before the time. When I achieved my first 'Platinum' status, getting free breakfast at the hotel was an attraction, then the rooms at top floors.
Separate check-in queues, people trying to remember your preferences, easier upgrades, these are indeed insignificant things and only pathetic people like me actually go for it - but then what is life without small luxuries?
Saturday, February 09, 2008
The Laws that Actually Govern the Universe
After my operation in 2006, I got hooked onto Roger Penrose’s The Road To Reality, a book
about generally neglected subject of Mathematics. This book is not for invalids or people with weak hearts, at 1049 pages (the bibliography is of 30 odd pages), it takes lot of patience to get through the book. Of course, in my case I had nothing important to do in those days, so it was easy way to forget other body pains.
Once in my school career I actually failed in Mathematics, and for rest of my life, it seems, the subject would puzzle me – and some times amuse. Simple mathematical notions like equivalence class (deals with fractions for the uninitiated) which govern the elementary maths are indeed never explained in school. I recently started explaining some basic concepts to my son around maths - and miserably failed.
I was surprised by the fact that the notion of Mathematical truth (Platonic or otherwise) is not even explained in the schools and colleges. It takes Rs. 810/- and really bulky book to read and understand it. I also realized that several things about maths were not known to me in this age and times. Usually complex sounding concepts like, Canonical quantum gravity, well.. are indeed complex, but make good reading. Especially when it comes to some Indian names (e.g. Abhay Ashtekar in 1986, simplified the equations of general relativity - yes from famous Einstein). While Penrose tries hard to explain the beauty of the mathematics, I think the book is more important for a casual reader to understand the subject of maths. Of course there is quite a bit of Physics in the book (Penrose is a Physicist), and that makes 1049 pages more interesting.
Another book I recently acquired is Stephen Hawking's God Created the Integers - a book describing the history of the mathematics (1160 pages - another example of my courage). The book does not necessarily has lucid description of mathematical concepts, but indeed brings out the fun in the lives of Greek mathematicians. e.g. Archimedes's servants got him against his will to the baths OR that when Diophantus died his friend left a puzzle describing his lifetime. Certain historical facts like Laplace was the teacher of certain Corsican called Napoleon Bonaparte, make the book interesting read (it also proves the fact that studying of maths with great mathematicians is not necessarily a good thing - something that may set you on a wrong path of geography and you spend your retirement in rather protected environment)
These books do not particularly make me maths genius but it certainly helps in knowing that several mathematicians and physicists with their lifetime of research and bulky books and noble prizes haven't been able to find the road to reality OR laws that actually govern the universe - just like me. And I do that without lot of effort or tussled hair.
about generally neglected subject of Mathematics. This book is not for invalids or people with weak hearts, at 1049 pages (the bibliography is of 30 odd pages), it takes lot of patience to get through the book. Of course, in my case I had nothing important to do in those days, so it was easy way to forget other body pains.Once in my school career I actually failed in Mathematics, and for rest of my life, it seems, the subject would puzzle me – and some times amuse. Simple mathematical notions like equivalence class (deals with fractions for the uninitiated) which govern the elementary maths are indeed never explained in school. I recently started explaining some basic concepts to my son around maths - and miserably failed.
I was surprised by the fact that the notion of Mathematical truth (Platonic or otherwise) is not even explained in the schools and colleges. It takes Rs. 810/- and really bulky book to read and understand it. I also realized that several things about maths were not known to me in this age and times. Usually complex sounding concepts like, Canonical quantum gravity, well.. are indeed complex, but make good reading. Especially when it comes to some Indian names (e.g. Abhay Ashtekar in 1986, simplified the equations of general relativity - yes from famous Einstein). While Penrose tries hard to explain the beauty of the mathematics, I think the book is more important for a casual reader to understand the subject of maths. Of course there is quite a bit of Physics in the book (Penrose is a Physicist), and that makes 1049 pages more interesting.
Another book I recently acquired is Stephen Hawking's God Created the Integers - a book describing the history of the mathematics (1160 pages - another example of my courage). The book does not necessarily has lucid description of mathematical concepts, but indeed brings out the fun in the lives of Greek mathematicians. e.g. Archimedes's servants got him against his will to the baths OR that when Diophantus died his friend left a puzzle describing his lifetime. Certain historical facts like Laplace was the teacher of certain Corsican called Napoleon Bonaparte, make the book interesting read (it also proves the fact that studying of maths with great mathematicians is not necessarily a good thing - something that may set you on a wrong path of geography and you spend your retirement in rather protected environment)
These books do not particularly make me maths genius but it certainly helps in knowing that several mathematicians and physicists with their lifetime of research and bulky books and noble prizes haven't been able to find the road to reality OR laws that actually govern the universe - just like me. And I do that without lot of effort or tussled hair.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Without Clothes in Brussels
If one has to loose the clothes,
As usual my travails (!) took me to the EU capital, twice in less than a month. A record for myself. My wife jokes that I have a lady per port like sailors (I wish…), I am seriously thinking of an European affair in any case. The Jet airways put my luggage on priority and the bags never left
I generally plan follow-on meetings, as in you land, get refreshed and walk in the office, saves time and you can excuse your inactivity to long distance air travel. More rest follows. This time I landed, I am in a great mood of walking through and I am thinking of work. The luggage belt does not yield anything for 30 long minutes. I got suspicious, and the suspicions were true. Luggage is not there.
I reached hotel and for the first time in my life went to the shopping mall at 9AM sharp. Fortunately the hotel is in the Brussels city center so it is easier to walk into the shopping mall. What followed was an emergency shopping by a non-French/non-Dutch speaker in a crowd of sales people who can not speak a single word of English. The prices really did me in. A pair of undergarments was 29 Euros (that is Rs. 1700.38 for the uninitiated) - almost equivalent to annual income of some families in India. A tie was 49 Euros and to top it the sale-lady can not speak English and translate the sizes. This is unique in a country which is officially bilingual (Dutch and French; when you see one street having two names - life is not easy). I was at my wit's end - literally. One would think buying clothes in stereotypical box department store anywhere in the world should be easy.. well one has to try this theory.
My colleagues at work (almost) commented on clothes choices but they had no option to lump it - the cheap shirt I bought had a black rose on the side !!! Besides the amount of time I spent on this was not well spent either (after 313 Euros that is!).
Otherwise a city of no particular significance (started in 10th Century as a Fortress Town), Brussels grew to prominence only after EU was established. The most notable attraction is 'Manneken Pis' (or Pissing Boy) - rest I guess you can figure out. The only other attractions are tourist shops in shacks that have sprung up around the main city square (and at the cost of repeating - expensive departmental stores). The chocolates were overrated anyways, i.e. my son did not like them - he is our family's official expert on chocolates.
For me French girls were nowhere to be found - almost a rare species. Every time I looked for proper Belgian affair it did not materialize. Perhaps I should try Paris next time - now that would be an idea - to get into Paris without the clothes, presumably French won't mind that much. Only problem being Jet Airways does not fly to Paris (yet!)
Saturday, January 05, 2008
This is Your Captain Speaking...
Increase in air travelers in India has brought in a new breed of pilots (or in aviation-speak Captain of the Craft). There are Indian pilots, there are foreign pilots, jr. pilots and retired (and brought back from grave) pilots. Encouragingly there are more female pilots too.
In air travel the part I like most is the Captain announcements.
"This is your Captain speaking, we are cruising at 30000 feet; There is slight damage on left engine and we are probably going to have a mid-air drop of 10000 feet; Nothing wrong really, but you might experience some dizziness and perhaps a delay of few days", the undertone of these announcements is so engaging. They always announce it in monotonous sound and appear almost Supermen or Superwomen. Nothing detracts them except maybe the not-so-good-looking air-hostess or steward. It gives a sense of reassurance to travelers, regardless of the bumpy ride - and equally bad food.
Unfortunately the increasing number of female captains don't seem to carry the same flair. They are more like, "This is your Captain speaking.. and arghhh looks like we are having company - get ready for mid-air collision people - and where is my bag"
Call me misogynist, but seems the aviation schools need to do a better job in educating their female students on intoning the announcements. Something more in the line men of steel - now that is an idea - all pilots wearing their underpants outside and not getting distracted with fire on left wing.
In air travel the part I like most is the Captain announcements.
"This is your Captain speaking, we are cruising at 30000 feet; There is slight damage on left engine and we are probably going to have a mid-air drop of 10000 feet; Nothing wrong really, but you might experience some dizziness and perhaps a delay of few days", the undertone of these announcements is so engaging. They always announce it in monotonous sound and appear almost Supermen or Superwomen. Nothing detracts them except maybe the not-so-good-looking air-hostess or steward. It gives a sense of reassurance to travelers, regardless of the bumpy ride - and equally bad food.
Unfortunately the increasing number of female captains don't seem to carry the same flair. They are more like, "This is your Captain speaking.. and arghhh looks like we are having company - get ready for mid-air collision people - and where is my bag"
Call me misogynist, but seems the aviation schools need to do a better job in educating their female students on intoning the announcements. Something more in the line men of steel - now that is an idea - all pilots wearing their underpants outside and not getting distracted with fire on left wing.
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