An Year Ends with Last day at Job... Goodbye 2009!!!!!!!!

An year ends where so much happened, so much!! Today was my last day at work, I resigned from my current job... How does it feels? Well, it's not a national disaster or natural calamity and you are no TV reporter to ask that. And I brought it onto myself, a well thought decision. But it does feels lil sad, a pinch in the heart. I joined on July 24, 2006. I remember the 1st day, even the day of interview & the excitedness (is that even a word??) of getting this job. And then spending these 3.5 yrs filled with adventure (IT adventure), fun, sometimes pain/sorrow/anger (you know who/what I am talking about) and all that. I got a lot here... training, knowledge, experience, support & people's love. There must have been some hatred too probably, I don't really hate anyone though (I am such a saint, right!!). I'll miss it... probably not... maybe a lil.. umm, I don't think so. The life moves on & so do we. And we keep on adding such shining memories and we carry on the rewards of such excellent experiences all through our life.

What else happened... I learnt Trading & Risk Management which gave birth to my TRM Blog (who no one reads & even I don't care about it either). Came to Boston & found out that I hate Boston (Finally I said it.... I really do, umm, maybe not. But I don't like it for sure). One of the meanest & rudest & coldest people I have met. And one of the coldest weather I have seen (Is it because of cold weather? There brain gets frozen or something!!). No fun here atall!! Well, you can find lots of information about my '2009' at my blogs here, I wrote 75 blogs this year. More than 3.5 times increase than last year's 21. The best thing about 2009... My dad came to Boston (US) and lived with me for almost a month. It was one of the best times I have had in a long time. It was really fun. We hanged out in Boston & also went to DC & New York. It was really different from being alone or even being at home in India. A nice awesome experience... I was almost tempted to go back to India but I resisted the temptation to pursue my goals & plans. 2009 was a fine year.

Goodbye 2009!!!!!!!!!

3333 visits...

3333 visits since Jan 9, 2009. Almost an year, lil less actually. Very small number in the blogging world, but I am still really happy. For myself & you, who read this. I'll try to do a better job of writing and maintaining this blog for me, you & all of us. & just to say... THANKS!!!. Now enough of my crappy speech for 3333 visits (What the hell will I do when I get Oscar, Filmfare, Bharat Ratna, Nobel etc. God save the world from my speech!!). Visits from 78 different countries (yeah, I counted them, I do not even know name of these many countries) with 1794 visits from India (my home) & 929 from US (& my 2nd home); then major visits from UK, Canada, Philippines, UAE, Australia, Singapore & Pakistan too (with 18 visitors, wonder how they stumbled on my blog. just kidding, you should visit more too). And 1 visit each from 20 countries like Estonia & Malta (didn't know there were countries with that name). 1 visit from Afgahnistan too, is it Osama?? LOL... I am talking like these number are so precise/exact and I am doing some Statastical Analysis (that's a damn tough word right there). Whatever, I really need to shutup now!!!
So, let's see... What have I been doing lately... As most of you know (or should know, read my blogs yaar!!) I watched 3 movies in theater (not theatre, it's british. you think I am wrong, read here) last weekend (3 Idiots, Avatar & Sherlock Holmes) but what else I did?? I watched 5 more movies at home, yeah!! Hey wait... 1st today's sad story... I lost $80 check (yeah, in US they call it check & not cheque, you won't ask for proof again, I am wikipedia guy!!). How?? I had put it in my front pocket to deposit it & now I can't find it. So it must have dropped somewhere. How much it sucks!! Why do we lose stuff, important stuff (like money, or whatever??). Why does it happens? & Why does it happens to me?? That's what most of us think. I am really disappointed at me... & god too. Ofcourse. That's the point of being a believer, you can always blame god for all the bad things. Right? Why did you do this to me?? But... it could have been worse. I could have lost more, or something more precious. Again the benefit of being a believer, or maybe to console yourself I guess. What happened, it happened to avert something worse... what a thought!! Ugh.. where am I heading here... Lets just go back to movies.
So, I watched 5 movies. 9, District 9, Paranormal Activity, The Final Destination, & UP (this ain't Uttar Pradesh friend, that's my birth place though. & both the UPs are awesome!!). They were from average to good, nothing excellent or too bad. My ratings will be like 5, 7, 6, 5 & 8 (like anybody cares, lol. well map them to movies if you care & watch em too). Tomorrow is New Year's Eve/Night. I am in Boston so let's see what I do. Maybe I'll go to Boston First Night, or something. Until then.... have fun, be safe & enjoy... Happy New Year 2009 in advance... oops(I actually did this mistake somewhere else too)!! In advance, Happy New Year 2010!!(& Hey, do not forget to click here & watch this awesomely nice Christmas video as well!!)

Sherlock Holmes (2009 Movie)

Avatar & Sherlock Holmes both in one day and were actually nice & fun. How two movies in one day? Just buy ticket for one watch that and then go into the next movie at which ever screen it's playing. I always thought of it but never did it, but turns out couple of my friends and lots of people do that here. Pay for one & watch as many as you can. It's like paying once for cold-drink (or soda as they call in US) & then refilling as many times as you like. No one asks anything so you can do it & enjoy, free-will!!

Sherlock Holmes is cool, Robert is a very nice actor & has done a good job. Especially Jude Law as Dr Watson is very good (he looks more like Sherlock Holmes though). The movie does not exactly represents what you might have thought of Holmes by reading the books, looks lil different. That was expected as it's a Guy Ritchie movie afterall. But it's definitely interesting & visually stunning as well (the fight on bridge is great). I wasn't sure of Lord Blackwood as he's not a character from real stories (more of a character because of Holme's interest in cult) but seems Professor Moriarty will be back in upcoming sequels. Finally I would say: 7/10.

AVATAR (2009 3D Movie)

I was actually excited but doubtful about Avatar, because of it's video game looking character & so much hype. But undoubtedly James Cameron is a great director & film-maker. The movie had some visually stunning scenes & effects, i really liked Pandora & loved the Na'vis. But the best thing is that the movie has a story, that too an interesting & nice one. It feels surprising that while watching the movie, when do we leave humans side & get on to the Alien's side. As the colonel said, how does it feels to betray your own race!! Finally I would say: 9/10

Well... this weekend has been a movie watching weekend with three movies I watched in theater & all turned well. Except that, I have been watching Flashforward at home (on hulu.com) and I like that too, waiting for more!!

Merry Christmas 2009 & Happy Holidays!!!

3 Idiots (2009 Movie)

I watched it & I liked it. Aamir has done a great job in his role of Rancho, looks young & acts young. His body language is amazing as well. He perfectly suits in the role of a young rebel student who wants to gain knowledge to become educated and not just a literate. Madhvan & Sharman as his freinds have done a great job in there own roles. Madhavn is one of the most under-rated actors in north. He's a great actor (I remember him from the days of Sea-Hawks on DD) and still not very successful in main leads. He suits his role of undecided youngster who wants to be a photographer but parents want him to be an engineer (it always happens in India, doesen't it??).Sharman is great in these kind of suporting roles. He's talented and also lucky that he's getting such great opportunities with Amir (remember RDB) and he always keeps upto it. His tragic family drama of poor family, working mother, unwed sister showed in Black & White is really funny. Kareena looks great and knows how to act (when she gets the right director) and usually good at over-acting roles. Boman is our next Ashok Kumar, great comedic timing and good in character roles as well. He suits the role of Strict Dean (again after Munnabhai, not as funny but nice!!). What was Javed Jaffrey & Mona Singh (aka Jassi)doing? Is this her big break?? Overall a very suited cast and well performed by everyone. And Yeah, Omi Vaidya is a good surprise package, looks good as both young & old Chatur and very balanced acting, good job!! the story line is good sarcastic view of the education system where we just want to make students cram & get good grades even if they learn anything or not. Knowledge is not as important as Degrees. Rajkumar Hirani is really good, knows how to make a nice fun movie with social message but still maintain the entertainment value, lots of drama & overacting at places but all planned & part of fun (well the child delievry was lil over the top though). Looking forward for Munnabhai-3.

So, I really liked it!! Nice take on Chetan Bhagat's novel (it was an adaption of Five Point Someone, right??) or on today's India's education System? Sweet music? Movie that gives you enjoyment but still makes you really think at the end? Finally I would say: 8.5/10. You know, I took the Idiot Exam on the movie's website & scored full. Passed all the semesters/rounds with great scores. Am I an Idiot? A genius Idiot?? LOL!!

I got fooled... by myself!!!

I know, some of you might be very happy to hear this, that I got fooled & that too by myself. You would be thinking that it's obvious that it should happen to me. What am I talking about?? Well... turns out I have some haters too. How do I know?? People making hate comments on my blog. Really!! It's so sweet n cool!! Why?? Firstly... when people start hating you & criticizing you, it means you are making progress in life. Secondly... it's amusing to see that people have so much time to waste there energy on me for negative things. I mean I don't have enough time & energy to hate anyone, what good does that do except giving me extra tension. But... it's cool. The point is I accept that I got fooled by myself. But I am only a human, or am I??

I am a Man... who's actually a Woman.... who's actually a Horse!!!

I left from work at 6 today and was expecting to reach home in 30-40 mins as usual. I got on the metro train from Park Street to Davis Square (here's the link to the metro plan). I had my awesome Sony-Walkman with cool noise isolating headphones on. Enjoying some new songs I got from Dulha Mil Gaya & Pyaar Impossible. Songs are actually nice, but I loved songs from Radio... (yeah Himesh haters, I again like his music & voice. It's think its still lil nazal but with a new pinch!!). Well, Davis square is 6 stops away from Park Street & Central Square & Harvard square are on the way respectively. The train came really late today, I waited almost half an hour for train at Park Street. I got on to train & kept enjoying my loud musinc with no outside noise disturbing me, so I was really in the rhythm & mood shaking my head & tapping my feet. By the time we reached Central Square, I saw that there were 2 girls sitting next to me and they were looking at me & smiling too. Seemed like one was about to say something but just didn't, I was lil happily surprised. I thought they might be liking my music (if they can hear) or linking my style of listening to music or maybe they just like me. Again, the train was taking long pauses at the station today but I was happy enjoying my new music (& the company of 2 pretty girls). The train reached Harvard Square and it seemed the girl said something to me but I didn't pay attention (why did i do that??). Now both of girls were looking at me enjoying my music & smiling. It took long time for the doors to open this time &the girls got off with all other people. Few people got it but the train kept standing for long time & I kept enjoying music further (not thinking of those girls!!). Now the door closes & the train starts heading back... yes, the train starts heading back to Park Street. I was like, what the hell happened?? Am I dreaming or what??. It's already 1.5 hrs almost for a 30 mins ride & now this. I immediately took off my headphones & got off at Central Square really pissed. But now I hear the announcement that there is some technical problem (or derailment) because of which trains are not going ahead of Harvard Square & they are running free shuttle-bus from there to Davis Square. They kept making that announcement at regular intervals. I had to wait another 30 min for next train to arrive & they had announcement playing in train too (with sincere apologies from MBTA & asking for patience!!). So... it turns out that the announcement was on all the time & I was just not ready to hear. Even when (supposedly) those girls tried to tell me. I just kept plying cool & enjoying the music. It totally costed me 3 hrs to reach home because of all this. It happens though, humans do mistakes & I am just a human... or am I??

I am a Man.... who's actually a Woman.... who's actually a Horse!!!

Boston is really bad, COLD...

Today with the maximum temperature of 28 degrees & minimum of 9, you can understand what I am talking about. Ohh, I am talking in Fahrenheit & not Celsius, so it is -2 max & -13 min. And with the wind & chill factor, it actually feels 10-15 degrees worse. I am not sure why in US it's called Fahrenheits. Like why is it Miles & not Kilometers, Gallons & not Litres, Pounds & not Kilograms... just WHY??? US likes to be different, or something like that. Well, I am getting used to both now, so it's not bad. But either it's 32 degree Fahrenheit or 0 degree Celsius, both are freezing. And so are the Boston winters. And n top of that it rains & snows too. Roads are getting bad, you can't walk easily with snow & ice & water all around; gotta be very careful. And the freezing wind makes any open part of body just dead numb. Like hands when they come out of pocket/gloves, or poor face which is always exposed. An 85+ degrees on AC is also not helping the cold room. I guess snow & snowfall are only so beautiful in Indian movie songs when the poor actress is running around in a sari or skirt with the guy draped in jackets or coats. They are singing, dancing & enjoying it and so do we. But not in real here, you just want to get hell out of it, or get it over with. Sunnier days are even worse, it looks from inside home that it would be sunny & warm or atleast less cold. But the moment you step out not well prepared, it's damn freezing. I have been fooled so many times by sunny outlook. Boston winters are really bad & COLD!!

Koshish Karne Waalon Ki Kabhi Haar Nahi Hoti...

लहरों से डर कर नौका पार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

नन्हीं चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है,
चढ़ती दीवारों पर, सौ बार फिसलती है।
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है,
चढ़कर गिरना, गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है।
आख़िर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है,
जा जा कर खाली हाथ लौटकर आता है।
मिलते नहीं सहज ही मोती गहरे पानी में,
बढ़ता दुगना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में।
मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

असफलता एक चुनौती है, इसे स्वीकार करो,
क्या कमी रह गई, देखो और सुधार करो।
जब तक न सफल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम,
संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़ कर मत भागो तुम।
कुछ किये बिना ही जय जय कार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

- हरिवंशराय बच्चन

Mat Kaho Aakaash Mein Kuhra Ghana Hai...

मत कहो, आकाश में कुहरा घना है, यह किसी की व्यक्तिगत आलोचना है ।

सूर्य हमने भी नहीं देखा सुबह से, क्या करोगे, सूर्य का क्या देखना है ।

इस सड़क पर इस क़दर कीचड़ बिछी है, हर किसी का पाँव घुटनों तक सना है ।

पक्ष औ' प्रतिपक्ष संसद में मुखर हैं, बात इतनी है कि कोई पुल बना है ।

रक्त वर्षों से नसों में खौलता है, आप कहते हैं क्षणिक उत्तेजना है ।

हो गई हर घाट पर पूरी व्यवस्था, शौक से डूबे जिसे भी डूबना है ।

दोस्तों ! अब मंच पर सुविधा नहीं है, आजकल नेपथ्य में संभावना है ।

- दुष्यन्त कुमार